Planned sleep system, what do you think?

[JWP58]

Shelter: Golite SL2 (with sheet of tyvek to keep my bag clean)
Bag: 20 degree TNF Cats Meow
Pad: Therm-a-rest Z lite

This setup will be used up to early October (maybe mid if I have to use the .270 to do the deed). I figure I could always add a liner to the bag and sleep in thermals/clothes for later in Oct., and I'm a hot sleeper.

I like the SL2 for the weight and cost, same goes for the Cat's Meow.

So, are there some huge flaws in my planned setup?

 

[Aron Snyder]

Shelter: Golite SL2 (with sheet of tyvek to keep my bag clean)
Bag: 20 degree TNF Cats Meow
Pad: Therm-a-rest Z lite

This setup will be used up to early October (maybe mid if I have to use the .270 to do the deed). I figure I could always add a liner to the bag and sleep in thermals/clothes for later in Oct., and I'm a hot sleeper.

I like the SL2 for the weight and cost, same goes for the Cat's Meow.

So, are there some huge flaws in my planned setup?

Looks good on shelter and pad, but I'd PM Ryan Avery about that bag.

 

[fillthefreezer]

im not keen on that bag personally, its stuffs to the size of a basketball and is generous on the temp rating imo.
also the sl3 is alot more sqft for almost no weight...

 

[JWP58]

Another bag Im seriously looking at is the Kelty Cosmic Down 20degree.

im not keen on that bag personally, its stuffs to the size of a basketball and is generous on the temp rating imo.
also the sl3 is alot more sqft for almost no weight...

The price is double and the weight is SL2 = 1.9lb / SL3 = 4.5lb

 

[stephen b]

The price is double and the weight is SL2 = 1.9lb / SL3 = 4.5lb

Some info for you- Fly weight of the SL3 is approx 24oz ( not much different than the SL 2 weight). So that is one thing to consider when comparing. GL now only sells the SL 2 with fly alone; where as the SL 3 comes with the inner part ( which you would not be using if you go with Tyvek). And the SL 3 weight includes the weight of center pole that comes with it; and the SL 2 does not have any pole weight, because it does not come with any.

 

[colonel00]

http://www.golite.com/pdf/Shelter_Comparison.pdf

 

[fillthefreezer]

The price is double and the weight is SL2 = 1.9lb / SL3 = 4.5lb

price yes, that weight includes the nest and pole. i believe the weight difference on the sheet is 2oz


edit: sorry, didnt read the other responses

 

[armyjoe]

Ditch that bag. Froze my ass off in that thing at 35 degrees. Cats Meow is one bag I would never recommend.

 

[marc]

I would really look at either WM or Featheredfriends if you are buying the bag. Also the zlite is nice and light but for comfort I would go with an insulated 2-3" inflatable.

 

[drthornton]

I think you are gonna freeze in either one of those bags. You are gonna need to either increase the weight or your budget. There will be allot of deals to be had between now and the summer.

If you are going with a partner I'd consider a Golite SL-5 and split the weight. It's a palace for 2!

 

[JWP58]

How about a Marmot 5 degree Snowcrest?? Goose down, little over 3lbs, looks like it MIGHT compress down to a decent size, at $268.

That's a concern for me, I don't want a huge bag, but I don't want to freeze either. And I'll probably be solo, my days off are in the middle of the week (tues,wend,thur) so myself is just about the only option.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

I don't have any experience with that Marmot bag, but I imagine it would be better than the Cats Meow. I think I liked that Cat's Meow as much as the other guys.

 

[Mike7]

If you are looking for a synthetic bag here is one option...my wife who is not a warm sleeper and sleeps to below freezing in her 30 deg Montbell Synthetic Bag. She does wear base layers when its colder and uses a good pad setup (short thermarest ridgerest over the top of a Big Agnes IAC inflatable). These Montbell synthetic bags are only $150 and 2 1/2 pounds. I would get a down bag for sure though, if going to a 15 degree bag or lower because of the added wt and bulk with the 15 deg synthetic.

I would hate the SL2 shelter personally...I think you will be wet all of the time bumping into those walls full of condensation.

 

[drthornton]

Marmot is a great brand and they make better bags than North Face IMO.
550 and 600 down are gonna be similar in performance to quality synthetic. You are gonna need to get into the 700+down to significantly reduce volume.

A good bag is an area you really don't want to skimp on or you will suffer. Someone on here had a Montbell SS UL #1 for $350 which is a great bag. You can buy a sub premium bag but if you continue to backpack hunt you'll get better anyway. If I were you I'd look on the used market for an 800+ down bag. The afore mentioned Montbell UL SS or a Marmot Helium will be a couple bags to look at.

What size guy are you? Do you have experience in a mummy bag? Have you considered a quilt?
I ask because I am a big guy and suffered in a mummy bag and am seriously considering a quilt.

 

[JWP58]

I've been looking into quilts, in fact I wish the golite quilts were in stock. Im about 6'1 205lbs. I haven't used a mummy style bag, mainly just huge bulky synthetic bags while pickup-camping where weight and size isn't an issue.

 

[Stid2677]

When you think about it, you spend almost half of any hunt in your sleeping bag,, that is your place of refuse to stay warm, dry and to recharge yourself for another hard day of hunting. If you aren't comfortable and getting a goods night sleep, most will quit sooner than they would otherwise. I would get the best bag I could afford.

Tyvek is on the heavy side, I would look at a lightweight bivy to protect your bag. I keep mine in TI Goat Bivys, they have a new one that is fairly inexpensive.

http://www.titaniumgoat.com/Kestrel-Bivy.html

 

[drthornton]

I've been looking into quilts, in fact I wish the golite quilts were in stock. Im about 6'1 205lbs. I haven't used a mummy style bag, mainly just huge bulky synthetic bags while pickup-camping where weight and size isn't an issue.

I have wide shoulders and am a side sleeper to boot. Spend at least 1 night in a Mummy bag on your pad before you spend big bucks on one.

Check out the Enlightened Equipment quilts. A bunch of guys have them on this site with very good luck.
http://www.enlightenedequipment.com/

The Revelation X was the one I was looking at....I heard they will be discontinued in 2014.

 

[luke moffat]

Rev X is a great value for the $$$ certainly like mine.

 

[badkneesbro]

Rev X is a great value for the $$$ certainly like mine.

So whats the coldest you got down to in your quilt , Luke?

 

[luke moffat]

Becca and I shared a X-wide 20 degree quilt down into the mid 20s a couple times last year.

We were comfy but much colder I think we would have wanted our own quilt. But for both of us to use a quilt that is 1.5 pounds or 3/4 per person it worked alright.

We have also each used our own quilt in the high 20s (our water bladders had ice in them in the morning) and we were surprised because we were so warm and toasty in our quilts. They are 1.5 pounds of warm goodness thats for sure!