Winter Gear Questions

“I've got three pieces of gear I'm thinking of purchasing (and am putting on my wish list, in case Santa reads TT) if my funds hold out past XMAS shopping for everyone else. I seek the opinions, advice, gear reports and non-sequitors (if funny) of all at TT. These are primarily for winter and winter conditioning backpacking in New England (esp. the Whites)




1) Winter bag. I'm wondering about Polarguard Delta vs. Down (and if down, what kind of Shell) and if I should aim for zero, -20 or somewhere in between.

So far, I am most tempted by TNF Tundra (-20) and the Marmot Helium (0).

2) Safety kit: Avalanche probe, beacon and a good shovel.

3) Winter insulated boots in Men's extra wide (or at least wide). My old pair is past dead, but its such a pain shopping for extra wide winter boots.

I gots my tent, a decent bunch a clothes and snowshoes... anything else I should try to get?”

“I've heard the avalanche stuff can be pretty expensive. You could avoid this expense by simply not going where there are avalanches (like some guys I know that are otherwise pretty intense), aª²É\ast until you feel like spending the money.”

“crampons - which I'd like to know more about. Aluminum? Steel? 4 points? 12 pts.? WTF?!”

“0 degree bag should do it ped, I sleep with my fleece in mine and have no problem. I own both a down bag and synthetic. Down packs smaller, is lighter, and keeps me warmer in dry conditions. The sythetic stuff will still maintain loft when wet, so you'll still be warm. I just bought the down bag, used it in both snowy and rainy conditions, and it's worked very well, and is soooo small!

I wish I could help ya on the other stuff..... check out ebay for crampons and snowshoes.

Good Luck!”

“BTW - Be sure to check out Blue Ridge Mountain Sports - free shipping til Christmas!”

“I have a Marmot Helium (15) that I really like and wouldn't hesitate on buying another Marmot bag. I would prefer to have the membrane shell on it however - I think the new models are available with that option.”

“I have the Sierra Designs Deep Sleep. I like it because the shell stretches - good fit for big dudes like me with clothes on, and still some room to boot.”

“Kelty Quasar bag is great. it comes in 0 or -15 degree. This thing is nice!!!

The shell is waterproof breathable.
Also, Kelty has a wider girth on their bags than almost every bag out there/ 0 degree weighs 3lbs 6oz
and the -15 weighs 4lbs 3 oz.

Both these compress really small.”

“Being from Lower Alabama, I don't know much about that type of gear....


but if I wanted to know more,,I would go to Blue Ridge Mountain Sports to find out.

Free shipping until Christmas and Tennessee Trails Association Members get a 10% discount.”

“Down Booties ROCK, no insulated boot can keep your toes warm when they're all sweaty from a days hike, on go the down booties and ahhhh, warm as toast, also weigh next to nothing. About $20 from Siera Designs. Skull cap like a hard hat liner or bike helmet liner is great to cover head and ears particularly in the bag at night, little size, great extra for staying ahead of the cold.”

“oops... I meant to say the Marmot Lithium which is the zero degree in the series (with Helium and Hydrogen).”

“For a winter sleeping bag I would recommend down with something like a DryLoft or Conduit SL (Mtn Hardwear) shell.... If you are even close to being a cold sleeper get the
-20 degree......check out the Mtn Hardwear King Tut, the expandable draft tube really works (my partner uses one) and makes the bag a bit more versatile.

On the safety gear...take a look at the SOS Scoop, it's a extremely well made snow shovel that you can get with a snow saw in the handle or even a mini avalanche probe. Personally, I have never been a big fan of Lexan shovels, although we use them with the kids because they are real hard to break....and nothing cuts through avalanche debris as well as a sharp metal blade.....plus if you get in a pinch you can cook on it, try this with Lexan

For an avalanche transceiver, Ortovox, PIEPS and the relatively new SOS F1-ND are all good choices...I have heard that the SOS may be a little easier to use then some others, but I have never actually used one of them.

I can't speak for boots because i use my Tele boots, but one item I really recommend is a pair of booties...I use Outdoor Research Modular Mukluks
with the Moonlite Pile Sox, in fact, my partner and basically live in them at camp when were not skiing, get an extra pair of the Sox to sleep in, if you wear them all day around camp, they will get wet from condensation, but they still keep your feet toasty warm. Their great when you have to get out of your bag at 3 am.

Not sure if that link to OR will work, if not go here.. OR

You can find SOS gear information here you can buy it at many other places though.

