Need help deciding on a sleeping bag...

[dk_alaskan]

I need help deciding on a sleeping bag. I need a long that is a good all around bag (most likely not going to see weather below 15 deg's, if that). It has to be a long. I am looking at a light weight bag, i like down, but i am not sure about down since if it gets wet, you are SCREWED. I am leaning the synthetic route for that reason. I was looking a few years ago and noticed Marmot or MH made a system style bag where you could zip on an extra layer for more warmth. Here is the caveat, I have a gift cert. for TNF (warranty issue posted in the another thread) so i am leaning that way.

ANY help would be appreciated. and yes i KNOW TNF is shit, blah blah, but i have $$$ to use and don't really need anything else they are offering (well, a light weight tent maybe).

Skol

[Meadow Skipper]

Y'know, in the last 20 years or so I just haven't heard of anyone that was reasonably prepared getting their down sleeping bag soaking wet. If you were to be doing a bunch of river/ocean travel or remote camping somewhere that gets tons of rain (but then you wouldn't need a 15 degree bag) and no sun, then I'd think of getting a synthetic bag. But I'd suggest going ahead with down and just take reasonable precautions.

That said, you could do a lot worse than getting TNF's Superlight (http://thenorthface.com/opencms/opencms/tnf/gear.jsp?site=NA&model=AZF2). It's a pretty nice bag - a lesser bag than Marmot's or MH's perhaps, but still pretty good. If $$ were no object, I'd point you towards the créme de la créme - Feathered Friends or Western Mountaineering.

FWIW, I always use down bags except in the conditions described above.

[danhikeski]

depending how much you have, go for the beelight 30 degree bag, i have one the regular is 1lb 4oz, silly light, and real warm for its weight. the down side to it is that its only zipper is at the foot box, opening in a "u" over the top of your feet. use with a bivy and you shouldn't get wet.

[Kevo]

Many down bags now come with a waterproofing on the outside to help prevent the down from getting wet. I know MH, REI, and Sierra Designs all waterproof their upper level down bags.

Synthetic bags have their own issues, namely the breakdown of insulation much faster than down. They generally don't last as long as a good down bag.

I'd do some research and see if there are TNF bags that have a waterproof coating. It would save you some weight and you'd have the extra comfort of a down bag that would likely last you longer than a synthetic bag.

[pechelman]

Western Mountaineering or feathered friends for super nice \ warm bags.

Ive had good experience with REIs sub kilo bag (my gf has it), and my personal moonstone lucid 800 20deg bag. Might be able to find moonstones cheap as they are no long around\able to offer warranties.

2nd what everyone said about getting a down bag. With dwr coatings its really not much of an issue unless you're camping in a really wet environment.
They also weigh less and pack smaller and can last longer if you treat them right.

[MarsB]

I bash TNF all the time for their dive into the fashion world (200 colors of Denali fleeces - WTF?) :rolleyes:
but the still make some decent sleeping bags (and tents). I picked up a Squall (20 degree, polarguard 3D) for about $70 bucks, and I can't complain. It has features of more expensive bags (draft collar, zipper tube, DWR finish), ~ 3 lbs and stuffs to 9.5X15. I think it's called the Blaze now, not a bad bag for the price.
http://thenorthface.com/opencms/opencms/tnf/gear.jsp?site=NA&model=APG3

But if money is no object, get a WM. :drools:

[IrieRon]

MontBell bags rule if you're a restless sleeper. They stretch. I can't sleep in most mummies.

If you really want a synthetic, you can't beat the Super Stretch Burrow Bag #2 Long. It's obviously heavier than a down bag, but it's also only $175 US.


https://www2.montbell.com/america/asp/products/Spg_shosai.asp?cat=1105&hinban=1121697

[XtrPickels]

I bash TNF all the time for their dive into the fashion world (200 colors of Denali fleeces - WTF?) :rolleyes:
but the still make some decent sleeping bags (and tents). I picked up a Vapor (20 degree, polarguard 3D) for about $70 bucks, and I can't complain. It has features of more expensive bags (draft collar, zipper tube, DWR finish), ~ 3 lbs and stuffs to 9.5X15. I think it's called the Blaze now, not a bad bag for the price.

feel the same way about TNF
I have a Cat's Meow and like it

[LeeLau]

Lots of info in this thread. I x-ref'ed to TTips and TGR threads that talked about down vs synthetic

http://bb.nsmb.com/showthread.php?t=86096&highlight=sleeping+bag

[skinnyskier]

Y'know, in the last 20 years or so I just haven't heard of anyone that was reasonably prepared getting their down sleeping bag soaking wet. If you were to be doing a bunch of river/ocean travel or remote camping somewhere that gets tons of rain (but then you wouldn't need a 15 degree bag) and no sun, then I'd think of getting a synthetic bag. But I'd suggest going ahead with down and just take reasonable precautions.

That said, you could do a lot worse than getting TNF's Superlight (http://thenorthface.com/opencms/opencms/tnf/gear.jsp?site=NA&model=AZF2). It's a pretty nice bag - a lesser bag than Marmot's or MH's perhaps, but still pretty good. If $$ were no object, I'd point you towards the créme de la créme - Feathered Friends or Western Mountaineering.

FWIW, I always use down bags except in the conditions described above.

