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U.L. Overbag?


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  • #1236291
    Allison Sayre
    Member

    @teamalli

    Locale: PNW

    Hey all,

    I'm looking to go to the NOLS Semester and noticed they require a bag which goes to -15 degrees. Right now I have a Montbell u.l. s.s. #3 and I can't really afford to buy a light weight sleeping bag that will go that low (they are like $500).

    Wiggy's claims their overbag will add 40 degrees to my bag, meaning it would go to -10, and then with my silk long johns I'd probably be OK down to -15. They also claim this overbag weighs 2 pounds. It's also only $190.

    At the same time I've heard bad things about the durability and wind resistance capabilities of Wiggy's bags.

    Anyway I was hoping you all could shed some light on whether overbags work and if there are any good lightweight ones out there. Thanks!

    #1501044
    Tad Englund
    BPL Member

    @bestbuilder

    Locale: Pacific Northwest

    Ali, I think Jonathan Boozer was selling a -15 FF bag a couple months ago on gear swap, I don't think he sold it. The price was excellent- I almost bought it even though I don't need it (I let Jonathan do all the impulse buying for me)
    You might want to contact him. The weight would be far less then your bag and the over bag, and the price was about the same (maybe a little more).
    I don't have any experience with Wiggy- but 40* might be a stretch (unless it has about 2" of loft by itself) and then you are still pushing the envelope.

    #1501049
    Allison Sayre
    Member

    @teamalli

    Locale: PNW

    That bag looks nice but it is a long and I am 5'3". Thanks for the info though!

    #1501053
    Tad Englund
    BPL Member

    @bestbuilder

    Locale: Pacific Northwest

    fold it in half and then you will have a -40* bag.

    #1501056
    Ross Bleakney
    BPL Member

    @rossbleakney

    Locale: Cascades

    I would imagine that a true ultralight overbag would be expensive. To be truly ultralight, the fill has to be made out of very high quality down. For an overbag, you need to wrap the bag around the inner bag. Thus, you need a lot of high quality down. I think this would cost a lot. A FF semi-rectangular is sort of like what you want (bigger than a normal bag). It weighs about three pounds and costs $400. It isn't designed to be an overbag, so the cut isn't right, but you get the idea. Of course, you can always sacrifice weight to save money, but I would be surprised if you didn't up carrying a fairly heavy bag (even with the best synthetic insulation).

    If your existing bag is roomy enough, I would try and maximize the inner part by adding lots of fleece/wool (good warmth/bulk ratio) along with some synthetic dual purpose insulation (Cocoon type clothing). Perhaps it might make sense to go with a vapor barrier? Then again, maybe it makes the most sense to just rent a bag until you find one used or one sale.

    #1501103
    Michael Febbo
    Spectator

    @febbom

    -15 is chilly!
    I have not used the Wiggys overbag, but would be skeptical of the 40 degree added warmth claim. As Ross mentioned, the design requirements for overbags necessitate a heavy item, and so most are at least 2lbs. They do work well when the temperatures never get above freezing and internal moisture is a concern with down bags. This is generally what they are for, and is why most are synthetic and many have waterproof shells (think of them as insulated bivy sacks).
    If you really will be in -15 temperatures you might have many days where it does not get above freezing and a synthetic overbag may be a good policy against loft deflation in your down bag. However, paring you bag with a rectangular down bag or down overbag will be a lighter option and pack much easier.

    Some options:
    http://www.bigagnes.com/Products/Overbags
    Their lightest is about 22oz and claims to add 25 degrees. It is also pricey and uses down, which defeats the purpose of an overbag IMO. Anyway, check out their offerings for a good selection.

    Mountain Equipment Co-op also offers two, the Penguin and Emperor with the former being under $100. Both are heavy.
    Integral Designs has the Andromeda, which is again heavy but uses good materials for the purpose.

    There is also a very basic overbag made by Cocoon for $100. I have not found a listed weight, but its design suggests under two pounds (no fill on the bottom and no hood).

    Lastly, if you are trying to boost bag warmth the easiest way is to use a very warm sleeping pad. A down air mattress (I do not recommend Exped, mine has had numerous leaks) can give you an extra 10 degrees. Also, add some down booties and a down jacket (or synthetic). So long as you have enough room in your bag, wearing insulated clothing really helps and makes getting out of your bag on a sub-zero morning MUCH nicer.

    #1501122
    Ross Bleakney
    BPL Member

    @rossbleakney

    Locale: Cascades

    Good point about the sleeping pad, Michael. I forgot to mention that (even though it occurred to me). You want to get as warm a pad as possible (either a down filled inflatable or many layers of closed cell foam).