Like the others have mentioned, depending on when and where you go you might need an ax or crampon's...although we do our winter trips each month and I usually don't need mine...just depends.”

“I'd get something warmer than a 0-degree bag. I hike the same region as you (thank goodness I've never run into you) and have tested the limits of my -10 degree bag. If I hadn't gotten a screaming deal on it, I'd have gone for a -20. Down for sure. If you’ll be inside a tent, a microfiber shell will do fine.

I've been happy with my Merrell Polar Blast boots but they stopped making them. You may find a pair on clearance still. I saw these in my REI catalog. They look similar but are probably a little warmer as mine have 200 g of Thinsulate.”

“having camped out in NH recently, i would second the under-O-degree suggestion.


and how much did Blue Ridge Mountain Sports pay you people??”

“I bought a Western Mountaineering Antelope Super Micro Fiber down bag the morning of TC2. Water just rolled off this bag. It's rated to 5 degrees.
I'm a very very cold sleeper and I was a little cool under my tarp at 14 degrees Fri/Sat morning wearing longjohns and no hat. I pulled a vest over myself in the bag and was very warm after that.
The second 24 degree morning I didn't even close the hood over my head all the way.
Nice bag, for your conditions I would go with a WM bag with a lower temp rating.”

“I'd just like to chime in to say I Don't Know Nothin' about it, LOL”

“I would buy a down bag for winter use. I've used one for over 20 years now after having a Polarguard bag first. The down is just better and I've never had it so wet that it stopped working.
For winter, I just use my hiking boots with supergaiters if it's very cold and snowy or Sorels.
STP is having a crampon sale.”

“Western Mountain antelope 2.7# 10F $330 5'6" 8x15
Mtnsmith vision slp bg 1.15# 15F $300
North Face Hot Tamale 2.6# 15F $290
Marmot Lithium 2.11# 0F $378
Western Mountain Antelope Spr MF 2.13# 5F $365 5'6" 8x17

EXPED ICEBIRD 2.3# 5F $399”

“I recently purchased the REI 700 Down Time Elements -10. I used it this past weekend for the first time. It was a sslightly overkill since the temps were in the teens, but I sure stayed nice and warm.”

“Ped, definitely go with a down bag. Mine is -5, I woulda bought a colder reated on but at $79 (REI used gear sale) I couldnt pass it up. I am warm sleeper so its fine.

Regarding boots...I absolutely hate heavy Pac boots. They are warm but are incredibly cumbersome and not all that comfy. f the winter I use a 10" high Danner Pursuit all leather boot with goretex and 200g thinsulate. They are actually my work boots so they are comfy as all get out. Plus they are warm while I am moving. They suck in the a.m. cause the leather takes time to warm but are worth it. I use SD down booties for around camp with extra thick wool socks.”

“OK - That was a total lie... I guess it's a sign that I have too much gear when I can't get my facts straight! ("too much gear" did I just say that? lol)

I recently purchased the REI Down Time Elements +10 and didn't take it this weekend. I took that one to Zaleski in November and was more than comfortable. I can't recall what the temps were that weekend.

But, I did take the SD Silver Lining -10 (I believe that's what it's called) bag this weekend. It's synthetic. And, I was darn cozy all weekend.”

“I have the -5 REI Downtime 700 fill. I've only used it a few times, but it's great. Kept me really warm in the Catskills this past weekend, when temps were probably well into the teens.”

“Western Mountain Antelope Super MF
That's my bag...I love it!!! I slept warm as toast on the TT Sierra Trip, temps got down to 20 degrees or so. I wore a fleece beanie on my bald head though.”

“Wind Did your beanie have a little propeller on it? J/K”

“Thanks for lots of great feedback. You've given me food for thought (and gear ideas to drool over on line). I'm still stuck on the Tundra as a bag possibility... I do like the idea that it still insulates when wet... but down with dry loft won't get wet (but costs a lot more).

The boots Birch and Violin suggest look good to me, but they don
t seem to be available wide. When I don't get extra width, my feet fight with the shoes and either my feet lose (and get very sore) or the boots do and bust early.”

“The reason why I said a microfiber shell would do in a tent is that in weather cold enough for a 0 or -20 bag, you'll see very little liquid water. If its going to be warm enough to rain, take your 3 season bag - you'll be roasting in a winter bag.

If you sleep in a snow cave or floorless shelter, you'll want dryloft or something as your body heat could melt enough snow to wet you.”

