Matt W.
WKR
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2012
- Location
- Puerto Rico
Just thought I would share some of my experiences with a variety of sleep systems I have been using for the last few years. Please note I sleep cold, and the majority of my trips are in the 20-50 degree range, I'm also 5'11" so all bags are size R other than the quilt (bought it long per their suggestion).
1) Marmot Plasma 0 - This is a treated down bag that the internet claimed was the inspiration for the KUIU sleeping bags.
Mine is in size R, it weighs 2lbs 10ozs (one ounce over stated weight, but could be my scale).
I have used it on several trips. Its warm, and the outer shell does a decent job of keeping the inner dry. Two of the trips I used it on temps were well below freezing, and I stayed decently warm. I do wish the footbox was warmer.
Every morning I would wake up with the outer shell of the bag quite damp. Felt dry inside, but definitely wet on the outer shell. Being a down bag, this caused some mental gymnastics, but the interior did stay dry.
My experience says the 0 degree rating is a bit optimistic. Maybe more like 15 or 20.
2) Mt Hardware Ultralamina 15 - This is a great bag, no longer made. It weighs right as advertised at 2lbs 14oz. I used this for 3 seasons of sheep hunting here in Alaska (all August hunts). I think the temp rating is pretty darn close and I never worried about it getting wet. All in all a great bag.
3) Hammock Gear Burrow 20 Quilt (Long with a few ounces of overfill). It weighs 1lb 6ozs. With a good pad this is a weight saving dream come true, but its a comprise of sorts. I used this for 2 seasons of Aug sheep hunting and feel that even with the overfill its more like a 30 degree rating. I usually wear more clothing when sleeping in the quilt and its a bag I love because it is light, but does require I sleep in more clothes on cold nights. It works because I make it work, and I make it work because its light.
4) Wiggys Hunter Super Light in 0. I got the non mummy bag style for wife for car camping and I used it a few times as well. Its big, bulky, and heavy at 6.3lbs. I prefer mummy bags because you can close them around you to sleep warmer. Its a decent base camp bag, but I prefer the Cinder (No. 5) over it.
5) Badlands Cinder -10 - This is actually my preferred base camp / car camping bag. You can get it cheap, it's warm, but probably not a true -10. The logos have all but worn away, but other than that its a cheap, heavy, base camp bag that works. I think it is in the 5lbs range, but I have never weighed it.
6) My newest pick up is the Mt Hardwear Hyperlamina Torch 3. Its a bit on the heavier side at 3lbs 8ozs. However for late season hunts where I want that extra warmth I think it will be worth the weight. Its an interesting design, with an unique collar system and that really locks in body temps. I don't have enough time to says it all that yet, but initial thoughts are very positive. It certainly seems well designed.
I probably have a few to many sleeping bags, but as a family of 5 I think we will use them all and its nice to have an extra if a buddy comes to AK.
While not an in depth review, I just wanted to share my experience with these bags. Hope it helps someone! Sleeping bags are the hardest thing to get right for me! I want a 2lb bag I can sleep in comfortably from 15-50 degrees and will keep me warm when totally wet. Since that is not possible, its all a game of compromise where you tailor the bag to the adventure, bring along a good puff jacket, and hope for the best.
For pads I use these 3:
Therm A Rest Neo Air X Therm (for use with a mummy bag)
Therm A Rest Neo Air X Therm Max (for use with the quilt)
Therm A Rest Ridge Rest Size R for ultra light use. Sometimes I haul this along in addition to the Neo and use it as a glassing pad. Its also great for the kids to use.
1) Marmot Plasma 0 - This is a treated down bag that the internet claimed was the inspiration for the KUIU sleeping bags.
Mine is in size R, it weighs 2lbs 10ozs (one ounce over stated weight, but could be my scale).
I have used it on several trips. Its warm, and the outer shell does a decent job of keeping the inner dry. Two of the trips I used it on temps were well below freezing, and I stayed decently warm. I do wish the footbox was warmer.
Every morning I would wake up with the outer shell of the bag quite damp. Felt dry inside, but definitely wet on the outer shell. Being a down bag, this caused some mental gymnastics, but the interior did stay dry.
My experience says the 0 degree rating is a bit optimistic. Maybe more like 15 or 20.
2) Mt Hardware Ultralamina 15 - This is a great bag, no longer made. It weighs right as advertised at 2lbs 14oz. I used this for 3 seasons of sheep hunting here in Alaska (all August hunts). I think the temp rating is pretty darn close and I never worried about it getting wet. All in all a great bag.
3) Hammock Gear Burrow 20 Quilt (Long with a few ounces of overfill). It weighs 1lb 6ozs. With a good pad this is a weight saving dream come true, but its a comprise of sorts. I used this for 2 seasons of Aug sheep hunting and feel that even with the overfill its more like a 30 degree rating. I usually wear more clothing when sleeping in the quilt and its a bag I love because it is light, but does require I sleep in more clothes on cold nights. It works because I make it work, and I make it work because its light.
4) Wiggys Hunter Super Light in 0. I got the non mummy bag style for wife for car camping and I used it a few times as well. Its big, bulky, and heavy at 6.3lbs. I prefer mummy bags because you can close them around you to sleep warmer. Its a decent base camp bag, but I prefer the Cinder (No. 5) over it.
5) Badlands Cinder -10 - This is actually my preferred base camp / car camping bag. You can get it cheap, it's warm, but probably not a true -10. The logos have all but worn away, but other than that its a cheap, heavy, base camp bag that works. I think it is in the 5lbs range, but I have never weighed it.
6) My newest pick up is the Mt Hardwear Hyperlamina Torch 3. Its a bit on the heavier side at 3lbs 8ozs. However for late season hunts where I want that extra warmth I think it will be worth the weight. Its an interesting design, with an unique collar system and that really locks in body temps. I don't have enough time to says it all that yet, but initial thoughts are very positive. It certainly seems well designed.
I probably have a few to many sleeping bags, but as a family of 5 I think we will use them all and its nice to have an extra if a buddy comes to AK.
While not an in depth review, I just wanted to share my experience with these bags. Hope it helps someone! Sleeping bags are the hardest thing to get right for me! I want a 2lb bag I can sleep in comfortably from 15-50 degrees and will keep me warm when totally wet. Since that is not possible, its all a game of compromise where you tailor the bag to the adventure, bring along a good puff jacket, and hope for the best.
For pads I use these 3:
Therm A Rest Neo Air X Therm (for use with a mummy bag)
Therm A Rest Neo Air X Therm Max (for use with the quilt)
Therm A Rest Ridge Rest Size R for ultra light use. Sometimes I haul this along in addition to the Neo and use it as a glassing pad. Its also great for the kids to use.
