sleeping bags

“anybody can give me a tip...what type of sleeping bag are you all using? I am looking at the 20 degrees and the 0 degrees, but am not sure. how do the measure this? with clothing (jacket) on in the bag or without it. Let's say we hike and it's fairly nice and then unexpected gets really cold... ever happend and you only had your 20 degree bag with ya? how did it feel?

looking at the ebay items:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1869201896

and:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1869201896

i just don't want to feeze, really not too crazy about the cold weather”

“2 Mountain Hardwear bags...one's good to 30 degrees F (Dimension 1)and the other is good to 0 degrees F (Dimension 3). Both are synthetics (Polarguard 3D)...no complains.”

“I definetly recommend true down. I checked out the synthetic ones, but IMHO they just didn't compare. The Marmot Arroyo is nice and some of the Sierra design bags are sweet too! Good luck.
Good luck.”

“Synthetics are heavy and take up too much pack space. Down is light, very comfortable, and rolls up small as a football.”

“temp ratings are very subjective...but.... it also depends on other factors, how well you eat, hydration and exsposure. the other big factor is how often you will get subjected to the lowest temp. A single night getting frozen due to an unexpected low is miserable but wont kill a trip while several nights spent shivering in a bag is entirely different. OTOH... too heavy a bag weighs more and can soak you in sweat... sometimes it is better to have a bag for every season which is easier in synth then down :} You can also go with a lighter bag and add a liner for the colder temps as well. unfortunately experiance is the best guide and usually we dont have enough when we first go to buy one...”

“If you wear anything more than a thin pair of longjohns to sleep, you got the wrong bag.”

“If you say "If you wear anything more than a thin pair of longjohns to sleep, you got the wrong bag." then you're a jerk who has too much bodyfat.”

“There aren't too many hard and fast rules. Down is warmer for the weight and compresses better, but I made sure I had a tent that would keep me dry before I got a down bag.

As far as temp ratings go, they are more of a general indicator. If you can, find a store nearby that rents them and try out some different ones.

I've got a 15-20-degree bag which is fine for Fall and Spring in the southeastern mountains. It'll even work for Winter too (for me) with some extra clothes and a vapor barrier liner for surprise temperature drops.”

“Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that those flannel jammies with the feet sewn in weren't OK.”

“I'd like to get a warmer bag. Problem with shopping on the net is nobody to ask questions...that's where y'all come in. One of the bags I'm considering comes in lengths 5'9" and 6'4". I'm 5'6 1/2". Do you think I can be comfy in the shorter bag? I was going to measure the bag I already have but the boy was the last to use the measuring tape :( Would there be an advantage to the longer bag?”

“Ivygal, a bag that is much larger than you are would probably feel colder due to the fact that your petite physique would be trying to warm up such a large space.
Remember, YOU are the heat source for your bag. Stick to a bag that fits you.”

“thanks FG. That was helpful. I think I'll go with a different bag altogether with a better selection on lengths. A little more money but I like it better anyway. My "petite" physique?? What a grin! Not since grade school:p”

“I like goose down,but have never had good luck with their bags. If I was going to stay on the beaten path, I could use almost anything. If you usually go with other people, there is usually help there also should you have a problem. I'll live with the extra weight because synthetics can handle accidents better & moisture from extended stays. In my 50 odd years, my most dangerous situations involved water, so I am carefull in that regard. I like a warmer bag than temps call for because I hate being cold. Every night you sleep in the bag, the rating drops a little bit. Every manufacturer rates their bags differently. I can always un=zip the bag if I'm hot & 4x6" (not the sm ones)chem heat packs help if I'm cold. I'm sure goose down bags are nice, but I just won't take the chance of them getting wet & never drying. Most people here will differ with me, but I will never put a liquid inside my sleeping bag nor my boots etc.”

“I have two bags that are a bit bigger than me. They're longs and I'm only 5'4". Yeah, I got them cuz they were on sale. However, I do stuff clothes, etc. in them when it's colder out. (Also, think about how cold the temps are that you will be camping in. in REALITY)

My bags are all Keltys. Then I got a lightweight one that's good to 25 degrees. It's the regular size. It's OK, but maybe seems a little weird compared to the longs, now that I'm used to them.

There, get advice from all and go buy! lol”

“Assuming you're talking about a 3 season bag, go with the shorter bag, less weight ant less space to heat. I like a long bag in the winter for the extra room to stuff clothes, boots, liquor bottles, beer cans, whatever needs to be kept from freezing. I still use down for a 3 season bag, which is a 5 deg. TNF Superlight, but moisture is always on my mind. I have finally gone synthetic for winter since the weight has become equivalent with down. I like not worrying about condensation, snow in my bivy etc.”

“Just this weekend I had a bag that was much larger than myself and I frooozzzze my butt off. I would get that small bag if I were you. It was very cold!”

“Catskhiker you have accidents in your sleeping bag?

Also doesn't a long bag throw off the proportions of the bag. Like the cut for the hips would be lower making the bag wider lower than you need it? I think that my bag has different thicknesses of insulation in different areas, ie more in the foot area. If your feet don;t reach this it is no benifit.”

“I've broken thru ice over gorges. I've taken tumbles & I've had my bag get wet in storms or resting on the ground. Water running thru my tent. I can't say I've seen everything, but in thousands of miles of hiking, I've seen a bunch.”

“Oh, I thought you were talking about bladder accidents.”

“I've only gotten a down bag truly wet once in thirty years.
That was from wrapping up in my tarp and the condensation got me.

liz, you are a foot shorter than me and use the same size bag.
What's up with that?”