need some help with sleeping bag choice

Q

quick kill

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Jul 23, 2010
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Hello everyone, I've got another gear question. I'm trying to decide on a good sleeping bag, but I don't have the money to buy two or three different bags. so my question to y'all is does anyone here use just one bag year round? If so what temp rating do you use? In my area south central Oklahoma it can get into the 105°f in the summer down to 10°f in the winter. Just wandering if there is a bag that will work year round? I want to try and stay as light as possible. I don't mind being a little cold in the winter if need be to avoid baking myself in the spring. I'd like to stay in the $250 and under range. I was looking into snug pak, because they are the only one's I've had any personal experience with, but I'm open to anything that is of decent quality. Thanks everyone
 
For about the last 20 years, I used just one bag (until a friend bought me a second bag for a present, a few months ago). I use a a 0 degree Western Mountaineering bag. It's not really much of a problem, very often, to use a cold weather bag in warm weather, in my experience. In hot weather, you can unzip the bag, you can partially uncover yourself, etc.
 
I just picked up a Marmot Trestles +30°F sleeping bag... Used it last weekend. Temps got down cold enough to have a hard frost. I was comfortable in the bag... I did bring my poncho liner just incase. There are inner or outer bags on the market that add temp ratings to your bag... as an option.

Bag was like $90 at REI.

Ski
 
10 degrees to 105 degrees- not really

how common is 10 degrees? I'm guessing a 30 degree bag would suffice 90%+ of the time, if it's colder you can add base layers, insulated jacket, socks and a hat to push the range of the bag a little
 
thanks for the responses Guy's, mtwarden I was just giving a one extreme to the other type of temp, just to give poster's the worst case scenario that's all. And last year we had severe ice storms and blizzards on Christmas. So its possible but not likely.

I figured a 30°f would be good enough just wanted to get some more experienced folk's then myself to comment, and tell me what they use. I get money once a year during tax season to get my toys so I want to do it right the first time. Again thanks for the replies I appreciate it
 
sounds like a good (sleeping bags imo aren't a place to skimp) 30 degree bag should be just about right then :)

as mentioned above, a common strategy for backpackers is to use existing clothing (clothes you'd be packing anyways) to further push your sleeping bag rating in those instances where it dips down a little more than expected

one thing to remember is that your sleeping pad is integral part of your sleeping system and it needs to be rated similar to your sleeping bag (or you won't get the expected rating from your bag)- most will list a r value
 
I'm looking at new bags also, right now, the Snugpak 11 degree mummy, for less than a hundred. I went out this weekend and slept comfortable in my 30 degree bag, in 40 degree weather, but I need something a little stiffer for some cold (19-20 degree) weather. This should be interesting. Moose
 
Down tends to give you a wider usability range -- doesn't get sticky as fast when you're warm. It's also warmer per ounce. I have a Marmot Hydrogen (30 degree) that I like a lot -- it's crazy just how much better it is than bags from even 10-20 years ago. Super light and compact, too.

I'd probably go with a 20 or 30 degree down bag, and add a liner (maybe in a couple of different weights). If you are willing to supplement with a jacket, etc. when it really gets cold, that should take care of you.
 
About the same temperature range here. No way am I using one bag, 'cause it's way too warm in the summer.
Got two new bags this year after having the same TNF Cat's Meow 3D for the last 10-12 years, and just sleeping on top of a pad with nothing when it's warm.

First, I bought a Marmot Trestle Trails, which is a 55 degree bag. All it is is a layer of Marmot's moisture wicking "DriClime" with a breathable shell. I've been really happy with it after using it several times in nighttime temps between 50 and 80 degrees. Packs tiny, breathes great, and I've slept well.

Also bought a Marmot Arete(lightweight 40 degree down bag), and a Sea to Summit Reactor liner. The idea here was maximum versatility. I'm hoping they will get me down into the upper 20s with a pad and bivy, maybe even upper teens when combined with Polartec Powerstretch top and bottom, and fleece socks and balaclava, since I'm a very warm sleeper.
This combo is obviously untested as of yet, but I've slept in the open at 8 degrees in that old Cat's Meow with pad and baselayers, so it wasn't something I just jumped into.
Not recommending this for anyone else(wasn't kidding about being a warm sleeper), but it's something to think about if you go for a 30 degree bag and want to take it lower on occasion.

edit: I probably should have bought the Hydrogen like smersh has. Saw the previous version of the Hydrogen(no full length zipper) on sale for as low as $198 this summer.
 
I think I finally settled on a Snugpak Sleeper Xpedition. 4 seasons, decent compression, not too hard on my thin wallet, and comes in my favorite color. Couple that with my new ENO Double, and I'm set for all seasons, and most climes. Sweet. Moose
 
i say 25-30 bag....they are tricky though becasue everyones body is differennt. when i was in your situation i bought a tomb style sleeping bag rated at 45 degrees bought it at sports authority for cheap. but i camped from 70-80s down to single digits.....my trick was sleeping in my clothing. sometimes i would wear every stitch of clothing, but i was warm :)

another route is buy a 0 degree bag and get some sort of fleece or polywool blanket for the hotter nights....
 
Thanks Guy's lots of helpful information here, I've never used a sleeping pad before I always thought they were just for comfort. I didn't realize they had a big impact on warmth. So I definitely going to check out one of them. And I think I will get a snug pak jungle bag for the summer and get a two part bag for wen it gets real cold, as well as getting some good base layer's.
 
I have the Snugpak Jungle bag and with a silk liner I've been comfortable in early spring and late autumn weather. In summer time, I tend to sleep on my bag, rather than in it.
 
My winter camping setup is a Western Mountaineering -20 degree bag and an Exped DownAir matress. It's a bombproof setup for winter camping in the mountains. It would be too warm for summer camping though.
 
I'm in oklahoma as well. Hi Neighbor.

In summer I dont need a bag. For fall/winter my old bag was just too worn out.
Recently I finally decided on western mountaineering's Caribou. It's rated to 35F.

I liked it because it makes a quilt when unzipped and that has worked well to mid 50's w/o any other shelter. So far I've slept in it over a dozen times; the lowest it's gotten is around 40F. Lately dew has been waking me, but I just roll over and sleep another couple hours. In the morning the bag drys quickly in the sun.

Being cold is not very pleasant for me. I am okay with it when I am awake, but not when trying to sleep. Used as a quilt my bag let in some cold so mid 50's would have me waking and tucking in the shoulders. Zipped up I have stayed asleep most of the time.

I tried it with a heatsheet bivvy once hoping to keep the top dry but was cooked and condensated out of the bivvy real quick. (it wasnt cold really and I figured by morning I'd be really soaked; worse than letting the dew settle.

Yeah i'm looking for a cover:)

I dont think I'll make it through Jan/feb with this bag only. However I'm not considering a 0 rated bag either. Probably 15-20; and probably down fill again-(though undecided) The caribou is damn light so i could use it as a quilt again over another bag if it were really really cold-
 
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