Sleeping Bags Are A Million-Billion

“I would think a 'cowboy' would be cheaper and warmer than any fluffy down bag you purchase. You could probably get one for the price of a Mickey Dees #1 and biggie size it for the chilly nights.

You'll get what you pay for in the long run. I looked at my first sleeping bag purchase as an investment. Price was a factor but not as much as dependability and durability were. I also took into consideration at that time some other factors. Like mainly when down gets wet, its worthless for the most part. Since most of my hiking is 'at and below' what I'll call the snow line in Eastern regions that are prone to a higher RH factor in the air and where temperture/ weather can fluctuate greatly thru the days. I opted for the sleeping system that would best fit my needs when hiking in muggy cold seasons.

If I lived or hiked in more frigid arid regions I would mostly have a down bag in my backpacking arsenal.

If you do settle for a sythetic bag get a decent compression sack to take care of the bulk.”

“coyote, i used a trick this weekend to keep myself warm - filled my nalgene with hot water and stuck it in my sleeping bag. my knees/thighs were getting cold in my 35 degree (synthetic) bag this weekend, at least the first night. the second night i used that trick, and was toasty warm all night. in the morning, the water wasn't warm, more like what "room temperature" would be, but certainly much warmer than the air outside!

also, eat something before you go to bed. keeps your body fuled to keep you warm.”

“And stay out of those cotton clothes!

Coyote, I have a zero degree bag you can try out, if it's something you like, you may have it. It's a Kelty I bought at Costco. It kept me toasty warm as low as 16*, (haven't been out cooler than that). There's nothing wrong with it, it's just bulky in the pack. I found a good bargain on a down bag and upgraded. I've used it maybe ten times, tops.”

“Briar, eventually the cowboy will get more expensive. The last one I tried to invest in, turned into a huge loss. LOL!

Well, I mainly will be in a cold, arid region, and everyone pretty much is going for the down, so I guess I will narrow the search by sticking to down.

Tom T., I rarely actually go to any of the gear stores themselves, but Bob Ward's is a pretty cool store. I saw that they had a site, but didn't look very close. I plan on heading up to Butte, MT in the near future, so I will drop in the store and see what they gots.

Thanks again for the info. people. And, BTW, Violin, my dad is easily manipulated by his best loved, first born daughter, but he's not dumb. LOL!”

“KELTY lightyear 25 degree bag. It is pretty wide. and the long weighs 2lbs. and 3 oz..it also has a foot vent at the botom that you can unzip in case you get hot. It compresses into an extra small stuff sack. I paid 159 for it brand new. It is also wider at the shoulders by 9 inches more than REI's sub kilo bag that weighs 2lbs. 5oz. at $229..I have this bag and I love it. I don't feel trapped and can regulate the temp. through the foot vent. good luck”

“The North Face Kilo Reg. Down Sleeping Bag $99.97

The North Face Women’s Blue Igloo 15° Reg. Sleeping Bag $149.97I think this is a woman's version of the Blue Kazoo. Note that it fits up to 5'5".”

“I bought my Slumberjack 20° Deelite in 1987 and it's still going strong. I bought the -30° Slumberjack 600 three years ago and still haven't been able to use the hood. I haven't yet been able to close the hood on the last one because it's just too warm (and I'm not complaining). I do take care of my gear and keep it clean.

IM(not so)HO Quallofill is still the best synth. Its price has come 'way down and it's more compressible than either Polarguard 3D or HV and warmer for the same weight.

Everybody dumps on SJ and it's true that they don't have any bells and whistles, but they do what they say they will and you can't beat the price.”

“Hey, Newgie;
Ijust ordered one of the bags from Sportsman's Guide. http://www.sportsmansguide.com/showad.html?promo_code=WX2&item_id=60592&dc_id=69
You'll have to cut & paste, links are beyond my meager capabilities.
It is supposed to be a fair deal, if a little small. I figure that my son can always use it, if it's too small for me. I'll let you know.”

“Thanks for all of your inadvertant help. I've been looking for a new bag for about 2 years now. I must have picked up 30 bags over that time, only to chicken out. Today, I aquired a Sierra Designs Deep Sleep Long, down sleeping bag 0 degrees. It's sweet and the advice on this thread helped tremendously.

BTW- On sale for $168 at local outfitter. Looks like I'm gonna be poor for the next week!:)”

“bill some of those hours of advice Dr. BB”

“A snuggle sack is your place to rest on a cold night while backpacking.

I don't know why I said that but I just thought I should.

8)”

“Buddha:

You will dig that bag! I have the 15 degree version and it's noyce.”

“I already laid in it for 15 minutes. (smacking arm vein) I need help.”

“Yeah, there is lots of room to properly savor a bacon ring in that bag dude..... it's pimp!

8)”

“BB, You going to test that badboy out this weekend?”

“Buddha Bear testing out a badboy? Did I miss something here???”

