Recommendations for Budget Sleeping Bag

The Aegismax sleeping bag has been mentioned here. I’ve never used (nor seen) one, but it might be something to look into.

Sent you a PM on a lightly used bag in excellent shape that meets your specs and is budget-friendly

We used an Aegismax sleeping bag on our recent trip, and it performed fine. Quite a debate could be had about ethical down, sources of same, etc, but despite my initial hesitation of buying direct from China for a few reasons–sadly, so much is produced in China and there is not always a guarantee that you’re getting what the Western based companies say you’re getting unless they hold to some pretty strict requirements.

I went with them because it didn’t seem to be an obvious rip off of another company’s product–that and the price and seeming higher quality of the materials (which so far, have borne out except the sewn through design of baffles).  Some people here have said that they have copied other products though–i wasn’t and am not directly aware of those.

But another potential issue is quality control. Just because the bag we bought and have used works well, doesn’t necessarily mean that all those models will.

Probably a moot issue, since that particular bag is rated to around 46 degrees.  There are other brands and models on Alexiexpress that sell warmer bags. Many of these are also on Amazon, so i would read the reviews there if considering.

Another option is paying a little bit more for an EE short and slim quilt (assuming your sister is not much larger than the average) and sewing a sleeve of wind resistant fabric onto the bottom.  I did that with one of my winter quilts (M50 material, very wind resistant), and to me, it’s the best of both worlds of quilts and bags–almost the lightness and packability of a quilt, but cuts drafts, wind, etc better than a traditional quilt (i can also increase the warmth with inserting Apex in the sleeve if i want).  These cost 240, but only weigh about 16 and a half ounces (but with some UL fabric sewn on the bottom, will gain about a half ounce or so more).

I have the warmest aegis max (blue) bag they sell. It’s a great value at $85 when I bought it. It’s decently made so no real complaints. Two things of note are

1. It is kind of small. I’m 5’9 and 160lbs. I think someone much bigger would find it too small.
2. I would rate this at 40 deg F. MAYBE 35deg if you’re a warm sleeper.

I’ve been using an Aegismax all season. I originally bought it for a ‘beater’ warm weather bag but i’ve taken it down to the high 30’s and its been fine. I pulled the trigger after reading a thread on WhiteBlaze on them. They are a legit company in China that make high end gear too. Someone contacted them and asked about their down and it checked out to be from a same factory that larger brands use.

Thanks for the suggestions so far.

My biggest concern with an Aegismax bag is temperature.  My sister doesn’t have an ounce of fat on her body, sleeps cold, and needs a legit, preferably EN rated 20 degree bag, which for women is closer to a men’s 10 degree bag.

On a side note, I’m noticing that manufacturers that make gender-specific EN bags are starting to reflect this.  You’ll generally find that a women’s EN 20, for example, is heavier than a men’s EN 20, reflecting more fill material.

Very true about needing more fill, usually, for women and/or colder sleepers.

STP doesn’t have the great coupons it use to have, but you can still sometimes find good deals on there.

Some things which came up like this $199 20*F women’s specific bag (not sure if it’s EN rated or not though).

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/marmot-20-f-sawatch-down-sleeping-bag-650-fill-power-mummy-for-women~p~6334a/?filterString=sleeping-bags~d~208%2Fspecdataor~insulation%20type!down%2F

With a coupon, you could get it down to around 150 or a little less depending.

Or go for some more serious warmth at 250 w/out coupon, a 5*F bag, which is also larger/roomier.

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/marmot-5-f-rampart-down-sleeping-bag-650-fill-power-mummy~p~6333y/?filterString=sleeping-bags~d~208%2Fspecdataor~insulation%20type!down%2F

Not sure coupons would apply to any of these since all the down sleeping bags there are listed as “closeouts”?  : /