Sleeping Bag Advice

“Ok,sooo I'm looking to get rid of my TNF Cat's Meow 20 degree bag. I'd like something synthetic for spring/summer/and early fall use in the 30-40 degree range that is true to its temp. rating and packs down reasonably small. It should not weigh more than 2 lbs.

What do you recommend? I've looked at the Marmot Pounder but heard that it won't keep you warm if the temp drops much below 50 degrees.

I've also been told to check out Mountain Hardwear's Lamina but its a little over 2lbs...which wouldn't be soo bad if I knew something about it.

So what do you all sleep in in the spring and summer and what bag would you recommend?”

“I picked up an EMS Velocity, actually ScorchFire picked up for me. Haven't tested it out yet, because I haven't gotten it yet.

35*, synthetic (PrimaLoft), 1lb 8oz. stuff size 5x9"

My cousin's wife also has one. She seems to like it. It's not as warm as my cousin's Western Mountaineering Highlight
last edited: 4/23/08 8:09:16 AM”

“How about a link

http://www.ems.com/catalog/product_detail_vertical.jsp?STYLE_GROUP%3C%3East_id=1408474396003143&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302875908&bmUID=1208963619125”

“Specification Description
Comfort rating 35 degrees Fahrenheit
Comfort rating - celsius 2 degrees Celsius
Average weight 28 ounces
Average weight - metric 0.79 kilograms
Shell Polyester ripstop
Fill Polyester fibers
Lining Polyester
Fits up to 6 feet
Shoulder girth 57 inches
Hip girth 53 inches
Stuff sack size 7 x 15 inches
Shape Mummy”

“REI Nooksack UL +35 Sleeping Bag - Regular

OOPS SORRY.”

“thanks for the info on the bags. I'll have to check em out. Speaking of sleeping bags, anyone want a "like new" TNF 20 degree, long Cats Meow? lol. Make me an offer if interested...in the bag.”

“Be sure to get a full lenght zipper. I have a half zipper and really dislike it greatly.”

“I actually like 3/4 zippers. So that doesn't bother me...though it would be sorta cool if i could find a bag with a vent in the toe box...but...thats just a weird obsession I have.”

“Its not synthetic but at least check out the Lafuma's http://www.lafumausa.com/index.php?id=4023&categ=3&cPath=3_18_25&typo_prod=1:us

I use the Warm N Light 600. Packs down so small its crazy. A Lafuma Rep was at Trail Days a year or so ago...you can really check one out there. Again not synthetic..but worth looking into.”

“Why do you want a synthetic bag SPS?”

“don't get a sleeping bag, get a quilt.”

“I want synthetic b/c I want to use it in the spring/ summer and we get A LOT of hummidity here.....I have a down marmot helium and it is a great bag so long as its cold enough for it...

I predict issues with a down bag around here in the summer and I want something I don't have to be quite as careful with. Big Agnes makes this cool bag I was looking at that had both synthetic insulation and down so you wouldn't freeze to death if you got it wet/damp whatever....that looked interesting.”

“I understand the theory of the quilt. But what I struggle with is - what is between your body and the sleep pad? Now that may sound like a stupid question but the thought of sleeping right on my sleep pad is not appealing to me. Maybe because I am a roller and thrasher and I would end up on the tent floor. I have been considering a quilt in the hammock but haven't gotten there yet.”

“I just use a fleece blanket, during those times.”

“I was just going to say if temps are relatively high overnight, I would probably just plan to use my fleece liner - I think it weighs 24 oz.”

