best sleeping bag? warm and light!

[MikeW]

I have hunted above 10,000 feet in Colorado and it rained almost every day. Like Mike said, keep the bag dry...its not that difficult.

I did all my back packing in the high sierras, most of it was between 8000'-11000'. On one trip a buddy and I spent 35 days out. I had a down bag with me that time. Lots of summer thunder storms in the sierras. I covered my bag with a plastic trash bag and then into it's stuff sack(which was treated with rain proof)I can't recall my bag ever getting wet. I think your tent is much more important than your bag. That's where I didn't care about carrying a little extra weight. I always used a 4 season 4 person tent even it was just me. I like the extra room for when you are stuck in the tent all day due to the weather and the extra room for your gear and to cook.

And I agree with the comments about a ground pad. Get a good closed cell foam pad.

Don't forget to take lots of mountain money with ya.
    :D

[tradtusker]

ok mike whats mountain money?

im thinking i might go with synthetic because i will be using a tarp/ hootchie rather than a tent

[Killdeer]

Mountain money? Never heard that term, but I figure it's either toilet paper or whiskey!
(Not interchangeable.  

[freefeet]

When i first joined the army (way back when), we were issued down bags.  They were totally unreliable cause they were always getting wet.  Even in our mild UK climate i've seen fit and healthy men come down with hypothermia and that isn't a good place to find yourself.  Later on the army decided to issue us with new, singing and dancing, synthetic bags and those bags got me hooked on synthetic bags for life.  I'll never go back to down.  Having a synthetic bag is just one less thing to be worrying about. IMHO.

I would rather avoid synthetics where possible, but i've yet to find anything i like better, or is more reliable, in a sleeping bag.  And i really do like a reliable sleeping bag.

[ryped]

Check out Wiggy's bags.  Super bags at a great price.

[MikeW]

ok mike whats mountain money?

 
 

Mountain money? Never heard that term, but I figure it's either toilet paper or whiskey!

We have a winner!...Yep toilet paper.
When back packing the order of importance is:
1. Shelter/warmth
2. Food
3. Toilet Paper
You would be surprised what folks will trade or give up for toilet paper when they run out.


The time I went out for a month we took a donkey and loaded it with beer and other heavy stuff you wouldn't normally even think about taking. We took very little food. We took one of those break down survival 22's,slingshots and fishing poles and tried to live off the land as much as possible. We had to break a few game laws doing it but it was one of the best times of my life.
We did have a friend meet us at a pass about 20 days in to bring more supply's(beer)
   :D

[KrEn]

Hmmm. Down is fine, but synthetic is good too.
A good down bag used to cost FAR more than a good synthetic. Today its not so bad, but still they are more expensive, what you get is lighter weight and packability.
I feel the packability is a non-issue as i cannot carry my backpack if i fill it completely.. Weight however,

-will you walk or camp?

-what night temperatures do you expect?

Ive spent 100s (sometimes 100 a year) nights in sleeping bags. Mostly in synthetic, and mostly between -10 and 10 deg C.

- Sleeping bags are NEVER as warm as the producer claims.
- freezing at night sucks, big time
- Sometimes they DO get wet
- Down really shines when DAMN cold, as in the arctic
- too warm a bag is bad too, but not as bad as too cold
- do not dress up inside, wool underwear is fine if cold, not more
- a silk liner (that you can wash after every trip) will make the bag last
- be sure it has a hood
- if cold sleep with a wool cap on your head
- a thick closed cell mat under, always, branches and stuff under that will help

- you will not regret carrying a tent, bigger is better, unless very cold, and , will you walk or camp?
 http://www.helsport.no/helsport/producthandler.aspx?t=ringstind&containerid=23041&parentid=23032&entrypage=true&guid=1&lnodeid=5&pageid=5004


Ive had several Ajungilak sleeping bags and swear by them, but there are many good brands. The Swiss brands are usually good for such equipment too. I dont know US brands (but the US stuff sold in Europe is often crap. sorry  )

 http://www.nanok.no/Engelsk/index.html

 http://www.mammut.ch/en/products_sleepingsystems.html?cid=292177

In Europe there is a test standard for bags, some US bags may be marked by that.

