Sleeping bag

[Travisc406]

So hunting in May and September possibly October what would you say would be the best temperature rating for a backpack sleeping bag? I was thinking a 30 degree bag would be about right. I usually get a zero bag but am thinking I could get by on less and save some weight and sweaty nights.

[Tim in Wa.]

I would get a 15 or 20 Deg.bagyou can always unzip if you are hot

[Paul Shirek]

15 or even 0. It gets cold at night in the mountains, which you of course know. I like a bag rated at least 10-15 colder than the actual temps outside. But you may be different...

[Wapiti22]

Go with the lower Temp rating  -- you can always unzip it a bit.

[McDave]

I take a different approach.  I use a mummy bag for the bottom, that reaches about to mid chest level.  I cover my shoulders with a high quality down jacket.  Rarely do I actually have to put the down jacket on at night, but if it gets really cold, I can put it on and snug up with the hood.  I do put it on on chilly mornings in camp after I get up.  I am a restless sleeper, and it helps if I can thrash around rather than be bound up in a sleeping bag.

[Deno]

Military extreme cold weather bag.
 Same as McDave, I like thrashing around and not be confined or zipped up in a bag.
Deno

[Pat B]

When I went to Colorado in '06 and '10 I got a 20 degree mummy and have used it since. The bag I got unzips from the feet end as well as the head end. If it gets too warm I'll unzip at the feet to help control the warmth. I've used this bag from Sept in GA and NC through the late season.

[snag]

Kind of depends on your thermostat. Cold or warm blooded? Always better to be too warm then cold. I think the temp ratings are like tent or raft ratings. A 4 person tent or raft is really comfortable for 2 people. But 4 can survive in them if need be.

[Biathlonman]

Quit using a sleeping bag when I discovered quilts.  Enlightened equipment makes extraordinary quilts.  I have a 30 degree synthetic and a 10 degree down.

[wapiti]

I grew up in Montana. Didn't leave until I was in my late twenties. Hunted allover and came to the conclusion a bag in the 0-15 degree range is best. Get one with a two way zipper so you can open the bottom half. I bought a high quality down semi-mummy bag in the early 80's and still have and use it. Got it from a back packing store in Bozeman when I was going to college there. They were closing out last years Western Mountaineering bags. Had a seem come loose 20 years after I got it. Contacted them and they FULLY repaired it for free. STAY WARM!!!!

[crazynate]

I don't know what the temperature ratings are but Check out the sleeping system that's government issue for tha Marines. It has a goretex cover than 2 sleeping bags inside that's button together. 1 thick one and 1 thin. Use all 3 for extra warmth. I got mine was I was a grunt In the Marines and have used one ever since. No need for a tent either with the goretex cover. I've literally slept in mud and snow storms  over seas without a tent. They are worth every penny. And with a compression bag you can get it Rolled up ismaller than a dinner plate. They usually run about 250 I think.

[YosemiteSam]

So far, I favor my wife's 30 degree bag over my own 0 degree bag.  Saves about a pound of weight and I've yet to get cold in it.  Quilts are fine for the summer here but I'd think that you'd gain back in sleeping pad weight whatever you'd lose in sleeping bag weight.  I haven't tried it yet, though.  I use my mummy as a quilt if it's not too cold.  I rarely go out when temps are much below the mid 30s, though, so adjust for your own stomping grounds.

My light setup is a 30 deg mummy bag, simple ridgerest pad, Borah bivy & nylon sil-tarp for a rain cover.  A small, backpacking pillow on top of my backpack is very comfy.  I've woken up frosted and stayed plenty warm with that setup.  Extra insulation comes from my daytime wear (jacket, beanie, thermals, etc.).  I'll sleep with my jacket and beanie on if it's cool.  I often get cold during the day but I stay pretty warm at night.

Personally, I'd stay away from the military systems.  From what I've seen, they're pretty heavy for what you're getting.  If you're car camping or not going too far, then that would be okay, I suppose.  But I hate carrying extra pounds if there are lighter alternatives.

[Ky longbow]

Look into a company called Outdoor Vitals. I have their 30 degree bag and it is fantastic. 800 fill down bag with YKK zippers and i got it Long as Im 6"1" tall. fits very well and it was around $120 new from their website. They arent very large or well known. They sell directly to the consumer and make a very good product. I took the bag on multiple trips this winter and it surpassed my expectations.

[Travisc406]

KY longbow. They look to be a really good deal. Might try one for that price.

[degabe]

The military sleep system is a very good sleeping outfit. It may be a little heavy but it is a year round system.

[Tajue17]

Kifaru 0 degree bag

[Bill Leeming]

Ky longbow
Any issues with the zipper snagging the bag lining?
Thanks

[Dan bree]

Ky longbow thanks for the heads up on outdoors vital . Just ordered one as my kifuru  was  eaten buy my dogs !

[wingnut]

0 degree bag from a good company.  We have Kifaru bags after years of back pack stuff.  They are light weight, durable and warm in cold conditions.

Jason and mine are 0 degree and John has a -20.  He tends to sleep colder then we do.

We used ours in Colorado in Sept for elk and AK in late Sept for Moose.  Love them.

Mike

[Whip]

I've been researching the heck out of of sleep systems the past few weeks.  I'm planning a spoke hunt for elk and want to lighten my load.  

I'm pretty well convinced that an Enlightened Equipment quilt is the way I am going to go.  I already have an insulated pad, and a sleeping bag provides very little additional insulation on the bottom because your body compresses the insulation to next to nothing.   Most people that have tried quotes sure seem to love them.