    #1501125
    Allison Sayre
    Member

    @teamalli

    Locale: PNW

    The big agnes cross mountain sounds good. Although it weighs 2lbs 3oz, combined with my bag it's still only 3 lbs 10oz which isn't terrible. It also has a sleeve for my pad which will be nice.

    #1501127
    JT Croteau
    Member

    @tobit

    Locale: Shadows of the White Mountains

    I have one important question of Alli. Alli, where exactly will you be attending your NOLS semester? This is relevant because, if it is in Alaska, you cannot take a down sleeping bag with you. It must be synthetic.

    #1501129
    Dewey Riesterer
    Member

    @kutenay

    I have an I.D. Andromeda Overbag, which I usually pair with my I.D. North Twin for backpack hunting and also what little bush work I still do. It is not heavy, being only 2 lbs. and is extremely H20 resistant and warm for it's weight.

    -15*, if you mean Farenheit is COLD and you NEED a real winter bag plus a GOOD pad(s) for this; I have considerable snow camping experience and this level of cold will KILL you, real damm fast, if you are not prepared.

    I would try to find a good, used down bag, there was a Snow Lion here a couple days ago, that would be perfect for this trip AND would STILL last a long time with proper care. Scroll down the "For Sale" section and see if it's still available.

    #1501130
    JT Croteau
    Member

    @tobit

    Locale: Shadows of the White Mountains

    "I would try to find a good, used down bag, there was a Snow Lion here a couple days ago, that would be perfect for this trip AND would STILL last a long time with proper care."

    Yup, if this is still available (I believe it is), Alli should definitely grab it but only IF her semester isn't in Alaska as down is a NO-NO for sleeping bags on NOLS Alaska semesters.

    #1501158
    Allison Sayre
    Member

    @teamalli

    Locale: PNW

    It would be the Rocky Mountain Semester from September to the first week of December, in Wyoming. Maybe I'm an idiot but I'm skeptical of it getting to even 0 degrees in the first week of Winter.

    edit: On the gearlist I have, it doesn't say anything about down bags being forbidden, it just says synthetic is highly recommended.

    #1501159
    Joe Clement
    BPL Member

    @skinewmexico

    Locale: Southwest

    I know one thing, if you really need a -15 degree bag, that's the one place you don't want to try to cut a corner. A mistake there, and you're miserable every night. Or worse.

    #1501161
    David Olsen
    Spectator

    @oware

    Locale: Steptoe Butte

    Remember, if you are at altitude, the temps will be colder.

    Low temps in Lander are sometime zero F.

    Zero in Lander could mean -20F at 10,000 feet elevation.

    Add a little wind, sleeping under a tarp, a damp bag from drying out clothes, a bit of exhaustion—-

    BRRRR.

    #1501162
    David Olsen
    Spectator

    @oware

    Locale: Steptoe Butte

    I think I would buy some fabric and fill and make one of
    these to go over your bag.

    http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/cocoon_ul_180_quilt.html

    #1501166
    Allison Sayre
    Member

    @teamalli

    Locale: PNW

    true, but with the plethora of clothes we have to bring I would assume if it got down to -15 I would be OK with a 0 degree bag. Maybe I'm full of crap, in fact it's pretty likely. If I get there and the gear I have isn't good enough I can rent a winter bag for $20. I just don't want to get stuck with a 6 pound monstrosity which is why I'm asking for advice.

    That snow lion looks great but I have no idea when I'd ever need a -40 sleeping bag again. Plus I kind of like the idea of having a synthetic overbag as a means of wetness protection.

    Again I don't want to sound like I'm ignoring anyone's advice. I just want the most economical solution.

    #1501178
    Roger Caffin
    BPL Member

    @rcaffin

    Locale: Wollemi & Kosciusko NPs, Europe

    Hi Alli

    Listen very carefully to Dave O.
    Or buy one.

    Cheers

    #1501189
    JT Croteau
    Member

    @tobit

    Locale: Shadows of the White Mountains

    "Again I don't want to sound like I'm ignoring anyone's advice. I just want the most economical solution."

    Well, the most economical (and you'll have an awesome bag) solution is to buy that -40 degree Snow Lion bag advertised over in the for sale forum. For $200 you can't go wrong. Yes, it's old, but it still has a lot of life left in her and comparable new bags, as you stated earlier, are well over $600.

    Click here for the for sale post.

    #1501233
    David Olsen
    Spectator

    @oware

    Locale: Steptoe Butte

    If you can rent one for $20, that sounds like a great
    deal. Especially if your semester course only spends
    a part of the time at altitude. It would save wear and
    tear on your own bag too.

    Here is a good price on a -20 synthetic bag at campmore
    for just over $200. It weighs under 4 lbs, which isn't
    bad for any bag good to -20.

    http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___44021.

