sleeping bags

[Susan Tinker]

ok, as I'm getting good advice and websites for Tents, now about the sleeping bag. I'm being told the tent will keep weather off me, but to be warm, it's in the sleeping bag.
I was at Sam's today. They have a Swiss Army sleeping bag that is to go down to 0 degrees (-18c), fleece foot area, and snuggles around your head.
It's at Sam's, so how about this sleeping bag?
thanks for all the advice ... I'm taking notes!
Susan Tinker

[Owl]

Sleeping bag selection is so subjective that I'll be anxious to see what responses get posted.

I'm a big fan of down bags because they have the lightest weight for the most warmth. I have a 0 degree North Face bag (600 fill power down) that weighs 3.5 pounds and a 25 degree Western Mountaineering bag (900 fill power down) that weighs 2.1 pounds. Both bags pack small enough to get in my kayak for overnight trips.

Some folks prefer synthetic fills because down loses it's insulating ability if it gets wet. Synthetic fill bags are generally heavier and don't pack down as small but retain their insulating properties when wet. Extra care will typically be required with a down bag in rainy/damp conditions.

I'm not familiar with what Sam's carries but one typically has to spend a fair amount of money for a decent down bag (synthetics are cheaper). As examples, my North Face bag was $200 and my Western Mountaineering was around $335. The WM was more expensive because of the higher lofting fill (900 fill power versus 600 for the NF).

I'd recommend visiting a reputable outdoor store and discussing your needs with a salesperson who knows his stuff.

Remember too that true happiness is only one major gear purchase away. :)

[painterbob]

i got three good deals on ebay a 40 degree bag$18.95 a 0 degree $24 and a three bag, military system $59.. you can add a fleece liner will give you about 10 degree on any bag!

[okieboater]

Here goes on sleeping bags.

First do not believe the degree ratings. I have had a ton of bags and none of them kept me warm at the stated degree rating unless I put on a lot of extra fleece.

For instance, For most trips I go on around Arkansas and western float trips, I have a North Face 20 degree over size (Golaith) synthetic bag that works well. This is a good all around bag. Get a zipper all the way to the foot that is two way and you can vent in the summer. Add a hat and some fleece and you are good to go most of the time.

I also have a synthetic 0 degree REI bag that I use when it gets below 32 at night. Mighty nice.

I have several ultra lites, one Sierra Designs light weight that is rated to 20 degrees and one light North Face that is rated to 32 degrees that I use kayak self support. 32 degrees work in the summer and light winter with extra fleece.
These bags both pack down very small. They are cut a lot tighter and both have zippers that go only one half way down to cut down on weight. As such they work, but not nearly as comfy as my regular bags.

I gave up on down bags a long time ago. Some synthetics are almost as warm per oz as down (nothing is as good as down if it is dry and the bag can fluff up). Synthetics can easily be washed at home (so can down, but you have to be real carefull). Down will compress under your body to the point a lot of heat is lost, you must have a good pad to stay warm on the bottom. Synthetic will compress as well, but in my tests not as much as down. Synthetic costs less and lasts for ever. Since I boat a lot, synthetic will dry out west in the sun in minutes, down will take a lot longer.

I like the North Face bags a lot, Kelty also makes good ones as does Sierra Designs. REI gives good value for the money. Go with a name brand. There are sometimes good deals on cheaper brands but rarely. Be sure to check out the zipper. Needs to be over sized and have a strip sewn in to help prevent jams. I was once sleeping in the truck when it got down to the low teens. Every thing was fine till I made that midnight pee run. got back in and jammed my zipper half way up. started messing with the bottom of the two way zipper and got it jammed next to the top jam. Ended up sleeping a lot colder that night than I wanted to. turned the bag with the zipper on the bottom and made do with it. TIP: be carefull zipping a bag, try and use a finger to guide the zipper so it does not jam on the cloth.

PainterBob made a good point about the military 3 piece bags. If you can find one in good shape - they work!.

More bulky than a North Face but those in shape military kiddos can carry them easily.

Watch Sierra Trading post and Campmor for good deals on name brand sleeping bags. Campmor will always have several good buys on North Face, Kelty etc. REI will also have a end of season sale. Sleeping bags if you keep them clean and in the big storage bag off season will last decades.