“I second the Sierra Designs Down booties....but they're $32, not $20. Worth every penny!”

“If you are going to buy booties, Polarguard or synthetic insulation will work better than down. Booties can and will get wet if used outside the tent and synthetic will dry much faster than down. Mgear.com and MEC sell synthetic booties.”

“Again...the booties don't come out if it's warm enough to melt or rain. Strictly COLD (brrrr) weather gear, teens and below, just like the down bag.”

“look for 600 fill bags. these were top of the line a couple years ago and work just as well today. you can get them with waterproof/breathable shells for about half the price of the 700+ fill. the trade off, 4-5 ounces. you won't notice a big size difference when stuffed. you will notice a large difference in price tags. many a person has survived just fine, in fact been snug as a bug, in a 600 fill down bag. why spend the extra?


**This message brought to you by the SAVE 600 FILL POWER DOWN ASSOCIATION.”

“you could spend the extra on a pair of down/polarguard pants that would benefit you around camp and could be used in the sleeping bag if it got that cold needed. mountain hardwear chugach pants come to mind. (hoping to get a pair of these this winter as well as the booties). i already have the jacket and it is awesome.

i do think a 0 deg. bag would be sufficient if paired with these. marmot never summer is a nice bag.”

“after traveling and camping with various tt'ers, and to wake and hear "Oh, I was so cold last night" or "my sleeping bag doesn't keep me warm enough". I have decided that you all are trapped into a world of denial.

I purchased a Wiggy's Superlite bag 2.5 years ago, price $166.00 (same price today too), I have never slept cold, NEVER woken up cold, NEVER perspired and woke up sweaty cold. It is rated down to 0. the coldest I have slept in it was 15 degrees last jan 1. Just this past weekend at tc2, it got down to 18 ( i think someone said). I was warm and snug and dry when I woke up on sat morn.

You all can spend bigger dollars and get fancier names on your bag, but at under $170.00 or even over it...you won't beat this bag, and its got a lifetime guarantee, and its machine washable and dryable...

its a 4lber...but Im warm, so who cares.

and I don't want to hear no BS about the man...I didn't buy the dude, I bought his product, and will continue to do so...other stuff I have bought has failed in the usage and I've had to return them...The man makes product for the Navy Seals, Army Special Forces, US Rangers, AirForce...thats good enough for me!

So go buy your 300.oo fancy schmancy northface or your warmlite...whatever...lets go camping and we'll see who stays warmer...”

“Having spent several -5d to +5d nights in a 0d bag, I would go with at least a -10 if not a -20, especially in the Whites. It can get down right nasty up there.

Polagaurd booties for around camp are worth it.

A shovel would be good, for work around the camp site. Most avalanches happen in/around tuck's so I would wait on that stuff.

Candle latern for tent, it keeps away the frost build up on the inside.”

“Ped - I have the Marmot Lithium. Great bag and very light at 2lbs 10oz, but expensive of course. It's kept me warm in single digit temps but I have not experienced below 0 yet.”

“someone mentioned Blue Mountain Ridge Sports... gotta link to the site?”

“Mtn Steve:

Like the improvised fry pan, dude! Never seen that one before...”

“I can vouch for the Western Mountaineering Antelope Spr MF(short for Superior Mutha F#$ker), rated to 5 degrees.
I've had it below zero and its been toasty, provided I used proper ground padding (I FMAO using only a thermarest inflate one time...brrrr). Buddur set me straight on that...Z rest all the way now in Winter!

Booties - probably my favorite piece of gear for keeping warm(other than Dare) on a cold Winter's night in camp. Slip a foot warmer into the boots...even better for lounging around camp. ahhhhh

Gotta go with Reptiles on his lantern suggestion...the candle lantern not only provides ambience, but also keeps the inside frost and snow at bay.

As for the avalanch probe...I wouldn't begin to know how to use it and would probably opt to hike with someone who had one, if I was hiking in prone areas (unlikely).

Buena suerte!”

“Dont forget the most important piece of winter gear...thongjohns!”

“LMAO Birch!”

“I prefer Goretex chaps, Birch.”

“Blue Ridge Mountain Sports
Free Nalgene bottle with $100+ purchase!
Free shipping until 18th Dec.!”

“Thanks StoveStomper... it's nice that one person paid attention to me. ;o)”

“I pais attention to ya bro, just forgot how to post a link.”

“Blue Ridge was one of the main prize givers at TC2.
We have been pluging them since!
Free shipping till Dec. 18th!”