Sleeping bags... Thoughts?

by **Kevrod3** » 07 21, 2014 • [Post 1]

Guys I'm heading to Montana last 2 weeks of Sept. thinking of going with a 15 degree bag. Would like to get something on the lighter side, $100-$200 range.

What options should I look for? What things(comforts) should I sacrifice to save a bit of money but still have a quality warm bag?

What do you guys use?
Thanks!

by **Rangerz** » 07 21, 2014 • [Post 2]

I would get something rated for colder than you think you will need. Nothing worse than trying to sleep cold. Other option is carry a pair of sweats and you can sleep in those if it is colder than planned. I would get a mummy style.

Good luk

by **LckyTylr** » 07 21, 2014 • [Post 3]

To get a warm bag at a cheap price, you will likely have to sacrifice weight-savings. Check out Go-Lite. I bought a bag from them and I love it, light and warm . . . WAY to hot for summer sleeping, I'm probably in the market for a cooler bag next season.

by **jmez** » 07 21, 2014 • [Post 4]

In that price range I would go with a Eureka Casper. Great light bag for the price.

by **stykbow67** » 07 21, 2014 • [Post 5]

Don't forget that a good quality pad will also help keep you off the cold ground. I've been using a BA Lost Ranger bag and a BA insulated air core pad that slips into a sleeve in the bag and have been very pleased!

Steve

by **twinkieman** » 07 21, 2014 • [Post 6]

stykbow67 wrote:Don't forget that a good quality pad will also help keep you off the cold ground. I've been using a BA Lost Ranger bag and a BA insulated air core pad that slips into a sleeve in the bag and have been very pleased!

Steve

X2, exact setup I use.

by **Navesgane** » 07 22, 2014 • [Post 7]

LckyTylr wrote:To get a warm bag at a cheap price, you will likely have to sacrifice weight-savings. Check out Go-Lite. I bought a bag from them and I love it, light and warm . . . WAY to hot for summer sleeping, I'm probably in the market for a cooler bag next season.

Same here. I bought a zero degree down bag for less than $300 directly from their store in Durango that's light and very compressible, and they had an even lighter weight one that was made out of a more fragile shell that I opted not to get. Haven't yet used it enough to speak of its durability- only about 6 backpacking trips but no issues so far. I prefer a warmer bag and often sleep on top of it.
Kevrod, I think one of your biggest choices next to warmth will be to go down or synthetic. I prefer down myself to save a bit on weight and bulk. There are pros and cons to both.
Heres a simple and good explanation of sleeping bag info

http://www.smart-camping-guide.com/slee ... tings.html

by **Indian Summer** » 07 22, 2014 • [Post 8]

Will you have a heat source in your tent Kevin? If so will you be getting up periodically to restack the fire? 15 degree is not low enough in my opinion.

Your sleeping bag is a survival system. No sleep.... no quality hunting. I'd sell my first born child to buy the best bag I could. Seriously.

by **BrentLaBere** » 07 22, 2014 • [Post 9]

I would buy a warmer bag......You never know whats going to hit that late in the season.

by **Fridaythe13th** » 07 22, 2014 • [Post 10]

BrentLaBere
What up with arrow in the little pine tree in the pic. Is that the arrow you used "from the one that got away"
I used a -20 below sleeping bag and just opened it up is I got hot.

by **BrentLaBere** » 07 22, 2014 • [Post 11]

Actually just used my extra to see how to the snow was. By judging from where it was when I went to bed and when I got up, it was around 18 inches around the tent with a little drifting. 28-1/2" arrow
....the one that got away, the arrow was never found.

by **otcWill** » 07 22, 2014 • [Post 12]

Don't waste the money on a low end bag. Buy once. Cry once. I'd buy a Kifaru if I were you. If you must save the money than I'd go to a thrift store or goodwill and get for $10 the same thing you'll be getting for $200. A sleeping bag is not something to try to save money on.

by **elkmtngear** » 07 22, 2014 • [Post 13]

stykbow67 wrote:Don't forget that a good quality pad will also help keep you off the cold ground. I've been using a BA Lost Ranger bag and a BA insulated air core pad that slips into a sleeve in the bag and have been very pleased!

