Long sleeping bag for backpacking

wildmanh

wildmanh

Part time Leather Bender/Sheath maker
Joined
Jul 9, 2000
Messages
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Hi Guys I'm looking for new sleeping bag to take backpacking with me on the upcoming season here in Utah. I'm 6'5" tall so the bag has to be long. Would like something Relatively light and small but around $100 to $150 if thats possible. Will consider higher prices but prefer the $100-$150 range. Temp rating around 35 to 40 would be nice.

I have a good -20 degree bag that I've used for 9+ years, want something a little lighter and not so warm for summer use. I have pretty much everything except for the lighter sleeping bag. Thanks in advance,

-Edited to add: I just found a sleeping bag that should work for me for some summer trips but am still looking for an Ultra light sleeping bag, probably in the $180 to $280 price range. Synthetic or Down is fine, though if possible Synthetic fibers are prefered. Thanks! -

Heber
 
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Look on an outfitter website like campmor.com or REI. There should be something there by a major maker like North Face, Marmot, or one of their store branded bags. I doubt you will find a down bag in that price range, but the newer synthetics are pretty good, and most are available in a long. They compact relatively well and in that temp range, weigh around two pounds or so.
 
i went on this quest not long ago.... and when in a time crunch i stopped at the surplus store and got a MSS bag. its heavy with every thing but it was getting to be winter so that wasnt bad idea any way. but the light bag and bivy arnt to to bad. i havent weighed em but i think you could hit under the 5 pound mark with the lite bag. and it fits people up to 7 foot. im 6'5 and plenty of foot box space for me as well which i found a problem with a lot of other bags... the whole set up with a pretty bomb proof bivy was 200...
 
Check out the Snugpak bags. Most bags are 210-220cm in length, or about 6'8"-7'. Pack down super small, and you can find what you're looking for temp wise for less than $100 USD.

Admittedly I don't have any personal experience with them, but once I get some other expenses out of the way, I plan to pick up either the Softie Autumn or Winter.

Check them out at OutdoorGB. Someone else linked to them here a while ago, and they've got the best prices and selection I've seen. Again, no personal experience with the company, just pointing them out. (If this is deal-spotting, let me know and I'll delete the link).
 
You might prowl the online discount places (backcountryoutlet.com, sierratradingpost.com, etc.) -- since you'd be looking for an off size, you might get lucky with a high-end down bag in your price range. I love my Marmot 30 degree down bag, and it only weighs about a pound and a half.
 
Definitely watch the discount places, including REI outlet. I got both of my bags for a total of $170. One is a down 10 degree bag, the other is a synthetic 'ultralight' 35 degree. Both are long sizes and have tons of room at the bottom.
 
I already had the REI outlet page open for something else, and they've got the Marmot Pounder Long for a great price. I suspect I'd prefer a 30 degree bag even for summer in the Rockies -- but you're a better judge of what you need (and could always return it).
 
From my examining that Slumberjack brand in a store, I believe them to be of less than good quality. Some had zippers coming out and frayed material just hanging on the display rack.
 
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I've had mine for over 20 years now.
Too, maybe they were better 20 years ago.
For $60, I don't think I would care that much.
 
In general, for comfortable sleeping without a lot of extra clothes, I'd add about 10 degrees to the rating of down, 15 for synthetic, and more for a discount brand. I've never had a synthetic bag that is anywhere close to comfortable at its listed rating.

I do like my TNF synthetic 0 degree Snowshoe a lot (it's heavy, but cozy and warm when it's damp, and fleece-lined), but the only way I'd want to sleep in it at 0 degrees would be with my lightweight down bag inside. If you're ok with the weight, the Cat's Meow should be very comfortable as a mountain summer bag.
 
Here's an idea. You can get yourself a used Hudson Bay Point blanket for $150. Wouldn't that be great! Will take you down into the cold weather too!
 
I had bad luck with the Polarguard 3D losing most of its loft in a TNF Snowshoe. I don't know whether other synthetics hold up better.

DancesWithKnives
 
Thanks for all the good ideas guys, please keep them coming. I've never shopped or checked out REI till yesterday. Spent a good while on their website checking out sleeping bags and was impressed with the selletion. Thanks for mentioning them and other online sites.

Found my old SlumberJack sleeping bag last night after someone mentioned them and desided to try it out. I thought it didn't fit me but I tried it out for 10 minutes and it actually does. Had this bag for 3.5 years, used it once and thought it wasn't comfortable. Now I'm thinking it was cause it was brand new and I was on really un even ground. Going to setup my cot in the front room in the next few days and give the bag a try. If it works I'll use it for summer camping.

Though I still want something lighter then it. Probably something in the $180 to $280 price range. Will edit my first post to reflect this.

Heber
 
$180 to $280 moves you into the lower price range of the better down sleeping bags (or upper mid-range of newer synthetics) available from the major makers like Big Agnes, The North Face, Mountain Hardware etc. They are a lot lighter in weight than most synthetics and with better loft retention over time if well cared for. The North Face Baetis 20 weighs about 2 1/2# and is filled with 600 fill Eastern European goose down.

As for the most comfort from your current bag, consider getting a backpacker's air mat from Big Agnes or Thermorest.
 
wildmanh said:
Though I still want something lighter then it. Probably something in the $180 to $280 price range. Will edit my first post to reflect this.
Click to expand...

With that budget, you can definitely get a high-end 30-degree down bag. I found my Marmot Hydrogen 30 for around $200 on sale, and have seen them and the very similar Marmot Arroyo a couple of times at around that price. It's amazing -- my first really high quality bag. Maybe a pound and a half, compresses down nearly to the size of a football, and super comfortable. Because it's down, it's also got a wider comfort range -- usually warmer than synthetic at the same rating, and it doesn't get as stuffy and hot when it's warmer.
 
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