Sleeping Bag Comments

[doverpack12]

I know these pop up often. I have gone back in time and read most of the old threads. My criteria are 20-30* down bag around or under 2 pounds with 63" shoulder girth minimum and long bag preferred. I have it narrowed down to a Sierra Designs Zissou 23 long (I know the actual comfort EN rating is 34*), Western Mountaineering Megalite long (30*), and Feathered Friends Kestrel Nano 30* long or Swift Nano 20* long. I know the Zissou is a little below the others but I was thinking of getting that and seeing if I like it and if not return it within a year and get one of the others.

 

[Aron Snyder]

I know these pop up often. I have gone back in time and read most of the old threads. My criteria are 20-30* down bag around or under 2 pounds with 63" shoulder girth minimum and long bag preferred. I have it narrowed down to a Sierra Designs Zissou 23 long (I know the actual comfort EN rating is 34*), Western Mountaineering Megalite long (30*), and Feathered Friends Kestrel Nano 30* long or Swift Nano 20* long. I know the Zissou is a little below the others but I was thinking of getting that and seeing if I like it and if not return it within a year and get one of the others.

I'd get the ML, or the Alpinelite (not on list, but meets criteria).

 

[Aron Snyder]

Just weighed mine....its 2lbs in the long version.

 

[doverpack12]

I looked at the Alpenlite as well. I just figured with WM the temp rating would be conservative so I could get to mid 20's with it. Thanks for the quick responses and weighing your bag.

 

[Curtis C]

Not sure when and where your hunting but if it looks like your avatar the 30° bags may a little weak. I looked long and hard at the Megalite. When I went to buy it the retailer was out of stock so they offered me the Alpinlite for the same price. I jumped on that offer and really glad I did because the first trip out with it we had 20° weather during Sept

 

[Rick Leathley]

I have the Alpinelite in Long and its right at 2lbs. I remember reading some other manufactures have misleading Girth measurements. They measure around the outside of the bag where as WM measures the inside of the bag.

For my money I choose a true 20* rated bag for versatility. I use it like a quilt in the summer and I can put of extra layers/bivy and take it down to 10* I think 20* also hits the sweet spot for warmth to weight ratio.

 

[doverpack12]

My Avatar was from late June on top of McDonald Peak in the Mission Mountains in MT. I typically hunt 5500-9000 feet anytime from beginning of September through Mid October is when I would be using the bag. Would also be used for summer backpacking and scouting trips. I have tried a 20* Alpenlite regular in a store, thats why I decided on a long for the extra girth and my feet barely touched the end. My comment on the conservative rating wasn't very clear above. I was thinking the Megalite would probably get to around mid 20's. That 1.5 pound weight is alluring.

 

[Aron Snyder]

I sleep cold, so I always run a 20 for summer/early fall, but drop to a zero after that.

I don't run down much anymore, but if synthetic isn't an option, than an AL is a great option.

 

[Hunt'nFish]

Just curious Aron, what is your opinion of the BigAgnes bags where they omit the down in the bottom and rely on the pad for bottom R-value. The concept does appear to omit some weight. I have a BA Crater 15F and it looks like it tips the scales at 2lb10z w/ Air-Core pad. Weight wise, that seems pretty reasonable to me, ....how does it stack up in your opinion. Be honest w/ me please, even if brutal.
Hunt'nFish

 

[littlebuf]

Just curious Aron, what is your opinion of the BigAgnes bags where they omit the down in the bottom and rely on the pad for bottom R-value. The concept does appear to omit some weight. I have a BA Crater 15F and it looks like it tips the scales at 2lb10z w/ Air-Core pad. Weight wise, that seems pretty reasonable to me, ....how does it stack up in your opinion. Be honest w/ me please, even if brutal.
Hunt'nFish

same concept a s a quilt just with redundant fabric on the bottom. sorry im not aron but felt like pointing that out

 

[Hunt'nFish]

same concept a s a quilt just with redundant fabric on the bottom. sorry I'm not Aron, but felt like pointing that out

Thanks Trevor.

 

[doverpack12]

littlebuf or anyone else, does sleeping straight on the pad bother you at all. Sometimes I wear a merino tee shirt but most oftne just red desert boxers and I can't decide if laying right on the pad with no fabric would bother me.

 

[Justin Crossley]

I slept directly on my Xtherm this whole year and it didn't bother me at all. Temps I slept in ranged from 20* to 60*.

I sleep in boxers and a long sleeve shirt.

 

[Kevin_t]

Sleeping on the pad does not bother me at all. The BA system is sort of like a quilt as pointed out, but has some shortcomings as well. I'm not bashing them. It is good for comfort, but you give up some ability to change bags or pads to suit the trip, and if you do change to say a smaller pad your bag may not work as well since it relies on that attachment.

 

[fillthefreezer]

littlebuf or anyone else, does sleeping straight on the pad bother you at all. Sometimes I wear a merino tee shirt but most oftne just red desert boxers and I can't decide if laying right on the pad with no fabric would bother me.

when sleeping w.o a shirt the pad can be a little sticky but not that bad. i do prefer to sleep in t shirt and longjohns when temps allow

 

[Vance in AK]

I often sleep with my Thermarest ProLite 4 in my bag to keep the bag from twisting around. I don't mind sleeping right on the pad but generally I wear a very lite set of polypro in the bag. Keeps the bag clean & keeps me from sticking to anything.

 

[doverpack12]

Anyone looked at the KUIU SD 30 and have any opinions. Specs are very similar to WM Megalie and the 15 is very similar to WM Alpinlite