Steve

My 15 degree BA Lost Ranger has worked great for me as well, with a Thermarest Trekker Pad, even in these conditions:

by **Miller1** » 07 22, 2014 • [Post 14]

Marmot sawtooth is a good bag at just a little over what you are looking to spend, you can find them on sale for around 200 bucks.
http://www.backcountry.com/marmot-sawto ... oCObbw_wcB

by **WapitiTalk1** » 07 22, 2014 • [Post 15]

Kevin, I've had a Marmot Trestles 15 for almost three years. Works great and have never gotten cold in it. It's a bit on the heavy side by most backcountry standards (I think a bit over 4 lbs for the extra wide/extra long bag), but, you can pick one of these up "and" a good thermarest pad and a super duper pack pillow for a bit over 200 bones if you shop for sales .

by **pointysticks** » 07 22, 2014 • [Post 16]

Isn't a zero bag from go lite around $250?

by **Kevrod3** » 07 22, 2014 • [Post 17]

Guys thanks for the responses! This is why I love this site! Joe- The only heat might be a few hand warmers that I might carry for emergency use. Going with a one or two man tent. I haven't really heard what you guys sleep in yet(clothing wise)? How many of you pack sweat pants and sweat shirt to sleep in? Trying to keep weight down.

by **Navesgane** » 07 22, 2014 • [Post 18]

Merino for hunting and synthetic tights for everything else. Never anything cotton

by **Navesgane** » 07 22, 2014 • [Post 19]

pointysticks wrote:Isn't a zero bag from go lite around $250?

Somewhere around there

by **Lefty** » 07 22, 2014 • [Post 20]

What kind of camp
If your not bivy hunting , you better believe what Indian Summer had to say

It seems even the most expensive bags are rated wrong for me.
Last year I spent most of my nights in a cheap flannel lined bag, many nights is was so warm I was sleeping on top.
Five years ago The first Saturday of the September hunt I woke to 21 degrees

Being an old man and liking a good nights sleep I bought a big Johnson oversized bag rated at -5
and weighs over 11 lbs and I can sleep in my underwear to about 10 degrees, the bad is too hard to regulate my warmth for temps above 40 $150
http://www.blackpinesports.com/black-pine-the-big-johnson-5-sleeping-bag
I also have a grizzlie( at one time the same company) but rated at 10. the bag is warm but I roll around at night and the bag didnt fit me well for cold nights $90

http://www.blackpinesports.com/grizzly-canvas-0-sleeping-bag

by **Indian Summer** » 07 22, 2014 • [Post 21]

I have 2 Cabela's Alaskan Guide Model bags. One mummy and one regular. Both are -30. Look at it this way... you can always unzip it, hang a leg out, or sleep on top. But there's not much you can do about freezing your elknuts off.

Who rates those things anyway huh? I could never sleep in minus 30 in my bags.

by **Migolito** » 07 23, 2014 • [Post 22]

Instead of looking at a bag, you should be looking at a Sleep System. My set up is for backpacking.That starts with what you will be wearing when you sleep. I wear Patagonia Capilene from head to toe. That means bennie, top, bottom and socks. These not only add significant warmth, they keep the bag clean and the Down dry. Only wear these for sleeping or they will be damp and negate the point. Next comes the pad. I use a 2.5 air pad-rei Flash. Thermorest Neo air and Exped are excellent also. These are backpacking type pads. If you dont need to carry them get a bigger, wider, thicker pad. A sleeping bag is absolutely worthless w/o a pad even on a cot. Next is the bag. I have a 40, 20 and a 5 deg bag, all mummys. Golite to Marmot-all down. Theres no such thing as a best bag. The 'best bag' for you is not the best bag for me. I'm 6' 205 lbs and the Marmot Helium fits my shoulders and sleeping style(i side sleep and belly sleep-so, I need a larger bag in the shoulders). Get a down bag in 850 or higher down. IMO the best are made by Feathered Friends or Western Mountaineering. Look at the deg rating AND the size to fit you. Always get a lower rated bag than you think you'll need. I've had freezing rain in bow season.

by **CWick61** » 07 23, 2014 • [Post 23]

Hello,
I still swear buy the sleep system I was issued in the Military. I've had some very cold nights in the field from Korea to the Mountains of Afghanistan and it never did me wrong.. The system can with the outside bivy cover(water proof) then a light and heavy sleeping bag you snap together. You can usually find then at a surplus store for a reasonable price.. I also used to keep my poncho liner in the system with me on really cold nights.. I know others will have their own favorites and opinions on what's best or better.. But I just figured I would add my opinion.. I've tried a few bags out over the years and the only other one that I liked was my Western Mountaineering bag.. Also a good insulated sleeping pad to keep you off the ground helps..

by **elk.addict** » 07 25, 2014 • [Post 24]

