A light weight (and small) sleeping bag for backpacking in Utah

wildmanh

wildmanh

Part time Leather Bender/Sheath maker
Joined
Jul 9, 2000
Messages
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I'm looking for a new sleeping bag to take on backpacking trips here in Central Utah. Got a +25 degree Slumber Jack bag thats handles the temps nicely from May to October, but it's packed size is kind of large and it weighs around 4.2 pounds IIRC. Would love to get something around the same temp rating (25 extreme) that weights less then 3 pounds. I'm 6'5" and weigh around 170 pounds.

Been doing a little research and it looks like Mountain Hardware and Snugpak have bags in my price range (less then $350) that are still long enough for me. I've picked 2 bags from each company and am having a hard time choosing. So I'll list them below and see what you guys think:

Snugpak: Softie 6 Kestrel; 43oz, Comfort 32°F / Low 23°F, pack size 8" x 8"
Snugpak: Softie Chrysalis Kilo; 46oz, Comfort 36°F / Low 27°F, pack size 8" x 8"
Mountain Hardware: Merced™ 32 (Long); 38oz, Comfort 36°F / Low 25°F, stuff size 6"
Mountain Hardware: Phantom™ 32 (Long); 23oz, Comfort 37°F / Low 28°F, pack size 7"

Requirements: Under 3 pounds, small stuff sack, comfort rating around 35 degrees. The Snugpak's use Synthetic fill and the Mountain Hardware bags use Down. I rather like the look of the Snugpak bags, but am leaning more towards the Mountain hardware bags because they weigh 2.5lb or less. Normally I sleep on a Therm-a-rest BaseCamp XL or a 2"+ thick egg crate on a ground cover under a tarp or in a tent. Though sometimes I do sleep out under the stars if there isn't much wind. So, what would you recommend either out of those 4 options or something else? Thanks!
 
I am a mountain hardwear fan myself. My Brother has the merced 32 long and he loves it. I recently purchased a mountain hardwear 15 ultra lamina and its amazing. they are light weight, extremely warm, and pack down nicely. We use these for our light weight trips. Best of luck on your search my friend. Looks like you have narrowed it down nicely.
 
Maybe a tad on the heavy side, but I use a Marmot sawtooth long which is a 15 degree down bag, though it's quite comfortable at higher temperatures. It runs 3lb, 1oz and costs quite a bit less than your budget.

You should also be able to find a Helium long for just about your budget which is a 2b 6oz bag. I have not used a helium before, but I can't imagine it's less well made than the sawtooth.
 
wildmanh said:
So, what would you recommend either out of those 4 options or something else? Thanks!
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Feathered Friends Osprey (30°, 29oz) or their Swallow (20°, 32oz). The Osprey is barely over your budget and the Swallow about $50 over. I've owned sleeping bags from a variety of companies and IMO FF makes the best bags in the world, though Western Mountaineering bags are excellent quality as well.
 
Ferrousknight said:
Maybe a tad on the heavy side, but I use a Marmot sawtooth long which is a 15 degree down bag, though it's quite comfortable at higher temperatures. It runs 3lb, 1oz and costs quite a bit less than your budget.
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+1.

I just recommended the Marmot Sawtooth (Long) to a friend, and after a lot of research, it's the bag he picked up. I stand by that recommendation. It's the bag I've been using for years, and it consistently gets top ratings on just about any review site you check.
 
Definitely look at Feathered Friends and Western Mountaineering. They're top of the line in terms of quality, they're ridiculously lightweight and pack down incredibly small.

I have a -18degree 850 fill power down custom bag froom FF and although it cost an arm and a leg it's an amazing bag. Once it's fully lofted it looks like someone is already in the bag.

Check out reviews for the Western Mountaineering UltraLight. It's about $20 over your budget but well worth it. It's considered by many to be the gold standard for 3-season sleeping bags and only weighs 1lbs 10oz.
 
kage said:
Once it's fully lofted it looks like someone is already in the bag.
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You bring up an often overlooked point...not all down is created equal. I once compared a new Mountain Hardwear down vest to the Feathered Friends one I was wearing; the MH vest had less loft than the FF, yet the fill weight of the MH was almost exactly the same as the total weight of the FF vest.
 
I have the Western Mountaineering Ultralight, I forget how long I've had it, must be about 8 years, one of the only pieces of outdoor gear that I never daydream about replacing. Very comfortable, unbelievable how small it packs. The website claims 7x13, but it gets smaller with a good compression sack. One thing, make sure you try one on before you commit, all their bags are great, ( I also have an older Apache MF ), but some guys find them too tight. Good luck.
 
I really think you should look at WM caribou. It is rated at 35; under 300usd; small stuff and very light.

I have 0 regrets after getting one myself.
 
Western Mountaineering all the way. Top quality, and they are conservative with their temperature ratings. I use a Summerlite (rated to 32 degrees, and I have used it in temps as low as the upper 20s), and it only weighs 1 lb 3 oz. The current version of the long (6'6") weighs 1 lb 5 oz. And you can get it for around $330.

USA made to boot.
 
I have a Western Mountaineering Iroquois. Fantastic bag and weighs only 1.5lbs. It's rated at 35 degrees, but I've been comfortable down to 25 in it. I think this bag is discontinued now, but WM has several bags in that weight/temp range. Good stuff.
 
