Sleeping Bag

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sketchbag

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Ok guys, here's another essential for us living in the north.

Where to begin... How about Down vs Synthetic?

Down Pros: Light, best insulation per weight, most compact, lasts longer than synthetics (with proper care)
cons: expensive, absorbs moisture, looses insulation value if damp, dries slowly, requires special cleaning.

Synthetics Pros: Cheaper, repels water, fast drying, simple cleaning
Cons: Heavier, Bulkier, shorter lifetime (especially with short fibers such as PrimaLoft).



Apparently down filled bags arent as good for long outings (a week+) in cold weather because it accumulates moisture every night and you cant dry them out fully in that kind of climate.

I'm also not too keen on the idea of dry cleaning.



There's a lot of variety of different synthetics, which I'm trying to educate myself on. There's short and long fiber synthetics, short have better insulating/weight and are more soft and fluffy like down, but have shorter lives as they tend to clump and create thin spots.

I've been looking into bags with PolarGuard insulation, but even then there's options I think "PolarGuard Delta" is their most modern insulation with hollow fibers, anyone got experience with bags that feature PolarGuard fill?


As much as I'd like a nice down bag, for a variety of reasons I'm going to go synthetic.
What brands make your list?

Lets hear your thoughts on the subject
 
I posted the same question in this forum a few months ago and the overwelming recommendation was WIGGYS. I got a synthetic Superlight and have not regretted it. Quality bag, well made aboput $220. My last sleeping bag lasted me almost 30 years and I expect this to do the same.
 
Dont suppose you got that thread bookmarked? Tried doing a google search of bladeforums on this subject and it didnt turn up anything helpful.
 
How much do those Buffalo sleeping bags go for?



Gotta say, the Wiggy's look impressive, especially with their life time warranty that even covers the wear and tear on the insulation.

Did you guys go with the "FTRSS" overbag as well?
 
Just an FYI: down bags don't have to be dry cleaned. If you have access to a bathtub you can clean one yourself using down soap. It's time consuming but not that hard.
 
I have a Buffalo Superbag Military version and it is a great bag for military uses. Arms and legs can be extended through zippers so you can move and hold your weapon at the ready. It has an inner and outer bag which can be used together or separately in warmer weather. They are heavier and do not compress well. They are now quite expensive. I bought mine many years ago when the pound was worth about $1.50 not such a good deal today. That is why I now have the Wiggys.
 
I've been wondering this very thing sketchbag; thanks for bringing up the thread as I'd like to see the responses as well. I've been looking pretty hard at Snugpak.
 
I am currently using a Big Agnes bag. I have always used a sleeping pad with all my bags but the Big Agnes comes with a slot on the bottom to slide the pad in. No more sliding off the pad every time I roll over. This bag also removes insulation on the bottom since a pad will be used. This cuts down on pack size and weight. I have been very happy with it!

~Soup
 
sketchbag, wassup

I'd give very careful consideration before going for a Buffalo bag if I were you. Be clear, I love Buffalo kit, and for a good portion of my outdoor calendar I live in it. However, the last time the topic of sleeping bags came up here I said that I'd go with a Buffalo bag for curling up in a ditch but it wouldn't be my first choice other than that. Nothing has changed.

The thing I like about Buffalo is that it works as a whole system. Despite small differences in the denier of the Pertex all the layers work in a similar fashion. To get the best from it you don't use it as part of a traditional layering system with a base layer, mid, and shell. As a system it is reliant on being pretty water resistant, warm when wet, windproof, and the fact it dries quickly. Ideal for me, as I've written before on these forums, I like my kit to have an amphibious bent rather than having to keep everything dry.

If you wind in a Buffalo sleeping bag to that you are extending the same system. Even some of the sleeping bags are modular with a 4s outer that is used in conjunction with an inner. Used properly, you'd have a system of alternating Pertex and pile from next to your skin, through your Buffalo clothing layers, and on through your sleeping bag. Brilliant. With the water resistance [extended hugely by Nikwax], the warmth when wet, the ability to dry it out, and the slipperiness between the layers, you have a hell of a system for use in the damp. Great with a kayak, great down caves, blah blah. Hence my comment about being curled up in a ditch.

However, a Buffalo bag used in isolation loses much. True, it obviously retains the usefulness in that you can wring it out and dry it but that's about the only redeeming feature. As mentioned above, warmth to weight ratio is well down on other bags. The packed size is no friend of yours either. Here are some weights to consider:

The all in one Superbag rated 3-4s ranges from 1950g in small to a monumental 2630g for the extra large. Whoa there, that's 5.776052 lbs. At 40cm*25cm that's a chunky little monkey too.