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EN_13537

 

Even in our mild UK climate i've seen fit and healthy men

UK may be mild but it is f.. wet and damp, i much prefer cold weather to wet weather.

K

[highcountry]

I have an old, 1985 REI down that has been used countless trips. Was a great price and finally the down has been worn. Light enough to hike down the canyon(Grand). I been using a Moonstone Delt Maxima (0-18) at 3.10 lbs. I use this one when there is alot of moisture, polarguard. The Tangerine Dream is a super bag.  There are so many new companies out there now.  Just read in the Backbacker Magazine their yearly equipment guide their choices. That is a good start, they really test the goodies.

[JSC]

Mountain Hardwears Banshee SL o degree bag is a good choice. Weighs 3lb.6oz. 800 fill down with a waterproof shell.Used one in the Idaho backcountry this past fall and loved it.

[Bill Tell]

Anyone else use bed rolls?  I do and like them far better then sleeping bags.  They are not light when you add a wool blanket but they sure are a lot more comfortable.  IMHO you can't beat them for three season camping.

[riot1013]

If you are hunting in an arid or semi-arid location, like Colorado, go with down.  Just do not get it wet.  On that note the Marmot Element Bags, the Mountain Hardware Phantom bags or the Western Mountaineering or Feathered Friends bags are as light and compressible as anything you will find but they are expensive.  Those bags use really high-end down and fabrics and will be over a pound lighter than similar rated down bags and a pound and some change lighter than synthetic bags. I only use down so I can't really speak for the synthetic bags but their are a bunch of good ones out there from Marmot, TNF, Mountain Hardware and Sierra Designs.

Riot

[lone hunter]

Marmot Helium combined with a Kifaru bivy. Total weight 1.8 lbs. Easily fits in a daypack with essentials for a 3 day stay.

[LBOW]

Ditto on the wiggys. Used mine on a 12 day Alaska trip and many times in other cold places. It kept me warm and dry!!!!!

[hunt it]

Andy,

$$$ you want to spend is first question? Good down is expensive $400.00 to $900.00. Look for down bags with high loft - this is thickness of bag once laid out. You want 8"+. Down is by far best there is for weight to warmth ratio. If you are carrying it, go down if you can. Small lightweight tent is better than tarp by far and should be strongly considered for high mountain use. Wind can be ferocious and tarp will not suffice if extreme conditions arise. Consider a North Face Mountain 25 tent (not the VE25- more$$). Light, winter rated and has a tub floor with no seems in floor. Then I would invest in a good gore tex bivy sac for bag. This will prevent down from getting wet and can be used alone to sleep in on those OK nights when you want to sleep under stars. Many of the names mentioned make good high quality down bags, North Face, Marmot,Sierra Designs, Mountain Hardware. Watch the ratings, most are BS at best. I have a down bag rated for -48F it's good to about -25F (Commando style)anything colder you need to start wearing layers.

[Montauks]

I've done a fair amount of backpacking and camping, whatever sleeping bag ya wind up with if your camping in cold weather get a G.I. Wool Sleeping Bag Liner and use two mats, a closed cell foam mat and put a Thermacell on top of that, and don't sleep in the clothes you wore all day change into fresh thermals for sleep and pack the clothes your wearing the next day into the bottom of your bag so there warm when you get into them the next morning.
Just my 2cents.
Gene

[JimB]

