Synthetic Sleeping Bag Options

[boom]

.......... compared to smelly, semi-naked guy sandwich.

thanks for setting the theme for tonight's nightmare! hahahha..

i bought my bomb-diggity down bag..and now i am in the market for a synthetic bag to fill that niche..this is a timely thread. thanks.

i did NOT like my slick 20. i have a buddy that gets a huge discount on Mountain hardware stuff..thanks for all the info.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

There are shops in AK that only stock Wiggy's bags for a reason. They can save your life. They live up to their rating but the price you pay is in ounces and bulk. What's a good nights rest worth to you? For cold wet weather I will pay this price.

 

[Nick Muche]

The main reason I haven't used it ever is because of the bulk and weight, plus like I mentioned above, the tag is ripped off so I have no clue which bag it is.

I guess I will be ordering an overbag today for the wiggys. Looks like I already own what will solve my problem. Thanks for all the help!

Becca, that camping trip in Feb sounds like a great time, have fun!

 

[colonel00]

Personally, I think not having a tag could be a blessing. Since I am a warm sleeper, especially when wearing clothes, the rating of a bag is usually irrelevant anyway. I would just take the bag you have out and do some testing in controlled situations. Once your weather warms up to 20* or so, spend a night in the backyard. If you are freezing you can always come inside. If you are comfortable then you know that it works for you at 20* whether it really is a 20* bag or a 10* or 30* even.

 

[orionsbrother]

I think overbags are still on sale. (as long as they're foliage)

 

[luke moffat]

The main reason I haven't used it ever is because of the bulk and weight, plus like I mentioned above, the tag is ripped off so I have no clue which bag it is.

!

On trip like up the haul road where you are basing out of a pickup truck bulk and weight aren't much of a consideration. If its going to be packed on my back I prefer to haul a down bag or quilt, but even then there are times that I still pack my wiggy's bag.

 

[Nick Muche]

Agreed.

 

[ChadS]

Are either of these two companies worth looking at?

Marmot
Kelty

 

[Ramcam]

Hmmm to bad i have the North Twin it is a great bag.I believe they are making them but under there Military arm.I will check into it.

Great choices BUT you can't get those bags anymore. ID was bought by RAB and now only making items under RAB and they don't carry those anymore.

Oh and DONT buy a RAB bag - terrible!!!

 

[Lawnboi]

Kifaru makes awesome synthetic products. There tough, and dry very very fast. And they leave you with a dry feeling while sleeping in them. Those are just a couple reasons I switched from down. I got sick of having to dry everything out.

On the bivy comment, a bivy May or may not help, depending on what kind you get it may actually make things worse due to condensation.

I also own a wiggys bag and can tell you I won't be taking it on any trips where I'm carrying it on my back for any distance. It's a decent bag, but lacks a good neck baffle and is cut a little generous for me. Only reason I bought it was I needed a bag fast and was low on cash. I'll keep it for a car camping bag and something to drag in the sled on winter trips.

On a side note, the slick bag... My buddy didn't die in his 20* slick when temps went down to 15 degrees this last year. I can tell you he wasn't having a lot of fun though. I don't own a slick but use a kifaru woobie and doobie to sleep in. I plan on getting a slick bag in the future when money allows.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

Kifaru makes awesome synthetic products. There tough, and dry very very fast. And they leave you with a dry feeling while sleeping in them. Those are just a couple reasons I switched from down. I got sick of having to dry everything out.

On the bivy comment, a bivy May or may not help, depending on what kind you get it may actually make things worse due to condensation.

I also own a wiggys bag and can tell you I won't be taking it on any trips where I'm carrying it on my back for any distance. It's a decent bag, but lacks a good neck baffle and is cut a little generous for me. Only reason I bought it was I needed a bag fast and was low on cash. I'll keep it for a car camping bag and something to drag in the sled on winter trips.

On a side note, the slick bag... My buddy didn't die in his 20* slick when temps went down to 15 degrees this last year. I can tell you he wasn't having a lot of fun though. I don't own a slick but use a kifaru woobie and doobie to sleep in. I plan on getting a slick bag in the future when money allows.

When you combine the woodie and doozie, what temp are you comfortable to?

 

[TexRed]

I am also curious to know whether Kelty or Marmot have any bags worth looking at since I can get a fairly substantial discount through them.

Also, what companies/bags are more generous in the measurements? I tend to not stay in on position when I sleep and dont like feeling like I'm wrapped in a cocoon

 

[Lawnboi]

When you combine the woodie and doozie, what temp are you comfortable to?

I only used them combined with a bivy. And woobie, doobie and bivy kept me warm down to 15 degrees without discomfort. I was wearing a few layers as well.

I sold the woobie. I'm keeping the doobie for a freezing and above bag, and I plan on adding a 0 degree slick for colder weather in the shoulder seasons. Combining the 0* slick and doobie for winter use.

 

[handwerk]

I picked the MH ultralamina 15, I've not put it to a real test but so far I like what I see.

 

[ChadS]

I am also curious to know whether Kelty or Marmot have any bags worth looking at since I can get a fairly substantial discount through them.

Same reason I asked. Big Agnes too.

The whole temp rating and comfort rating is a real crap shoot. If I knew who rated what, I would make two lists, of as many compainies as I could. And then we could make a sticky out of it. I have a Western Mountaineering down bag and I know they rate to comfort.

I'm looking at a bulletproof synthetic and the 20* Wiggy's on sale is where I think I'm headed. Do I wish it was lighter? Yep. But like said before, the benefits packed into that extra pound make it worth it. I'll take physical pain from a slightly heavier pack than the pain of freezing to death any day.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

Same reason I asked. Big Agnes too.

The whole temp rating and comfort rating is a real crap shoot. If I knew who rated what, I would make two lists, of as many compainies as I could. And then we could make a sticky out of it. I have a Western Mountaineering down bag and I know they rate to comfort.

I'm looking at a bulletproof synthetic and the 20* Wiggy's on sale is where I think I'm headed. Do I wish it was lighter? Yep. But like said before, the benefits packed into that extra pound make it worth it. I'll take physical pain from a slightly heavier pack than the pain of freezing to death any day.

If you can lose a pound of fat by giving up carbs for a week, you break even, it's like being paid to lose weight. LOL

 

[Nick Muche]

I also like the Mountain Hardware options, may give the 0 degree Ultralamina a shot. My buddy has one and I have never seen him complain about being cold, wet or uncomfortable while in some pretty crappy weather.

 

[Vance in AK]

If you can lose a pound of fat by giving up carbs for a week, you break even, it's like being paid to lose weight. LOL

I'm down almost 30 pounds. I can take a twin mattress!
I have no doubt that there are lighter & better bags out there but I have been happy with my Wiggys so far. I got the wide because I'm a side sleeper & have fairly wide shoulders. I honestly don't remember what model mine is. Either a "Sheep Hunter" or "Glacier Hunter" I believe. I think Marc at Wiggys AK has them made for him. Less insulation on the bottom. Kinda like BA, but with some insulation. Next trip to Anchorage I'm gonna take it with me so Marc can remind me which model it is.

 

[Lawnboi]

Keep in mind that wiggys will also eat up 2000 cu of space along with that 1 lb weight penalty.

 

[luke moffat]

Keep in mind that wiggys will also eat up 2000 cu of space along with that 1 lb weight penalty.

HAHA...come one now..its not THAT bad. My 3.5 pound Wiggy's is truly good to 15 degrees. No they aren't the best but for how many times I need/use my synthetic in an environment where being lightweight is critical (I use my down for most my backpack hunts).


How many nights a year do you use a down bag and how many nights a year do you use a syn bag lawnboi?