Help me pick a sleeping bag please

another vote for the 4 part mil system.....it is super versatile and even though it is heavy when all the parts are included, you will stay very warm and dry...for those of you who have this system, a great stuff sack for it is the Kelty "large" size stuff sack...you can carry everything from just the green bag to all three bags and it will still fit....i didn't care for the mil stuff sack that came with it so the Kelty worked out well as a replacement...just an FYI
 
I have two bags. A 45 degree bag and a +20 degree bag. I live in Texas - that will handle anything I need.

The +20 is a North Face Cat's Meow - can't go wrong with it.

TF
 
smustian said:
I paid about $150 for my 4 pc Mil Sleep System off EBay. Bought it in pieces. All BRAND NEW with tags. 9lbs total. Heavy but season adaptable (only carry the pieces that you need) and the bivy is Gortex. Beats having 3 separate sleeping bags.
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That is a good deal, $150 for all new parts. Consider the cost of a good bivy, and you've already surpassed the $150 mark.

I hardly ever used the winter bag; mostly used the summer bag and the bivy. The Mil sleep system is awesome for car-camping, where you don't care about weight and space.
 
Joben,

If you're planning to use a hammock shelter, then you don't need a bivy bag. You can assume that the chances of the bag getting wet are minimal, since it's up off the ground and inside the hammock w/ rainfly.

Some other suggestions, you could use a closed-cell foam sleeping pad inside the hammock, with a quilt or cho-liner, and/or a fleece bag liner.

I've never used a hammock shelter, but I've been researching them because I'm in the market for an ultralight shelter. Check out hikinghq.net; there is some good info on hammocks and other stuff.
 
Yeh i'm pretty sure I'm going with a hammock.
For one thing because of weight. It seems that any of the tents I might be able to afford are twice as heavy as a hammock and tarp.
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The military system seems way too heavy for what i have in mind, at least with all the pieces. What kind of weight are we talking about though if you just took parts for 30-40 degrees?
 
Another vote for Wiggy.
His bags are basically custom designs he built to suit himself.
Fantastic quality and good price.
Redneck made right here...errr...there:) in the USA.
Most of the others these days reek of soy sauce ?:jerkit:
I use his Nautilus from HOT to the fifties down here in this wetness.
It's a 40 degree bag but Jerry has many, many options.
 
I've had bad luck with the North Face Snowshoe. Mine has the Polarguard 3D insulation and it has broken down to the point it's barely a 40 degree bag---not the 0 degree bag it was supposed to be.

I've had excellent performance from a Marmot Helium 15 degree down bag. Also from a custom extreme cold weather overbag from www.featheredfriends.com.

I bought the NF Snowshoe for wilderness river trips in AK where I was concerned about getting down wet. Have never got it wet so I can't comment on how quickly it dries, etc.

DancesWithKnives
 
Keep the weight and compactness of the bag in mind if you intend to do a lot of backpacking. The Marmot Helium weighs 1 lb 13 oz., fits me at 6 ft./225 lbs, and I've had it down to about 20 degrees comfortably (haven't experienced any colder weather with it). Western Mountaineering also makes some excellent lightweight bags (in the U.S.) but they don't fit my girth quite as well as the Marmot. For canoeing/rafting/horsepacking I wouldn't spend the money to get such a light bag. You can make do with a variety of heavier down or synthetic bags. But if you backpack over high, rough terrain you will be grateful for a light/compact bag every time you hoist that pack on your back.

DancesWithKnives
 
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