Synthetic Sleeping Bag Options

[Lawnboi]

I no longer own a down bag Luke. I just prefer synthetic. My last down bag was a marmot lithium. I didn't care for it being damp all the time, I only soaked it once.

I haven't gotten to use the wiggys much this year, so I cannot comment on how true to temp they are, but I do know they are big, heavy, cheap and built well. I'm not saying they are bad, in fact for the price they should be considered for the guy on a budget.

Used kifaru doobie and woobie for over a month off my back this year and I can say iv been very happy using the doobie as a 3 season bag, enough so that I won't be switching this year.

I still can't help but look at down bags though, especially some of those 30 degree wm super light options, 1lb and tiny pack size... Hard to resist the temptation.

 

[Vance in AK]

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

I think mine is closer to 1000-1300 in the compression sack. I'll measure when I get home. But even at your guess that's not a 2000ci penalty. not sure what the like temp rated down bag would be for ci.
Oh & after I measure it maybe I will wash my Wiggys bag (at well over 100 nights it's probably time) in the home washing machine as the manufacture suggests.

Everything has its +s & -s.
I'm not a Wiggy's addict or salesperson, and as I said earlier, I am sure there are better & lighter synthetic bags out there, I just know mine has served me well, both in the backpack & truck camping.

 

[Lawnboi]

2000 was just an estimate guys, nothing scientific. My wiggys is also a 0 degree super light though too.

Shoot with the absolutely crazy temps were seeing around here I may need to get a -40 wiggys if I want to go out this winter anymore. We are seeing -20 degree lows on a weekly basis. I'm getting sick of it.

I do like how synthetic cleans as well. I dreaded putting my down bag in the washing machine or dryer.

 

[luke moffat]

Shoot with the absolutely crazy temps were seeing around here I may need to get a -40 wiggys if I want to go out this winter anymore. We are seeing -20 degree lows on a weekly basis. I'm getting sick of it.

Come on up here...been in the 40s for the past 2 weeks!

 

[Lawnboi]

Come on up here...been in the 40s for the past 2 weeks!

What I would give to have those temps around here. A few weeks ago we saw -40s. Too cold to even burn my new stove outside. This snow needs to melt so I can start looking for some sheds and test some new gear.

 

[Vance in AK]

6pm & a balmy *35 (above!) & clear right now here in Kenai, AK. Supposed to rain tomorrow though

 

[Colby Jack]

48 in Los Anchorage. Tied the Record for warmest temp. Sick of this January rain, though.

 

[Vance in AK]

You & me both brother. It's so slick the dare scared to cross the driveway because of the water on the ice. 34* & overcast at 5am.

 

[Vance in AK]

2000 was just an estimate guys, nothing scientific. My wiggys is also a 0 degree super light though too.

Just for fun I had to measure mine. Compressed in the Wiggy's compression bag (great compression bag but HEAVY) it's 8.5x8.5x10 = 722.5ci I went at widest points so since the top of the bag is domed & the corners rounded I think that's a pretty fair number.
As I said earlier, I don't remember the exact model but I believe it's a 20* bag.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

Just for fun I had to measure mine. Compressed in the Wiggy's compression bag (great compression bag but HEAVY) it's 8.5x8.5x10 = 722.5ci I went at widest points so since the top of the bag is domed & the corners rounded I think that's a pretty fair number.
As I said earlier, I don't remember the exact model but I believe it's a 20* bag.

Yeah, that compression bag is a biach to stuff in the field...it's hard to roll the bag up tight enough to fit even when it's laid out on my bed. Got a Kifary 5 string for itto see if that's easier in the field.

 

[AK Troutbum]

You & me both brother. It's so slick the dare scared to cross the driveway because of the water on the ice. 34* & overcast at 5am.

46 degrees and raining in Eagle River at 5:30 this morning. I'll take -20 (in January) over this weather any day of the week. This is BS!

 

[Vance in AK]

Yeah, that compression bag is a biach to stuff in the field...it's hard to roll the bag up tight enough to fit even when it's laid out on my bed. Got a Kifary 5 string for itto see if that's easier in the field.

Either my stuff sack a little bigger (it's medium) or my bag a little smaller because I have no problem. I also don't roll, I literally stuff. 2 minutes tops in the field & it's done. BUT, I think the 5 string is in my future too primarily do to weight.

Troutbum, I'm kinda getting used to this. I will now foolishly expect an early breakup & ice out & be disappointed later. Wood pile is sure looking good! Looks like I'll be carrying about 4 cords over to next year if the longrange forcast holds.

 

[AK Troutbum]

32 ounce Mountain Hardwear Ultralamina bag. I love it but, it's just too damn heavy and cumbersome.

 

[castandblast]

I used the Ultralamina for a season. The dual zips seemed like a great concept but I really missed the versatility of being able to unzip the bag all the way and quilt it or hang a leg out so it went down the road....

 

[Vance in AK]

32 ounce Mountain Hardwear Ultralamina bag. I love it but, it's just too damn heavy and cumbersome.

What's the temp rating on that one TB?

 

[AK Troutbum]

It's a 32° bag, but I've used it comfortably down to around 20°. I always wear merino wool tops and bottoms and occasionally when the temperatures dip I'll add a puffy jacket and pants.

 

[Salmo-Priest]

AK,
Are you taking extra clothing along just so you can get to 20* in a 32* bag?

 

[AK Troutbum]

AK,
Are you taking extra clothing along just so you can get to 20* in a 32* bag?

No, I've probably only slept in this bag down to those temperatures, maybe a couple times. I bring very minimal clothes on my hunts, but a pair of merino wool tops and bottoms and puffy jacket and pants are always included. There've been many times that I've piled all the clothes on that I have that are wet, and crawled into this bag just to dry them out while I sleep. This has always worked very well for me. As much as I love this bag, I am looking into buying a mid 20° synthetic quilt to possibly replace it, and shave some more weight from my pack.

 

[kodiakfly]

Wow, that thing really packs down nicely. It's time for a new bag for me. I have an old (like 16 years old...) Wiggys double bag, and a few MH bags from 0 to 35. Living here, I'll only use synthetic and I like sleeping toasty, so I'm looking for a 15-20 bag now. Pretty much down to another Wiggys or the MH UL. I'm a big (wide) guy, so I like the Wiggy's dimensions. But the UL size and weight is very appealing.

 

[Yellowknife]

I used the Ultralamina for a season. The dual zips seemed like a great concept but I really missed the versatility of being able to unzip the bag all the way and quilt it or hang a leg out so it went down the road....

I have one of the dual zip Ultralamina, and I agree that it is annoying. It seems we weren't the only ones, because the current ones are back to single side zip.

Yk