Which lightweight sleeping bag to choose?!

Zymologist

Zymologist

Joined
May 21, 2012
Messages
1,058
Fellow blade forumites,

I'm having a difficult time narrowing down a lightweight sleeping bag. I'd like one in the 20-30F range.

The current sleeping bag I have is the Gander Mountain Rifle River 0F bag which weights 10lbs. I love it but I really don't want to tote that sucker around strapped to my pack.

Usually I'm good at narrowing down purchases but I really got lost in the world of sleeping bags so if any of you have any tips or can point me in a few good directions I'd be happy.

I hope that I can find something that weighs less than 5lbs I'd be willing to spend upwards to $150.

Anyone use any military surplus modular sleep systems that they can vouch for?

I gotta get a bed roll/pad too.

Oh I'm 6'0 tall and the biggest problem could be my shoulders the wife just measured me at 24 inches from outside shoulder to outside shoulder across the back I'm a little broad.

Any info is greatly appreciated these are kinda the last pieces I need to do some nice weekenders and overnighters this year.

Joe
 
Definitely interested in seeing what people say. I'm 5'11 and would like a lightweight bag in that temperature range, maybe 30-40 even. Narrowing it down is one thing, though I have no clue if Big Agnes is worth the price over Kelty over Marmot, etc. Though after my feet nearly froze off borrowing a friend's, I want something that works. That and doesn't weigh a ton. Packing small would be a big plus too.

Hopefully we can get some help on this. As for sleeping bag pads, I have a thermarest ridgerest. Used it a few times and it seems to work well. Having even ground is key in general, but even when I was laying on rocks it was a big help. Not sure I really buy into the air filled ones, don't seem like they'd have enough cushion.
 
since no one chimed in yet i'll give it a shot...the big 3 (backpack, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad) generally the more you spend the lighter/warmer/more compact it is. when you say 20-30° f is that the lowest outside temp you're expecting to encounter or the bag's rating itself? in my experience, i have to add 10-15° to whatever the rating on a sleeping bag is for me to be comfortable (for example, a 0° f sleeping bag is only good for 15° f and above for me).

for $150, you're looking at synthetic insulation-filled bags from the likes of north face, marmot, etc. my north face big horn 20° f that i bought years ago from campmor is 4.5 lbs and i'd say that's the ballpark weight from other brands with the same price range.

for sleeping pads, i don't know what your budget is but i find that exped's inflatable pads are the best weight/warmth/comfort combo. a sleeping pad has an r-value (it's a rating of how well it insulates against the cold ground) and the higher it is the better. foam pads i've only seen maybe in the 1-2 r-value tops where inflatables goes way up there in the 6+ range. my exped downmat 9 has an r-value of 8 for example and it's perfect for setting it directly on top of snow. comfort on an inflatable pad is also unsurpassed. a quick trip to an rei or any store with inflatables already inflated that you can try will show it right away.

the cold ground sucks body heat pretty fast so a warm sleeping pad is just as important as the bag itself. a 0° bag with a foam pad with an r-value of 1 for example won't be as warm as a 20° bag with an inflatable pad with an r-value of 8 in my experience during the winter.
 
Mountain Hardwear Lamina 20. One of the best synthetics in that price range. Won't break the bag, extremely light for a synthetic and insulates well.
 
Check discount sites like Sierra Trading Post, dealers for sales, etc.
You should have no problem finding a suitable synthetic or 600-650 fill down bag in your price range, and less than 5lbs.

Look at the North Face Cat's Meow(and read the reviews). It's a classic bag that has been updated continuously over time.
It is EN rated for 23F, weighs less than 3lbs, and is easily found for $150-170. Hard to beat at that price.
 
JV3 said:
since no one chimed in yet i'll give it a shot...the big 3 (backpack, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad) generally the more you spend the lighter/warmer/more compact it is. when you say 20-30° f is that the lowest outside temp you're expecting to encounter or the bag's rating itself? in my experience, i have to add 10-15° to whatever the rating on a sleeping bag is for me to be comfortable (for example, a 0° f sleeping bag is only good for 15° f and above for me).

for $150, you're looking at synthetic insulation-filled bags from the likes of north face, marmot, etc. my north face big horn 20° f that i bought years ago from campmor is 4.5 lbs and i'd say that's the ballpark weight from other brands with the same price range.

for sleeping pads, i don't know what your budget is but i find that exped's inflatable pads are the best weight/warmth/comfort combo. a sleeping pad has an r-value (it's a rating of how well it insulates against the cold ground) and the higher it is the better. foam pads i've only seen maybe in the 1-2 r-value tops where inflatables goes way up there in the 6+ range. my exped downmat 9 has an r-value of 8 for example and it's perfect for setting it directly on top of snow. comfort on an inflatable pad is also unsurpassed. a quick trip to an rei or any store with inflatables already inflated that you can try will show it right away.

the cold ground sucks body heat pretty fast so a warm sleeping pad is just as important as the bag itself. a 0° bag with a foam pad with an r-value of 1 for example won't be as warm as a 20° bag with an inflatable pad with an r-value of 8 in my experience during the winter.
Click to expand...

