Help Choosing b/w 2 Sleeping Bags

[Jeremy Parker]

I bought a Sea-to-Summit Trek 1 sleeping bag (19 degree) last month and it looks pretty awesome. I am considering exchanging it though for the Marmot Plasma 15 degree bag because the Marmot only weighs 1lb 14oz and the Sea-to-Summit weighs 2lbs 6oz. I am going on a 2 week NOLS lightweight backpacking course in the Rockies by the way. Anyone know about these 2 bags and if the Sea-to-Summit is worth the extra half pound?

[Brad Groves]

The Sea To Summit bag isn't worth carrying an extra half pound. The Marmot Plasma, while a nice bag, isn't worth the "extra" nearly $100 over a Western Mountaineering Ultralite (which is also 2-3 oz lighter). If you want super duper warm, super legit 15*F bag, even a WM Apache at 2 pounds (same as a Plasma 15, which is 1# 15.96oz) is still about $60 cheaper. Nicer bag, too, IMHO.

[Jeremy Parker]

I figured that the Sea-to-Summit was not worth the extra weight. I've heard really good things about the WM Alpinelite and Ultralite as well. The trip actually only requires a 20 degree bag so I think the Ultralite will be perfect. The weight diff b/w the sea to summit and Ultralite is even bigger than the Marmot, so I will prob do the WM. Thanks for the help.

Any more input from others still appreciated too.

[Chris S]

One other thing I'd check is the size of the WM vs. Marmot. I don't know anything about the specific bags you mentioned, but when I was researching some 30ish degree bags the one downside of one of the WM bags (summerlite) that was mentioned by multiple people was that it was tight and a bit claustrophobic. Might not be an issue with the Ultralite, but worth looking into.

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