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Sleeping bags what works for you?

Much wisdom here. I had a Woods Brand bag made in Canada that I froze my butt in, not even close to its claimed temperature rating.

I also had a BRAND NEW Mountain Hardware bag that I LOVED - until the first time I used it. Now I began camping decades ago and I do know how to use a "zipper."

On a SAR training we got back from a lvery long day at 1:30 AM and climbed into our shelters. I zipped into my brand new toasty warm MH bag. Two hours later I had to pee. And my zipper was completely stuck. I mean - FUBAR. I could not believe it. Had to squeeze my way out.

Despite the quality name brand and the "snag-free" tape and bag design, the zipper actually somehow tore into the bag itself. REI is thee BEST and they took it back without question. Incredible customer service. So, there ya go.

Get the best bag you can afford! Good luck
 
Just a quick advice, if you want to go light... forget about military oriented/designed stuff. While fairly reliable it is always bulkier, heavier and over-engineered.

If you want to go light, look into alpine climbing stuff (not hiking). Mountain Equipment and RAB are two more bags you might consider, as well as Laila-Peak and Diamir bags (both local to me here in the North of Spain).

Mikel
 
+1 on Western Mountaineering.
Also check out nunatak bags. They have quite a following in the ultralight and alpine communities.
 
I have an old Coleman mummy that is a zero or maybe even minus something bag for really cold weather.

I have a Campmor 20 degree down bag for when it is around freezing. I think it could keep you warm down to 20 but at around 25 you'd have to be creative with the clothing.

I have a Lafuma 40 degree down bag, tiny for summer and up to about 45 actually.
 
inexpensive bag from Gander Mountain works for me. Most of the time I'll be sleeping on top of it, not inside.
 
I can't recall the brand but mine was around $70 on sale and is rated at 20 degrees. I've sleep down into the mid teens in it but had to wear my toboggan and always have a small light weight blanket to cover my head / upper half if needed.
One key thing to remember is to store them hanging up not compressed.
 
You definitely get what you pay for. The better bags are much more accurately rated -- a cheap 30 degree bag is probably really chilly at 40 degrees. Down is miles better than synthetic, both in cold and warmer temps, since it moderates temps much better (like other natural fibers). It's also much more compact, though obviously more expensive.

I've got a Marmot Hydrogen that I picked up recently, and just got back from a quick two-night trip with temps down to the low 30s. It worked fine, though I had on long underwear and at one point pulled a jacket over me for extra warmth. On their web page, Marmot breaks down the temp ratings -- the main rating (in this case, 30 degrees) is what it should be generally considered adequate for, with a little extra support. They also list an emergency rating (in this case, 0 degrees) for a survival situation, as well as a maximum comfort rating (in this case, 40 degrees), which is the temp at which you can just jump in the bag with no extra clothing and be comfortable. Useful info, and seems pretty accurate.

I also have a big bulky TNF 0 degree synthetic bag. It's probably not much good at 0 degrees, but it is puffy and warm, with a microfleece liner. Really cozy when it's chilly and damp. Weighs about five pounds, though, so it essentially never goes backpacking.
 
I have a mil surplus intermediate cold weather bag that ive had for at least 20 years. It isnt that packable nor light, but for what i need it is marvelous.
 
Reputable sleeping bag manufacturers have adopted standardized testing to assist in temperature ratings, but as already mentioned, people's comfort temperatures vary significantly.

My winter sleep system is a Big Agnes Mystic SL 15° F (800 Fill Down). The Big Agnes bags put all of the down on the top of the bag because any insulation under you will be smached by your body weight and becomes useless. The bottom of the bag is a pad sleeve. All bottom insulation is performed by the pad, which does not completely compress. I have combined the Mystic SL with Exed Downmat 7. I've had this combo down to about 15° F with a lightweight baselayer and knit cap. I think it could go lower with no changes.

My three season sleep system is a custom Arc Specialist quilt by Nunatak. It is rated to 30° F, but I'v beeen comfortable much lower than that when combined with the Downmat. The quilt weighs only 20 oz, and packs up tiny! I've recently combined this with a Thermarest Neoair pad but haven't had the chance to try the two together. The Neoair uses reflective material to achieve its R value - there is no fill in the chambers. As a result it is very small to pack and only weighs 14 ounces!

In exceptionally cold circumstances, I can use the quilt as an overbag to enhance the Big Agnes bag.

-- FLIX
 
the Neo will handle duties (for me anyways) to ~ freezing, maybe a touch below- a thin ensolite pad will boost it considerably

the downmats are probably the undisputed kings of the winter pads :)

I didn't mention quilts above, but they are certainly an option for folks looking to shave some weight/bulk- I'm having a Marmot Atom converted to a quilt- it should be sub 16 oz :D
 
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