I'm going to generally be in a hammock and I don't plan to be out in under 40F just yet til I see how things go. I will eventually upgrade my hammock with a overquilt for the whole cocoon thing if I ever want to try and be out in 30F or below that. So Im guessing with a 20-30F bag I'll be quite warm at 40F. Its funny how stuff like that works I have a 24 gun safe and I'll be damned if I can comfortably fit anymore than 14 in it haha.

For sleeping pads I forgot to add that I'll be in a hammock so I probably won't buy one just yet but the R value is good to keep in mind thank you for your information.
 
PropThePolecat said:
Mountain Hardwear Lamina 20. One of the best synthetics in that price range. Won't break the bag, extremely light for a synthetic and insulates well.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the point in the right direction as well Prop
On sierratradingpost here is what I've got narrowed down under the Laminas from Mountain Hardwear for only $164. The reviews state its clearly not a 0Degree bag but it might cover me for 20F + anything warmer than 50 or 60 I hope a good wool blanket will cure that with maybe an Emergency blanket underneath.

Mountain Hardwear 0°F ExtraLamina Sleeping Bag - Synthetic, Semi-Rectangular
 
OwenM said:
Check discount sites like Sierra Trading Post, dealers for sales, etc.
You should have no problem finding a suitable synthetic or 600-650 fill down bag in your price range, and less than 5lbs.

Look at the North Face Cat's Meow(and read the reviews). It's a classic bag that has been updated continuously over time.
It is EN rated for 23F, weighs less than 3lbs, and is easily found for $150-170. Hard to beat at that price.
Click to expand...

Awesome website thank you OwenM. I'm going to try and find some reviews on the Cats Meow now!
 
I'll throw another vote out for the Cats !eow, a really great bag! Other great places to shop are campmor and REIs outlet page
 
Sierra designs dridown for synthetics. Mld quilts. Zpacks for down. 1 lb for 20 degree bag.
 
excellent online store for good gear is steep and cheap... they offer overstock items for short periods of time for killer deals. I use an REI igno sleeping bag for my backpacking system.. compact, light and warm, though expensive.
 
Well after reading lots of great reviews on the cats meow I take a look at its shoulder girth and it fits 62 inches. Well my shoulder girth is 60. :grumpy:

Im thinking that might be a little too snug for me.
 
I love the military sleep system -- green bag, black bag, gore-tex bivy.

Yes it is heavy.

Yes it will get you through most places on the planet.

-Stan
 
Kelty makes some nice light weight sleeping bags. I'm not sure if they have any with your shoulder girth requirement, but they are good quality for a good price. I'm considering a Long Kelty Cosmic down 20 right now.

Alps Mountaineering makes some descent sleeping bags, some of them are built for wider shoulders.

Big Agnes may also. Keep in mind, they don't have insulation on the bottom, they use a pad inside a pad sleeve to provide insulation. It's supposed to work pretty good.

Good luck!
 
Well folks I've order a North Face Aleutian I believe it was called. Its only a 55 Degree bag but at least I can test out the mummy style dimensions for a summer bag and if not the wife can have it.

This early spring I'm gonna have to just tote my 12lb bag around and deal with it.

Thanks for all the advice and points of direction!
 
Well I barely fit my shoulders in the North Face Aleutian 55F Bag. I really like it but its pretty snug up top.

I understand a mummy style isn't supposed to have a lot of room so I'll give it a try this summer and if I can sleep in it I'll probably take the plunge for the Cats Meow bag since its the same dimensions.

Thanks again fellas for all the information it definately helped now I just gotta get some dirt time before the next purchase and hopefully next year I'll have a good mummy bag for the fall/winter.
 
Big River Outdoor makes a 30+ synthetic mummy bag that weights around 3.5 pounds and is really roomy. It's in the same class/quality as Slumber jack bags. Descent for the money. Any ways, I picked one up on sale last summer and rather like it. Mainly because it doesn't weight a ton, it's roomy and affordable. The fabric inside is also soft and warm feeling. To bad it's only a summer bag. LOL!! Supposedly they have a 0 or 20 degree version that's a good price, but I can't get it locally to try out.

Back in Scouts I carried one of those old style Square bags on campouts and backpacking trips. Those things are rummy, but heavy. If you look around, you may be able to find some in your size that aren't crazy heavy.
 
If you're a hammocker, why not just buy your top quilt now? What we use for top quilts were originally used as ultralight sleeping bag substitutes, right? I have a Jacks R Better Sierra Sniveler that is big and roomy, top quality, very light, and very compressible. I like it so much I've been using it on my bed at home most of the winter....

Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
desmobob said:
If you're a hammocker, why not just buy your top quilt now? What we use for top quilts were originally used as ultralight sleeping bag substitutes, right? I have a Jacks R Better Sierra Sniveler that is big and roomy, top quality, very light, and very compressible. I like it so much I've been using it on my bed at home most of the winter....

Stay sharp,
desmobob
Click to expand...

Well I'm a relatively new hammocker so thank you for the top quilt idea thats definately going to be my best bet.
 
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