Sleeping bag too big?

[shader112]

Alright, the wife and I are going to be in Alaska this september on a fly out caribou hunt for 10 days

I have two wiggy's super lite 0 degree bags, long and wide as I am tall and she likes room to move
They have been great in temps from 35-55F for her, however she has said she was never overly warm with the bag zipped up all the way. Even when 55 for the low. I think she has bad circulation and always seems to be cold

This has be concerned that she may get cold on our trip even with the 0 degree rating. My thought is that the bag may be too big for her and getting a smaller bag might be beneficial?

I am also considering a new bag for this trip, as my current backpacking bag is a 15F and old and the loft is gone. And the wiggys bags weigh 6lbs so not looking forward to carrying the around in alaska (we will hike 3-4 miles from drop off point)

Thoughts on bag size being too big for her? (she's 6')

What would be a good alternate synthetic 0 degree bag? It would be nice to shave a pound or two as well, but not quite sure I want to shell out for WM quality

 

[DoubleAron]

That’s a heavy bag and if she cold at 55 she is going to be miserable at 0. The bag being too big can make it less efficient as there is more air to heat up inside. I hate tight bags though so it is something I am willing to deal with.

My first thought is a stone glacier chilkoot. I like mine and don’t feel strangled inside it.

Also look at the pads you are sleeping on. If they are letting in a lot of cold from the bottom you will never get warm as the sleeping bag does not do much on the bottom.

 

[gman82001]

She could wear her puffy stuff to bed as well but I’d probably look at a different bag as well for her

 

[timbernomad]

I switched from a long/wide to a regular/wide Wiggy's bag and saw a noticeable improvement in terms of warmth.

 

[Maverick1]

Yes, it is possible for a bag to be too big.

 

[camelcluch]

Too much dead space is bad. I pull the foot of my SG bag inside to help stay warmer.

 

[chizelhead]

I agree—an oversized sleeping bag can make for a cold night if you can't fill the extra space. I’ve had that experience myself and found I stay much warmer in a better-fitting bag. It’s also worth evaluating her sleeping pad; upgrading that can make a big difference too.

 

[shader112]

Thanks for the advice
She uses the Sea to Summit insulated either light pro with a 7+ r rating so should be good there

I think I'm going to look into a new bag for both of us. I like the idea of synthetic but hard to get much of a weight savings without going to down

I have no first hand experience with down so am a little nervous about using it in alaska in a floorless shelter. But the more I read plenty of people seem to do just fine with it, and the weight savings is great, probably save 3lbs vs the wiggys and the bulk

 

[shader112]

If I do go to down I'm looking at the WM badger GWS. Pretty high price tag but I prefer to buy USA made when I can

 

[butcherboy]

A smaller sized bag would be good but if you don’t get one then you can stuff the inside of the bag with extra clothes, wear more clothes inside or get a cover for the bag.

 

[Blurry1]

Only thing I might add is putting a water bottle (insulated or with a sweater wrapped around) down at the foot. Just make sure it’s well closed.

 

[timbernomad]

Yeah, there are other options, like tying off the bottom of the bag with a string or belt to remove extra space. I know that when I had a long/wide Wiggy's bag, every time I moved I got cold because it stirred up cold air at the bottom of the bag.

 

[Speaks]

Well fitted bag helps, feathered friends makes woman specific bags with higher fill as well.

 

[NealS02]

I second the SG Chilkoot 0 degree bag recommendation. Mine is super light and warm. I think it weighs a little under 3 lbs.