Advice on 0 degree sleeping bags?

[L.A.paddler]

I am in the market for a quality 0 degree sleeping bag. I want a rectangle shaped bag and plan to spend between $250 and $300. I am not a big backpacker, but I still want a lightweight bag. Anyone willing to share their thoughts?

Thanks, Terry DeMoe

[robkanraft]

I've been looking for something along those same lines, and I want a taper, not a mummy. Have you looked at the Cabela's Alaskan Guide? Not a name brand but easy to return if it doesn't fly. I don't backpack, so bulk is not in my equation.

[paddledog]

Wiggys, Wiggys, Wiggys.
http://www.wiggys.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I have four, first one is about 15 years old. As far as I know they are the only ones
on the market that encourages you to wash them. The more often the better. The
more you wash them the more loft you will get from the fiberfill.
Amazing compression, one of their first big contracts was with the Air Force to supply
a bag for under the ejection seats.
I am not saying they are the best, but they are the best I know of and worth a look....

[prophet]

just got a down Kelty Coronell 0 on Steep and cheap for $125 delivered, it might come up again. its not a mummy bag

[Shep]

Light, reasonably-priced, rectangular, pick two.

My recommendation is the old lamina series from Mountain Hardwear. They can be had from Backcountry.com for about $160. It is a mummy bag though. weight is less than 4 lbs.
http://www.backcountry.com/mountain-har ... Mgod6goAlg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Rectangular 0 degree bag, over 5 lbs (of insulation, who knows what the total weight will be, definitely over 6 lb):
http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/73418?fe ... Id=1225384" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[okieboater]

Wiggy's is the bag to look at for warmth and they do rectangular. They last a long time. They are warm. Only problem is the do not pack well kind of bulky. But all rectangular bags are bulky. I have the frtress system, two bags. Use the overbag in summer, regular one in winter. combine if really cold.

For lightweight I recommend the Marmot down with the goretex like cover. I have the one that is good down to 20 and it packs super small. Just right for kayak self support. They also make one that goes down to zero. This is a mummy style bag.

[L.A.paddler]

Thanks for the replies everybody. I have a Cabellas Boundry Waters 20 degree bag and love it. I am in no hurry, but want to get another bag pretty soon. I will explore all of the options you guys have recomended.

thanks, Terry D

[turboturtle]

I cannot remember ever seeing a zero degree bag that was rectangular. I might have a look at these Wiggies these guys are describing. I am starting my search for a new bag. I will return with any good info later. you guys do the same and we can all benefit from the knowledge.

aka Bob


ps. well I'll be. check this Coleman bag out. This "Big Game" bag is good for peeps up to 6.6 ft. Their is another not so fancy 0 degree bag for $25.00 less. Five year warranty on all of them.

http://www.coleman.com/product/big-game ... O9tCaxIjcs" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Eric Esche]

I'd take Coleman's hype about the temperature with a rather large grain of salt.
Large difference between surviving at temperature and sleeping comfortably. Notice that they do not state the weight or fiber used for the insulation. Consider if you really want to take a cotton covered sleeping bag on river - Cotton has a high moisture regain, if I remember right, something like 36%. Cotton also holds body oils worse than some other fibers like nylon or polyester, but then you gets what you pay for. Read the reviews and see if many say they were comfortable at Zero F. If a bag is not warm enough for you, you can also add liners and bivys if there is room, but it does add weight and bulk to carry and waterproof.

I get cold very easily. I own and use a minus 20F bag, and 2 minus 40F/C bags, along with flannel or fleece liners, mylar bags, gore=tex bivysacks, and mylar bubble film ground cloths. Only problem in being that warm and comfortable when it is that cold is that you do not want to get out of the bag.

Eric

[prophet]

there was another 0 deg on Steep&Cheap website for $135. pretty sure it was a Mountain Hardware. if you watch that site it will prob show up again

[okieboater]

I am a big fan of Wiggy's sleeping bags as far as reasonable price is concerned. These bags last for ever.

They do not stuff well that is the only con I can find.
And, I have more sleeping bags than any one should have, looking for the perfect sleeping bag for many years.

I am down to three bags that get the use.

The bag I use for self support or backpacking is Marmot Helium Membrane 20 degree hi loft down. This is a expensive bag but the best stuff size and warmest for it's weight bag I have found after many years searching. It is a excellent bag. Pricey but top of the line. Compacts down to less than football size.

The bag I use in summertime is a North Face Equinox synthetic fill tall version good to 35 degrees. I doubt it would go any lower in fact it needs help from fleece to get down past 40 degrees. I have had it on a self support trip where there was big time frost and I was under the stars sleeping. Had on a lot of fleece and got by, but just that. Had this one for many years but think it was reasonably priced at the time I got it. Compacts down to football size.

If I am camping from the truck or have carry space and it is cool to really cold, the Wiggys FTRSS system is what I use.
This is a two bag system. I have the standard shape mummy type. Wiggy's also does the rectangular bags.
I have the extra long and wide versions in my bags. The overbag is really big and comfy. Great for fall / spring trips to the thirties. The inner bag goes down to 20 and more degrees. Both bags offer much more space inside than the normal bag. The inner bag gets you down to lower temps than I camp in these days IE way below zero. I have never had to use both bags together but am sure it would go down more than I want to be outside. Both bags together would take up a lot of space, but my bet is super warm sleeping.

A bonus on Wiggys is they recommend washing as many times as you want. For the money they cost (I buy from the factory in Grand Junction CO) they are my opinion, the most warmth for the money sleeping bags out there if you got the space to carry them. Also they have the largest insides as well. Since I have all the issues I do, I cannot be comfortable in a really tight sleeping bag.