Starting to look for a first down sleeping bag. How to choose?

PostedFeb 5, 2013 at 2:50 pm

I've had my North Face Cat's Meow (20 degree synthetic) sleeping bag for about 3 years now, and it's served me well through many nights. On the other hand, it weighs almost 3 pounds and is the size of a watermelon at its most compressed. I also must be a real cold sleeper, because I've been on the cold side in it even in 30-35 degree weather before.

Anyway, for bikepacking purposes, I'm interested in something more compressible, and lighter. I'm a little leery of down for the usual water-related reasons, but it seems like the way to go – I don't think I'm that careless that I'd end up with a wet sleeping bag anyway.

I have no idea how to pick a good sleeping bag; I got my first one solely on a friend's recommendation as I was getting into backpacking. I'm also a hammock sleeper and I know quilts are all the rage; are there any reasons not to use quilts on the ground? What other criteria do I need to look at to judge what I need? I'm looking for something in the 20-degree range again, for all-purpose use and long trips (I'm planning a cross-USA trip either this summer or sometime after) and being warm enough if it does get down to 20 is more important than having the absolute lightest option possible. In a hammock, I'll be sleeping with an underquilt once I get one (foam pad until then) and when on the ground, on a Thermarest NeoAir Xlite in a Big Agnes Fly Creek 1 tent.

Any recommendations to help me in searching would be great!

Eric Blumensaadt BPL Member

PostedFeb 5, 2013 at 2:59 pm

As I stated in teh other sleeping bag thread here, any bag that has DWR treated down, like Marmot's Dri Down, is the best bet. See my post there.

Jared Baker BPL Member

PostedFeb 5, 2013 at 4:31 pm

Couple of factors will also play a roll.

Price: If price is not a concern, then go for the lightest you can find at that temp range. For example, for around a $100 you can get the Kelty Cosmis 20 Degree down which comes in at 42 oz or you could go for a Feather Friends Hummingbird 20 for around $400 at 25 oz.

Versatility: Are you looking for something to use both for hammocking and for backpacking, or are you planning on having a separate sleep set up for each? If you are looking for versatility, then a quilt is the way to go and in the 20 degree range you could get a Katabatic Gear Palisade for around $350. It is also lighter than the sleeping bags at around 19 oz.

Space: If space is a factor, than the lighter weight bags or quilts are the way to go. They can be packed down smaller as they use a higher loft down to achieve their lightweights at that degree rating.

josh wagner

PostedFeb 6, 2013 at 8:34 am

that you are planning to use it in a hammock tells me top quilt all the way. you can still use a quilt on the ground. however, i would get an extra wide version of a top quilt. most normal hammock top quilts are cut thin b/c you don't need them really wide when you're in a hammock w/ an underquilt. but if you go to the ground from time to time then consider the wide. 20 degrees is a good temp starting point.

here are a few great ones…

http://www.hammockgear.com/burrow-20/

http://www.warbonnetoutdoors.com/topquilt.php

http://www.wildernesslogics.com/Top-Quilt-King-Size-Top-Quilt-King.htm

http://www.enlightenedequipment.com/product/revelationx-20/

http://www.hammockquilts.com/topquilts.htm