Sleeping bag advice needed

Having a good sleeping bag or quilt is important. Check out Western Mountaineering

My advice would be to delegate some serious coin for a bag purchase and go with Western Mountaineering. They are the finest bags I have ever purchased and are well worth every penny. While one of these bags will cost hundreds of dollars if you care for it properly it will almost certainly provide hundreds of nights of warm comfy sleep. They offer many generously cut models and you will definitely find one under three pounds. Matter of fact I am sure you can find a bag from these guys that will satisfy all your requirements excepting cost. As a boss dirtbagger I still feel that a sleeping bag is not a good piece of kit to pinch the pennies on.

>it will provide hundreds of nights of warm comfy sleep.

And that is priceless.

+1 Western Mountaineering

A AlpinLite will be toasty, or
a VersaLite if you’re really worried.

Both are Roomy, Comfortable, bags.
You will not be disappointed.

Since you mentioned you weren't fond of tight fitting mummy bags, the Western Mountaineering Megalite may fit the bill. The Megalite is a roomier cut version of WM's Summerlite bag but still quite light (1lb.8oz.) and warm to freezing and below if used with a clothing system. The full length zipper can allow you to open the bag up and drape it over you when used during warmer nights. The Megalite is a pretty versatile traditional mummy style bag that allows for additional layering room for broadening the bags temperature range, thermal regulation is provided by the full length zipper and full length draft collar. Price is quite high but the bag is a worthy investment.

This is just one option that may fit your criteria.

* ^ And what Greg said immediately before me! Good luck narrowing a bag down Ed.

Ed, if you're in Canada, which I'm assuming you are based on the hiking locale described, you can get WM bags from MEC. They have some models listed on their website, but you CAN order several other models they don't list online (Ultralight, for example, is available when you call and inquire).

That said, I'm a faithful Marmot bag user (pre-2008 vintage Helium and Hydrogen in my quiver). Personally I prefer the absence of velcro (WILL cause unnecessary wear on shell fabrics where it rubs), the smooth baffle around the face opening of the hood, and the contoured zipper which doesn't require a closure snap or velcro tab to keep from opening. Streamlined approach is a plus in my book.

The newer versions offer full-zip and microfiber shells, and are a bit heavier. I do have a retail contact in BC who I believe still has a few of the older Helium bags (-9c, 850+ down, Pertex Quantum shell)in stock. I can find out pretty quick, if you're interested.

"+1 Western Mountaineering"

+ another 1

"The Megalite is a pretty versatile traditional mummy style bag…"

Well, I'd say Wide and Roomy, versus "traditional". The SummerLite is more in the "traditional" line at that temperature range. The Megalite has the same dimensions as the AlpinLite and VersaLite, but targets the 30° point.

Wow, great advice and quickly too! Question, is down the way to go? I've read a few discussions on the subject and people seem to be a bit divided over the issue. Is there any synthetic that compares to down? Those WM bags look great, I'll see if I can find them in Canada. I was at MEC in Edmonton a couple weeks ago, didn't see them there but may have overlooked them.
What's the ballpark price range of these bags, it wasn't listed on the links provided.

Feathered Friends, based in Seattle, is another option. I have a Versalite from Western Mountaineering as well as a Lark from Feathered Friends. The Versalite is a great bag, the only qualm I have with any of the Feathered Friends Extremelight series bags is the observation that the shell material absorbs moisture more readily than other bags (including the Marmot Helium, for example).

In higher humidity climates, this tends to be more noticeable in my experience (I do most of my backpacking in the Cascades and the Olympics). There is a thread about it here…

You really can’t go wrong with any of the bags mentioned. It comes down to preference!

Best of luck.

Dirk

Pricing

I hope this price list doesn’t induce bleeding from the eyes when you look at it.

$370/$410/$440 respectively.

Weight and Packed Volume are the tradeoffs. Down is always better.

Down does fine in most climates. Seriously cold multiday trips will load down with moisture that results in loss of insulation, that is mitigated with synthetics.

For most people in most places, it is seldom an issue. It doesn't take much sunshine or time to dry out a down bag.

