Hello. I'm new to this forum but not to backpacking. I'm currently planning a 3-4 day winter trip to Michigan's Upper Peninsula and need some sleeping bag advice for cold temps. Warmest bag I have is a 15 Degree Sierra Designs Van Winkle. Great bag but I've never been below 10F in it and worry that it won't be enough. The only reason I'm narrowing my choices to the Marmot bags is that I have $450 credit with Marmot for a previous warranty return.
So I'm assuming for this trip that temps will be at least 0F if not colder. I'm not really a cold sleeper, but don't want to be miserable either. Options are to use my existing bag and layer up with a down coat and thermals, or Lithium Membrane rated for 0, or Col Membrane rated for -20? We haven't decided if we'll be carrying a tent, bringing bivies, or building a snow cave yet. I plan on a thermarest with ridgerest closed cell foam pad under that. Any thoughts from those that have used either bag? I'm 6'1 and 210 if that makes any difference. None of my local shops have Marmot bags to try.
I don't do a lot of serious winter camping, so I'm not opposed to hanging onto my credit and using it on other gear if I can make my current bag work…
Thanks in advance.
Chris