I have backpacked since the late 1960's and have done a lot of backpack bowhunting in the East where it rained al the time.I have always used down bags and have never slept in a wet one.There are some great synthetic bags these days and I'm not knocking them.Even with all the new,space age synthetics,down still compresses smaller and is warmer per ounce carried.There are water proof stuff bags to keep you bag dry while packing and it should be in the tent the rest of the time.I don't intend to sleep in a wet bag period- synthetic or down.I hear that argument all the time against down,usually by people who haven't used it.It just makes sense to keep your bag dry-synthetic or down.Definitely pick a mummy bag with hood.A very slim one will be lighter but these days they don't work for me.My current bag is a Western Mountaineering Kodiak.I think it is rated at about 0 degrees and weighs about 3 #.Take the time to crawl in the bag at a store before you buy.Next,I always insist on a bag with a full length zipper.Many bags have a half zipper and this saves a few ounces but a full length zipper is far more versatile in a wider range of temperatures.When it gets too warm,it is important to be able to open the bag full length so you don't roast.The full length zipper is worth carrying a couple extra ounces.I used to use a Therma Rest foam pad but have switched to a Big Agnes insulated air mattress.I forget what these are called but they blow up like an air mattress but have Permaloft insulation.The best of both worlds.They are about 2 1/2" thick vs the 1-1 1/2" foam pads.I sleep better on it.You decide whether you want synthetic or down but insist on a full length zipper.Keep in mind,while hunting,you carry considerably more gear than the average backpacker.That's why I like the weight savings of down.I don't think you can go wrong with either though as long as you chose a quality company.REI's website is a good place to compare types and brands.They give advice on choosing the right equipment plus there are customer ratings of different models.I find that very important.I want to hear from the guy's using it,not just the guy selling it.For extended trips I always liked a light 2 man tent as it had plenty of room for my pack and bow when the weather was bad.You can go lighter and more spartan with a bivvy sack or light weight 1 man tent and use garbage bags to keep gear dry outside the shelter.Sometimes bugs are a problem in the high country,in which case a light tent with netting might be a better option than a lighter tarp type shelter.

[sendero25]

If price isn't an issue try the military 3 bag system. It has a gore-tex cover, (woodland camo) a green patrol bag and a thicker black bag that goes in the green patrol bag. You can use them all snapped together, or as single units. If it is warm, but damp, I use the gore-tex bivy cover alone.
If interested try U.S Cavalry online. It is a military and police supply company that sells to civilians as well.
I think the bags are around $479.00
John

[IDABOW]

I've got a Kelty light-stalker rectangle bag, down filled +5 and it weighs in at 2 pounds and 12 oz. or so.  Very light, comfortable and tons of room for bigger guys especially in the legs.  Good if you get claustrophobia in a tight mummy bag.  A gortex bivy over the bag will make sure that you are dry.
Idabow

[mmgrode]

Good to hear you're planning a backpack trip, Andy!  It's a ton of fun!  
   As far as sleeping bags go, much will depend on what you can spend and whether you'll be carrying camp on your back the whole time(bivouc style) or setting up a more permanent camp you come back to each night.
   I have found weight to be an extremely big factor when the pack is on your back all day.  Every ounce and all the space in your pack is of great importance and makes a difference with maneuverability and enjoyment of the hunt. The more area you can cover the better chance you'll have of seeing game.
    I prefer the down bags for their light weight compared to their cooresponding temp rating, and their packability. Many of the stuff sacks are waterproof(or you can buy a waterproof one). Down bags are expensive, but worth it in my opinion.      
    I read that to reduce pack weight by one pound you're going to need to spend about $100 extra.  That's about right.  I'll tell you what, a good nights sleep is worth an aweful lot on extended trips.  
    I have used closed cell foam pads and thermarest pads.  Not really impressed with either to be honest.  

Hey JimB-  How has the Big Agnes mattress held up for you?  How heavy is it?  
Matt

PS- a .45 ACP by my side helps me sleep better also!    :D

[Slasher]

synthetics are much better these days... I use them mostly these days...

I am a plus one on Marmot Bags..

But if you want a really good down bag
(fill wt- 550-800 or so) higher is better quality down...
These are the guys   http://www.featheredfriends.com/

Good Luck

Oh BTW

I wore out a North Face cats meow, I was shopping for a new bag at the local outdoor store and they said I should return it to North Face... My old Hollofil bag was replaced free of charge with the latest version which weighed a lb less and worked so much better!!! SO that $60 bag I bought around 1991 is still working great for me today!!!