Updating a tired topic for a Newbie – Hi Folks!

Western Mountaineering and Feathered Friends have the best reputations. They specialize in sleeping bags and other stuff to keep you warm.

If you consider quilts, I really lean towards Enlightened Equipment.

If buying used you need to know lots about sleeping bags, like what kind of loft is acceptable. Bags do loose loft over time. When you do get one, store it loose. Hard to tell on Esty what he loft of a used bag is.

It’s not that easy cleaning a down bag. If they screwed it up it could permanently impact the usefulness of the bag.

I like my Zpacks bag lots, but you would need the down or synthetic hood for cold weather. Tighter fit is better for warmth, but I need lots of room so that everytime I roll over I don’t have to take the bag with me.

Rick,
I am a regular contributor to these forums for over 10 years, use my full name and address, and am not a promoter of merchandise. And have backpacked for many years.

Among down bags from USA vendors and used by myself and hiking companions, Montbell and Western Mountaineering were clearly the best, in terms of quality and warmth for weight.
I have used a Montbell spiral wrap back for years with no problems, and my closest hiking companion has used a WM bag with equal satisfaction. Both come in models intended for low temps.

At one time, there were detailed reviews published on BPL and written by a variety of experienced backpackers. Understand that the search function results can be voluminous and not presented in order of date, so are not always helpful. But trailspace.com and backpackgeartest.org are worth a look. The internet is primarily about marketing, so you have to be wary of misinformation.

Thank you Pete I appreciate your input

Hey Sam, Happy holidays and thanks for responding. I have been doing my homework in regard to SLEEPING BAGS. It can get pretty confusing! I know I want down and I must get a bag in it’s LONG version cause I’m a bigger guy.  There are some nice bags on EBay… and I know that can sometimes be a crapshoot but there is a seller on there that seems to know his stuff. I am really surprised above all of how these high-quality low temperature bags hold their value. Sorry if I’m babbling! Here’s where I’m at …. I’m looking at 2 eBay listings which if I could impose to ask you to maybe take a look-see. I think if you just type in some keywords you’ll find them. I originally was ready to purchase a marmot pinnacle from a guy that has quite a few outdoor items for sale including about a dozen high-end bags . But when I communicated with him and he found out I was a stockier build he told me that the pinnacle would be too tight for me to sleep comfortably. He told me that I need to at least only look at models  built in a long version. He is offering me the NORTH FACE -20 INFERNO in purple and black for 400.  I am also currently bidding on the gold MARMOT LITHIUM Which is one of two lithium’s on EBay …. would really appreciate your input on my current game plan …

Hey Erica – Thank you very much for replying to my message I appreciate it

I don’t think you should get a long bag because you are stockier.  I’m stocky and got a bag for a stocky guy.  Western mountaineering make some wider bags.  Enlightened equipment lets you choose the right size bag for you.  You can get a brand new Custom Convert wide/regular length rated to -10°F for $465 and weighs 41 ounces.

https://enlightenedequipment.com/convert-custom/

or a conundrum wide/regular rated to -10°F for $450 and under 40 ounces:

https://enlightenedequipment.com/conundrum-custom/

The Western Mountaineering bags have been my go-to.  But the really light ones are made from some damned thin taffeta.  They are not rugged, so you do have to baby them.  I guess that’s true of all the really light bags, though.  That’s how bags save weight- on the thickness of the shell and by cutting features- since you can’t really save weight on down (whatever temp rating you’re shooting for).

One nice thing is that WM makes wide models for, um, “stocky” people like us.

All the other brands mentioned here have good reputations, too- Marmot, Feathered Friends.