Sleeping Bag

“I have been checking reviews for different sleeping bags. The one thing I have decided is that I cannot afford a bag for each season. Is there a good bag that will work for all of the seasons. Also from the reviews it talks about the person being a cold or hot sleeper and that can determine what temp. of bag to get. Can someone tell me what that means and how do you know which one you are. To you guys who have backpacked a lot this may sound stupid but for a someone new to this it isn't. Any comments would be appreciated.”

“A medium priced bag that I have never heard a bad thing about is the Marmot Aero. All you really have to know about temp ratings is, unless it's a high end, expencive bag the temp rating will be about 10 degrees lower than they claim.

And never, EVER pay full price for a bag. Always get it on sale.”

“What Nigel said, + where are you? What temperature ranges are you likely to encounter? Do you plan on becoming a winter camper? Also, be aware that you can extend the temp range of the average bag with the use of a sleeping bag liner, some are made of fleece and can add 10 - 15 degrees protection. If I had to answer wo knowing anything else, I'd prolly reccommend a 20 deg bag as a "general purpose" bag for 3 season use. But... there are a lot of variables.”

“Nigal, that's never, EVER pay full price for anything. Always get it on sale.”

“Mountain Hardwear has some new bags that allow you to open a second zipper and increase the inside diameter 8 full inches, you can have a bag a little warmer then you would usually need, and be able to "open" it up if you get to warm. It sounds a little gimmicky, but it seems to work really well. It's called the Quantum Expander.

You can check it out here...
Quantum Bags - 3D


and...
Quantum Bags - Down


Something to consider when looking for your first bag is the inside dimensions, across the shoulders, this will determine how warm the bag is as well as how comfortable....if the bag is large enough, you can wear extra clothing inside, if it's cut really small (58/60") it can be too constrictive for larger folks......I like a bag around 64", but everyone's different.”

“Are you a hot or cold sleeper...

In the winter months, are you bundled up beneath dozens of blankets and still comfortable, or do you kick of the lightest blanket in the middle of the night cause you're too hot?

Personally, I'm a very hot sleeper. If it wouldn't freeze Max outta the room, I would sleep with the window cracked open all winter long.”

“Campmor (www.campmor.com) sell a Slumberjack bag package that involves a zip in liner bag and an outer bag that you can use alone. Remember, nothing is perfect. A combo system gives up the weight and suffability advantage for versatility. Also, Slumberjack bags don't seem to sleep as warm as the higher end bags (I have used my Quallofill Deelite since 1988 and my Quallofill 600 for several years without a problem). Quallofill offers, IMO, the best performance to price ratio - just don't expect to get a Mercedes at Chevy prices. You did mention a tight budget (been there) and I think Quallofill/Slumberjack/Campmor would probably be your best combination. Happy trails.”

“Thanks for the information. I have heard some stores rent bags so I may try that until I find something I like.”

“Ewker... you put the best post on the board... figure out what you need in a bag by renting. Someone did mention slumberjack... I think slumberjack gives the best bang for the buck when it comes to inexpensive bags”

“If you want a bag to do several temps, buy a down bag without a side baffle.
If you are in a cold enviroment you can shuffle the down from under the bag to on top of the bag.
For a warm enviroment, push the down back, so it is under you.

Buy a down bag to do most situations, at first. Later when you are able, buy a bag for warmer situations and get the first bag topped up to be a winter bag.”

“I got one of those MHW quantum bags. So far I like it.”

“I own two bags.. A Moonstone (20deg - synthetic) and a North Face (0deg - down)..

both have their merits.”

“For me slumberjack sleeping bags are the ones I use.”

“Slumberjack bags are cheap and good quality, but they are a little too heavy for my taste.”

“Sorry, if I missed this question in another thread. How long of a bag should you get when you are 5'10" tall. Should I be looking at bags that are 6'0"long or should I go longer. Plus I toss and turn when I sleep. Which bag works best for a person like that a rectangular or mummy bag.”

“If you are 5' 10" get a six foot bag. A mummy bag is lighter and warmer than a rectangular bag. In a mummy bag you typically toss and turn with the bag, not within the bag.

I have one Slumberjack sleeping bag. It is the one I loan out. I would avoid them unless cost is the primary issue.”

“Try out a TNF Cat's Meow, a longtime favorite in the 20F Polarguard bags. Last year's models are usually available on sale at Campmor or REI Outlet or one of the other discounters...saw a really good price on one at one of those sites recently, and they aren't that expensive to begin with.”

“I have the Slumberjack Deelite and am delighted with it. I have a fleece liner to use with it for <20*.”

“The TNF Cat's Meow get's my vote too!”

“Looking at TNF Cat's Meow, it says it fits to 5'11" is that ok for me at 5'10". I know go find one and crawl into it and see.”

“Ain't no competition.
Just get out every chance ya can and have fun.”

“Oooooops.
Wrong thread!”

“I think Thinair found a pretty good deal. Similar to the one I have. Combined with a fleece liner ($20) which doubles as my warm weather bag I'm set.”

“I'm 6' and I have to buy long sleeping bags, but just barely.”

“ewker was just asking about length and shape. damn, are all you folks itchin' to be gear salesmen? LOL!!!!”

“Im 5 10 and slim and the cats meow was not long enough.Also it was narrow and felt tight-no room to wiggle.Instead I bought a Sierra designs Wild Bill 20 deg. which is very roomy and warm and weighs the same or less as the cats meow.I think the Wild Bill has a different name now but just check SD bags in the 15-20 deg. range and at 3lbs or under.cost apx-130.00
However if u live and camp in dry weather ie u dont live east of rockies) I would only buy a down bag.
First off they compress into a ball.A synth bag compressed is like the size of a watermelon and a pain to lug around-i still dont know how to carry it properly on my pack!!.
A down bag lasts forever.A down bag is way lighter than a similarly temp rated synth bag.
Bottom line my synth bag is no fun to carry around.I hope to get a down bag soon.You will save 50 on the synth but will be kicking yerself forever after and then buy a down bag later anyway.”

“You can get the wild bill at campmor.com for 99bux-a great deal for a great synth bag

you can get a NF blue kazoo down bag for 150bux at either rei,campmor or sierra trading post.com

there's also a REI sub kilo bag which is down also,that weighs 2.2lbs...164bux

Do you sleep with lots of blankets or few in colder weather?That should answer wether yer a cold/hot sleeper.”