I always carry some sort of a pillow. Look around and there are any number of very stuffable pillows out there. The air pillows have never worked for me.

Number one addition to being warm in a sleeping bag is a great sock type pullover cap. One that stays on. Number two is a couple pair of thick dry wool and fleece sox. Number three is a nice thick fleece zip top shirt. Number four is a nice thick fleece set of pants. I have sometimes worn wool gloves as well. All my bags are extra long and wide (except for the two go light ones) as I like the room due to all my shoulder issues. Shop around and get a bag that gives you extra room especially in the shoulder area. I like the mummy type even if you do not always zip them up tight as they keep a lot of air from coming in thru the top.

Lots of things make me happy on a river trip. A tent that is dry and will stand up to wind, my paco pad and a North Face sleeping bag are three things that really do make for a enjoyable trip even if the weather is bad.

Always test out a bag before you buy. Even if you have to cheat and go to a store like REI and chek out the bags. Pretty soon you will find the length, hip and foot measurements you can feel good about. Remember tho that a bag the hype sez will fit a person 6ft tall rarely does. I like the extra length as you do not want your feet pressing on the ends as that will compress the filling and result in colder feet.

Good luck and good shopping!

[RandyJ]

Here's one to consider: http://sac.gearattack.com/items/7766

Marmot has a 30-degree version (Hydrogen) that weighs 1 lb, 5 oz. For me, this would be a perfect bag for minimalist, three-season use and the rare self-support overniter out of the kayak. But the zip is only half-length, so wouldn't allow you to unzip at the bottom for ventilation, like Okie mentions, which IS really nice.

My current bag is an old North Face Chrysalis. It's a rectangular bag that can be opened all the way up and used flat as a blanket. Looks old school, but very versatile, and compacts down enough to fit in the back of my Diesel 65. Always meant to buy one of those cotton-texture set-ups for it that lets you slide a pair of Therma-rests in the bottom, then zip the bag to the top as a blanket. I still think this would be a great light-weight set-up for a couple for warm-weather camping. I just never have pulled the trigger on the purchase 'cuz I can't get Momma out to camp much any more.

[Zach]

Be a little careful with the sizing. If you're tall or big you'll want the extra space, but otherwise it'll make you colder. If your feet aren't close to the bottom you'll get a cold pocket below your feet, though you can always stuff a jacket at the bottom to take up the space.

For material, synthetic will tend to lose loft as it gets older. A 5 degree bag will, over a few years, become a 15 degree bag as it ages. Down tends to hold up longer, but has its own set of problems.

I'd suggest not spending too much at first since you'll not know till you've used if for a while what temperature rating you'll need and how light of bag you need. Nothing wrong with a heavy cheaper synthetic bag for car camping or short backpacking trips.

As people said above, Sierra Trading Post or Campmor should have something that will work for under $100.

[Arthur Bowie]

Your gear works together, the combination of things are really important. For instance, if you have good shelter from wind and water/condensate, good insulation from cold ground, and appropriate clothing , you might be fine without a sleeping bag. Or you might get a waterproof bag/bivy sack that works great without a tent. As others noted, the fit of a bag to your body and construction details also makes a big difference. I don't think anyone has mentioned that if your bag isn't warm enough, just put on more clothes/cap or pull a blanket over the bag... same layering concept we use with clothing....

Staying hydrated thru the day and having a good hot evening meal goes a long way toward making for warmer sleep also.

Camping, like paddling, is a skill that you learn by doing. It's easier to start with mild weather and going with others who have more experience, but still boils down to a lot of trial and error to learn exactly what you prefer for your comfort. In cold or wet weather, most of us take more stuff than we think we will need and just pile it up as needed.

Last thought, it seems to me that people who do a little backpacking have no trouble camping out of a canoe or large kayak. those that camp only from a truck or in an established cabin camp like a hunting camp, usually have trouble getting the volume and weight of their gear down for carrying in a boat. I know plenty of people who can stay comfortable with a 20# backpack, they just offset equipment and expense with knowledge and a little care and practice.

