Sleeping bag for my wife

[Asutcliffe]

My wife enjoys hunting with me and we are planning our 2nd spring bear trip to Idaho where we are packing in for a spot and stalk hunt. The last time we went she never got a good night's sleep because she was always cold. She was using a synthetic fill 20 degree bag. The temps we were hunting in ranged between 20 and 40 at night. She did sleep in her puffy but was still cold. What bags do you recommend that are light and compact enough to pack but still warm enough for her to be able to sleep.

 

[zpearo]

What is your price range?

 

[Idagnome]

Most bags list their limit temp as the selling temp (I.e. you’ll stay warm but not sleep great). You want the comfort temp rating on the bag to be the coldest you expect if you want to have a great nights sleep. Even better if you find a bag that has been ISO tested because they’re actually standards. Down bags if you can afford them are great, but checking the actual temp ratings and fill power is just as important as the marketing hype.

 

[Asutcliffe]

What is your price range?

Not really set on a price. I do believe in buy once cry once and good sleep in the back country is about as important and having enough food. Without it you aren't going to have the energy demanded by the hunt.

 

[Dennis]

My wife and I have add good luck with Western Mountaineering down bags. Wife seems to like a warmer bag than I need. Look at comfort ratings.

 

[camelcluch]

What pad and bag is she using? So many ways to go but better to know the starting point.

 

[Yung6ix]

We use a single down rectangular bag (MEC Cygnet, no longer available). I made a sheet bottom that zips to it. This saves a lot of weight and bulk, especially important on a recent backpacking trip.

In warm weather we need to keep the bag unzipped, which creates a problem because the sheet tends to bunch up on the pads. I solved this by making ties at the corners that connect to the pad coupling straps, holding the sheet in place.

In cooler weather we take a small fleece blanket to put over our heads if needed. Fleece is quite nice to sleep under in cold weather because it is quite permeable, and the blanket can be moved around for the right balance of warmth and air flow. The fleece dries quickly if it gets damp from our breath.

This works for us!