Get the Military Gore-tex Bivy cover for 99 bucks (2.3 lbs) and a lighter in weight, slightly warmer rated bag. I think that this would give you some versatility.
 
Wildman, long time no talk. Im currently in Iraq but will be home Late Jan/ Early Feb, but I was also looking for a lighter more compact sleeping bag. I however did not want down due to no value when wet issue and sleeping in single wall shelters or tarps, it tends to be a issue unless you go gortex but with Mr Murphy and my luck I would still be toast.. or well frozen. Anyways I have used Wiggys bags for the last few years and they are great, more so for the price and what you get, but the are heavier and not quite so compact.

Well anyways for a few hours every day I have been here, I was researching and go over things and came to the conclusion to buy a Kifaru slick bag. I ended up getting a 20slick in reg/ long which after talking to a few guys on 24hourcampfire, kifaru, and zombiehunters (dont knock the name, there are some great people with alot of knowledge and are open to conversation) I found that the STD/LONG is approx the size of my current Wiggys wide long, but lighter and a great deal more packable. I also purchased a 0 MOB in reg long, some stuff sacks/ pockets/ pods, a paratipi to help seal up in the cold better than my supertarp and small stove (so be it, it is still a dam great shelter) but sub 0 winds find their ways right in and on strong winds sometimes snow and or rain/ hail. I also bought my big shelter, a 8man with liner and large stove. We will have to have a camp out when I get back to try this stuff out.

Anyways the slick bag wtih a kifaru stuff sack is @$30 more than your budget (depending on how you plan to compress it, cost above is with Kifarus stuff sack), but you can skip the stuff sack and just us a dry bag like pigmonkey does, its not as small, but he likes it, its still one of the pieces of kifaru he uses (along with a ZXR and paratarp). Not sure which bag he used when he did the 50 days in the olympic mtns. Might need to search that again.

But the bag in reg/long is 2lbs 2 oz, add a few oz for your fav compression sack or drysack. I included a few photos/ links that helped sway me this way, however on the militarymorons site, his weighs more since he used the base not the slick back so it has extra zipper/ snaps/ velcro, the slick bag is the UL no frills version.

When I get back to SLC and everything all situated/ seam sealed, and the weather gets better, Ill email you for a outting.

Good luck on your decision. OHH before I forget.. your looking for a sub 3lb bag but your sleeping pad weights 4lbs??? Just giving you a hard time my friend.

There are MANY reviews from campers and such you can google, but here are few I liked
http://militarymorons.com/equipment/kifaru/kifaru9.html
http://kifaru.net/slickbag.html#
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pigmonkey/4704473657/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pigmonkey/4705111694/
 
A 25 degree bag will cook you in the summer unless you're staying high in the mountains.

As to down vs synthetic, how good are you at keeping your gear dry? If you have any issues at all, skip the down.

I'd look at a 35 or 40 degree bag and add a liner or long underwear for the early/late season trips. And I'd stay synthetic. Down's too picky and I've been caught in too many downpours in the Uintas.

Out'n'back in Orem has good deals as does Recreation Equipment Outlet in Salt Lake.
 
Ferrousknight said:
You should also be able to find a Helium long for just about your budget which is a 2b 6oz bag. I have not used a helium before, but I can't imagine it's less well made than the sawtooth.
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I have the down Marmot Helium (15F). I also bought a Kifaru 20F MOB and 40F base bag, used and almost like new. That particular Kifaru combo (synthetic) will take you to (-5F). The 'fit, finish and functionality' on both of them are fantastic.

I've heard nothing but consistently good, positive comments across the board about Western Mountaineering.
 
i have a rei kilo flash (i believe its called) it has a dwr coating and is filled with down... Its called the kilo cause i believe it weighs in at around a kilo... The temerature rating on it is 40 F i carry it along with a marmot aspen (down bag made for dicks sporting goods rated to 15 F) in the winter, and i carry it alone in the summer and spring and fall
 
Heber,
Best bet would be to just take a BYU co-ed along to keep you warm.
Doesn't get all that cold up on Timp anyway.
Shouldn't have to worry about anything much below -10 up there. :)
Denis
 
Gentlemen, thanks for the replies so far. You guys have posted some interesting options from companies that I have never heard of before now. Looks like I have more research.

Spoolup, I surely do carry a 4 pound pad and love it! Sometimes I even carry two pads. Comfort is paramount to me when I sleep. Got a bad back, pinched nerves in the upper back/neck and lower back/hips. Am fine during the day but when I lay down, I start to tingle and go numb if the padding is to hard. Did get a chuckle out of your comments. :D

Dpris, there are no BYU coeds down here in Ephraim from what I know. But there are a lot of Snow College Coeds. I moved BTW.

Here in the valley we get a lot of dew sometimes in the mornings. I've even noticed it a bit in the mountains, but not so much. Probably because I'm normally in a tent. I've started camping with a tarp instead of a tent again, so morning Dew may be a problem. So if Dew is going to be a problem, should I stick with a Synthetic bag?

Camping here in Central Utah the elevations I am at range from about 6,000 feet to 10,500 with 8,000 to 10,000 about the average elevation. Thats the main reason I'm interested in a 35 degree bag. Oh by the way, most times I'll have a small throw blanket stuffed in my pack. Helps if the temps get to high, I can open the bag and lay the blanket over me.

Please keep the recommendations and ideas coming.
 
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