[Monsoon]

I agree with Arthur. If you use your equipment together you will be A-OK.
Also the warm meal before bed is a must....unless you are hanging out after you eat for hours. If that occurs, which most of the time it does, I will take a butt load of those hand warmers for you smart wool socks and some for you gloves (if you wear gloves to sleep in) and it helps to put a few in a beanie or balaklava......then you can have just about any decent sleeping bag you want.
If it insulates your pre warming excercise, then you will be fine. I've camped in some COOOOLLLLLDDDDDD Colorado weather and doing the things mentioned above will make you think you are in Arkansas in the spring time.....hahaha.

[RIORESIDENT]

I too have had lots of bags, and currently own 3. a north face, 20 degree synthetic, a Western Mountaineering bag, and a mountain hardwear "upgrade bag" its a 30 degree bag that zips into another bag, and gives a system that can be used for different conditions. Like aurthor mentioned, In the past I was carrying a lot of clothing that didn't get used, and a heavy bag. I started using the clothes I brought with, and a lightewr bag, and that was the ticket. the upgrade bag stuffs to bout the size of a grapefruit, and is about 1.5 lbs.

try out some differnt bags, One thing that worked well for me, is I found a deal on a right handed ( or was it left) zipper bag. I bout it for the simple reason that i could then zip two bags together. ( ever try to get two people in one bag?) it can be done, but........ another thing i like about it is if im car camping, I will take both bags, and a coleman inflatable matress. I think its a queen size, and man, its tuff to get outta bed in the morning.

good luck, and for sure try out some differnt bags at an outdoor store

Rio~

[Susan Tinker]

Thanks for all the info .. hopefully some others got some good info as well.
I doubt I'll be camping in snow, and I have a rec. kayak so room is important, and I'm really tall, so length is an issue ...
I've been to the websites you all mentioned and really have learned a lot. Thanks and I'll see you on the river ... probably meeting you on the river from the hotel if its too cold!!! No sliding down the side of an icy mountain when the wind blows!!!! Nope, I'm more of looking for March camping weather .. and I consider that cold at 3 am.
Thanks again!
Susan T

[Randy Dodson]

The North Face Cat's Meow. Polarguard Delta synthetic insulation which is very compressable, very warm, and very light. It's always a very highly ranked favorite of Backpacker magazine ( if you care about their opinion ) and mine has been treating me right for about 7 years of fairly heavy use.

I'll go ahead and give my own tent recommendation here instead of the other thread. Eureka Zeus Exo 2 man tent. It's a single wall tent that has a rather ingenious ventilation system. No rainfly to mess with and it sets up very easily and quickly.

Eureka makes some very high quality tents that don't cost too much. But you have to be careful because they also make some lower quality tents. It's not all inclusive but one rule of thumb is to shy away from their tents that use fiberglass poles.

[scott yarbrough]

I concur that sleeping bags and their temp ratings are very subjective. I had heard some talk last year that there was going to be a "unified rating system from one mfg to another". Hasn't seemed to materialize yet. The fleece liners, a hat and a good insulating pad are key to staying warm. Lots of calories goes a long ways toward heating your body. This weekend it got down to 8 at Ozone and that Wyoming wind blew all night. I sleep good, but clearly I was at the bottom out my gear. I only stayed warm when both baffles were drawn tight and I used a fleece top over my face to preheat my incoming air. Plus this was inside a tent on a Paco pad. So in my opinion my Alpine 0 bag needs to be rated as a 20 degree bag or higher.

Sometimes when I car camp I stuff sleeping bags in sleeping bags and boy howdy that is nice!

[Crane]

For us paddlers, if down is your choice, think about adding a Watershed bag to carry it in & keep it dry & cozy!! On rafting trips, I use a separate bag for my synthetic sleeping bag and spare fleece blanket, fleece top, bottoms, hat & pillow... of course, space isn't a problem on my raft!

[okieboater]

For illustration only, no pro or con from me

My current campmor catalog super special deals section page 25

item 41999-h sez Kelty light year 25 degree Ultralight down mummy sleeping bag stuffed carry weight 2 pounds 6 oz regular price 170 bucks on sale for 109.97

I have watched this section for deals and picked up my North Face 20 degree synthetic bag at a very nice discount from previous super special deals section. I am very happy with this bag as it is one of their bigger around the chest models.

If you are patient and know what you want, Campmor often sells name brand sleeping bags at nice discounts.

[Monsoon]

I just bought a new Mountain Hardwear......and I gotta say...its toasty. I set down in my backyard with it last night.....Awesome.