-20 or better sleeping bag?

“I never did get around to replacing my coldest weather bag that was destroyed years ago. I think I'm going to need one. I love the look of the Western Mountaineering Puma - but its out of my price range.

http://www.e-omc.com/catalog/products/1147/Western-Mountaineering-Puma-MF-Sleeping-Bag.html”

“I was going to suggest Feathered Friends but they are even a little more expensive than WM.”

“I'd suggest staying home and drinking hot chocolate next to the fire and 20 below...geesh”

“I try to look at gear purchases this way:

I only have so many seasons left that I can sleep in below zero conditions, I'm getting older. A bag of this quality should last thru those seasons easily if taken care of properly. How many trips do I expect to do per season? X number of years I will be able to go, you arrive at a cost per trip.

Every season you put off this purchase is costing you money per trip, better get the expedited shipping!”

“I loved my WM Puma.

I sold it on fleabay after I gave up very cold weather camping and actually got more for it used than I paid for it new.

Well taken care of, they are an investment.


How's that for rationalization?”

“Great rationalizations 1camper and Rev. I'll have to think on them. I did have a full replacement value policy on my last -20 bag, so maybe I should consider it earmarked - and maybe I'll put gear gift cards on my XMas wish list.”

“I've never been in weather that cold so I can't vouch for this - but I was out when it was around zero one night and I just brought two +20 bags and stuffed one in the other... it was a little tight, but I was good and toasty. You sacrifice a little weight (and really, not even that much) and, in doing so, save a fortune... provided you already have a couple other bags”

“^^^^^^ What pepsi said. ^^^^^^

..but watch out for one bag being to tight and compressing the loft of the other....

I would suggest using a very light semi-rec down bag (like the WM Mitylite) as an overbag.”

“Wool underwear and double fleece pajamas can make the night comfortable.”

“People laugh when I recommend Slumberjack from www.campmor.com, but ask the people that go to FYAO and they will tell you that I sleep well in my -30�F Slumberjack bag. It simply cannot be beaten for the price. In a comprssion sack it fits into my 70 litre (4 500 cu. in.) with all my gear and clothing. Yes, it's a little heavier than a down bag, but I don't have to worry about accumulated moisture (I do use a vapour barrier liner) and it's a third the price.”

“If you are carrying two sleeping bags to recreate the warmth of one bag how are you managing the extra bulk and weight? Just curious because I can't imagine carrying the weight of two bags. Another option is to get a good bag that is rated between 5 and 15 and them add one of those Sea to Summit Reactor bag liners. They can add an additional ten degrees warmth to any bag and are extremely light. Like a pair of socks.”

“..that is a really nice bag pedxing picked out. 3lb 10oz for a long.. Hard to find a bag that is comparable. It's true you could get a cheaper synthetic, but they lose some warmth over time and never lose any weight.

Two bags? ..spoken like young people. Lol.”

“Hmmm...I'm not young so I am confused. Should I have said 'two sleeping bags' to be more age appropriate?”

“I've got an REI sub kilo +20 down bag (which is really more like a +40, because I'm FREEZING in anything less) and some generic +20 down bag... so they compress down to about the size of a large grapefruit each and only weight a few pounds each - so it isn't too bad to carry. That said, I did buy a 0 degree bag this year (Big Agnes Pomer Hoit) and since I don't plan on any 20 below nights in the near future, this method may be ready to be retired...”

“Sandy: Feathered Friends has something very similar to the Puma which can be had for about the same price.

http://www.moontrail.com/feathered-friends-ptarmigan-regular.php

Gremlin - it's funny you should mention the Slumberjack. I just read a review of the Ptarmigan for "Similar Products Used," the reviewer wroter "I used to carry a cinder block called slumberjack."

http://www.outdoorreview.com/cat/product-archives/outdoor-equipment/backpacking-camping-hiking/sleeping-bags/feathered-friends/ptarmigan/prd_76888_2956crx.aspx”

“I had never seen the moontrail site before. Oh no! Now there is one more place I'll have to check for gear. The Ptarmigan looks nice and it comes in black? Whats going on with all the gear manufacturers using black now. Have you seen the black Marmot tents? Way off subjet I know but I like it!”

“I like the event fabric on the feathered friends bag, might be worth the extra weight. I have a Pomer Hoit too. It's warm, zipper sucks on mine..”

“@ sandyann
I just meant I couldn't imagine carrying two bags either. Years ago I might have tried it.”

“Ok, ped, what is the story behind the destruction of your last bag?”

“LOL! 1camper - Me either as I always have a debate on which 'one' winter bag to carry and there is only a couple of ounces difference with the same temp rating.”

“well I'm still young and dumb and still carry way too heavy of a pack...

That said, my knees are catching up with me real quick... maybe I don't need to bring up all that crap anymore”

“Yeah, Ped, it's heavier than down, but about the same as any other synthetic fill bag. Lighter on the pocket book, though.”