“Received the ultralight bag from S.G.today.
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/showad.html?promo_code=WX2&item_id=60592&dc_id=69
It IS only 1.6#, and stuffs down to about 7"X 4", so it's really small. I'm 5'11" & 190#, and it has plenty of room/length. An it did only cost $33.00 delivered. Hmmmmm,guess it really aint too bad as long as it doesn't get below about 40 degrees! Really should make a great liner to add about 15 degrees to another bag. Very soft nylon inner, Nylon/polyester outer, guess it's pretty much what I expected. Should be just great here, where it don't get too cold. I think I'm gonna keep it!”

“Went up to Sierra Designs website and didn't see a Deep Sleep. Sure you're not in fantasyland BB?”

“That's the infamous "30 degree" Guide Gear Ultralite 600 Sleeping Bag.
Lots of internet people have bought then but I have yet to read a review of anyone actually using one and what the real temp range is.
Please try it in cold weather and let us know.”

“I'm looking for a new liner bag/over bag. That's a pretty good deal, Bug! Might have to try it out. Thanks!”

“Steve - it's a dicontinued model from last year. I believe they are still selling some at REI.”

“Stove Stomper, it don't git that cold down heah (East Texas). That's why I went to such a lite bag. Cain't hep y'all out wit de cold weather testin. I do plan on usin a fleese liner as a overbag ifin it gets nippy.”

“I don't know if you are still looking for a sleeping bag but here is a down bag for $75. It fits up to 5 ft 5 inches.

Down Bag”

“Does anyone know anything about that bag's brand? Does that look like good stuff? Also, I'm like exactly 5'5", is that going to be too small?”

“Look at the specs again, newgie. It says it fits UP TO 5'.”

“Doesn't it say it only fits up to 5'?”

“Oh shoot! I didn't pay very close attention to that, I just read Tango's info. Well, I guess that's out.”

“I'm 6'4", will it fit me?”

“Buddha, are you bendy? You might fit.”

“I'd say I'm more trendy than bendy, but flexible none the less.”

“You're trendy? Into the fashion scene and stuff.”

“That's it! Newgie, buy the bag! Send it to BB for a couple trips, and it should fit you fine after that! Ceptin for stretch marks and a couple loose seams, it'd be like new. BTW, Bear, was she referrin to or insultin yer manhood?”

“Fashion!? No, when I say "trendy", I mean I wash my sheets once a week, and wear clean underwear.”

“I hope to the Sweet Lord, that washin' 'yer sheets and wearin' clean underwear is not a trend.”

“BTW, Bear, was she referrin to or insultin yer manhood?"
Bug
10:47:44 AM
10/28/02

I hope so! :)”

“newgirl, Get a larger bag case a bear want to git warm;> YO BARE! OhaAAAAAAAAAAAAA!j/k am I?”

“I recently bought a campmor 20* down bag. The regular was $110. and slightly heavier than the 2#4oz advertised. It came in at 2#10 with stuff sack. I have had it out once down to 40* and was a little too warm. It will probably be February before I get it out under freezing since we get like 4 cold days a year in Alabama. I'll let you know how it does when I finally get it in cold weather. I'm assuming you're not in a hurry since you are going to be using the bag as a summer bag?

Also, I really liked the new bag. I had it out 3 nights in temps vary from 40 to 60. It packs very small and lofts up nicely.”

“Newgirl,

Like a couple have said here, I'd try to look at the sleeping bag as an investment. IF there's any way you can work something out for a higher-priced bag, you may find some more options open to you. Your bag is one of your "big three" items (the others being pack and tent). These items tend to be individually the heaviest items you carry, and also can be among the most critical for comfort on the trail. Look for quality in your bag, and go for the lightest weight in your selected temperature range.

Personally, I have an REI Downtime 0 degree bag I use year round. It suits me fine, but I'd love to upgrade, but can't justify it when I have a bag that works. I didn't listen to my own advice, I just needed a bag that would take me down to 0 when I was on a budget. My wife just got an Integral Designs Emporer bag. It's a 0 degree synthetic (primaloft) that's almost as light, and just as compressible than my Down bag. I've been a down fan forever, and even chance it here in the rainy northwest (much to my wife's concern). BUT, I'd pick up a primaloft bag in a heartbeat. They are the closest to down I've found yet.

My wife was also a professional seamstress, and in her opinion the quality on the Integral Designs bags is top notch.

I'd really look to see what financially is possible, and then look for all the options available within that range. Check sites for gear reviews from actual consumers (www.outdoorreview.com has a good reviews section), and see if you can check out a bag yourself before making the purchase.

If you need help convincing your father, he does want to keep you from freezing to death during the night, right? :D”

“Newgirl I apologize for my misinformation. I didn't mean to get your hopes up!”

“Tango, it's no biggie. I'll just keep looking. My goal was to find a match by X-mas, so I could use it as a wishlist item, but if I don't, it's fine. I'm not going to be able to go bping again until next summer, anyway. Might as well use the time to find the one I want, at the price I want.”