30 Degree 3 Season Sleeping Bag Recommendations

I have a western Mountaineering Megalite. It is cut wider than most bags, so you can wear some layers in it without much trouble. I really like it.

I'm a WM guy, but you sound like a perfect candidate for a MontBell U.L. #3.

19oz, stretchy fabric, very compact, 5'10" size will be roomy for you, good to 30 degrees. $100 less than the Megalight, too.

Edit: I would normally say a 3.7oz Climashield synthetic quilt for East coast 3-season use. 20oz, and more versatile than the down bag. Not as warm, which you probably won't mind, and you can get one 56-60" wide for tons of room. But, it will be kinda bulky, packing down like a 10-15 degree down bag. You might want to consider more bulk for the very broad comfort range of a quilt. If most of your nights are 40+, it will be much nicer.

I think it would help to know your price range. If you've got the money, I'd go with the posters above suggest and get a WM bag. If there's a store around you that carries any WM (EMS and a few local stores now carry them in my area), go try one out and get the best size for you.

If you have a lower price limit, than you may either want to buy a less expensive bag OR you may just want to save up over the winter and buy the best bag you can find. If you have something that works right now, you may want to wait.

Also, I made and regularly use my 3.7 Climashield Combat quilt, which weights in at 15oz. I've taken it down to 35 degrees, but I normally sleep hot and I was wearing enough layers that I would definitely call it a 40 degree summer bag.

Good luck with your purchase! Don't let yourself get overwhelmed with all the options. Whatever you do, make sure you try it out and see how the bag feels.

I'm willing to invest in a good bag. I prefer to keep in the $300 range but could go more if necessary.

my montbell UL Spiral Down is on gear swap right now. It is a long length. (6 foot 4) Looking to get $225 shipped for it. Great light bag. Go ahead and set up PM's and we can discuss this off forum.

here is the sleeping bag:
http://www.moontrail.com/mont-bell-ul-spiral-down-hugger-3-reg.php

Westerning Mountaineering sells 5’6″ models in the Summerlite, Highlite, and Megalite. Montbell, while they make nice bags, only come in 6″ lengths, which means you’re carrying around extra bag at 5’4″ tall. That’s extra weight and more dead air to warm up. Also, you’re not saving much over WM.

Which bag of the three WM you choose depends on how much shoulder/hip room you want and how much you want to spend. I owned a Summerlite before getting a quilt, and I really liked it. There was just enough room for me, (5’10” 175lbs) but since I toss and turn a bit at night, I decided to get a quilt for more space and less weight.

The Highlite is the cheapest @$260 because it’s partly sewn-thru contruction, which makes it slightly less warm @35 degrees than the 32 degree Summerlite or the 30 degree Megaite. It’s also 3oz lighter than the Summerlite and 8oz lighter than the Megalite.

If you know you can fit comfortably in a narrow bag, pick either the Summerlite or Highlite. If you’re not sure, decided between the Summerlite and Highlite, then order that one plus the Megalite from the same store, and try them out at home. Send back the one you don’t want.

Another bag that got a nice review on BPL was the Sierra Designs Nitro 30. Scroll down in the review and there’s a useful comparison spec chart of 6 different 30-ish degree bags.

There’s also a review of the summerlite here and the Montbell Spiral down here

steven – i'll go ahead a recommend a quilt since no one else has. the weight savings is great. i also am a warm sleeper who tosses and turns alot at night. i found that i was much more comfy in a quilt vs bag because the quilt would just stay over me. it'll be a cold day in, well wherever, when i use my bag again. i have two JacksRBetter quilts – shenandoah and hudson – i've had the shenandoah down to freezing with baselayer and a hat and was fine.

some people aren't into quilts – just thought i'd throw it out there.

I'm pretty new to the idea of using a quilt instead of a bag and am interested in the same recomendations as the OP is. What I don't quite get is when people say the weight savings with a quilt are great. Over what? The long Shenandoah quilt is 16.5 oz and the WM long Highlite is 17 oz. Is weight really a big factor? Does the weight difference get bigger with the lower temp rated equivalents?

Don't get me wrong. I am seriously considering a quilt because I like the idea of not being stuck in a bag and the Shenandoah is $80 less but I don't get the weight argument. What am I missing? ta

I think you are right in that for the higher temps, you won't see much of a difference in weight between a quilt and bag… in general.

However, as the temp ratings get lower, the difference will certainly become more noticeable.

I don't think it's fair to compare pretty much the lightest weight sleeping bag available (I used a Highlite for years), to quilts that while admittedly are reputed to be top quality, are not the lightest quilt option available by any means.

Disclaimer: I make quilts, but I'm not trying to promote my products, just making an observation.

Javan says "I don't think it's fair to compare pretty much the lightest weight sleeping bag available (I used a Highlite for years), to quilts that while admittedly are reputed to be top quality, are not the lightest quilt option available by any means."

I agree 100% WM uses cutting edge shell materials to cut weight. JRB does not. Apples to oranges comparison. I know 'cause I own things made by both.

Ok fair enough. I used that as the example because it was posted here. So basically I need to do more research on quilts to find the ones that do use similar materials. Anyway. Apologies for the thread jack.

Another high quality 30 degree bag is the Valandre Mirage with 3/4 zipper option. It is cut wider through the shoulder area and tapers in the leg region which I have found great for side sleeping.
I've since switched to using quilts but the Valandre Mirage is still my favorite when it comes to bags.

Katabatic Gear Palisade! I just recently bought one and it is amazing. I git the long size and it weighs 18oz.

I'll second Ben W.'s recommendation. I love my Megalite. It's big enough that I can wear extra clothes inside for more warmth if necessary and even accomodates my light Eddie Bauer First Ascent down jacket.

Also the extra width makes it a great down quilt when totally unzipped W/ the foot hooked over the end of my regular length Thermarest ProLite. That's my fav way of using it B/C of the total comfort that is almost like being in my bed at home.

I too am a major toss-and-turn side-sleeper. I got to test a MontBell bag and loved it for the comfort and was going to swap all my bags to them. But then I tried a quilt.

I have never been as comfortable as I am in a quilt. I have three Nunatak quilts and one made by Javan Dempsey. (Look for my thread on it.) It is very hard to beat the weight and volume of these sweet quilts.

I am going to see how low I can comfortably and safely take quilts this winter too.

I have a WM Summerlite and it is one of the few pieces of gear I have found basically unimprovable (assuming you want a bag, not a quilt). I have used it comfortably in conditions from 75 (as a quilt, half thrown off) to freezing using only a baselayer. I have found it to be conservatively rated – it is cozy at freezing. The fact that it's available in a 5'6" length would be useful to you as well. If you are reasonably narrow of shoulder, say less than 19", I think it's a great bag.