Sleeping Bag Research - Help Please!

[Kevin_t]

I've used a dry sack before full of pine needles and some trapped air when i forgot a pad.

If you know how you sleep in EN rated bags you can make a good comparison. I sleep pretty close to EN ratings assumed proper fit.

The shell on most high end bags does a good job repelling minimal water such as spindrift , light rain etc . Use a bivy for more protection , or if you need a big garbage bag over the foot end

 

[DanB]

A sack full of pine needles is a good idea! Thanks!

I cant see myself spending the 7-800 dollars on a really nice goose down bag even though they compact down to next to nothing. I'd rather have a slightly larger bag and not have to worry about getting it too wet.

Thanks for all the help!

 

[badkneesbro]

Damn. Sleeping without a pad is hardcore. I've forgot my pad before on accident, and regreted every minute.

I did that once myself. Sucked. Never again.

 

[Mmcan]

I have a WM Badger (micro fiber) and love it. Lots of room, sleeps warm. Made to last a long time. It isn't rated to 0 deg, but I mention it to encourage you to check out WM bags and their quality. Having slept in it down into the low teens, if I knew was going to be camping in 0 deg, I would add a liner, wear a base layer and beanie, and go to sleep confident that I would stay warm. And at a 15 deg rating, unzipping to 40 deg is easy.

 

[Jdog]

I have a WM Badger with their gore exterior.

They will also throw in a few more ounces of overfill if you request it at no charge.

My 15* Badger is more likely a 7-8* bag and I have slept in it down to 0* and stayed warm.

Their bags are conservatively rated to say the least.

I used to be leery of down bags for fear of getting them wet as I do a lot of sheep hunting in AK--and its always raining and wet.

Never had an issue and I have not thought about moving back to a synthetic bag since I got this WM.

 

[Shrek]

You can get a Western Mountaineering for a good bit less than $700. I just bought a WM Kodiak long for a little over $500. Also , I doubt you will get 7 days into 3500 ci if you are needing a 0º-15º bag. I know it can be done but most likely you will have a bunch of chit strapped to the outside and if you put it in pockets and dry sacks you could probably have a giant pack bag that fits and is much more flexible for close to the same weight. If you just want the challenge of a lesser sleeping bag , stuffing all you can in an undersized pack , and creatively strapping the rest on and hoping it doesn't get lost then knock yourself out. Not trying to be ugly , there is a whole ultralight subculture that is all about just that but it certainly isn't for me.

 

[Justin Crossley]

I would rather not have a quilt because at times, I am sleeping on the ground without a pad. Also I have looked at WM but they are down and not a dry down. I would prefer a dry down or a synthetic so I dont have to worry about it getting wet.

Thanks for the help! I really wish I could find someone who has spent some times in the Sierra Designs bag, I like the design, just not the higher temp rating.

I would NEVER plan a trip without a pad. A pad is the best way to insulate yourself from the cold ground, plus it is more comfortable so you will sleep better and hunt harder.

If you are worried about getting your bag wet, get a Kifaru 0* Slik bag and you will be fine.

My choice for what you described would be.

Tigoat Raven Omni bivy 7 oz.
http://www.titaniumgoat.com/Omni-Bivy.html
Thermarest Xtherm 15 0z.
http://www.rei.com/product/829850/?...470973720&msid=5JSzysm2_dc|pcrid|48416327680|
Revalation Pro 0* quilt 26 oz. (with treated down)
http://store.enlightenedequipment.com/revelation-pro/

 

[hodgeman]

I've got a Western Mountaineering Badger- a great bag and well worth the $$$ they cost. The only two bags I've got that even come close to being accurately rated are my WM and my Wiggys- they both are comfortable right down to the rated temp and with a base layer you can go slightly colder.

I use my down bag in the mountains and my Wiggys on the rivers... it's worked out pretty good so far.

 

[Akheimdahl]

I have a wiggys glacier hunter (15°f) great bag especially for the $$. If you don't mind a little extra weight and bulk I wouldn't disregard them. I too always try to avoid getting my bag wet but if it does I'm confident it will keep me warm and most likely be dry in the morning. Cons of a wiggys - weight and bulk, pros- too many to list...

 

[BroodBuster]

I've got a WM ultralight at 20*. I use it all spring long steel heading rainforest rivers. I just place it in an REI bivy and place both in a stuff sack. I find it very easy to not get it wet. I returned to camp once this year to find my tent in a puddle. I slept great.

 

[DanB]

Thanks for the help everyone!

I just ordered a bag from STP. The bag is a Sierra Designs Cal 13 800 fill Goose DriDown. It seems like it will fit my needs and weights 1lbs 12oz. The best part? I got it for $226.00 with a 40% off code. Not too bad since the bag retailed for 575.00.

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/si...tring=s~sierra-designs-cal-13/&colorFamily=01

 

[eltaco]

Thanks for the help everyone!

I just ordered a bag from STP. The bag is a Sierra Designs Cal 13 800 fill Goose DriDown. It seems like it will fit my needs and weights 1lbs 12oz. The best part? I got it for $226.00 with a 40% off code. Not too bad since the bag retailed for 575.00.

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/si...tring=s~sierra-designs-cal-13/&colorFamily=01

Yeah, that's a no brainer. Great deal on a bag that lightweight... and treated down to boot. I'm trying to resist the urge to purchase one, myself.

 

[boom]

People worry about getting their bag wet to much Outside of getting in it wet I don't worry to much and it rains here a lot. If your bag is getting wet from the outside in then you really Effed up somewhere in your planning.

I would look at the WM or slik bags also.

the feathered friends guy said pretty much the same thing. he said humans have been pretty good at keeping dry for thousands of years..if you get a bag wet, you're doing it wrong.

(i paraphrased, bigtime).

he was a cool dude. fun to talk to.

 

[Brodie]

Only thing I don't like about my cal 13 is it's lack of a draft collar.

 

[DanB]

Only thing I don't like about my cal 13 is it's lack of a draft collar.

Glad to hear that you like yours. What kind of temps have you taken it down to? Also, do you sleep cold or hot?

I know the Cal 13 has a draft collar... is it just not substantial enough to really do the job?

 

[Wood Trekker]

My 0F bag is a Western Mountaineering Antelope MF. It's a down bag. If I was going to go with a synthetic bag, it would be the Mountain Hardwear Ultralamina 0 bag. As far as I know, it is the best on the market for that category.

I don't care if a bag is made of magic elf hair, if it gets wet, you have serious issues. Synthetic insulation is slightly better, and will cope with things like condensation much better, but if you get a bag wet, you are in for a tough night.

I also wouldn't sleep without a pad. It significantly lowers the insulation rating of your system. A pad with high R value is as important as a good bag.

 

[Jdog]

I love my WM bag--I use it on the wet-est of sheep hunts in AK.

Lots of moisture, rain and occasional snow.

Take proper precautions and keep any bag dry.

I love the feel, comfort and loft that down bags provide.

And dude...you gotta have a pad!

 

[Pac8541]

Has anyone tried the Sea To Summit bags? Looking at the Traverse series now.