WM Terralite/Alpinlite vs. FF Penguin/Swallow

Hi,
Just my opinion but if you're doing mostly car camping I don't see the need for any of these bags. Seems like over kill. Maybe a cheaper bag,I own 2 Wm bags and would suggest the Caribou but I'm guessing you can find a cheaper bag somewhere.
Good luck.
Toml

For three season in OH, do you need a ~20F bag, or would a 30F bag be more suitable? I guess it depends how long your seasons run. Here in Colorado I use my 20F Alpinlite year round, supplemented by a 30F Prodigy quilt from Enlightened Equipment in the deepest winter months, but all of my trips are above 6000ft, and most are above 10000ft. For reference I am 5'9", 180 on a good day, and a side sleeper.

As to sizing, the bigger the sleeping bag, the more dead air space you will have to heat up. I recently recommended a Terralite to a friend who is 6' and, on his own admission, significantly north of 200lb. He loves it. But if you are 165lb I think you're going to find the Alpinlite has a lot of extra room for you. Perhaps too much. Bearing in mind that the bag can move with you when you roll around, the slimmer cut Ultralite (20F) or Summerlite (32F) might be the better option for you.

Thanks for the insight guys. I guess the reason I'm wanting to go with a WM down bag is because I plan to do more backpacking and less car camping in the future as my sons – ages 8,3 – grow up. I want something that will last 10-20 years. I am by no means a big guy and will never get close to 200 lbs. And the long version of the alpinlite has about the same proportions as the megalite. I'm going to try an alpinlite long on for size, see if I can stretch out my legs. With our scout troop we do 4-5 campouts a year that are around 20-30 degree conditions. We do one Klondike that is 0-5 degrees outside. I plan to supplement with a liner for that or just double up sleeping bags with my REI travel sack.

I have had the Alpinlite in the past, and just got a Terralite. I have not actually used the Terralite, but laying in it in the house, I think it is a real winner. I love how it can be completely unzipped to make a blanket. It would work well this way for the summer months. The alpinlite is alot more constricting in the lower body. It still is roomy, but just not as much as the Terralite. The Terrralite has lots of extra room around my torso and legs for kicking a leg up as I toss and turn. Also, plenty or room to wear extra clothes when the temp drops.

One con of the Terralite, is that it does not have a draft collar. (same as the Caribou) Time will tell if this is an issue or not. I got the Terralite overfilled, so it might be close to a 20 degree bag now. It should be all I need for 3 seasons in the rockies. If I could only have one bag, I think the Terralite would win out with it's versatility to handle all the temps I would encounter. If you need a warmer bag for shoulder seasons, I would go with the Alpinlite.

For reference, both bags are 6'6" and I am 6'3" and 205lbs

Thanks Ben! This is just the kind of feedback I was looking for. As you can tell, I'm looking for something where I can bend my knees and kick a leg out if needed, but also warm enough for camping in sub-freezing conditions. The lack of a down collar is an issue for that cold weather, shoulder season camping. If I got the terralite I think I'd get the overfill also. If you don't mind me asking, where did you order from and what was the price, including overfill? Interesting that the terralite was sold in Europe for several years and now they are bringing it to the U.S. market. Apparently it was marketed there as the "Let's Move" bag or something, according to Prolite Gear.

I got the overfilled Terralite from Hermit's Hut. Special ordered, but I got it within a week. (shipping to Omaha)

Ben