Big Agnes temperature ratings

I have experience with their 3 season bags, Zirkel, Lost Ranger, Wolverine. They are all grossly overated temperature wise. The REM pads are also grossly overrated. I have stopped using them and will probably be getting a Western Mountaineering bag as they seem to be one of the few correctly rated bags

I found the Zirkel I tested to be constricting especially when I turned on my side. This forced me to breath in the bag and created air space around my body that required my body to heat up more space.

Thanks Joe

Evidently the regular bags are providing additional warmth from underneath even though the down is compressed. Perhaps the BA's need much more of sleeping pad than the regular bags at the same temp – which kind of defeats their weight advantage

doug

Patrick

I am a side sleeper too. Point noted. Thanks

I have a BA Lost Ranger (+15 rated) and a 0 degree rated BA inflatable pad, the rating seems true to me and I don't consider myself a hot sleeper. I find the BA integrated pad system extremely comfortable. Hope this helps.

The lost ranger isn't a true mummy bag it's sort of a hybrid I think they call it semi-rectangular, it isn't as efficient as a true mummy but leaves you plenty of room.

Thanks Nick

Out of interest are you a medium, large or extra large sort of fellow?
What is the lowest temp you've used the Lost Ranger and pad?

thanks

Minus 20°F is no place to play games with your sleep system.

Look long and hard at the – 25°F Western Mountaineering Puma MF.

You're absolutely right Bob. The rules for the race are a -20 degree rating or lower. This is due to the fact that -20 or lower are regular occurrences in the I Falls and Tower regions.

The sight for the race lists this as last years temps:
"Temps at the start were about -5F degrees and at night dropped to -34Fdegrees in Tower and probably 5 degrees colder on the trail."

Living in Duluth, MN, which is at the southern tip of the arrowhead region, I can attest to the fact that these temps are no joke and with any wind, esp with moisture (sweat), frostbite and hypothermia are quick to set in.

Douglas, I would take Bob's advise and go with a product that is true to it's rating, WM, FF, whatever. Personally I just got a WM Badger 15F and am using the temp dropping now that winter is here to see where I can bring it alone with only a light base layer. This weekend I'll be pushing 10F and am fairly certain it will hold up to it.

Good luck with the race, have fun and stay warm.

Erik

Douglas I have had many of BAs bags including the new Pomer Hoit. The new SL bags are the best yet but they are really meant for a true back-sleeper as that is the only way to keep the hood and draft-stop system tight. I only used my Pomer Hoit a few times last winter as I could not take it to 0 F. (I used it with a Dual Core pad by the way.) Since you are a side-sleeper like me, I suggest looking elsewhere.

Bob / Erik

Thanks for the the sage advice. You're right, a 2 1/2 pound bag may not quite cut it in International Falls.

Ray

Seems to be a common theme with the BA stuff – no side sleeping. It doesn't look like this bag will work for me.

I have to agree BA temp ratings are Waaaaaay too liberal, but no side sleeping? What on earth could be more comfortable than the 2.5 inch pad you sleep on, that doesn't move, bag doesn't twist and you can't fall off of?! I am a stomach/side sleeper, and I have never had a more comfortable night sleep on the trail than on a BA bag.

"What on earth could be more comfortable than the 2.5 inch pad you sleep on, that doesn't move, bag doesn't twist and you can't fall off of?! I am a stomach/side sleeper, and I have never had a more comfortable night sleep on the trail than on a BA bag."

Yup, me too. However, mine is the "square" sytle and not suitable to temps that cold (it's only rated to 15 anyway).

Frank, I am referring to the mummy style bags (that use a mummy pad), and just the cold models at that. How do you keep from breathing into your hood if you are on your side when the hood does not move from a face-up position?

I love the BA bags that are built for a rectangular pad but went to the SL models for the lighter weight and smaller packed size.