0* Or Lower Womens Bags?

Just one quick note: we have several Western Mountaineering bags, and though my spouse is only 5-4, and should theoretically fit in a Short bag, she ended up with the regular bag. The short was far too short for her. I'd recommend trying on a short before buying one, if possible.

I really like my WM Antelope bag. It's rated to 5-F, and I've used it at that temp, with clothing, and been comfortable. I've tried on the Montbell SS bags, and they are also very, very nice. Once you get into the $400-500 range, you get a lot of nice choices. Good luck.

–Ken

Ben and Ken, I am thinking very seriously I need to drive in and go try bags on this week. It isn't like it is a long drive for me to go to Seattle, and I can pick up the hubby at the same time.

I appreciate the points about the length as well.

It is a big decision when spending $500! I don't want to mess up with this purchase.

Not many stores carry MontBell products — so phone ahead before you go — esp. since you are looking for one specific model. Of course, if the store carries it, the "come hither" red will be the first thing you see. :)

Do I get a bag with a right or left side zipper? Does it matter? My current bags are all right (no choice when I bought them). I am right handed. What would be the advantage of a left?

I got to thinking when I was running errands this morning as well: for the MB and WM bags, do they suit back sleepers better than all over sleepers? I tend to change position every hour (due to the dumb fact that I sleep on a plush Sleep Number bed at home. ANY trail mattress feels like a box of rocks…..).

So, will those bags stay warm if I flip over on my side? Or will the down be smushed and me getting the butt chill?

Ok, I'm nothing if not persistent. If you are worried about pads that aren't like "a box of rocks" and getting butt chill and you're willing to put out the big bucks for a good sleeping bag, then why not spend a little more and get a pad that will insulate and keep you from tossing and turning?
I used to use a Prolite 4 (an improvement over the Z) and I rolled constantly due to hip pain. Since using the exped downmat I don't get butt chill and I don't toss and turn.
There, my conscience is clear and I'll just go climb a mountain. ;-)

BTW, there is also the excellent Sierra Designs Flash (see review on BPL; 0F; 2lbs 10oz) for $280 at
http://gearx.com/sierra-designs-flash-0deg-down-mens-reg.html
Best,
S.

And it will weigh 16 ounces.

Ok, that won't happen. But I can dream. The issue is I have gone lazy at home, laying on a bed that cradles you. We are so bad we got the model that you can raise and lower your head and legs. And we have the "magic fingers" model as well. Last I checked they don't make massage models of backpacking pads. Waaaaa. And I don't think I am making a DIY model of that. I think I'd scare my hiking partners if they heard my tent buzzing.

But yeah, I do need a better sleeping pad. I had a BA insulated core, and while it was comfortable, I would slide off of it. Does the Downmat do that? My husband had been looking at getting one last year.

And off to go look at the SD bag mentioned as well. Thanks guys! Keep them coming :-)

With MB, you have a choice of left or right zip.

If you turn with your bag, then yes, you can get chilled — because what used to be crushed underneath you has suddenly been turned to the left or right. They will loft back, of course, so you warm up again after a bit.

A much better way is to simply turn inside your bag — meaning you turn whichever way without moving the bag itself (except for the hood, of course).

Some bag makers have loops on the sides of their bags so you can loop a strap or two across — underneath your pad. This really helps to anchor your bag to your pad — no worries about the bottom shifting to the side as you turn. Neither MB or WM have these, but they are really easy to add. I added them (hand sewing, mind you) to my MontBell and they work like a charm.

The REI Kilo Plus -5* bag for women? Anyone used that?? I sleep in a tent in winter so I am not as worried about keeping my bag dry (so don't need super fabrics). It weighs in at 2 lbs 8 ounces, 750 fill. It has a tight hip cut and fits to 5' 6".
I guess if push comes to shove and I run out of time, I could get this and if I hate it……

I use the ladies Sub Kilo and have been happy with it as my 3 season bag. But I don't know.

