What is the Best Synthetic/Primaloft Sleeping Bag on the Market?

[Tim Testa]

I cant use a down sleeping bag due to allergies. Therefore, I need a subsitute bag that can handle 30+F. I will also be using a sleeping liner, so if you would like to give any recommendations on the ones you are familiar that would be greatly appreciated as well.

As of right now, I have a 2lb 9oz Slumberjack Super Guide 30. Needless to say the weight of the thing is just not cutting it.

On a side note, Id prefer to do without a mummy style sleeping bag and go with a rectangular one because I am a side/stomach sleeping…however…if it has to be a mummy bag so be it. By the way I am 5'6" if that makes any difference. Please Help!!! Thanks =)

[Dewey Riesterer]

I currently have bags in Pl. from Exped, Wildthings and Integral Designs. I have three ID bags and they rate with any I have seen in terms of quality, I would suggest an ID Renaissance "small" for your needs.

I have used mine on some extended trips in pretty vile weather and I won't bother with any other PL. bags, now.

[Kevin Peterman]

How about the Marmot Pounder Plus? It is rated to 25 degrees and you could get the women's one that weighs 1 lb 15 oz. I don't have one, but was thinking about getting one.

[Troy Ammons]

I dont think you will find a much lighter 30dF bag under 2.5# even in a mummy.

Marmot pounder and plus ratings are supposedly over rated.

What sort of liner ??

You might be better off getting Tim to build you a quilt.

BPL has a 180 quilt for sale on the link above that weighs 17 oz but the foot box is tight.

[two pints]

I also don't like how constrained I feel in a mummy bag, so I made my own down quilt. A synthetic quilt will save on the weight and the bulk (over a traditional mummy bag). I often sleep on my side and I am a very wide shouldered big guy, so my quilt at its widest is 60". Especially since you are a side sleeper, I would try to make sure that your quilt would be wide enough for you.

As for allergies, I ordered a pair of possum down gloves from this website and within a couple days discerned that I was allergic to them. I have very mild dog/cat allergies, but the possum fur in the gloves gave me a pretty strong reaction. I never even thought about it before my purchase. I guess I will never wear one of them fancy fur coats….

[Brad Rogers]

Have you tried a down sleeping bag? I just ask that because I can't sleep on down pillows but have no problems with high end down sleeping bags or garments. I have heard that high fill power goose down is hypoallergenic but lower fill power down is not. I don't know for sure that its true, but has seemed to work for me. Synthetic works fine for warm weather bags, but it sure is bulky and heavy for winter bags.

[N. F.]

Down is hypoallergenic for about 99+% of people. It is unclean fill and dust mites that create the problems. If you have an open mind try going with your wife to a camping store and crawl in a down bag. Almost all of the ones we on BPL use – WM, montbell, REI, golite, etc – should not give you ANY symptoms unless your wife really is one of the extraordinarily rare people with an actual allergy to down, and not just the contaminants.

[647575757 3]

Mountain Hardwear UltraLamina 32. 1lb, 9oz.

[Ernie Elkins]

I'll add another to the list…

MontBell U.L. Alpine Burrow Bag #3 (scroll to bottom of page)

Reviews at BackpackGearTest.org

After a few minutes of searching, though, it would appear that the UL Burrow Bag line has been discontinued and, hence, might be hard to find.

[David Ure]

Integral Designs Cocoon.

[N. F.]

Montbell still offers synthetic stretch bags:

http://www.montbell.us/products/list.php?cat_id=31

[Troy Ammons]

I am sold on montbell bags but the synthetic bags are not any lighter than what the OP has now.

Much better bag IMO but not any lighter.

Unfortunately they dont use superlight fabrics on their synthetic bags. That would save a few ounces.

The price is right at prolite for the quality though.

I had a #3 SS synthetic, but with the compressability and extra weight I swapped it for a #2 SS UL down bag that is 31 oz and has a collar.

[Troy Ammons]

If you really want to go on a diet, you could have tim build you one of these quilts. 11 oz I think.

I would bet it would be warm down to 32dF.

Cuben does not breath so if you put in a port there should not be any allergy problems.

I am considering building one of these with Climasheild that I can inflate a little. It will be heavier for the same loft.

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=21198

[647575757 3]

Are you all against M.H.?

[Ernie Elkins]

I am sold on montbell bags but the synthetic bags are not any lighter than what the OP has now.

It's a shame that the UL Burrow Bags are discontinued. My regular #3 weighs about 31 oz, and the 30 F rating is realistic. If you can track one down, I highly recommend it. The SS bags are nice, but, as Troy mentioned, they're just too darn heavy.

"Are you all against M.H.?"

The UltraLamina 32 is another very good option. I own an UltraLamina 15, and the dual zips are very nice.

[Tim Testa]

Ernie, you have captured my interest on the following sleeping back:

Montbell U.L. Alpine Burrow Bag #3

I want 2 of them in the regular size, but as you have said they are discontinued. I did a lot of searching online, but can not seem to find any anywhere. Can you or anyone else help locate me two of them. Thanks a lot…and my girlfriend thanks you too.

[BlackHatGuy]

Did you try Ernie's link? They seem to have them, but you'd have to call to find out.

Doug

[Troy Ammons]

http://www.campsaver.com/ItemMatrix.asp?GroupCode=mtb0067&MatrixType=1&iorb=4764&utm_source=beyondroi&utm_medium=pi&utm_campaign=product

[Bill Poett]

I'd take a look at the Mountain Laurel Designs guilts, I don't think you'll find a better warmth to weight ratio an the qualtiy and service of the company are exceptional.

Good luck!

[Tim Testa]

I already went to campsaver and if you check on the availability box, they only have long ones. I want a regular sized one. Nice try though =) Anyone else have any idea of where to get them?

http://www.campsaver.com/ItemMatrix.asp?GroupCode=mtb0067&MatrixType=1&iorb=4764&utm_source=beyondroi&utm_medium=pi&utm_campaign=product

[nanook ofthenorth]

TNF Fission, I have one of the originals w/o the foot zipper. 3lb, comfortable to freezing on its own – and when the insulation wears out there is that great TNF warranty…
All in all, almost has better 'durability' then a down bag. :P

[Tim Testa]

Im looking to get a synthetic sleeping bag that is rated for climates for 30F+ and one which ways 2lbs or less. Am I crazy? If so can anyone recommend some extra warm linears that would work well with a 40F+ bag and cause the rating to go between 25-30+F all for 2lbs 6ozs or less?

[647575757 3]

Mountain Hardwear UltraLamina 32. 1 lb, 9 oz. Under $200. Google it.

[Tim Testa]

Its pretty light. However, the mummy hood comes up pretty high :/ I would have to cut it off and sew the bag into a rectangle. Needless to say that would probably drop the weight too so that would be a good thing, still wouldnt that make the bag rated lower warmth wise? Im starting to think that maybe it would be better to invest in a really thick liner and go with a 40-50F+ bag. What are you guys thoughts? Would it be better to cut and sew this one or should I think about getting a thicker liner and a thinner sleeping bag?

[Matt Lutz]

With a bag, you may be getting too wishful. With a quilt, not so much. Take MLD's quilts. Their 7.5oz XP quilt comes in at 26 oz, and it has been successfully used in very cold conditions (WT3 2008 comes to mind).

If you really needed something warmer, you could MYOG a warmer quilt (with, say, 10 oz XP by using two layers of 5 oz XP). That might run you 32 oz and get you 0-10 degrees F.

I would recommend the ID bags (Cocoon and Renaissance) despite having not used them – ID makes quality stuff. I own their gaiters and an MK1 XL.

[Author]

Posts