“what is between your body and the sleep pad

well that depends on what you sleep in. i lay a sheet of silnylon on the ground, lay down my sleeping pad, lay on the "ground" and cover myself with my quilt. no tent, no bivy, etc, etc. this is ultra-light sleeping under the stars "cowboy camping" and if you have never tried it then you have never really slept outdoors.

sometimes if it's cold and there is a fire i'll stockpile wood and lay asleep all night next to it, waking up every hour to stargaze and throw on some more wood. magic that you can't enjoy sealing yourself in a baggie lined with poles for 10 hours.

yes, i have a tarp i can pitch if it rains and an epic bivy it it gets worse. no i have never gotten wet. yes, i have been in downpours with heavy winds. yes, it's very warm while not being confining like a mummy bag.

down is vastly superior to synthetic... period. the best synthetic is only as good as the worst down. down is lighter, lasts longer, is more compressible, and is more insulating per oz. the whole "but down gets wet" thing is marketing to sell synthetic sleeping bags to people that can't afford down.

i have a marmot pounder plus i take on kayak trips... not because i worry about my sleeping bag getting wet but because i don't want to ruin my good down bags/quilt int he hold of my boat.

the marmot pounder / pounder plus is a good sleeping bag for a synthetic bag. the "shingled" construction is outstanding and it really works, but i did find the bags temp rating to be VERY optimistic... but i find this true of ALL marmot bags. as is usual with marmot bags the hood is very comfortable. i have like three of their sleeping bags but i never use any of them anymore. the jacks 'r better quilt has ruined me.”

“Thanks yogisan. That answers my question. I rather enjoy the confinement of the mummy bag. For some reason or other I seem to sleep better. But that's me. I may still try the quilt/blanket in the hammock, but one adjustment at a time.”

“the quilt+hammock combo is so comfortable it is hard to describe... like being in the womb. scary comfortable, esp if you have an underquilt. very warm and cozy way to sleep in cold weather. it's not what you think of when you think of hammock camping.”

“Well, SPS, I lived in Florida for 21 years. I love my WM bags, ultralight and very compressible and have had NO probs with humidity. The worst was a hike in Tenn, where it dumped rain on us all night long and the hike out all the next day. Unpacked that day and not wet at all.

Mitylite 1# 10 oz 40 degree semi rectangular
Highlite 16 oz 35 degree mummy

Just a thought, I have the Ultralight 20 degree and love it.

Good luck!”

“i also love my wm bag but seldom use it. i got the overstuffed one and it's easily good down to 20. the trick is the box baffled stitching... not sewn through. in my experience... sewn through bags suck big time.”

“If you were open to going with down the Western Mountaineering Summerlite (32* 1lb 3oz) is a great bag.

If you are sure you want to stick with a synthetic bag, you might check out the Integral Designs Bags. I have no personal experience with their bags, but there other products are terrific and I have heard their bags are no different.

http://www.integraldesigns.com/product_detail.cfm?id=720&CFID=240019&CFTOKEN=83791053&mainproducttypeid=1”

“I have a Marmot Lithium for really cold nights. I had a synthetic HATED IT. I was always cold in that bag. I was at Sipsey with it (my first TT hike) and froze my batoongies off!”

“Ok Tango - where the heck did you come up with that word - google has no matches for batoongies”

“Nor should you, it's a vestigal organ at best. Most humans had them frozen off some 70,000 years ago during the floods in Africa.”

“oh yeah, I forgot to add I am allergic to down (though I do have a marmot helium...I would like to limit my exposure to the stuff).”

“I actually liked my old NF cats meow bag. It was warm and i think its temp rating was pretty accurate. Its just too heavy and doesn't compress well at all.”

“I forgot to add I am allergic to down


D'oh......

That explains it... :?)”

“Besides Integral Designs, you might also look at synthetic bags from Mont-Bell and Marmot.

Montbell U.L.Alpine Burrow Bag # 3 (30* 2lbs)
http://backcountrygear.com/catalog/bagdetail.cfm/MTB440

Marmot Womens Pounder Plus (25* 1lb 15oz)
http://backcountrygear.com/catalog/bagdetail.cfm/MA19220”

“down quilt in a hammock....


MmMmMmMmMmMmMmMm...... toasty!

Id rather sneeze all night then freeze all night!”

“well if you MUST get a synthetic sleeping bag the do NOT get one that is sewn through. this is just a bad idea to begin with. stick with a bag that has offset construction ("shingled"). also try to get something with a more advanced fill like primaloft 3d. it will last longer, be lighter, and warmer. the mfgs play the "name game" and often have different names for the same insulation.”