Synthetic Sleeping Bag Options

[Nick Muche]

Who are the kings of the synthetic sleeping bag world?

Is a synthetic bag the way to go for cold, multi-day trips (5-14 days)?

I am sick of waking up in cooler weather and the top of my down bag is soaked. 2-3 days trips are fine as I will survive but with no way to keep it from getting wet with condensation, I feel a synthetic bag might be the best option.

Any other ideas? Would a bivy help?

 

[Darren Best]

A bivy would help.

The only good synthetic bag that I have experience with is the Kifaru Slick and it is very good.

It is tough, light, stuffs small (for a synthetic) and dries fast.

Another bonus is you can crawl into it wet and wake up dry in the morning.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

Exactly why I got a Wiggy's. A bit heavier and bulkier but after a splash with a down bag and hypothermia one night that left me shivering and sleepless...I'm sold on top quality synthetic.

[video=youtube;YD3wA5Wrcmc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YD3wA5Wrcmc[/video]

 

[Nick Muche]

I have a wiggys, the tag is ripped off so I have no idea which model it is. Never used it.

 

[AK Troutbum]

I don't have any experience with the Slick bag, but I did look into them and had a lot of people advise against them. The most common reason was that they're way too generous regarding temp ratings. For all of my backpack hunts up here, I will only use a synthetic bag. I seem (as I'm sure a lot of folks that hunt up here) to encounter wet weather on a regular basis while hunting, and I just can't trust myself with a down bag. The lightest synthetic bag, that works well for me, is the Mountain Hardwear 32 degree Ultra Lamina. I often crawl into my bag very wet (sleeping in merino tops and bottoms) and come out the next morning totally dry. That being said, I have been thinking about going with something a little lighter, so I've been looking at synthetic quilts. One that looks really good to me is the Mountain Laurel Designs 28 degree Spirit. I think I'll be making a purchase very soon. If you do decide to go with a bivy make sure that it breaths fairly well, because if not, you will be more than likely be dealing with condensation issues.

 

[armyjoe]

The new Slick bag is completely redesigned and will be a warmer bag. This comes from the change in the cut from the shoulders on up to the new hood. Its a more form fitting bag from your shoulders up to increase the effectiveness of the baffle and hood. Temp ratings are extremely subjective but I can say that the old Slick 20 was a cold sleeper for me. However, the redesigned bags will come much closer to real temp rating numbers for most people. Its a bombproof bag and definitely in my top 3 synthetic bags and worth a serious look now with the updated bag

I don't have any experience with the Slick bag, but I did look into them and had a lot of people advise against them. The most common reason was that they're way too generous regarding temp ratings.

 

[Nick Muche]

definitely in my top 3 synthetic bags

What are the other two?

 

[armyjoe]

What are the other two?

Montbell Super Spiral Burrow

Mountain Hardwear Ultralamina 15

 

[armyjoe]

What are the other two?

Montbell Super Spiral Burrow
Mountain Hardwear Ultralamina 15

 

[Ramcam]

Integral designs North Twin or Renaissance

 

[armyjoe]

Integral designs North Twin or Renaissance

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!!!

 

[Shrek]

Armyjoe , are the shoulder measurements smaller on the new slik bags ? I think the old slik long wide was 74.5" around the shoulders .

 

[matty_ren]

My late season/winter bag is a North Face Darkstar, heavy yes it is, but for a camping on the side of the haul road or kodiak base camp late season hunt it is worth its weight.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

I have the 0 and 20degr slick bags and both are true to temp for me. I seem to have quite a bit of room in the standard size but I am a skinny guy.

 

[badkneesbro]

I don't have any experience with the Slick bag, but I did look into them and had a lot of people advise against them. The most common reason was that they're way too generous regarding temp ratings. For all of my backpack hunts up here, I will only use a synthetic bag. I seem (as I'm sure a lot of folks that hunt up here) to encounter wet weather on a regular basis while hunting, and I just can't trust myself with a down bag. The lightest synthetic bag, that works well for me, is the Mountain Hardwear 32 degree Ultra Lamina. I often crawl into my bag very wet (sleeping in merino tops and bottoms) and come out the next morning totally dry. That being said, I have been thinking about going with something a little lighter, so I've been looking at synthetic quilts. One that looks really good to me is the Mountain Laurel Designs 28 degree Spirit. I think I'll be making a purchase very soon. If you do decide to go with a bivy make sure that it breaths fairly well, because if not, you will be more than likely be dealing with condensation issues.

I have the 20* slick, & I agree its more like a 30-35* bag. Its comfy & well built, just cold! I also have a mld 38* spirit quilt, & I think its warmer than my slick bag.Only thing I don't like about the spirit quilt is the Velcro on the foot box as it catches my sox, but that's not a deal breaker. If you can get over the Velcro, youll probably love the spirit quilt. Prolly gonna sell my slick bag & either put the money towards a 0* slick or a revelation quilt.

 

[orionsbrother]

Nick - Saw this thread last night. Is there a reason other than bulk for your not ever using your wiggy's? I've got a superlight and overbag on order that I'm waiting on. Am I going to suffer buyer's remorse?

 

[Aron Snyder]

Nick - Saw this thread last night. Is there a reason other than bulk for your not ever using your wiggy's? I've got a superlight and overbag on order that I'm waiting on. Am I going to suffer buyer's remorse?

The Wiggy bag is warm, but it's REALLY bulky and heavy as well.

 

[Becca]

Nick - Saw this thread last night. Is there a reason other than bulk for your not ever using your wiggy's? I've got a superlight and overbag on order that I'm waiting on. Am I going to suffer buyer's remorse?

I have the same question as orionsbrother.... Why aren't you using the Wiggy's? Sure they are bulky, but for winter camping they sure work well. We have three different ones with over bags in our gear closet, and they get the nod for most winter trips and also for coastal trips where the odds of getting wet are higher. We are doing a 5 day winter camping trip the first week in Feb, and plan on using the wiggys on cots in our arctic oven. On the same trip last year we slept comfortably at -25 degrees in our wiggys with over bags.

Most of the rest of the year we take our down bags, but our wiggys definetely still have a place. I haven't used any other sleeping bag that would allow me to dry wet or damp clothing inside while I am sleeping,so that's another plus to consider...

 

[orionsbrother]

Had all my gear saturated courtesy of a peripheral guy on a trip when weather turned suddenly. Ended up with a couple of guys in their boxers piled up on top of me. Some extra weight and bulk is an OK trade off compared to smelly, semi-naked guy sandwich. We'll see how I feel when I'm packing it.

 

[fillthefreezer]

A bivy would help.

The only good synthetic bag that I have experience with is the Kifaru Slick and it is very good.

It is tough, light, stuffs small (for a synthetic) and dries fast.

Another bonus is you can crawl into it wet and wake up dry in the morning.

in my limited bivy experience(1 full season), and my hunting area(washington) there are times that the bivy increases the condensation problem. i have not been in a position where it occurred day after day(thankfully) but could see it being a real problem on a long trip


edit, im also VERY excited to check out the new slick bag offering