What gram weenie sleeping bag should I buy?

[Sundodger]

After 15 years of service my Zpacks 20 deg sleeping bag is getting long in the tooth and needs to be replaced.

Before I just order up a new one, are there better options now I should consider?

Current bag weighs 1.46lbs including the stuff sack, and not really interested in heavier options.

 

[mighteywhitehunter]

Stop worrying about grams and go for performance and quality.

Western Mountaineering is a great start. I am a side sleeper and use the Terralite 6'6" 25deg bag along with a couple of other bags depending on temps... It is roomy, warm and enjoyable to sleep in. It affords me enough room to slide my clothes on before getting out of the bag when it is colder than a pimps heart outside. YMMV.

 

[ChrisAU]

Some of us have more fun chasing grams than the comfort we would derive from not chasing grams.

OP, look at quilts. I consider my 21 oz 20* Hammock Gear quilt to be heavy, I’m looking at options sub 16 oz for an early rifle hunt this year.

 

[Bbrinks]

Definitely quilts for me too. I’m a side sleeper and toss a bit during the night and a quilt was just more comfortable for me. My 10 degree hammock gear quilt and a Xtherm pad have been a great combo for later seasons

 

[Ferrulewax]

Most of us gram weenies have converted to quilts. I have a traiheadz, but katabatic, enlightened equipment, and hammock gear are probably the most popular options.

 

[hardincobucks]

I took 9oz out of my pack when I moved from a stone bag to a Katabatic quilt of the same temp rating. I sleep better too. My 30 degree enlightened quilt is 15oz and my Katabatic 15 degree Wide is 26.9 oz. I’d lean towards the Katabatic if you’re going to be using it in winter it has a much better pad attachment system

 

[Slugz]

So honest question directed at the guys in the thread who use quilts. Are they warm? Air escape alot and do you get cold easy?

Thanks

 

[Sundodger]

What model of traiheadz, katabatic, enlightened equipment, and hammock gear quilts are you guys using?

I ask, because my quick look at their websites it seems like they weigh the same or more than the equivalent zpack sleeping bag.

 

[Sundodger]

Stop worrying about grams and go for performance and quality.

Western Mountaineering is a great start. I am a side sleeper and use the Terralite 6'6" 25deg bag along with a couple of other bags depending on temps... It is roomy, warm and enjoyable to sleep in. It affords me enough room to slide my clothes on before getting out of the bag when it is colder than a pimps heart outside. YMMV.

But I have been quite pleased with the performance my current gram weenie bag.

Only reason I ask is to see if there are any better options available now.

 

[mighteywhitehunter]

Copy.

 

[alexnelon]

So honest question directed at the guys in the thread who use quilts. Are they warm? Air escape alot and do you get cold easy?

Thanks

They're plenty warm. I toss and turn a lot so when I started with a quilt I struggled with drafts until I stopped zipping up the footbox and started just tucking the bottom corners under the pad the same way you would tuck sheets under a mattress.

I might consider a bag if it was getting below ~10-15 degrees but a 20 degree quilt with a good insulated pad is good to 20 degrees for me.

 

[Slugz]

They're plenty warm. I toss and turn a lot so when I started with a quilt I struggled with drafts until I stopped zipping up the footbox and started just tucking the bottom corners under the pad the same way you would tuck sheets under a mattress.

I might consider a bag if it was getting below ~10-15 degrees but a 20 degree quilt with a good insulated pad is good to 20 degrees for me.

Great good to hear. Thank you

 

[Hoghead]

I use a stone glacier Quilt it has straps to hold it to a pad and to control drafts. i believe its 22 or 24 oz. I have been very happy with it. coldest i have been temp wise is high 20s.

 

[Bubblehide]

Zenbivy

 

[C Bow]

At 70 years old I have been going thru equipment and counting grams I just bought a Western Mounteering Versalite 10 degree bag 6ft at 32 oz from a company in TN for 612.00 to replace my Badger at 38 0z

 

[hardincobucks]

They're plenty warm. I toss and turn a lot so when I started with a quilt I struggled with drafts until I stopped zipping up the footbox and started just tucking the bottom corners under the pad the same way you would tuck sheets under a mattress.

I might consider a bag if it was getting below ~10-15 degrees but a 20 degree quilt with a good insulated pad is good to 20 degrees for me.

I agree. I’d only consider a bag if it was gonna be 15 degrees or colder for more than 1 night. I would get a wide if you’re using it in the fall or winter that can help with drafts. I only have experience with two brands but my understanding is the Katabatic is one of if not the best pad attachment system on the market for quilts and really helps eliminate drafts. I also use a Hilleberg Anjan which is probably warmer and has less air flow than most tents.

 

[hardincobucks]

What model of traiheadz, katabatic, enlightened equipment, and hammock gear quilts are you guys using?

I ask, because my quick look at their websites it seems like they weigh the same or more than the equivalent zpack sleeping bag.

You need to be comparing ounces of fill and fill power not temp ratings. I’d be very surprised if a zpacks bag was lighter than an enlightened equipment quilt with the same oz of fill. Mine is 7 denier inside and outside fabric that’s about as light as it gets. Zpacks could be exaggerating their comfort levels

 

[Sundodger]

You need to be comparing ounces of fill and fill power not temp ratings. I’d be very surprised if a zpacks bag was lighter than an enlightened equipment quilt with the same oz of fill. Mine is 7 denier inside and outside fabric that’s about as light as it gets. Zpacks could be exaggerating their comfort levels

It's tough to do a 100% apples to apples but this is the closest I can get for the 20 deg option. It's not a lot lighter, but around an oz or two, which has me wondering why everyone is into quilts.

Enlightened equipment revalation quilt:
Zpacks classic sleeping bag:

 

[hardincobucks]

Sorry I assumed the zpacks was going to be your standard mummy style bag. It’s basically a quilt idk why they call it a sleeping bag. I should know better (I run their altaplex tent). After looking at specs they are pretty similar maybe the Enigma from EE is slightly lighter when going with the custom 7D fabric and have the sewn in foot box but barely? If you were happy with the Zpacks I would stick with that. The main reason I run quilts is I sleep on my stomach or side and it doesnt bunch up underneath me and feels like a blanket. I also can’t stand the head part on a mummy bag.

 

[Bubblehide]

You need to be comparing ounces of fill and fill power not temp ratings. I’d be very surprised if a zpacks bag was lighter than an enlightened equipment quilt with the same oz of fill. Mine is 7 denier inside and outside fabric that’s about as light as it gets. Zpacks could be exaggerating their comfort levels

You need to consider the fill quality for an equal comparison, not just fill Wright. 600 down is not equal to 950 fill down. I recommend zenbivy because you control draft, no draft., i.e., warmth. And the offer different fill quality. Personl use reports say, zenbivy underrates there quilts, substantially. My personal use is a simular example. Lastly, your pad us what is supposed to keep you warm from the ground, not a flattened sleepingbag; so but an appropriate R-value sleeping pad.