sleeping bag ?

I have a North Face Snowshoe with the Polarguard 3D, rated around zero. When it was new, it was good to around +20. In the last 6 years or so, the insulation has deteriorated to the point that it's now around a 40-45 degree summer bag. However, I just used it last weekend in such conditions and it worked fine.

DancesWithKnives
 
In addition to my prior cautionary note about synthetic bag durability, let me add that www.sierratradingpost.com has some long Alps Mountaineering 0 and 20 degree bags well under $100. There's also a North Face Elkhorn in that range but I don't know whether they have longs.

I haven't used the Alps so I can't personally report how they perform.

DancesWithKnives
 
Just in case you didn't know... Temperature ratings on sleeping bags are in a lot of ways marketing ploys. There is a standard now used called the EN-rating. There is EN-Comfort and EN-Limit (and some other I think, but these are common). If you really need a 20 degree rated bag, make sure it will actually do that. Down is lighter weight than synthetics, but you do not want to get it wet. Personally, I like Mountain Hardware bags. They're going to be a little more than $100, but you get your investment back if you do a lot of camping.
 
Not sure where you're located, but a co-operative type outdoor store like REI in the US or MEC in Canada usually have great bags for reasonable prices. $100 for a sleeping bag is low ... you may want to try a purveyor of used outdoor equipment ... then wash it a few times in a commercial washer.

Example: http://www.secondascent.com/s/index.php
 
pitdog: You're right that <$100 is a pretty low budget for a "good" 20 degree sleeping bag. As noted above, you can get bags in that price range but I doubt they will be very light, compact or long-lasting.

pocketfulladoubles: I've read about the more recent rating system but the best luck I've had was buying a down bag from a reputable manufacturer like Feathered Friends (custom arctic overbag). I've also got a Marmot Helium that I've had within about 5 degrees of its 15 degree rating. I bought the previously mentioned North Face synthetic bag for Alaska river trips, just in case it got wet. It has been disappointing.

DancesWithKnives
 
I've been looking around for ya buddy and think that your best bet might be to buy a regular cheap bag from say Wallmart and add a fleece liner or even make your own liner from a wool blanket folded and sewn along two edges.
 
DWK2 said:
pocketfulladoubles: I've read about the more recent rating system but the best luck I've had was buying a down bag from a reputable manufacturer like Feathered Friends (custom arctic overbag). I've also got a Marmot Helium that I've had within about 5 degrees of its 15 degree rating. I bought the previously mentioned North Face synthetic bag for Alaska river trips, just in case it got wet. It has been disappointing.
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A huge +1 there. I have a 30° Mountain Hardwear synthetic bag that I never use because it's really more like a 40-45° bag at best. I have no problem sleeping in both of my down bags below their rating.
 
I use two sleeping bags, one for summer, and the other for autumn and spring, and both as a combination for winters. Both bags are Halti's synthetic bags, the heavier was 'bout 60 EURs, and it weights about 2 kg / 4 pounds. The lighter one was half the price, and half the weight. Their roomy bags, about 90cm / 35" from the widest part, so I can easily fit some extra clothes with them if needed.

The lighter one is ok for +10C (50F), and the heavier one for 0C (32F). With both of them, I've slept without a tent in -10C (14F), and didnt even need any extra clothing or a cap etc. With an extra layer of clothes I think I would be ok at -20C (-4F) with both of them. A big con about them is the combined weight, 6 pounds is too much for longer hikes. But, I cant afford down bag at the moment. This combination is adequate for most weathers here, for less than a 100 EUR.

About the rated temperatures, the EN standard actually seems reliable. Both of these Halti bags were EN rated, and both exceed their promised "comfort" level by more than 5C.

0450503.jpg

Halti Arctic 7

0450510.jpg

Halti Ultra 12
 
pimpnugget said:
hey guys i got around $450.00 for my b-day so i thought i would get some new gear and i just wanted to know what are some good slepping bags for under $100 it needs to be rated for 20 degrees and i needs to be at least 6 foot 2 inches long so what are sme good slepping bags ? thanks for the help guys
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What would you be using it for? Camping or backpacking??
 
DWK2 said:
pitdog: You're right that <$100 is a pretty low budget for a "good" 20 degree sleeping bag. As noted above, you can get bags in that price range but I doubt they will be very light, compact or long-lasting.

pocketfulladoubles: I've read about the more recent rating system but the best luck I've had was buying a down bag from a reputable manufacturer like Feathered Friends (custom arctic overbag). I've also got a Marmot Helium that I've had within about 5 degrees of its 15 degree rating. I bought the previously mentioned North Face synthetic bag for Alaska river trips, just in case it got wet. It has been disappointing.

DancesWithKnives
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No doubt. There is nothing better than down. It's just a bit more $ and you have to watch the water a little more. You make a good point.
 
hollowdweller said:
What would you be using it for? Camping or backpacking??
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Like HD said, how do you intend to use thsi bag? If car camping, there are many bags available within your price range and choice of fill type isn't as critical. If you are planning on backpacking with it, both size and weight will be significant factors. For backpacking, down is superior for both. Yes, due care must be exercised to avoid wetting it out, but IMHO this is way overemphasized. It's not like the Wicked Witch of the West getting wet! :eek: :D
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Keep an eye on Steep and Cheap. From time to time good bags come up for half off or better. (I recently saw the BA Lost Ranger for under $100.)


Edited to add: The sleeping bag is only one piece of an outdoor sleep system. Make sure you pay attention to the mat/pad that you couple with your sleeping bag, as substantial heat can be lost to the ground.

-- FLIX
 
I love it when people throw the "down is no good when it gets wet" card.

I have yet to see a wet synthetic bag that keeps you warm. Regardless of whether it is down or synthetic, if it gets soaking wet, your not going to be able to use it much. Besides, if it stays under 30 degrees, it isn't going to get soaked because....uh, everything is ....frozen?

That being said, it will take longer for the down to dry.

Buy the aforementioned military surplus and pack it in a drybag or a regular trashbag at least.
 
Wiggy's Ultra light, bombproof, I've had mine for 13 years with no loss of loft. Not as light as some but will last longer and you can get them in any size you want. One fifty but worth it.
 
PrimitiveMan said:
I have yet to see a wet synthetic bag that keeps you warm. Regardless of whether it is down or synthetic, if it gets soaking wet, your not going to be able to use it much. Besides, if it stays under 30 degrees, it isn't going to get soaked because....uh, everything is ....frozen?
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Certainly a soken wet sleeping bag is not gonna do you any good, down or synthetic. But it is true that down looses its insulation faster, when it gets damp.

About the temperature; even if its freezing outside, it (hopefully) is warm inside the bag. And somewhere in between, inside the insulations of the bag, there is a dew point temperature. In my experience, a sleeping bag is always at least a little damp in the morning when sleeping in temperatures below 0C / 32F.
 
REI has some nice stuff, they fold really small but are very warm. They go for under $100, not sure what they are called though.
 
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