Sleeping Bag Questions

[Booners]

I'm new to this board, but love the info that is shared..  I apologize if this question has been a few hundred times already..
I'm really curious what guys opinions are for best Sleeping Bag/system options.. I've had several diff ones over the years. This past fall I noticed my bag was a little colder than what I'd like.. Maybe the bag, maybe just me getting older..


I've researched alot of Brands, KUIU, Western Mountaineering, Kifaru Slick Bags, etc...


Thinking probably a 15 Degree bag, possibly a 0


I do all Backpack/ Bivy style backcountry bowhunting..  So yes, weight is always a factor..


Thanks for any insight guys!

 

[backcountry_hunter]

If you're strictly bow hunting in sept I can't imagine bringing along a 15 or even a 0. Of the brands you highlighted i'd go with western mtneering. You can get some really good rei bags though. I also highly recommend anything montbell produces.... I'm about the furthest thing from a brand loyalty person... I love kuiu and kifaru products both (generally speaking) but their sleeping bags leave something to be desired (just my personal opinion). Full disclosure I don't own either, just have looked long and hard at both and went different directions...There's alot of companies out there that have been in the mountaineering bit a helluva lot longer that were making backpacking bags before backpack hunting was cool.... that do a better job often at half the price.


It seems like if you stay above a 20 degree rating bags are reasonably light. start getting down to 15, 10 or 0 and the weight jumps dramatically. Almost disproportionately in alot of cases... 2 things to consider....1)  you might be better off with a 35 degree bag, a tarp tent and a small titanium goat or kifaru stove. If you're not a brand snob you could actually piece this together pretty reasonably, for less than a premium sleeping bag. 2) I always err on the side of weight savings if it makes sense and wear alot of my clothes to bed. I bring warmer clothes and a colder bag over less clothes and a warmer bag. Dwight schuh has some interesting takes on this topic too.


If you're going oct, nov or dec that's when my heavier bags come out.

 

[wl704]

Don't underestimate a sleeping pad under a bag too.  A relatively light pad (<1#) that adds to the insulating and a bit more comfort has been worth it for me.

I used a kelty sb20 (20 degree bag) and a Nemo tensor insulated  pad (together ~3#) last year in CO and was comfortably sleeping in my boxers all but 1 night where sleeping in a base layer would've probably been just enough of difference for a solid nights sleep.

 

[talarik]

For years I avoided down as I was afraid it would get wet. No more. I switched to a spiral stretch Mont Bell 15 degree down bag a few years ago for mountain hunting, best move ever. It's really small and lightweight but the loft is amazing and the spiral stretch makes sure there's no extra air space around you when you sleep. I see they have a synthetic bag now that's lightweight. Might be ok. I also use a durable Thermarest Neoair pad, nothing like sleeping in comfort on the mountain especially as I get older. Big Agnes is slightly heavier and cheaper, might work ok up there, I use those for trips closer to home. I would recommend an insulated airpad if colder than 15, or bring a closed cell foam pad to separate yourself from the cold ground. I think for next season I'm going to start bringing a SOL escape bivy sack to cover my bag, no matter what conditions or even just a little moisture in the tent, I'm confident I'll be really warm and dry.

 

[Bambikiller]

After researching it a ton I ordered the kifaru slick bag . I like the synthetic In case I'm wet or it gets wet . I think it depends on your needs . Down if you know your sub freezing . Synthetic otherwise imo . But I'm new to this and just learning and researching myself


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[Elk101 Admin]

Not a bag find. I found a pretty decent bag on amazon Outdoor Vitals 0-20, very light weight, packs well for size, down, and only 2.5 lbs. Perfect for what I need.

 

[stx.dead.I]

I got a marmot sawtooth and loving it so far

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[atwoodnative]

I really like my mont-bell Down Hugger #0 which is a zero degree rated bag.  Made of 800 fill down. About three pounds and stuffs down to about the size of a loaf of bread.  Most of the time in September, don't need a zero degree bag, but one September there was one day where the high temperature was 17 degrees in last week of September and 10" of snow.  Also many a night where it gets down to about 20 degrees in the high elevation country I hunt.  Besides, don't shave much weight or size off going to a 20 degree bag.  If I get cold I don't sleep well.  If I don't sleep well, I start to lose motivation and energy.  So I make a warm bag a priority. 

 

[jfelk2017]

Don't underestimate a sleeping pad under a bag too.  A relatively lightpad (<1#) that adds to the insulating and a bit more comfort has been worth it for me.

I used a kelty sb20 (20 degree bag) and a Nemo tensor insulated  pad (together ~3#) last year in CO and was comfortably sleeping in my boxers all but 1 night where sleeping in a base layer would've probably been just enough of difference for a solid nights sleep.

I agree totally! A good pad is a must! Getting off the cold hard ground makes a big difference! I use a Big Agnes goose down bag I picked up years ago for backpacking. It is light and warm. Compresses to a very small size well.

 

[blake_mhoona]

Any quilt fans out there? Thinking about making the switch. Realized on my first trip this year a 20 degree bag wasn't quite enough. After multiple "trips outside" one night when it was 25 I had a hard time getting the bag warm again. Thinking about going to a 10 or 15 bag but don't want the weight penalty of synthetic at that rating. I also don't wholeheartedly trust down or treated down because of moisture. Do they make synthetic quilts?