Big & Tall Sleeping Bags

Have you considered a custom down quilt?

I'd check out the Stoic Somnus series– http://www.backcountry.com/store/search.html?mv_session_id=zruJL62m&aff=1&q=Stoic+Somnus

The review of the 30 on backcountry is mine. Basically it's an excellent bag, especially for the big and tall set. I'm 6'4" as well, and I fit the tall well. The real advantage is how wide it is at the shoulder. It's really great for someone with a bigger build at the shoulders.

Katabatic makes long(6'6")wide quilts

http://katabaticgear.com/shop/category/sleeping-bags/

marmot makes some long(6'6")and wide bags

http://marmot.com/catalog/sleeping-bags/equipment/117-173

or

http://www.featheredfriends.com/

I use a Big Agnes Mystic SL in long. It's definitely long enough for me at 6'5" and is wide in the shoulders, hips and footbox. Remember to add the weight of a pad when you compare these bags. I carry an inflateable no matter what, so this system saves weight for me. YRMV.

Wilderness Logics makes a giant down quilt that is just a bit bigger than the Jacks-R-Better 2 person quilts:

http://wildernesslogics.com/THE-XXL-TOP-QUILT-THE-XXL-TOP-QUILT.htm

Thanks for the input I will check those out. I had not considered a quilt but may have to look into that. The Mystic SL looks interesting too.

Thanks,

–louis

That quilt from Wilderness Logics is pretty nice and the price is good as well. I may have to give that some serious thought. And it is around 30 ounces lighter than the Big Agnes Summit Park.

Thanks,

–louis

The quilt from Wilderness Logics is a hammock quilt, which means it’s usually not as wide since the contour of a hammock doesn’t require as much width, but it is pretty wide. Even wider is the EnLightened Equipment Revelation, it’s less expensive and has a drawcord footbox that I think makes it much more versatile than a sewn footbox.

Take a look at the MontBell super stretch bags in "long". I own 4 of them.

Word of advice about quilts, make sure you have a ground pad system that you know will keep you warm. I'm not knocking on quilts (I'm making my own for 3-season use) but few people mention that the weight savings are tempered by needing a more robust sleep pad system (although the entire system still comes in lighter usually).

If you're still interested a regular bag though I would definitely check out Western Mountaineering or Feathered Friends. I just bought a WM Ultralite and I've never had a better fitting sleeping bag, feels tailored made for me! The caveat of course is that both are expensive. I liken them to Ferrari and Lamborghini of the sleeping bag world. These are companies that don't rely on marketing hype, instead focusing their energy into producing the highest quality products that they can.

Their sizing is spot on, so a long "FIT" 6'6" meaning they are actually cut a bit longer inside (sometimes the fit length is actually how long it is inside and ends up a tad short for users at the limit). They also both provide the Shoulder/Hip/Foot girths which will really allow you to dial in the fit.

Also they've both been around for decades and rate their bag temps accurately, meaning if it's a 20F bag then it will be warm at 20F in light baselayer clothing, not just survivable.

For your size and a 10-20F bag, from WM I'd look at the Badger or Alpinelite, maybe the Versalite for a snug fit (ie more thermally efficient).
http://westernmountaineering.com/index.cfm?section=products&page=Sleeping%20Bags&ContentId=27

From FF I'd look at the 10F Raven or the 20F Swift. FF doesn't have quite as broad of a selection of wide sized bags but they do custom work (albeit pricey). The benefit to FF is their "nano" fabric which is highly water resistant and durable. It's a product from Schoeller and basically works the same a lotus leaf, water, oil, ketchup, simply can't stick to the surface and wipe/rinse off with ease. This may be beneficial to the wetter parts of the South East.

http://www.featheredfriends.com/Picasso/Bags/SleepingBags.html

If you want to try quilts I would recommend making a synthetic one. Not as light as down but pretty easy to make and for 30F should only weight 1.5lbs or so. It'll also be cheaper and if you don't like quilts it can still be used as an overbag to turn the 3-season bag into a 4-season bag.

Dustin, why do you think a more robust pad system is needed?

Western Mountaineering or Feathered Friends make great bags, and their longs are true 6 ft 6 in in length – very suitable for this 6-4, broad-shouldered guy. I'd pick the model based on how you sleep and what you like. Both are very good on semi-rec bags if you like a bit more room.

Richard

Im 6'3" and my shoulders are about 27"

I am using a Kelty Cosmic Down +20 Sleeping Bag. It fits up to 6'5" and comes in just over two and a half pounds.

Specs
http://www.rei.com/product/809427/kelty-cosmic-down-20-sleeping-bag

Got a Marmot Arroyo in long – i'm 6'3" and there is plenty of space left for taller person. It also has plenty of shoulder room if you are not looking for extra empty space.

It is not super expensive, quite light, plenty warm…