15° will probably not be warm enough it late September. I use a 0° down bag (North Face Superlight) and a sleeping pad (Exped UL9 Synmat) with a R-value of 6 in archery season, and a -20° bag after September. Remember that the number they list on the sleeping bag isn't usually a comfort rating, it's a survivability rating. At least, that's what come to think.

by **LongShot** » 07 25, 2014 • [Post 25]

Has anyone here ever tried camping quilts like these - http://www.enlightenedequipment.com/quilts-1/
I like the material and openness, I could never get good rest in a mummy style. But that openness might be a problem w/o a bivy or a nest. Thoughts?

by **dotman** » 07 25, 2014 • [Post 26]

LongShot wrote:Has anyone here ever tried camping quilts like these - http://www.enlightenedequipment.com/quilts-1/
I like the material and openness, I could never get good rest in a mummy style. But that openness might be a problem w/o a bivy or a nest. Thoughts?

Yup, I have a 0* revelation in 750 fill, crazy warm and weighs around 2lbs. It was hard at first to move away from the traditional sleeping bag design but now I don't know if I'll ever go back. Only reason I'll keep my synthetic Kifaru bag is for hunting wet country but may replace it with a synthetic quilt. Have to have a good quality pad with an R value higher then 3 for it to work as that is your insulation on the bottom. Not an issue without a bivy as there are straps to go around your pad and keep it all enclosed. But I do use a ground cloth (tyvek or bug bivy) since I use a floor less tent.

The quality is outstanding and Tim the owner is a great guy. Made in the US. Only reason he keeps cost down is he uses seconds for his sil which you would never know, I think he could charge $200 more and it still would be worth it.

by **patdel** » 07 26, 2014 • [Post 27]

I agree with the other guys that when it comes to buying gear, buy it right the first time. If you try to get buy cheap, you wind up buying the same item twice. One little thing you can do that might help, Get an aluminum water bottle, boil some water right before bed and pour it in there. I stuff it in a sock and put it in the sleeping bag with me. Helps more than you would think.

by **NoWiser** » 07 28, 2014 • [Post 28]

I have about a 6 or 7 year old Eureka Casper and almost froze to death last year in Wyoming. I'm guessing the temp was around 20 degrees on the cool nights based on the ice thickness of the puddles around camp. That 15 degree bag just didn't cut it for me even with an Exped Downmat 9 pad. It just doesn't have much loft left after all it has been through. I also have a -30 Cabelas bag I use for my November deer hunts in northern Minnesota. It's a heavy beast and I'm going to retire it because it is way too warm unless the temp in the tent hits -10, which doesn't happened much in November lately. My new system is a Marmot Helium (much, much warmer than the Casper) which should be great for any archery elk hunts, and a woobie which should get me through most nights deer hunting when combined with the Helium. The plan is to drape the woobie over the bag, moving the dewpoint into the synthetic woobie rather than the down sleeping bag. In theory it will work out great. We'll see this fall how it works in real life!

I learned my lesson last year, though. I would have gladly shelled out an extra $150.00 any of those nights I spent shivering. The Helium was the first purchase I made when I returned from the trip

by **Elkduds** » 07 28, 2014 • [Post 29]

If I don't have to pack in, I take a synthetic or down bag (@+20 deg) AND a crappy synthetic summer weight square-foot bag I got at a yard sale for $3. If it gets cold, I put the good bag inside the other one. The crappy summer bag can insulate meat, pad rattling gear on rack or trailer, hang behind tent door for wind barrier, be extra pad under main bag, whatev. It is a nice bag for desert camping, above 60 @ night.
If I'm sleeping on the ground I like a thermarest short pad w jackets under feet/legs. In my wall tent in Oct I'm on a cot, thick inflatable pad, synthetic quilt, +20 bag. I stay warmer wearing just skivvies, w base layer/socks in my bag so they are warm @ 0 dark thirty in the am.

by **SquidHC** » 08 06, 2014 • [Post 30]

Something else that is critical to note. If you purchase a bag insulated with synthetic material you should never store it in a "stuff" sack other than when you are taking it to use. The material will develop a memory and, when removed from the bag, the fibers will break. Over time the bag will degrade and the insulation rating of the bag will get higher in temperature. Also, remember that while down bags are lighter, they loose their ability to keep you warm if they get wet.

by **Miller1** » 08 07, 2014 • [Post 31]

Has anybody used a hot hands in the bottom of there bag? I would think that would work pretty well for extra warmth.

by **RockChucker30** » 08 07, 2014 • [Post 32]

I've used hothands in the bottom of a bag, and it helps. ID Hot Socks are great as well.