Well said Greg, "wide and roomy". I suppose "traditional" in the sense that it's a quality tapered sleeping bag with a down hood and full length zipper at the side, in the case of the Megalite, a wee bit wider. :)

So I gather a good pad makes a big difference too. What would you recommend in this department? I see that the self inflators are pretty common,but don't pack as small as the manually inflated ones? I assume the CC foam would be even worse in this department?

Ed,
Buy a used Western Mountaineering bag. As with new cars, used ones cost less and if unsuitable, can be resold at not too much of a loss.

Read closely at the WM website for the bags made for larger (not necessarily taller) people, then watch for one here on Gear Swamp (intentional mispelling).

You can use a roomy mid-range bag while wearing extra thick clothing layers in below freezing conditions. That is not possible with some of the tight fitting bags. Make a list of several models with different temperature ranges that are suitable. Waiting for just one model is to limiting. Be patient. I buy used winter gear in the spring and used summer gear in the fall.

The only disadvantages of closed cell foam that I can think of are bulk and lack of comfort. Otherwise they work just fine. They have two main advantages over inflaters – they never fail in the field for any reason -they are cheap

You are on the right road by theorizing that what you have covering you is equally as important as what you have underneath you insulating you from the ground.

I like my inflater for the comfort. I layer a CCF pad underneath my inflater for colder temps starting at say under 30 degress Farenheit or so.

Ed, do NOT underestimate the value of a good, warm pad. You gather correctly. There are a lot of options, and for below freezing, you may want to look into pairing a Neoair with a CCF, or a Big Agnes Insulated Air Core, or a Down Mat. Some of those options will take you to 15-20 degrees, and if you get the right down mat, you can go below zero.

CCFs are bulky, but light, and provide a boost for an inflatable. Self-inflating mats are convenient, but often a bit heavier and thinner than manual inflatable pads. Inflatables that you blow up yourself are usually the thickest and lightest of the bunch, with varying degrees of insulation.

Do plenty of research on pads, as there are innumerable systems out there.

When looking at the price of quality sleeping bags keep in mind that the average price of a cheap motel room in most tourist areas is about $65 a night. 4 nights = $260. Puts our sport/pastime in an attractive perspective.

I just picked up a Mont Bell SS#3. I compared this with the Megalite. I'm positive the Megalite would have been the warmer choice, but it was a tad too tight for my liking. The MB has an elastic quality that I love and is great for tossing and turning. I still believe the MB is good down to 30 with a good base layer on and a good pad. I have a large frame so take that into consideration.

+1 James

When my fiancée questions the cost of a particular piece of equipment, I do remind here that I could take up, oh, classic car restoration as a hobby. (I really only buy one or two pieces of gear a season anymore.)

"Have fun, dear" is her reply. (Ok, this is an exaggeration, she just isn't as knowledgeable about what makes a $400 bag worth the price against a $200 bag).

I agree with Joe's suggestion of buying used. I'd say most gear you find on these boards is pretty lightly used.

I'm in Alberta from April till November. I mostly use a 0 bag even up to glaciated terrain on Robson and in the Icefields(i run hot tho). Its not as cold as it is hyped to be, if you use insulated clothing, you can used it to supplement your sleeping system. A Down jacket like a Eddie Bauer sweater or Patagonia down sweater will add a lot of warmth.

If your buying in the Edmonton area hit up these bags/stores

MEC for the Summerlight or Versalite (I would personally buy one of these Bags)

Track and trail has the TNF hightail, MHW phantom 15 And

Atmosphere (I actually work here) in west ed mught have a Marmot pinnacle left. all of them carry the Neo air but I would use the BA Aircore insulated that MEC has.

If you want some lightweight on the wallet options Atmosphere has these bags; Marmot Sawtooth 15 membrane($300), TNF Hotlum 15($230) or the Mountain Hardwear Lamina 20 ($170)

In Calgary Out There has a good selection Marmot and Mountain Hardwear 800+ fill bags.

(shameless plug) if you have questions you can drop in my store and I might be able track you down a bag/pad combo if your leary of online buying to Canada I have gotten dinged pretty bad on duties before. (over 80 bucks on duties for Mont-bell parka costing 180 bucks) and 90 bucks on 2 Patagonia pieces that were only $240