Love my Western Mountaineering bag.

[CANADASTEEP]

Def. get down - over the lifetime of use, it will retain it's warmth rating WAY better than synthetics.
A lot of bags have a water resistant fabric - pertex or dryloft.

Mountain Equipment CO-op of Canada makes good stuff at LOW prices
www.mec.ca

[dk_alaskan]

Thanks for all the info, looking at a downbag once again. Now i have to figure out which TNF bag to buy. I have squatch feet and have a hard time with some bags because my feet literally have to fold over one another to fit in the end of the bag. Anybody else have this problem too? Also, have wider shoulders and chest, what do you all think? And do i need a 0 deg bag or will a 15-20+ deg bag work for all around 4 season camping?

[marshalolson]

i tend to find if you have a really nice 4 season tent, and several people in it, 20ish is usually fine for 4 season (IMHO...) since you are mainly sleeping in the snow, it'll generally be closer to 32deg.

go down for sure, and make sure it as dryloft or similar.

maybe the TNF seqoia or something? the plus sized one? thats like 15-20deg right?


otherwise, if you are spending retail dollars, feathered friends and western mountaineering reign supreme, with marmot and mtn harware in runners-up

[NieveSurfeador]

i would say i relatively backpack as much as i ski (obviously this isnt true because it is much harder to take significant time off to backpack)... maybe the same amount of hours

its easier for my dad and something we both love

ANYWAYS... IMHO i think sierra designs makes the best sleeping bags... i currently have a cloudripper... its a 15 degree down bag that just doesnt get wet.

coming from using marmot (which is good but overpriced) and the northface which isnt true to temperature this bag Fing ROCKS

i dont think i've ever gotten it wet

i am completely happy with this bag... it is true to its temperature and extremely affordable. i picked mine up on campmor (its not on there anymore) for $175. i just googled it and one came up for $175, im not sure about the long however, youll have to check that out

also... as a side note i got stuck in the woods with some freinds on a hut trip (on the skin in) and had only brought this bag thinking i would be in the hut. it was prolly 5 degrees out maybe zero we dug a snow pit got a fire started and spooned the shit out of each other... the bag was great

[NieveSurfeador]

i might be a huge JONG doing this... but im interpreting this to be ok because this ebay item is:
1. relisted
2. not skis
3. the perfect bag for mad cheap for this dude

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130043314592

[Kevo]

Thanks for all the info, looking at a downbag once again. Now i have to figure out which TNF bag to buy. I have squatch feet and have a hard time with some bags because my feet literally have to fold over one another to fit in the end of the bag. Anybody else have this problem too? Also, have wider shoulders and chest, what do you all think? And do i need a 0 deg bag or will a 15-20+ deg bag work for all around 4 season camping?

As far as the temp rating for a 4 season bag, it is all subjective. My summer bag is a +20 because and my winter bag is a -15. This is because I camp around and sometimes above treeline in both winter and summer. It gets pretty damn cold overnight at 11,000+ feet in the middle of winter here in Colorado.

Quite frankly, the idea of having one bag that will be everything you need for all 4 seasons is kind of ridiculous unless you live in a very mild climate (AK and WA certainly aren't "mild"). A 15-20 degree bag will be great on crisp fall and spring mornings, but when it drops well below zero mid winter you will be in serious trouble. At the same time, you would probably die of hyperthermia in a -15 bag at the height of the summer.

Granted, A 15-20 would be a great start if it is going to be your only bag, but if you are going to be doing anything in the middle of the winter you might want something that is rated to a lower temp.

[Kevo]

Oh, and one more thing on the subject of down and waterproofing. Even though my MH -15 bag is coated with a waterproof laminate, I normally bring along a bivy sack that is made of 3 layer gore-tex. It is one extra pound of weight that will keep me alive if I fail to reach a backcountry hut because of a storm and it is a great thing to have if I am planning on spending the night in a snowcave, etc.

A bivy sack is definitely a worthy investment regardless of the type of insulation you have and especially if you are going to be camping in a wet environment such as AK or WA.

[kellen]

Western Mountaineering.

No question, the best bags out there. No synthetic bags, but bivy and tent technology is so good that I wouldn't worry about it. For your temp, the Ultralight is rated by WM at 20 degrees, but it NOT a secret in the industry that WM is the MOST conservative company when it comes to rating bags. I've taken an ultralight down to 10F and still was warm.

You'll pay a little extra compared to Sierra Designs or other cheaper brands, but the craftsmanship and performance far outweighs this.

[dk_alaskan]

Today, i tried the Cats Meow in a Long, and it was both too narrow in the knee/thigh/ foot box (felt like if moved my knees in my sleep, i would blow out the zipper) and also in the chest area. Any suggestions on another TNF bag (i have a gift cert. there, so i have to use it on something, figured a bag would be a good thing to use it on since i need a new one)?

[MarsB]

Looks like the Mammoth 3D (20 deg) or the Goliath 3D (0 deg) might be a better fit. 4 more inches in the shoulder, 2 in the feet than the Cat's Meow.

Mammoth (http://thenorthface.com/opencms/opencms/tnf/gear.jsp?site=NA&model=APG1)
Goliath (http://thenorthface.com/opencms/opencms/tnf/gear.jsp?site=NA&model=APF9)