Yeah, what's up with the Kilo plus bags? Anybody with practical experience?
S.

Right zip is more common for bivys and tent arrangements.

Ben, it certainly makes my commute more enjoyable than sitting in a car on the freeway. :P

Sarah, found a smokin' deal for you for about $212; PM sent..
The bag I PMed about is more of a "safety-peace-corps orange" than "bloody-bear-burrito red".

With a MB SS bag you can toss and turn all night, you wont be pumping much dead air space out while doing so because of the internal baffles.

After the preceding discussion, I got so excited that I bought a Mont-Bell U.L. Super Stretch Down Hugger #0 Sleeping Bag (800 Down). I already HAVE a decent 0* bag!
D'OH!!
I did get it for about $343 with free 'warm-up sheets.'

P.P. – I suggest rationalizing your purchase as follows:

– You already had a 0F bag but with moisture absorption and a real cold snap; so, you really needed a SS EXP with a rating of -20F
– An EXP retails for $540
– A SS #0 can expand so much; you can put your existing bag inside it to exceed the insulation of an EXP
– WOW! You just saved $540-343 =$197
– Now you can justify getting yourself a new winter parka for $197 to go with the bag

Seems logical to me!

Sounds 'rational' to me, Richard. I got a new down parka last year (too soon to upgrade there) so I'll just keep the 'saved' $$$ and apply it to the new Six Moons Designs Refuge in Cuben next year! Color me happy!

Last year when choosing my WM bag's zipper side, I picked the left side, toward the door of my Hilleberg. This thinking was fine until I used the bag and found that since I slept on my left side a lot of the time, I was laying on the zipper. I've purchased a couple of MB SS bags (including a 0) since then and have chosen a right zipper which has worked out fine. I also found that I have considerably more mobility in my left arm than the right which makes using a right zip easier.

John,
Thanks…that makes total sense. And yes, I left side sleep a lot as well.

My choice is based on which side of the two-man tent that I sleep on. I sleep on the right, so a right side zipper makes it easier to exit the right side of the tent (dual entrances and vestibules on all our tents).

Myself & 2 girlfriends got the 2007 REI Sub Kilo 15 degree on sale for the Colo. Trail this summer. Another girlfriend got the REI Sub Kilo + -5. We all had problems with feathers coming out the seams. My back longjohns looked like I had been tared & feathered every morning. The lady who got the sub kilo -5 & myself ended up returning the bags to REI.

I have an REI subkilo 20* and I also had problems with down coming out of the seams at a high rate. It was mostly spurting out the hood so I would wake up with downy fresh hair!

I returned it and got a WM..so problem solved!

Richard,
Sorry for the delay, I measured the two-layer loft of a MB#2 Burrow at the Shibuya store. It was stuffed in the stuffsack, so I fluffed it up for about 2 minutes and layed it flat. Double thickness loft was 8,9,11 and 10 cm, measured at 4 locations about 20,40,60, and 80% of the way from the foot to the head. Hope this helps in your analysis.
Salesguy maybe thought I was nuts, but since I ended up buying a SS#3 for another BPL member he allowed me to go through that process.

Brett,

Thank you for your help! Your numbers convert into an average double layer loft reading of 3.75".

I trust your average double layer loft of 3.75" measurement to be accurate. Mont-bell's Denver customer service reported (7.75") and Backcountry Gear's customer service reported (7").

Brett,

R Yee reported about 10 cm for a # 4 synthetic on 10/28/2007 03:53:15 MDT. He said the bag was
10 months old, 16 nights' use.

How do you account for approximately the same loft between a #2 and #4 Burrow bag?

Richard,
Maybe because the bag was packed until a few minutes before the test, the Exceloft was still compressed. I tried to fluff it up as much as possible.
I will check another stores stock when I have the chance; maybe their #2 will actually be hanging, and fully lofted.. Maybe it will loft up to 7# eventually, and/or when hanging vertically.
So the saga continues.

Thanks Brett.