Sleeping bag help

[lintond]

I need some help from the masses here.

I'm looking to get a new sleeping bag for my bivy hunt elk this fall in NE Oregon, and can't seem to decide on what temp rating I should get. My initial thought is to get 0 degree bag since I'll be at pretty good elevation in late September, and it's easier to "cool" down a bag then to add warmth if you are under bagged.

What rating and what bag would you recommend?

Thanks!

 

[Craig Van Arsdale]

A 20-30 Deg bag will do fine for that time of the year. Bring a puffy or wear your base layer to sleep in the bag if you start getting cold at night. I am a cold sleeper and this has worked for me.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

I tend to agree 20degr is what I normally run.

 

[Justin Crossley]

A good quality 20* bag should work perfect for that. Be sure to get a good quality pad with a good R value also. If you don't have a good pad, your bag rating doesn't really matter.

 

[slim9300]

I wouldn't go 30* as I have one of the best made and it's a bit cold below 35 degrees. My other down bag is 15* which is perfect for late September in my opinion. The biggest thing is buying a quality bag. I have slept in crappy bags that claimed to be 0* bags and they weren't as warm as my Marmot Hydrogen 30*. A sleeping bag is one of the quintessential pieces of gear to "buy once and cry once" (a good one should last the average guy 10+ years).

 

[justin davis]

15 degree or 20 degree. I've been in Idaho and been snowed on in August.

 

[lintond]

Thanks for the help guys. Unfortunately for my wallet I am definitely a "buy once cry once" guy. What quality bags would you recommend? I've been leaning towards down, but definitely open to suggestions. I was checking out the Kifaru slick bags too.

 

[Justin Crossley]

I really like my Marmot 15* down bag. I have never been cold in that bag and I've been down to 17* in it.

 

[slim9300]

Thanks for the help guys. Unfortunately for my wallet I am definitely a "buy once cry once" guy. What quality bags would you recommend? I've been leaning towards down, but definitely open to suggestions. I was checking out the Kifaru slick bags too.

I haven't had the opportunity to see a Slick Bag yet. I will be ordering a -20* for late season truck camping here in a few months.

I love my Marmot Helium 15*. I have seen them on sale for as low as $280 brand new. I too have slept in mine down to the high teens and been warm enough to sleep. Mid to low 20s and I am warm and toasty.

What state do you hunt mostly?

 

[dryflyguy]

Thanks for the help guys. Unfortunately for my wallet I am definitely a "buy once cry once" guy. What quality bags would you recommend? I've been leaning towards down, but definitely open to suggestions. I was checking out the Kifaru slick bags too.

You'll need to decide if you want down or synthetic. I have a MontBell ultralight spiral (15 degree) and it is uber-comfortable. If I end up hunting in a real wet climate, I will probably add a synthetic zero degree bag.

 

[pyroducksx3]

Favorite right now is a montbell ss ul it's a 30 deg but they make one for a 15 deg rating I believe. I have a slick 20 and love that one almost as much, so if going synthetic i recommend that. The marmot helium 15 degree is also a good choice between these 3 you can't go wrong

 

[OR Archer]

I have hunted the Caps pretty much every year for the last 5 years. A 15* bag is plenty. I don't think there is any place in the Caps that you couldn't hike out from in one day.

Check out Backcountrygear.com. Its a local store here that has a great website and always has great gear on sale.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

The Kifaru Slick bag is nice, as is the Montbell UL Super Spiral.

 

[Vector32]

Not to get of topic But what a the difference between a synthetic filled bag or a down filled? What would make to chose one over the other?

 

[packhorse]

High quality down gives the best insulation to weight ratio. The down side (pun not intended) is that when it gets wet down provides virtually no insulation. Down is typically more expensive for a given temperature rating. Synthetic is heavier, generally less expensive, but less effected by getting wet.

 

[gelton]

I have a marmot sawtooth membrain 15 degree and while slightly heavy it has kept me warm in 6 degree weather. Toss in a heat pack and it will be good in even lower temps. The "membrane" is marmots waterproof outerlayer to protect the down from moisture.

 

[actionshooter]

I use a 15* Montbell SS hugger down bag for that time of year, went through several bags before I really found one I like. It has loads of space and when it gets a little colder throw in a liner and its even better.

 

[huntography]

Anyone use Wiggy's?

Rudy

 

[seand]

Check out GoLite down in woodburn. I have last years 20deg 850 down bag and its awesome. I slept to 25 in Idaho in Oct and was fine with an exped ul7pad. It was actually too warm last year in late sept in the minam I was sweating and slept with it open. Then again it was 25 degrees the night before we showed up so you never know.
I'd bring hand warmers and a puffy coat and not worry about it.

Another thought is to bring a 1 season down quilt to throw on top if the forecast is for cold.

 

[seand]

Should add: at 25 degrees I was using a ridgerest and UL7 air pad stacked for more insulation. I think its a good idea to get the R value up on the pad.