Newb Question – Sleeping Bag Width

Most sleeping bag manufacturers use the circumference of the shoulder/hip/foot. For instance, a 6'6" Western Mountaineering Summerlite is 60"/52"/38". That would be a standard size bag and probably perfect for you. So, you should see if you can get the "proper" sleeping bag dimensions.

Jeff,
The measurement is for "around your chest and arms", ie as you'd be in the bag. One thing to consider is how snugly you'd like to fit. Personally, I carry a wide big because I am both "wide" and no longer enjoy a tight sleeping bag. If it gets cold enough that I need to fill airspace in the bag, in goes the puffy, etc.

So, measure your dimensions when laying on your back in a "mummy" or "casket" position where your hands will likely be to sleep (sides or chest) and then you'll have the numbers to evaluate bags with.

I like to have enough extra room to wear insulated garment inside without compressing it.

I like to have enough extra room to pull my legs up into fetal position.

at the prices you will be paying for a PHD i would take the time+effort to call and or write to make sure you get what you want.

Also there is an issue of taper – which I would inquire into.

you called yourself a newb…so I assume the worst :)
this bag is really minimal and i assume cut to be slender and taper hard (athletes etc) so i would make sure you know what you are getting into – ie that you know what it means to crawl into a ziperless or shortzip bag and be tight (as opposed to some more "normal" mummy bags you might ave come across that are much wider cut.

re what jerry and others said – i would take that into account…but I would also think about:
1) Temp range – if you use it at that temp (circa +8C) then the clothes that you will likely have with you on a trip like that are not so heavy – hence not sure you need too much room inthere
2)can you be disciplined with how you sleep? some people need to go into fetal position or whatnot – I know that i can most of the time sleep on my back or WCS straight on my side so i have more leeway
3) lessons learned (please guys dont flame here) from what Richard Nisley has researched on down compression. basically what he has found is that down even when compressed to circa 200% is still almost optimal. In my mind this translates into the fact that you may not REALLY NEED that much room to layer after all (I would warmly advise you to see my review of my Nunatak sub alpinist that I just posted)..search the forum for his posts re down compression etc

Mike

I bought a WM Megalite (larger chest size) B/C I have wide shoulders and didn't want to feel constricted.

But the good benefits I discovered were:
1. ability to unzip the bag and have enough width for use as a quilt on warm nights (just hook end of bag over foot of ProLite mattress)
2. I can wear insulated pants and jacket in the Megalite, extend the comfort range to 15 F. and still have enough room W/O compressing the bag's topside down.