backpack sleeping bags

[nproctor]

I'm in the market for a good sleeping bag that i can pack in my kayak for overnight trips. I need something that well pack small. Whats some good brands?

Thanks Nathan

[kru1]

I stay away from down bags for river trips. They are light and warm but if they get wet they loose their insulating ability until they dry out (which is a long time).

There are many brands that are good. I've got a Sierra Design (synthetic), Marmot (down), and a Mountain Hardware (synthetic) all of which work well.

kru

[sig]

All wet sleeping bags suck. I wouldn't worry about down vs synthetic and we don't hesitate to take our down bags in our boats. They get packed in e-vent compression sacks (http://www.seatosummit.com/products/display/1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) and placed in a regular dry bag. Down will compress smaller than the equivalent synthetic too and space is critical in a kayak.

Brand names... Any of the mainstream names seem to be fine, pick your compromise: light weight, low cost, warmer, etc).

Over the years we've had experience with bags from REI, Mountain Hardware, North Face, Feathered Friends, etc.

My wife will sleep in a 20 degree bag most of the year because she's a cold sleeper. I'm the complete opposite and have 20, 45 and 55 degree bags. The benefit is my summer bag is tiny compared to my winter bag.

[kru1]

Agreed all wet bags suck.

Wet fleece sucks as well as wet wool, but I would take a wet fleece over wool any day. It drys out a lot faster. That was my point with down vs synthetic.

kru

[sig]

We'll just have to agree to disagree. Whatever sleeping bag you get wet today will suck to sleep in tonight without a long time of careful drying by the fire. Drying my $200-$500 sleeping bag by the fire always makes me nervous! Holes due to sparks aren't good for down or synthetic fibers.

There are several companies that treat their down with a DWR and many higher end sleeping bags also come with a waterproof/breathable outer fabric that sheds water like many rain jackets.

Regarding wool vs fleece, I wouldn't be so quick to discard modern wools. I believe most people would take wool socks over fleece for hiking/paddling. Many people are wearing technical wool base layers instead of synthetic due to its warmth, wicking, thermal regulation and anti-stink properties.

[Canoe_Codger]

TNF Cats Meow with Climashield. A very good bag with nice features. Packs quite small in the included compression bag and come with a large mesh storage bag. And the price, even at full MSRP, won't break the bank. Just an old Codger's opinion.

Michael

[perspective7]

Marmot made some down bags that had a Goretex outer shell. I looked at these when searching for a -20 bag. They are expensive!! I personally would go with synthetic just because they are easier to take care of. I have three North Face bags and they are all pretty sweet. Weight and compression depend on how cold of a bag you get. My Cat's Meow stuffs down pretty good for a 20 degree bag. Brands: NFace, Marmot, Sierra Designs, Big Agnes...Check Craigslist and E-bay. 2 of my bags are from E-bay and I found my Cat's Meow @ a thrift store for $10

[gma06001-]

Both suck to sleep in wet, but synthetic stays warmer when wet. I don't know this because people told me, I know because I've slept in wet sleeping bags multiple times, both down and synthetic. If you're going to double up with compression sack/dry bag like Signorelli then that shouldn't really affect you at all. Down is by far more comfy if you can keep it dry, and it packs smaller. I always end up using a REI 15 degree synthetic that I got from a garage sale for boating. It's a beater and barely keeps me warm below 30 degrees, but I wouldn't hesitate to take my down bag on the river.

Hell you're just gonna buy something off ebay like you always do so maybe you should let that make your decision for you!

Mitch Allen

[Canoe_Codger]

My beater bag (we all keep one for a loaner, right?) is a Marmot I got off ebay with a snipe. I was the only bidder and it was dirt cheap (not $10, but not much more). It is also a synthetic and had been lightly used, was clean but lost some loft by having been stored compressed. It still makes a great bag for warmer months. And prevents guests from begging off an overnighter because they are gearless.

I used a down bag for many years on river trips with no problems. A few bucks spent on a good dry bag in well worth it, IMHO. Why did I switch? The down bag and the rest of my gear (including canoes) was mysteriously 'stolen' when I split the sheets with my wife a few years back.

[nproctor]

You know me to well Mitch! And i think i found one on ebay im going to get!!

[Canoe_Codger]

You know me to well Mitch! And i think i found one on ebay im going to get!!

Give me a link so I can bid against you to make it more sporting?

[nproctor]

hahah your funny!

[okieboater]

A great discussion.

Here is some thoughts from me.

Any thing wet as the sun goes down is almost a guarantee of bad sleeping. Bivy bags suck. I have spent a lot
of money on expensive bivy bags and not found one that works. Same for short tents IE head and foot hit the nylon and
wet down the ends of the bag.

Out west in the sun, things dry fast. Back east in the Nantahala area, it rains inside closed tents regardless of what is happening outside and wet sleeping bags stay wet for a long time. One of the bennies of western boating is if kayaking your gear will dry a good bit waiting on the shuttle or driving back to camp and a few minutes in the sun light is a sure thing.

I have done a lot of backpacking and kayak self support, here is what I think.

