suggestions for future trip – sleeping bag options

You might want to look at Enlightened Equipment quilts. It might not be a bad idea to call and talk to Tim.

You're going to run afoul of the classic trio: "Cheap/light (compressible)/good: pick two."

MYOG can alleviate that (somewhat; depends on your skill level). Not sure what the summertime temps are like over there, but a 45* to 50* F down top quilt can be made for somewhere in the range of $70 to $80 using sewn-through construction. Not an item that I'd recommend for a first MYOG project, though. A 2.5 oz Climahsield APEX quilt could be made for somewhere around $50, and it is one that I'd recommend for most folks who can sew a straight line.

This assumes that you've got a sewing machine, though, and can at least sew in a straight line. YMMV.

Otherwise, I'd watch places like Steep & Cheap and Sierra Trading Post for deals as we come up on the holidays. Also places like Gear Swap here. You might find a deal.

Hope it helps!

As a general rule: the lower the price, the less the compressibility.

In down, for example, the higher the fill power (800 – 1000 fp), the more the bag will compress — and the more it will cost. Some of the lower fp down is very, very warm (the warmest down jacket I ever had was a 650fp), but it's heavier and doesn't compress nearly as well as the high fp stuff.

So, to find a more budget-friendly option, I would suggest looking on BPL's GearSwap (or GearTrade or eBay) for good-quality used bags at a lower price point.

Another option is to buy a couple of inexpensive compression stuff sacks, and simply compress the sleeping bags you already own for the duration of the trip. Probably the least expensive and easiest choice.