Ultra lite sleeping bag

L

lazy otter

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So I've been looking around and have found a few but I want to know I'd you guys know or use any ultra lite sleeping bags! I prefer square bags as opposed to mummy bags the lighter and smaller the better. So if you can help me out I'd appreciate it.
 
Not sure what you're idea of lightweight is, if you want down or synthetic, and what temperature rating you need, but after a lot of research and comparing I bought a Sea to Summit TK2 down bag last year and am very happy with it. I'm a cold sleeper but can comfortably use it to about -5 degrees Celsius, it packs down real small, comes with a luxury storage bag, a cotton bag to wash it in and a compression bag. It's right around the 1kg/2lbs mark. It's not fully square but a bit in between a regular bag and a mummy, and you can open it and use it as a blanket too. Price is reasonable too compared to other bags with similar specks. I got the regular size and would say it's large enough for people up to about 5'8".
 
How light you're willing/able to carry is a direct correlation of how much you're willing/able to spend.

For high-quality ultra-light, nothing beats Western Mountaineering. If you'd like some customizing options and USA construction, take a look at Feathered Friends, the zenith of down manufacturing and they have numerous models that aren't mummies.

Sea To Summit has done some great things with sleeping bag designs in the past few years. The way the insulating materials are combined with the unique shapes of the bags themselves really set them apart from other makers. Definitely worth taking a look if you don't care for traditional mummy shapes.
 
also look at Katabatic Gear, they make down quilts- very high quality down quilts; mine is conservatively rated at 30 F, I've had it down into the 20's- 16.9 oz

quilts are lighter as they do away w/ the down directly underneath that gets smashed when you lie on it and offers no loft
 
Another vote for Western and Feathered Friends. Katabatic looks cool - no pun intended.
 
Check out quilts. There are several makers out there now. I bought a Golite quilt several years ago and I will never use a bag again.
 
mtwarden, what sleeping pad are you using these days with your quilt? I have been leaning towards upgrading my Thermarest Prolite Plus to a Big Agnes insulated Q-core but I hear they have problems and a lot of folks out here are real happy with the new Xtherm Neo-Air.
 
trestle said:
mtwarden, what sleeping pad are you using these days with your quilt? I have been leaning towards upgrading my Thermarest Prolite Plus to a Big Agnes insulated Q-core but I hear they have problems and a lot of folks out here are real happy with the new Xtherm Neo-Air.
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for three season stuff, my regular (old style) Neoair- I find it good to about freezing, if it looks like it's going to be a little below freezing I'll throw in a torso length 1/8" ccf (about 2 oz). I have an Xtherm too- I haven't used it w/ my quilt, but have used it w/ my Helium to temps around 10 or so. I've had good luck w/ the Neoairs, they're comfy, pack small and are light-it's one of the main reason my wife still backpacks w/ me :D
 
Just an update I still haven't made a decision yet as I'm still recovering from some injuries and doing any serious hiking/camping just wouldn't be safe for me at this time. So I'm hoping next year I can get out safely but please keep the ideas coming as I do appriciate it.
 
Best of luck with the injuries, lazy otter. I know how it can be being stuck on the couch, dreaming of your favorite places you hope to see again soon. And of course dreaming of new gear! I broke my leg in 4 places last year, still hurts a lot and I still don't have a natural stride most of the time. Hang in there!
 
mtwarden said:
for three season stuff, my regular (old style) Neoair- I find it good to about freezing, if it looks like it's going to be a little below freezing I'll throw in a torso length 1/8" ccf (about 2 oz). I have an Xtherm too- I haven't used it w/ my quilt, but have used it w/ my Helium to temps around 10 or so. I've had good luck w/ the Neoairs, they're comfy, pack small and are light-it's one of the main reason my wife still backpacks w/ me :D
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Curious about the with on those Xtherms, I've been looking at them for a little while now. What are your thoughts on the width? Not sure what size you have. Thanks for the info on the temps too.
 
I have the wide in the Xtherm, regular length/width on the Neoair- more weight w/ the wide, but I'm already packing more weight in the shoulder season anyways-so went w/ the wide- definitely nice! :D
 
Thanks, that's what my initial thoughts have been, but I've seen a few in gear lineups on here and figured there was something to it. I was thinking the same about the weight, whats a few ounces more to stay warm. Thanks for the reply! Keep up those great photos of your trips!
 
TheJeepster said:
When in doubt I always go to Cabela's web site and look up their XPG series in the product I am looking at.

Cabela's XPG is the EXTREM PERFORMANCE GEAR and is very well thought out by Cabela's engineers. Cabela's does not copy others product but they take the best from others product and put it in their own design and in general you get a very nice product at a great price when compared to the competition.

I do not know what you consider ultra lite and I do not know your degree preference but here is a cold bag from the Cabela's XPG line. Just looking at it and I know it is comfortable.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Camp...Page=48&WTz_l=SBC;MMcat104795280;cat104770080

Here is their bag that only goes down to 20 deg's F. It is a good price and quality equipment.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Camp...ype=GNU&WTz_l=SBC;MMcat104795280;cat104770080

I personally carry a military 4 piece sleep system and only carry the parts needed for that season.
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I would not consider a 5 pound square bag ultralight. 16-24 oz is ultralight
 
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