Best, lightest sleeping bag for back packing?

[lone hunter]

Marmot Helium

[sweeney3]

Poncho, poncho liner, and green wool blanket with a little smashable pack pillow all rolled up and bungee corded together.  Roll yourself up like a burritto in that and it's okay down to pretty darn chilly.  Free if it was issued.  Cheap if it comes from a surplus store.

[wingnut]

One thing to look at is the military sleep systems that are sold surplus.  Jason has a set and with the three parts it's good year around and down to minus temps.  I use one of the bivys on my larger bag.

google: military sleep system


Mike

[razorsharptokill]

Thanks guys. I figure if I'm spending a couple thousand on an elk hunt, my rest and comfort are very important to me. Time seems to stop when you are miserably cold and your waiting for the sun to come up. Makes for a LONNG night. If I can get a bag that wont fill up most of my pack and keeps me warm, I'll spend some more cash.

[DustinNWA]

I really like my Western Mountaineering UltraLite. Although as a side sleeper the Montbell spiral designs are really peaking my interest--if I wasn't looking at going full on hammock camping that would be my next purchase.

[JockC]

I like my Marmot Helium a lot; it's kind of my go-to bag unless it gets really cold or wet.  Nothing wrong with the better REI bags either, and they sure stand by their guarantee.  I have a Kilo Plus, but I think REI stopped carrying it.  The Marmot and REI's regularly come up on sale.  The other premium bags, while terrific, don't.  On the other hand, everybody I know with a spiral bag gets pretty misty over it.

Don't forget one or even two good insulated pads.  When it's really cold, I will carry both a Z Lite and a light insulated blow-up pad.  Makes a huge difference, and you can sit on and beat up the Z Lite in a way the insulated inflatable couldn't take.

And don't ever, ever forget a warm hat or balaclava.  I have, numerous times, and paid the long, dark night's price!

[BeNoIt]

I used to do a good bit of mountaineering when I lived in CA. Based on some of that experience I will +1 on the Marmot products. I would also recommend that you get yourself a really good sleep pad as that will help keep you warm. If you are going to have the potential of being "out" for a night I would recommend getting a good bivy sack too. A company called Bibler used to make one that was bought out by Black Diamond. There are hoop versions as well as those without. Be prepared to spend some money.....

Enjoy your trip!

[JParanee]

I ve back packed a MH down Gortex bag from Asia to the Yukon

Great bag

Need to wear a layer they do not breath well and you will sweat

[awbowman]

You are right, you cannot hunt hard without a good nights rest

[Zane]

If you are serious about your criteria, there's only 2 choices: Western mountaineering & feathered friends. I prefer FF, but both are excellent. Think long term-like using your bag for 15-20 years if you take care of it. The next tier materials won't hold up that long.  
Marmot, TNF, Big Agnes, MH etc are the next tier.

zr

[David Yukon]

Originally posted by MikeW:
 

Originally posted by David Yukon:
Feathered Friend, the best of the best!!!

Yeah I should hope so @ $400-$500 a bag!
OMG that's just insane, I use to do a lot of high altitude backpacking(10,000'-12,000') and I've owned Marmont,Slumberjack & Wiggy and one my mom made me + some others...there ain't no freaking way I'd ever pay $400+ for a sleeping bag unless I was Bill Gates rich and only had 2 brain cells left. [/b]

Hey Mike, I had my share of bags in my life, and my last Marmot bag was one $400, and it was really far from being as good as a feathered friend bag... and made in China...

[Bivyhunter]

$400-$500 for a made in America (both FF & Western Mountaineering are USA made)  bag that is going to last you 20+ years is a solid investment. I have a FF that I bought over 20 years ago and am still using.  I am buying two WM bags this spring.  My wife has taken to coming along with me and I'll get one LH zip and one RH zip.  While intial investment is hefty, amortize that over a couple of decades, using them several weeks a year and a good bag will pay off in the long run.

[BeNoIt]

Completely forgot about FF when I wrote my post (haven't climbed in a "few" years). Glad some brought them up. +1 on that.

[Terry Green]

MikeW....you sir are skating on thin ice.

I'm tiring of the complaints I'm getting about your smart a$$ comments.

[Terry Green]

I have received several emails since my post this AM...more of these type outbursts have been brought to my attention.

This type of stuff is not tolerated, nor will it ever be.  Personal attacks against others elsewhere was the very reason I started this site.

[Berner9]

How about a quilt?  check out golite or if you really want it light check out  www.zpacks.com  or  www.enlightenedequipment.com/quilts.html  

If you are looking for any other lightweight stuff check out  www.backpackinglight.com   Another great forum like this one.

[bbell]

I have been looking at quilts also. 20 F quilt weighs 23 oz. Just need a good pad. Which u need anyways even with a bag. Cost from $200 to as much as u wanna spend.

[Downwind Lefty]

This is a great thread, I normally stay in my cabin (translation - bed and covers) but this year we're doing a wall tent elk hunt and I need to buy a bag. This is helping my research a ton - thank you!

And after reading this and the other thread - there has to be a full moon....

[widow sax]

X4 Montbell UL super spirell hugger down 15deg bag 2lb 2oz. I love mine it cost alot but worth every penny good gear is not cheap but can save your life. I did alot of research after almost freezing to death with a so called 0 deg bag. But what you wear to sleep in and what you sleep on makes a huge differance. I use a 1/2 inch foam pad on top of my insulated aircore air matt wear a base layer and have a light weight down jacket in case it gets realy cold. I awoke to frozen solide boots but kept warm last year with this setup I would not skimp on your bag.    Widow

[gio tundo]

The mummy insulated air core fits perfect in the BA bags