Cold weather sleeping bag

Bill Siegle

Bill Siegle

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Oct 3, 2000
Messages
6,814
any thoughts on these? I'm looking for something waterproof, around 10degree rating,and packable as I'll be shoeing into the sleep site. And as always if you've got 1 available let me know. Thanks.
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Bill Siegle
was4u@cs.com

Bill Siegle Custom Knives
http://www.geocities.com/siegleknives
Camp and Japanese Styled Knives a Specialty
 
Backpacker Magazine is a great source of info on the subject. Good reviews and gear comparisons. Their GearFinder isn't responding at the moment, but it contains a lot of detailed raw gear info.

I was in the market for a new 3 season bag (15-25 degree rating) last year, so lemme offer my thoughts on the subject. FWIW, I had used the same 3 season polarguard poly bag for about 19 years in everything from summer at the beach to -10 degrees with a 30 mph wind.

Were I to buy a down bag, in just about ANY temperature rating, I would definitely choose a Feather Friends bag. The bags consistently earn very high marks and are perhaps the lightest down bags available. Lots of features available like extra down if you'd like the bag a bit warmer and several lengths (short, regular, long and extra long). GoreTex seems to have been replaced with DryLoft in sleeping bags by and large across the industry. DryLoft is more breathable but less water repellent. FF now uses a PTFE laminate instead of DryLoft. PTFE adds about $80 to $100 on to the cost of a Light Flight Series bag. Nearly the breathability of DryLoft with the waterproofness of GoreTex. I believe other makers are doing the same. However, FF bags ain't cheap. The 10 degree rated Lark and Raven start at $310 and $345 respectively, without PTFE. The insanely minimalist 20 degree rated Hummingbird, 1 lb. 10 ozs., starts at $255. [If you buy this one, be sure to stop in the FF Store, or call 'em and locate a retailer who stocks FF bags near you, and try this one on. It's a very narrow cut bag.]

Cost won out in my bag purchase, so I went for the lightest 3 season poly bag I could find -- The North Face Cat's Meow 3D (as in Polarguard 3D insulation). The shell is water resistant, although that's not as big an issue in a poly bag. One feature I particularly liked about this bag is the stiff fabric the zipper is attached to which helps reduce the likelihood of a zipper snag.

There are plenty of other great quality poly bags on the market you could check out: Caribou, Mountain Hardwear, Sierra Designs, etc. Be sure you go in the store and "try it on".


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Ken Grubb
Lacey, WA, USA
 
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I'm going to check out that Cat's Meow. Thanks for the response!
 
nake certain you check out the hood arrangement
most heat will get out there!

also see if they have right and left handed bag.(side the zip is on(




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conrad

conrad@canadamail.com
 
I have used a Feathered Friends bag for several years up in the Northwest Territories, Ellesmere Island, Nunavut, and Greenland. They make incredible bags, although they're a bit expensive. My preference is for their modified rectangular bags rather than the mummies. These are a bit bigger, heavier and colder than mummies, but the quality of the down is so good that these factors are rather small and more than compensated for in the extra comfort of a bigger bag. FF will do custom work so I asked for better down [800 loft rather than 700-750] and you can ask for an overfill, although the better down should make that unnecessary. I fing the FF temperature ratings to be pretty good, but everyone is different. It's better to be a bit conservative and err on the side of too warm: you can always compensate by unzipping a bit or underdressing. The main failing of down is that it is useless when wet and it is almost impossible to dry in the field, especially if the wet is seawater. Absolutely ensure the shell is Dryloft or something similar. A vapour barrier/liner will help keep the bag dry from the inside, but it won't help protect the down from condensation, precipitation or a spill on the outside. I don't know about PTFE - Goretex like- shells. They don't breath as well as dryloft, but the people at FF do know their stuff. They're a bit spacey and you may have to talk slowly and chase after them to get your order right, but the product is superb. One thing: their poly snap-in liners have a tendency to get lost in the bag, so you might want to consider one you can slide into: double silk is nice, but poly is warmer and tougher.
FF isn't the only company that makes great bags, although it's the one I use. Marmot, Valandre, North Face and Integral Designs also make very good bags. Integral Designs, out of Calgary, can customize the bag for you and their work is also superb and a bit less expensive.
If moisture is a real concern and you have a bit more room in your pack, consider something other than down. I just ordered a Primaloft bag from Integral Designs for Patagonia whitewater and ocean kayaking. Primaloft insulates when wet and it's the next best thing to down in terms of warmth and compressibility. It's still nowhere as good in those departments, though.
As you know, you lose most heat through your head but you'll feel cold if your feet are cold. A hood is best, although a hat might do. You can get down or primaloft slippers from many places, but if your circulation isn't great, a mummy, or a "broad fit" mummy, is probably your best bet.
BTW, a good down bag will last for years and years, so it's a good investment if you spend a bit more.
 
BILL!
If you go to the www.featheredfriends.com site and then go to their sale page and then go to their sale bags, you'll find some discounted bags that might interest you. The overfill Penguin in PTFE looks good, although it is rated for the high arctic or K2.
 
Suppliers in the UK wil be inappropriate so I wont bother you with them,but 2 brief thoughts;
1 Down every time for warmth,weight and packability.
2 Get a pertex inner,they add warmth and you wash them rather than the bag,a lot less fuss!
 
Bill,

I agree.... the cat's meow (northface) is an excellent bag (to 20 degrees). It uses polygard 3 which is a great lightweight insulating material. I would add a poncho liner for winter trips and if sleeping in improvised shelters.... get a gore tex cover.

If you used one of my bags during the winter trip you attended last year... it was very similar to the cat's meow....

Traveling in with Atlas 1044 snowshoes and sleeping in a cat's meow bag.... sounds like a great trip.... where are you going?

Best,


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Greg Davenport
Simply Survival's Wilderness Survival Forum
Simply Survival's Web Page
Are You Ready For The Challenge?
Are You Ready To Learn The Art Of Wilderness Survival?
 
well I went to Gart Sports to check out the Cat's Meow. Very nice but....I decided on the Kelty Serrano 0 degree. It's 2 ounces short of 4#s so it's definitely light. I like the way the hood is designed. It feels more like a seperate chamber from the rest of the bag. There is a draw string on the neck to close off the body chamber and then you can draw down the hood so that your head stays covered but your breath can escape.My wife remarked that it was rather pricey($189)but I said when you're sleeping in the snow there is no substitute for good equipment. I've tried the cheap route in the past on outdoor gear and ended up broken,cold, or wet.
 
Check out:
www.outdoorreview.com
for lots of reviews on bags, tents, packs, etc.

The Cat's Meow 3D has had a lot of complaints for not meeting its temp rating (15 degrees), but that probably depends on whether you are a hot or cold sleeper, and have a properly sized bag. I've got one, but the coldest weather it's been out in was about 30. The bags actually a size too big for me (I like a little room), but I was still warm with nothing on but a pair of boxers. Very comfortable bag, but it doesn't stuff as small as a down bag.

The latest issue of Backpacker (Feb 2001) came last week, and there is a review of 0 degree bags. Bags from Moonstone, Sierra Designs, Marmot, Western Mountaineering, L.L. Bean, Feathered Friends, and the The North Face were tested. The Moonstone 800/Zone 3 won out by a pretty wide margin.
 
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