Beware of the temp ratings on $100-$200 bags, and look into temp ratings in general. A 20° bag to a warm sleeper may be a 40° bag to a cold sleeper.

In general, Marmot's american made bags, Western Mountaineering, Feathered Friends, some SD bags, and some ID bags have great reputations for accurate temp ratings. I've got a WM Antelope and fully expect it to serve me well for the next 15-20 years.

by **elk.addict** » 08 07, 2014 • [Post 33]

Yep. When I'm sleeping in sub zero temps, hot hands in the bottom of the bag help keep my feet warm. Otherwise I get VERY cold feet.

by **dtrkyman** » 08 23, 2014 • [Post 34]

Froze my nards off in a 20 degree bag a few years ago, temps at night mid 20s, bout a cats meow north face bag which I think is rated the same and I slept fine in the teens, not all bags are created equal, I was actually getting sweaty no matter what I did in the borrowed bag, never sweat in the north face bag.

by **slim9300** » 08 23, 2014 • [Post 35]

dtrkyman wrote:Froze my nards off in a 20 degree bag a few years ago, temps at night mid 20s, bout a cats meow north face bag which I think is rated the same and I slept fine in the teens, not all bags are created equal, I was actually getting sweaty no matter what I did in the borrowed bag, never sweat in the north face bag.

The Cat's Meow is known to be somewhat of a cold sleeping bag but your statement is true.

OP, look at the EN ratings for comfort, lower limit and extreme temperature. This info is very helpful. I am pretty partial to my Marmot bags but there are many good options out there. Finding something in your price range that is also light will make it somewhat challenging. Some good advice so far.

by **Kevrod3** » 08 24, 2014 • [Post 36]

Ended up going with the Cabela's -15 degree Striker Sleeping bag. reg $160 they had them on sale for $130. weighs in at 4lbs 14oz. (this is the Long size) which was about as light as I could find for the temp rating and keeping cost reasonable. Thanks for the suggestions guys!

I'm sure when I get a older and decide to spend a bit more money and go a little lighter I'll switch to down. Maybe in about 4-5 years when my son is able to hunt the western states I'll give him mine and buy new one!

by **Indian Summer** » 08 24, 2014 • [Post 37]

Down is nice Kevin but there are some very good synthetics these days. That minus 15 should serve you well.

I'm looking forward to the hunt report when you guys get back. Maybe keep a small journal while you're out there.

by **blackwolf** » 08 25, 2014 • [Post 38]

My Mont-Bell Stretch 0 degree down bag has served me well in Sep Mts. I would not want anything rated warmer. Too many times 50 degrees turned to 15! And you ca always open up some. I also prefer down
for the compactability. But I keep a gore-tex lightweight shell handy so my down never gets wet.
Now, if I wasn't backpacking I would have my heavy Cabela's Minus 30 bag!

by **Lefty** » 08 26, 2014 • [Post 39]

Indian Summer wrote:Down is nice Kevin but there are some very good synthetics these days. That minus 15 should serve you well. .

Two years ago we had a warm Klondike boy scout camp. One scout had a top end synthetic. during the night with all the rain his snow cave collapsed. He stayed in his bag with 100 lbs of snow on him. eventually with the rain his bag got soaked. Im sure there was 15 lbs of water in the bag. We shook it out, the best we could and dried it on my pick up dash in 45 minutes ,... not going to do that with down.

by **Camo** » 08 27, 2014 • [Post 40]

Anyone out there have a run down on a list of top sleeping bag liners. There are quite a few to choose from and I am still not sure which one is the best. I get cold and I need to buy something to enhance the warmth of my sleeping bag. REI has Sea to Summit Thermolite Reactor Extreme Mummy Bag Liners. Online these are about $50 plus tax. Has anyone used one of these? Is there a superior choice I should consider?

by **ctdad** » 08 27, 2014 • [Post 41]

I have a sea to summit liner. It is the only one I've ever used. I'd estimate it adds 10 degrees warmth but claims to add 15.

by **ctdad** » 08 27, 2014 • [Post 42]

I like it

by **Camo** » 09 03, 2014 • [Post 43]

Does anyone own an "OutdoorLife" Summit 0 Extra-long Large Mummy-style Sleeping Bag? I am 6'5" and this bag is a larger oversized bag. It weighs 6 pounds and I found one for $82. The insulation is Insulation is Synthetic and is supposed to be a 0 degrees bag. I need to pull the trigger quick so let me know your thoughts, plus and minus.