Western mountaineering questions

[Brian]

*****

 

[JollyRoger]

They definitely make solid bags. 0-40 is a tough range to cover for one bag... Many nights it would be way to warm to sleep in during fall and early winter. If I wanted one bag for that range I would go for a 20* and get a silk liner for colder temps.

 

[JollyRoger]

One other nice thing is they have a full zip, so if you get warm you can kick a leg out to help regulate your temp.

 

[LandYacht]

I have a Versalite and find it is very conservative for the temp rating. I've pushed it below zero and it's just fine with a liner and good pad. Definitely more accurate ratings than many other companies. The full length zip lets you pretend to be an uber cool quilt kid, but when it's really cold you can be a warm sleeping bag kid too!

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[michaelc10]

I also have a versalite I use here in colorado. the temperature can flucuate quite a bit here as well in the high rockies. its done a real good job for me.

 

[JoshTX]

I've had an Apache, Megalite and Alpinlite. All great bags...seriously. The quality is obvious and, for me, they are true to their temp ratings. The loft is true and they stuff the crap out of the footbox so it helps keep the feet/toes warm. I still have and use the Apache and, if I were to have only bag, that would be it. In the end...they are totally worth the dough IMO.

Also remember that you can get any bag overstuffed so that will bring the temp rating down a bit.

 

[castandblast]

Looking at purchasing a new western mountaineering sleeping bag. I hunt and backpack in Idaho where temperatures fluctuate from 40 degree nights in fall to 0 degree winter nights. Want to make sure I'm leaning in the right temperature rated bag direction before I pull the trigger. I am 6'6 and am leaning toward the 7' Kodiak 0 degree bag. Any input/ experience with western mountaineering bags would be greatly appreciated.

I agree with the others that said it will take more than one bag to cover 0 to 40 in comfort. I have roasted in my Apache at 30 degrees.

Why do you want to add 6" of extra length to heat up with a 7 ft. bag?

 

[Ben]

I went through this same process and ended up adding a WM Highlite (rated to 35 degrees and weighs 16oz) to my 15 degree marmot. I'll use the WM down to freezing, adding a puffy if needed, and the marmot for the cold ones. 0-40 is asking a lot from on bag.

 

[JDZ]

Don't expect to use a 0-degree bag on a 40-degree night. Before I bought my WM Highlite, I tried using my 20-degree bag on a 40-degree night and slept very little because I was sweating.

Also, for me, I think right around 40F is as low as I'd go with the Highlite. It is made to be a very minimal bag, and it is just that.

 

[Shrek]

As close as you will get is the Badger IMO. I have a Kodiak and its way too much. I have to unzip it for anything above 25F which is most nights. There's a Terralite in my future.

 

[JDZ]

Looking at purchasing a new western mountaineering sleeping bag. I hunt and backpack in Idaho where temperatures fluctuate from 40 degree nights in fall to 0 degree winter nights. Want to make sure I'm leaning in the right temperature rated bag direction before I pull the trigger. I am 6'6 and am leaning toward the 7' Kodiak 0 degree bag. Any input/ experience with western mountaineering bags would be greatly appreciated.

As close as you will get is the Badger IMO. I have a Kodiak and its way too much. I have to unzip it for anything above 25F which is most nights. There's a Terralite in my future.

http://www.rokslide.com/forums/showthread.php?44053-WTS-Western-Mountaineering-Bag

 

[weedwacker42]

I'm 6'7" and have a 7', wide version of the Badger MF. I am happy I didn't try to squeeze into the 6'6" version. Not a whole lot of extra length in the 7' actually. I have the same issue with not liking too tight of a space. Sure, it weighs more, but not intolerable by any means. I also have the WM liner and combined can be a roaster.

 

[LandYacht]

I'm going to disagree o.k. needing two bags. The Versalite has continuous baffles so you can move the down to the bottom of the bag as needed to reduce the temp rating. When you get into colder weather move the down to the top

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[Gumbo]

I have a Kodiak 0* that I have used for several seasons in the temp range of 0-40. I am a belly sleeper and for me it is as simple as leaving the bag partially unzipped on warmer nights and wearing my top base layer (or not). Has always worked great for me. I also have a 30* synthetic that was often not warm enough so I ended up using the 0* all the time, except in summer. I'd much rather have to unzip on a warm night and be perfectly comfortable with what amounts to a quilt with foot bed than be miserable and undergunned on a cold night with all my clothes on in a light bag. Why not be prepared for most anything mother nature can throw at you?

Hijack Alert: I have my WM Kodiak listed on the classifieds for $400. While I really like it I am considering a 0* synthetic. PM me if interested.

 

[Shrek]

Gumbo , why would you want a synthetic bag ? You already have the best bag going.

 

[MattB]

Having among the best down bags doesn't make down the best option for all situations.

 

[Gumbo]

Gumbo , why would you want a synthetic bag ? You already have the best bag going.

Long story. After about 15 years my Sierra Designs Light Year finally died on me so I bought an Akto. Although I never experienced any condensation issues in my light year I am slightly concerned the Akto will not vent as well since it is 4-season. I really considered a super tarp, but I loved the light year EXCEPT for the lack of any useable vestibule space, and the Akto seemed to be the closest option to it with a reasonable vestibule. I mostly backpack hunt in MT in early archery season (pretty dry air) and I plan on running the Akto in fly/footprint mode, which on paper appears be a relatively light, snug, buttoned down tarp for the most part anyway. In this case I'm not too concerned about condensation, BUT for colder, later season rifle hunts or archery hunts where the weather may go south I do want to use the inner tent and I don't want to end up with a wet down bag. Again, I feel that in SW MT with dry air and being an experienced one-man tent guy I can mitigate against condensation with the Akto, but many posts in forums that speak of horrible condensation make me want to play it safe and go synthetic. Many of these are likely in really humid conditions, in which any small tent would have horrible condensation. From postings and videos I know A. Snyder at least used to be a big fan of the Akto which means it can't be a total sauna or piece of junk.

I really do love that WM bag and if I can't sell it for that price I will run it until it dies (which it may never do) or until my fears become reality and I buy a new slick bag in 0* or a different tent, depending on how I feel at the time. At least most of my hunts aren't that deep so I can usually hike out well before it becomes life or death.

 

[Scoot]

I have a Badger and love it! However, it'd be pushing it getting down to 0 IMO. It's true to rating and I've been just fine down to 10 with a good pad. But, I'm a cold sleeper and you might not be. You could probably make it work just fine, but if it were me I'd be looking at the Kodiak in the classifieds. I also would definitely not buy an extra 6" of bag if you don't need it- just no good reason. Last thing-- the Badger is really big and comfy, but even as a guy who doesn't love mummy bags I wish I had gone with a little slimmer fit bag. Unless you're a husky dude, I personally wouldn't get a bag as roomy as the Badger (for reference I'm 6' and 185). Good luck! You're asking a lot from one bag, but my guess is you can make the Badger or the Kodiak work in 95% of the situations you described.

 

[boom]

I run an Alpenlite. Im 6' and opted for the extra space and got the extra length. I've gone down to the teens and slept in the cool side. I stuff my hunt clothes into the foot bed cuz I hate putting on cold clothing. The width might be too big for me. I bet it would be warmer if I was fatter or the bag narrower.

For your needs, I think a Badger would get you close.


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[back country]

I run the versalite. Awesome bag, and really hard to beat its weight/temp rating ratio.