    I do like a synthetic overbag over down myself, but
    as long as you don't compress it too much, or wash it
    and dry it with heat, the NF synthetic bag should last a
    long time and be an option for those future cold or rainy trips.

    My friend has a Wiggy's overbag. It is made of heavy fabric
    and probably weighs close to 3 lbs. I wasn't impressed.

    #1501238
    Dewey Riesterer
    Member

    @kutenay

    There is not a synthetic bag out there that weighs under 4 lbs. and will keep you warm at -20*F. In fact, the warmest synthetic bag I ever had/used and of many, was a "Paul Petzoldt Outdoor Products-Expedition Bag" in 1976-78 and HE FOUNDED NOLS. The bag which was warm, VERY hard to stuff on a cold morning and HEAVY, kept me OK to about 0*F and I was young, very fit and USED to sleeping outside in all weathers including B.C. winters.

    I replaced that bag with an original Marmot Mtn._Grand Junction Gore-Tex/down bag, custom made for me by Eric Reynolds of MM and THAT bag weighed 4.25 lbs. It DID keep me warm at -20*F and even down to a measured -41*F on Kokanee GLacier outside of my hometown of Nelson, B.C.

    -20*F is bloody COLD and a really GOOD down bag, with a bivy sack in eVent and a VBL will keep you warm under such conditions, but, no synthetic bag will..unless it weighs about 10-12 lbs. Go with rental or the Snow Lion and just keep your spare clothes in the foot thereof in a silnylon sack to take up the extra room so your body does not have to heat it.

    #1501267
    Brad Groves
    BPL Member

    @4quietwoods

    Locale: Michigan

    Alli-

    Short version: You're dreaming. Stop. You do need a warmer bag.

    You're trying to get a 30*F bag to keep you warm to -15*F. It's not going to happen, no way. Neither a 30* or liner bag are constructed in a way that will conserve your precious heat in those conditions. Now, if you had a 0*F bag and needed another 10*, that might be an option–if you had a bomber hood, a great poofy draft collar, beefy draft tube–double draft tube would be nice.

    If anything, your Montbell would be the liner bag for a 0*F bag. But you're definitely not talking about a light or packable/low bulk solution.

    You can make do on a lot of the options in your pack. A winter bag really isn't a make-do option. It's your safety insurance. And your comfort. And although it might cost a little more up front, far more economical than the emergency room or funeral bills from trying to take a 30* bag and liner to subzero weather.

    #1501310
    Allison Sayre
    Member

    @teamalli

    Locale: PNW

    Anyone used the Big Agnes Battle Mountain (-15)? It's on the heavy side (5lbs) but it's fairly cheap.

    #1501315
    Brad Groves
    BPL Member

    @4quietwoods

    Locale: Michigan

    Alli-
    One concern with the BA bag is that it's pretty huge inside. Keep in mind that sleeping bags don't produce any heat; they just trap the heat you produce. In other words, you have to heat up the sleeping bag, then keep it warm. Much harder to do in a big bag. You might consider Mountain Hardwear's Lamina series, 0*F if you want a more versatile post-trip option, or -15*F. Priced $185, $225 respectively. Their 600FP down series Clouds Rest 5F @ 325, -15F @ 350. In the spirit of full disclosure, I am a dealer for both these brands and others I might mention, but I'm not trying to or interested in selling you a bag. Just giving you info. There's a couple of North Face synthetics that might be up your alley, too… priced well and decent options. I like that their 0*F Snowshoe, for example, uses Climashield and it comes in womens sizing for under $200. I'd also check the gear swap; there have been a couple of great older down bags on there recently.

    #1501320
    Ross Bleakney
    BPL Member

    @rossbleakney

    Locale: Cascades

    What Brad says makes sense. A five pound synthetic also sounds about right. It looks like -10 degree bags made out of the finest down (900 or so) are bit over 3 pounds (if you look at Feathered Friends or Western Mountaineering). So, a single bag with a good synthetic might weigh about five. There is no way you can get two bags which combined weigh 3 pounds and have anywhere near the warmth of the FF or WM bags. It just wouldn't make sense. The FF or WM bags have only one zipper, one inner layer, one outer layer, etc. They are optimized to get you enough room inside to sleep comfortably, and nothing more (wide series versions of the same bag weigh a bunch more). So, the idea that a synthetic weighs about five pounds while a down bag weighs about 3 1/2 makes a lot of sense.

    #1501360
    Allison Sayre
    Member

    @teamalli

    Locale: PNW

    The BA bag comes in a short version. But I'm liking the price of the MH Lamina, it's on sale for $180 at backcountry.com

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