“.. I didn't say "dumb", there may be many good reasons one would carry heavy stuff, it just helps to be young when doing so.”

“haha yes... but most of my reasons can still boil down to "dumb." I still insist on carrying in a can of Foster's on all but the hardest hikes... and usually a book or (sometimes) two.

then there was the time in death valley with the mini keg and the steaks...”

“Isn't Foster's on the list of 'ten essential' items?”

“The Foster's is only heavy one way..the truly resourceful might make a pot out of it for the trip. Certainly not dumb.”

“Ok, ped, what is the story behind the destruction of your last bag?”
techntrek

It was in the attic when there was a house fire. After the demolition there was a two inch layer of down covering the floor - almost like a fresh snowfall - a sad testimony to the quality of the bag. I got a great deal on a zero degree bag after that - but it really doesn't do for the White Mountains in the winter.”

“Sorry to hear that, a friend of mine had the same problem. 2nd floor fire and half of his gear was on that floor. The other half was in plastic bins in the basement so it came through w/o even water damage.”

“Here ya go pedx: http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem?itemId=250936256816&index;=3&nav;=SEARCH&nid;=15101073597

Used Puma”

“Only 1 day left and no bids..”

“Missed that the first time - I'll check it out. Thanks!”

“If that bag expired with no bids I would have made him an offer.”

“It's a long - so a little un-needed bulk and weight. Not worth the 510 next bid (+ shipping) to me - a regular would be tempting.”

“Oh, I thought you were looking for a long....like me. If I could get it for less than $500 it would be really tempting.”

“If it was a great deal, I might go for a long - could put shoes in the toe box so they'd be easy to get into in the morning.”

“Went for $532.00 and shipping. Still a good deal. I found myself pretty tempted by it and I wasn't even looking for one. Nice bag. Now I want one, thanks pedxing. ;)”

“Now there's a -40 Bison reg length coming up in just over 3 hrs. It's at $356.00. Great deal..the bag is probably overkill for most of us.”

“Yeah - I figure if -20 isn't enough for comfort it will definitely be enough for survival. I can also put on everything I can, use my Hilleberg windsack (an emergency shelter I carry - which can be useful for changing clothes in) around the bag as an extra layer, throw a few hand warmers into the bag and get through the night.”

“You're certainly hardcore pedxing!
..but if it is that cold, wouldn't it be lighter and simpler to carry a -40 bag? Very expensive, but maybe rather than a 0* and a -20*, just buy a 0* and a -40* and not take the chance.
Thoughts?”

“When I was hiking in the Himalaya where the nighttime temps got down below -20F I used my Mountain Hardwear five degree bag with a liner. I will confess that I wasn't exactly cozy but I did sleep okay. That is when I could get enough oxygen in my lungs to fall asleep.”

“About -5f is as cold as I've ever camped.. I haven't ruled it out tho.. I never realized much heat with a liner (inside the bag) never tried one outside.

This thread has me looking at cold bags. Seems like as a rule, add a pound to a 0* and you got a -20*, add another and you got a -40*.

My point: If you take extra clothes and handwarmers, you're gonna eat up that pound rather quickly. Why not just bite the bullet and buy a -40* for these crazy cold expeditions?”

“Reasonable points 1camper. I don't plan on long trips in winter and if it looks likely to go into the 40 below range where I'm likely to camp, I'll postpone the trip. I take extra clothes for backup - in case something gets wet or to wear in camp before getting into the bag. Usually I get into the bag with just one insulating layer. I also take a few extra hand warmers, mostly in case someone else needs them or if I get stranded.”

“In my experience or personal comfort preference I've found I like to be at least 10* above the bag rating. Even then I like to have a fleece or light down jacket to cover my chest if I get cold.

"..get thru the night.."

I know this feeling and try my best to avoid it. A good nights sleep is very important when exerting yourself as typically you would with winter loads...not to mention post holing when necessary.

I certainly am not going to plan to go out when its -20* let alone -40*. But if caught in -15* I'd rather be in a bag rated for -40* and get a good nights sleep than in a -20* and risk it. ..for a pound..

Anyway, still kicking it around and not in a hurry to buy, but I will give a -40* bag a close look.”

“Sounds like a reasonable choice. I'd not plan to be out at 15 below either, but I do want that margin of safety - weather can be pretty unpredictable especially in the mountains.”

“Has anyone here tried putting one of those space blankets over your sleeping bag in very cold temps to see how it performs? I've heard of people using one inside their bag, but the constant crinkling noise keeps them up. Just wondering if catching some of the radiant heat would help.”

“Adventure medical makes a bag like the one below that works great....(it is not milar)


”

“That looks like you could use it as a bagliner very easily. How much does it weigh?”

“sandyann







you are awesome”

“Naked Ape...thank you.....I think. =0)”

“http://www.adventuremedicalkits.com/product.php?product=146

8.1 oz...I've seen them online for as low as $21.00”