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Sleeping bags what works for you?

L

lukeeson111

Joined
Nov 6, 2008
Messages
187
I'm in the market for a new sleeping bag and will be using it for backpacking spring/summer/fall. In the past I have used a cheap 25degree rated bag, but when the temp. dips even to the mid 30s that bag sucks (I freeze all night even with baselayers & sweatpants / sweatshirt on).

-Do better brand sleeping bags keep you warmer than a lower quality bag even if they are both rated for the same temp? Also, the temp ratings on bags seem to be very generous in their claims of comfort.

-What do you recommend for temp ratings, brands ect?

-I am looking at Montbell bags and Snugpak Mil style bags.

-Something that packs down small

Any advice is appreciated!
 
Many brands lie about their temp ratings. The thickness of the top layer of a sleeping bag is the only real indication of it's warmth. For me, a thickness of 1.5 to 2" of loft of the top half of a bag will keep me warm around freezing.
If a bag has less than an inch of top insulation, it won't keep you warm below about 10 degrees C
 
are you using a good sleeping pad as well?

i got some rei 25F bag....it works well enough. if it gets cold i wear a wool base layer. ifi know ill be pushing the bags limits or over stretching them i boil water and put it in my nalgene to help heat the bag.

those ratings arent meant to be exact. everyones body is different.

ive heard good things about montbell.
 
mcjhrobinson said:
are you using a good sleeping pad as well?

i got some rei 25F bag....it works well enough. if it gets cold i wear a wool base layer. ifi know ill be pushing the bags limits or over stretching them i boil water and put it in my nalgene to help heat the bag.

those ratings arent meant to be exact. everyones body is different.

ive heard good things about montbell.
Click to expand...

Yes I have a thermarest pad used in conjunction
 
I think your sleeping bag is probably one of the most important items your going to purchase- a quality down bag can last a long (long) time

you have listed Montbell- that's a good brand, also look at Marmot, North Face and Western Mountaineering

there are new temp ratings that some of the high end companies conform to, but they are only a general guide- people sleep very differently- what's comfortable for one can be totally uncomfortable for another

also think of your sleeping gear as a system- you want adequate insulation underneath you- not all pads are created equal and they have different r values

your clothing should be considered part of your sleep system, a light base layer adds warmth as does a light hat/balaclava- if it gets really cold, add your insulating layer (down/syn/fleece)

bottom line is don't skimp on your sleeping bag :)
 
I have a North Face Blue Kazoo - down bag rated to -9C. I like it but it's only good to about -2 for me. Great backpacking bag though it stuffs down small and its fairly light. If I was buying another bag though I would get one from Taiga Works in Vancouver. A couple of my friends have Taiga bags and they are great.
 
Sorry, don't mean to hi-jack this thread but:

All the sleeping bags I've ever owned have been huge and bulky even in their stuff sack (but VERY warm). For backpacking (as you could imagine), a huge sleeping bag is difficult to pack/strap to a backpack. Are there small-packing, 0 degree bags?
 
ans7812 said:
Sorry, don't mean to hi-jack this thread but:

All the sleeping bags I've ever owned have been huge and bulky even in their stuff sack (but VERY warm). For backpacking (as you could imagine), a huge sleeping bag is difficult to pack/strap to a backpack. Are there small-packing, 0 degree bags?
Click to expand...

absolutely :)

again look at marmot, montbell, western mountaineering, feathered friends, other high end makers- obviously they aren't going to be as light/small as their 40 degree bags (these are now in the 1 lb range!), but still pretty svelte :)
 
My favorite backpacking bag is a 15 degree Marmot Helium. I've used it to around 20 without complaint. It weighs 1 lb 13 oz. and, astonishingly, the regular size is comfortable for someone 6 ft., 225 lbs.

I have a custom-made overbag from www.featheredfriends.com and their stuff is first rate.

One of my buddies bought his wife a Western Mountaineering bag a few years ago. They are exceptionally well made but I found the lighter models to be a bit too narrow for a fat bastid like me. I preferred the Marmot based on fit.

I have a North Face Snowshoe bag in Polarguard 3D that I bought for AK river trips. The insulation broke down quickly and badly. Very disappointing.

