Bag length

>>" some people argue that touching the end of the bag or slightly "stretching it" will compress it and reduce its effciency."

Absolutely. Just like shoes, never purchase a bag that is too small. Extra bag length is not going to make you noticably colder but you can use the extra space to put your water bottle and the clothes you wear the next a.m. to keep warm for cold mornings.

I was in the same boat. I'm 6' tall and touched bottom in a 6' tall WM sleeping bag. I went with the 6'6" model and and I'm quite happy I did it. I can't stand hitting bottom in a sleeping bag. Regarding efficiency, I don't fill the dead space, but I will sometimes pull the bag up so I have more insulation around my body and my feet go in deeper. It seems to work well for me.

Thanks for the comments so far! Talking about bags, are any of you aware of a 30 degree bag that is:
– hoodless
– has a full zip
– short size?
I have not seen one yet … :-(
S.

Western Mountaineering Tamarak?

Description:
http://www.westernmountaineering.com/index.cfm?section=News

Specifications: 5', 30F
http://www.westernmountaineering.com/index.cfm?section=Products&page=Sleeping%20Bags&viewpost=2&ContentId=27

Price: $185
http://www.westernmountaineering.com/index.cfm?section=Pricing

Don't rub it in … that is the one that is too short *sob*
S.
:-)

Too bad. I think it would be a nice 30 degree setup with a hooded down/synthetic jacket, bivy, and tarp.

How tall are you?

I guess that would work I am 5'6''. I am just not a big fan of not having a bag come up to my neck, matter of taste I guess. I may want to try the WM Summerlite but it does have a hood. It is not out yet in a shorter size either. Maybe Nunatak would make a custom blanket with full-length velcro (i.e. Backcountry blanket) rated to 30 degress.

My wife's 5'7" and had to get the 6' WM bag. She tried the shorter one but it was too short for her too.

If you like to spend money:

http://www.nunatakusa.com/Sleeping_Bag_Ghost_Blanket.htm

or

http://www.nunatakusa.com/Sleeping_Bag_Arc_Specialist.htm

You can have the length customized for some extra cash.

Feathered Friends makes a few hoodless bags, including a few semi-rectangular and an 'alpine cut' mummy bag. The 'alpine cut' is the Vireo, which is a 45 degree bag but is cut wider in the torso so as to not impede the loft of insulating clothing. They will also make custom alterations to bag length. See the 'bag sizing' link on their sleeping bag page.

The Vireo is a nice bag, but it doesn't have a zipper. When looking at FF bags, subtract a few ounces from the weights (while keeping the loft the same). This is the opposite of Marmot :). Feathered Friends updates their web site with events, but not information about their products (such as the fact that they now use 850 down and offer a really light waterproof fabric). The fabric is "Nano-Tek" or something like that and is only mentioned indirectly on their web site (http://www.featheredfriends.com/NewsArtical.aspx?NewsID=18). I recently bought a sleeping bag from them and haven't given it a try, but the fabric feels nice enough (not crinkly). Anyway, if you buy a bag from FF, I recommend talking to them first (they will recommend the nano stuff).

I just got the REI SubKilo 15 degrees 5'6 women's bag on sale at REI for $160 & am thrilled with the craftsmanship, light weight & fit. And the $80 savings!