Not sure if these bags are still out there.

my second best synthetic bag for light weight trips is
Kelty light year 3D plus 25 degree bag. I have used it
but not much due to liking the one below better.

my first best and the one I still use a lot is
The North Face Equinox polagard 35 degree long bag.
Packs up small, drys fast as I just stuck it in my kayak
in a semi dry bag and flipped and swam on a Salt River
late march trip a long time ago. Hit camp and immediately hung
it on a bush in the waning sun light. It did dry fast. It was below freezing
at night on that trip and I wore my paddle fleece most nights.
On that trip I used a 3/4 length Thermarest and it was ok but feet froze.
Lately I replaced that pad with a super thick Exped insulated with synthetic full
length pad and it makes a world of difference.
After using down versions for years, I also now use a wiggy's booties made out
of their version of synthetics and that helps the feet along with some of the chemical foot warmers
you see in the orange bags at outfitters. These things work great but if it is a long night it needs replacement
right when the night is at it's coldest.

My bag of choice now for cold weather is a Marmot super down Helium long
with their version of gore tex outer. Awesome bag but expensive. I have slept outside
under a tarp and got the top wet big time but did not notice any loss of heat. I did put it in the sun
and it dried in a short time. I stuff this bag into an event bottom
sea to summit bag then put it into one of their very thin waterproof bags. Put this
into a corner of my kayak behind the seat and after a lot of trips, zero problems. This is my best setup
yet along with the Exped pad on a ground sheet when it is nice or inside a one person super light weight tent
from Big Agness when rain is expected.

I have used fleece many years and love it. I watch sales and catch Patagonia on sale. Never buy
Patagonia at full price. but for my money their stuff lasts forever and works. I also use the old Stohlquist and new Kokatat
bunny suits in dry suits. Dry them out soon as you get to camp and they are great warm pajamas altho you
will get a lot of grief kidding from your buds so don't let them see you wandering around.

If I am truck camping, my bag of choice are Wiggy's wide and long. I say bags as I have their Frtress system which is a summer weight 30 degree overbag and a below freezing inner bag which when combined gets you way down low much lower than I want to be outside in.

Wiggy's has a sale going on now and that cuts the price way down. I got mine some time ago on sale and I regard it as the best camping bag for car camping. These things are life long purchases and can be washed in a home washing machine very easily. They do not stuff down to kayak self support size but some do hike with them, I just prefer them for car camping
over anything else.

Here lately I have been using Smart wool or knock off stuff. I think this stuff is better than fleece maybe that
is just me but I love it. The super light long sleeve tee is a favorite top for me. I have the heavy weight tops as well but rarely use them as the light weight works so well for me.
Good stuff. Supposed to not stink as much as fleece and I have found that to be true but it does have
a smell of its own.

Like I said, take care of the new down bags (I use storage bags that are mesh super size for all my bags soon as I get home or in the truck on the way) then provide proper
dry storage bags on the trail or river and air your bag whenever possible. Just be sure you carefully watch for thorns and for sure tie the bag to the bush or what ever so those evening winds do not fly off your bag. It has happened.

I also think your pad is just as important as your bag for comfort and warm.

My choice is a 4 inch real Jacks Plastic Welding Paco Silverback pad (accept no substitutes) when I can have the space to
get it down river or the hi dollar Exped thick insulated full length pads going light. The Exped pads are light weight
but supposedly have a lifetime warranty such as it is. I have the 3/4 version and the long version and both are
very comfy but I baby them big time

Some discussion on wool sox versus fleece. No question from me. Wool is superior. I size up my paddle shoes for winter time and use thick merino wool or alpaca super thick. Fleece sox that I have had mat down, get wet and just do not work for me. As far as price Bass Pro has a real thick merino wool sox called Duck Hunter that goes on sale. I use them a lot and the price on sale is right if you are around a Bass Pro Shop. I have a friend who does home knitting and weaving. She put me on the alpaca sox. Hard to find but expensive and they beat out any other sox I have found

This is what has worked for me and I tried to use real brands when possible.



Hope it helps !

[Canoe_Codger]

Daaaaang! I can't compete with all that info! I can add that for killer deals on Patagonia fleece, watch for it in the L.L. Bean branding used. I just bought a replacement fleece jacket like new with that branding, which replaced an identical one I have had ten years, which replaced an identical one Patagonia branded bought at OOS in the late 1980's. Hey... I'm a retro kinda guy. The newest one was less than $20 on that auction place.

[okieboater]

Mr Canoe Codger,

Took me many decades of experiencing bad decisions and wasting money to get to the point above.

But for me it is worth while to buy good gear take care of it and have a good night's sleep.

Took me a long time to figure that out as well and I have a storage area full of gear that looked good in ads but did not work out in the woods.

Bottom line, the gear I mentioned is not cheap, requires some tender loving care but in the long run, pays off.

watch or get on their email list Sierra Trading Post as they have a lot of good deals on seconds, overstocks and discontinued models. Just be real careful of what you buy as the good stuff is outnumbered big time by the junk you do not want. There is usually a reviewers section that I pay attention to. Believe it or not amazon dot com sells a lot of gear and I often check there for their reviews which are good and sometimes they have a better price especially with the free shipping on a lot of stuff.