DancesWithKnives
 
My standard Army issue sleeping bag system has seen some pretty harsh environments and has kept me very comfortable. It’s a little bulky, but if packed right it is no problem to haul. I also use my RECON 3 from time to time.
 
Last edited:
ans7812,

The Marmot Lithium is around 3 lbs and I believe it is rated about zero. Expensive but very nice. Check Feathered Friends and Western Mountaineering too.

DancesWithKnives
 
DWK2 said:
My favorite backpacking bag is a 15 degree Marmot Helium. I've used it to around 20 without complaint. It weighs 1 lb 13 oz. and, astonishingly, the regular size is comfortable for someone 6 ft., 225 lbs.

I have a custom-made overbag from www.featheredfriends.com and their stuff is first rate.

One of my buddies bought his wife a Western Mountaineering bag a few years ago. They are exceptionally well made but I found the lighter models to be a bit too narrow for a fat bastid like me. I preferred the Marmot based on fit.

I have a North Face Snowshoe bag in Polarguard 3D that I bought for AK river trips. The insulation broke down quickly and badly. Very disappointing.

DancesWithKnives
Click to expand...

I found the same as regards to fitment- I found a steal on a WM Summerlite, but it was too narrow (6' 200-ish)- traded it for Marmot Hydrogen- perfect fit, plenty of room- it's a regular too

WM does make some larger cut bags, just have to know which ones- Montbell have "superstretch" bags that evidently are pretty cozy as they allow some stretching- never tried one, but some folks swear by them

the one thing that all the high end makers have in common is that the down is 800+, the bag materials are top notch and the fit/finish are amazing- all these details add up to a bag that is going to both perform and last :)
 
I use an REI 35 degree bag and I'm fine even if the temps drop in the 30's at night. I like it because it's very lightweight.
 
Yup ... you get what you pay for.

Although expensive, I love Western Mountaineering and Feathered Friends bags: light, warm, highly compressible. I have a 0F/-18C rated Feathered Friends bag and it compresses to about the size of a basketball and weighs a little more than 2 pounds. I should easily get 15-20 years out of the bag with proper care. Temperature ratings are spot on. Cheaper alternatives: go to an REI - find something within your budget/temperature range - generally, they sell great products.

Because you're using the bag for three seasons, buy a bag with "continuous baffles" these allow you to shift down [can't do this with synthetics] from top to bottom thereby adjusting the bags temp. rating. More down on top for late fall, less down on top for summer. With continuous baffles, you could buy a slightly warmer bag knowing that you could/can adjust it.

A good down bag is a big investment, but so worth the money if you care for it properly. I have a -12C bag I bought in 1995 and it's still going strong.
 
I have a Sierra Designs Cloud Series bag (700 cu in/oz was the high end then) that I bought in 1977. Used it many years until I became too much of a fat bastid to fit it easily. Had it cleaned and it's still great for thinner friends.

DancesWithKnives
 
I'll jump on the Feathered Friends/Western Mountaineering bandwagon. IMO those are the two premier makers period. I have heard good things about Montbell also but I have no experience with them. I own an older Marmot down bag and it is very well made.

A good bag will cost more initially but they'll last a very long time if you take care of them. When you factor that in the cost per year may well be less than a cheap bag that doesn't last. FF would likely be my first choice because they make their bags to order; you can get the color you want, overfill if desired, etc. If I was buying off the shelf then I'd go for WM.

The higher end bags will be more accurate in their temperature rating. For example, I have a 30° Mountain Hardwear synthetic bag and a 30° Feathered Friends down bag. I have slept in the FF bag in the low 20s and was comfortable; I wouldn't want to be in the MH bag below 40° ever again. I like MH gear, their tents in particular, but I'll never buy one of their sleeping bags again. In fact, I would have to say that my two most disappointing outdoor gear purchases ever were two sleeping bags that are supposedly good brands; the MH and a Wiggys.
 
Another Wiggy's fan here.

I have three, and while they are a bulky and a bit heavier then some of their competitors I still reach for the Wiggy's. Great bags..... great customer service.
 
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