If that wasn't startling enough let's look at what happens if we use the modular combinations:

Sticking with size large [so not the heaviest] a 3s combo is going to hit you with 2035g – 4.486361lbs.

Going the 4s path using a 4s outer with a 4s inner you've got an all up of 3170g – just shy of 7lbs. Things are getting bloody silly now. [Extra large 3360g – 7.407456lbs].

For sprinkles as I've an idea it gets chilly where you are in winter let's look at the 4+s. Great zot, it's 3395g – 7.484617lbs, and in extra large 3615g – FFS, drop a thick fart in it and that's 8lbs.

This is absolutely not the path I'd be wanting to go down unless I had a very distinct reason why these sizes and hideous weight penalties could be compensated for. For sure Buffalo has a niche here with what their products excel at, but be certain it is for you. Personally, I'd rather use that weight quota carrying water and stick with my Snugpaks for synthetics.


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Synthetic get a Wiggy's bag. Personaly I usualy just use one rated to 20 degrees. If you do much deep winter or alpine camping then purchase the overbag. If yopu decide to beat the weight and bulk issue, and go with a down bag. pack it and its stuff sack in a dry bag.
 
Wiggy's.

Have good luck with them. They are a little bit bigger/bulkier than down but they work well. I've been using the ultralite as my backpacking bag. The ultralite is rated at 20 degrees and i've been perfectly comfortable with that and a closed foam pad very close to those temps. I did buy the overbag and brought it along once when it was going to be just at or below freezing. It was toasty warm and i shouldn't have bothered for the extra bulk filling up my pack. I also use their nautilus bag as my summer bag, it's rated at +40 and i've been thinking of using that in colder temps just because it is lighter and less bulky than the ultralite and with a thicker ground pad i'm sure it would be comfortable above freezing. Bottom line is, little bulkier and heavier than down, but lots of advantages as long as you can spare the space.
 
Excellent perspective Tacobro. Weight is something that seems to get overlooked amidst all the other features.

I just placed an order for the Wiggy's "SuperLight" bag, 4lb rated at -20C (with sleeping pad and tent) and the cover bag, 2lb when combined gives a rating of -40c.

I dont suspect that i'll need to pack the bag cover very often, but it was all 20% off, has a lifetime guarantee, so I figured what the hell, here's in case I might need it in the future.

All in all $325 for set (plus shipping), I was going to go to the store and spend that for not nearly as much sleeping bag.

Thanks for all the input guys
 
sketchbag said:
As much as I'd like a nice down bag, for a variety of reasons I'm going to go synthetic.
What brands make your list?

Lets hear your thoughts on the subject
Click to expand...


I just bought a new sleeping bag a week ago. My old one was more than 10 years old, and it was anyway more a summer bag than a proper three season sleeping bag. I could still sleep in it on +10C (50F), but most of the year it's not that warm. Last time I spent a nigh in the woods without a tent I was freezing the whole night, and couldn't sleep for more than an hour or so. So, it was definately time to get a new one.

I think for a three season bag synthetic is the way to go, unless you're into ultralight hiking, or have plenty of cash to spend, so this is what I ended up with:

0450510.jpg


The price was 'round 100EUR, it weights 1,7kg (~3lbs), the size is just right for me (90cm / 35" wide), it's Finnish design (:thumbup:), and it seems to be a pretty well built bag.

I haven't tried it yet, other than in my living room, but next weekend I intend to go on an overnight hike, and sleep in a lean-to. The temperatures at night are currently around 0°C (32F), so this should give me a pretty good idea about how this bag functions (it's stated temperature ratings are +7C comfort, +2C limit, and -13C extreme).

Ill post my experiences here next week :)
 
sketchbag - you will really enjoy your Wiggys system. In all the years I've had mine I've never had to use the "over" bag but I have it if I need it. I have a similar system and use the over bag in the warmer summer months and the zero degree bag for winter. If I'm traveling by car I always have both bags.

I've had the misfortune of having a wiggys wet and I can tell you they work well even when wet. I keep my bag in a compression sack in my WASP pack always ready to go. Most manufacturers say you shouldn't leave your bag compressed for extended periods of time...with the Wiggys it mitigates the compression and still works...at least mine does in sub zero temps in high mtn blizzards while sleeping in a tarp shelter.
 
Short of the Wiggys sleep system. (Bivy sack and all)

You can look around for deals on nearly new Army Sleep Systems. They are pretty well suited to nearly any weather.
 
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