Big Agnes bags???

“Any Big Agnes fans out there who can help me out? Sass and I are looking at the B.A. Zirkel. 20degree down (775 fill) at 2# 2oz. compressed size is 7.75x6". How accurate are the ratings? Any input is appreciatted.”

“hey Birch, BackpackGearTest has quite a few reviews of Big Agnes bags. only one on the Zirkel (in 3 parts), but the reviews could give you a fair idea of BA's quality overall.

http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/Sleep%20Gear/Sleeping%20Bags/”

“thanks Tarbubble!”

“I am looking at the Big Agnes Horse Thief +35 Sleeping Bag now. Rei has them for $150.

Anyone have this bag?

http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=47780374&parent_category_rn=4500518&vcat=REI_HP_PP”

“I like the top bag idea.

My biggest worry isn't necessarily about this particular bag, but the top bag/quilt concept in general and how they handle drafts - both from the sides of the quilt and from around your head area if you toss and turn and sleep on your side.

It seems that I have heard a variety of experiences and opinions, so I would probably have to check it out myself before I could tell if it worked for me.
last edited: 1/13/05 5:21:49 PM”

“i really like the looks of this bag, too....that's a good price on them, WK....”

“I dont have this bag but own the Zirkel and LOVE it, very light and high quality construction.”

“I'm not sure I like their concept of not putting insulation on the bottom and relying on the pad. Prob fine in a mild temp bag, but for zero and below, I don't think i like it.”

“I've had my eye on that horse thief bag for awhile. I'd snap it up! If you're unhappy with it you can return it to REi (or sell it to me cheap).
The things I love most about my zirkle are: it mates with Birch's zirkle, it's really roomy, the fabric is soooo soft, the zipper never snags, it's super puffy, and it's a great system w/ the sleeping pad. You guys might be surprised how well it works, there are no cold spots or drafts at all.
last edited: 1/14/05 7:16:16 AM”

“are you and birch using the big agnes insulated air core pads with your zirkles??”

“I found some reviews about this bag on other sites and all have been positive. I have the 3/4 length pad which is why this baby caught my eye.

My only worry is the temperture rating. I am a very warm sleeper. I currently own a 40 and a 20 degree bag. This guy is rated a 35. I generally use the 40 bag down to temps of about 30 and can still be comfortable. I really want a lightweight bag that is rated either 20 or 15. I have looked at the Marrmot Hydrogen, but the price scares me.”

“I use the insulated air core pad when tenting. It is a little narrow for myself so there is a tendancy to get off the pad and on the ground... otherwise it works very well.”

“I have the Big Agnes Lost Dog. Its a 50 degree bag and I love it. I also have the Sierra Designs Wicked Fastbag, which does not have any insulation on the bottom either. Its a 30 degree bag, but the girth is not large enough and I get drafts along the edge of the pad. Also the Big Agnes system of attaching the pad to the sleeping bag is much better than Sirrra Designs. I toss and turn a lot during the night and the 67" girth of the Big Agnes is very nice. I'm actually thinking about giving my Sierra Designs bag to my son and buying the Big Agnes Horse Thief. You can check out the entire Big Agnes line at: http://www.bigagnes.com/index.shtml”

“Gonzo, yep we use the REM pad and love it!”

“but it's not the insulated mat, just the plain ol' air core.

Wounded Knee, I've found their temp ratings to be right on too. If 35° is gonna be too warm you should just buy the bag, try it out and sell it to me cheap if it doesn't work out. ;)”

“Hey WK, I found the bag for $139. at two different places:

http://www.backcountryoutlet.com/outlet/BAG0015/Big-Agnes-Horse-Thief-Sleeping-Bag-35-Degree-Down.html?mv_pc=r111&CP=BizRate&CMP=SPC-BizRate&ATT=55to30degreedownbags&GCID=C2000x024&keyword=55to30degreedownbags
with possible free shipping


http://www.backcountry.com/store/BAG0015/Big-Agnes-Horse-Thief-Sleeping-Bag-35-Degree-Down.html?mv_pc=r111&CP=BizRate&CMP=SPC-BizRate&ATT=55to30degreedownbags&GCID=C2000x023&keyword=55to30degreedownbags&

Also possible free shipping.”

“Build a quilt,some head gear,get a silk liner from Jagbags and live with a less than 20 ounce,down to 25*F sleeping system.
http://thru-hiker.com/MaterialDetail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=MG115&subcat=Kits”

“Sweet!

Thanks for all the help with this guys.”

“OK, I think I am going to purchace this bag (Big Agnes Horse Thief)

Should I get a right or left zip? I am more a righty than lefty.”

“do you camp with a loved one? I'm a lefty, but because of the way we sleep, I prefer a right zip bag.”

“Usually not, only car camping. I have a completly diffenent for that though.

So if you are a righty, get a right zip?”

“If your tent's door is on the side, that might be a consideration. Otherwise, I guess it's just a personal preference.”

“If you're right handed it's easier to unzip your sleeping bag if the zipper is on the left side or so I have been told.”

“I like a left zip bag. I am right handed.”

“I bought myself the Big Agnes Mica 20 degree bag for christmas ($99 w/ free shipping) and used it for the first time this weekend. I am a cheap b@stard and buy my gear one piece at a time so I don\'t have the insulated aircore yet. I slept on my 3/4 length ridgerest foam pad with a very thin fleece throw beneath it. The temps got down to the upper 20's. I stayed toasty inside, but I am a warm sleeper so your mileage may vary. I got the occasional draft through the head area, but since I would get seriously claustrophobic if I buttoned myself down too much I didn\'t mind.”

“WK, which side of the bed do you sleep one? Do you feel comfortable sleeping on the other side of the bed? I sleep on the right so I'm used to throwing the covers off from the left, so I get a left side zip. I owned a righty and it was too weird, I hated it.”

“I prefer left zip.”

“I'm right handed and like a left zip. I say go to REI or some-such place and lay in the bag, get in and out a couple times and see what feels right. That's what I did before I bought my WM.”

“Good points everybody.

Tango, I sleep on the right side of the bed.”

“Speaking of great bags

http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?memberId=12500226&productId=28956569”

“Horse thief is a good bag to get. Big Agnes makes some great bags”

“I'm curious if there are any cold sleepers who like that bag.”