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My Mountain hardware lamina is done in , looking for a new bag. Anyone have a bag they are using they are happy with?

I need a new one, too. My old down bag is older than most of you guys. It only lofts to about 2" any more. Last week I tried to use it in the low 30's and darn near froze to death.

Been looking at the western mountaineering bags....

I have a few I am mostly happy with, but none that are perfect, although a couple I could get to perfect with some tweaking.

I like the Marmot Helium, just a draft collar would make it better. I have a feathered friends flicker, a tiny bit wider in the waist would make it perfect (or me loosing a few lbs) .

Both work well ... but not perfect for me, but close enough . The FF is lighter and gets used more, but the Marmot goes when I feel I may be wearing more clothes.

RC, get Western Mountaineering Versalite, or if you want something roomier, the Alpinlite.

I use a Superlite and a Versalite. My wife uses an Alpinlite.

I have an advantage when it comes to weight. I pack with llamas so a couple extra pounds matters not. I need them to compress fairly small, though, to fit in the panniers better.

I'll be heading out on a sheep hunt with a new EE Revelation quilt here in the next while, and I'm fairly sure I'll be a full convert to quilts, based on preliminary testing. Might consider trying one if you're going to replace the old bag.

Those look interesting.
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Jordan are you going stone sheep hunting? If so im jealous.

That's on the bucket list, but this'll be my annual BH hunt.

Second the western mountaineering bags. Use an antelope for late sheep; ultralight for early.

I tried a bag liner one time and, since I'm a lively side sleeper, it was an exercise in entanglement. I've been wondering how it would work with a quilt. In theory, I wouldn't get nearly as wrapped up. A 20F quilt with a liner should get me through any hunting season I'm likely to be out in.

Read the literature. I can't remember the brand but a bag I looked at a few years ago had an interesting note about temperature rating. Most of us think of a 20F bag as being more or less comfortable at 20F. This one said that they rated it as one that would keep you alive at 20F. Not comfortable, just alive. It was probably a 40F bag.

still jealous , wife and I struck out in the brooks range this year. it was brutal weather and all the usual sheep hunting challenges , Home for 4 days and im already thinking about next time.

AKwolverine : Think im going with a western mountaineering bag , hearing lots of good things.

My situation exactly, and I'm about to find out on the quilt/liner thing.

Sorry to hear things didn't cooperate. That's usually how it goes for me where I hunt in OTC zones. I hear you on daydreaming about sheep hunting from the moment I get back in the truck to head home

I'm still running the MH Ultra Lamina 15 and will do so until it falls apart... Closing in on 200 nights in mine I believe...

Tanner

That's what I was using before grabbing this quilt. Still a great option for wet hunting.

You have lived well!

I've tried MH, FF, WM, Integral Designs, and Valandre, among others. Overall my top pick goes to the Valandre Mirage for an all arounder. WM and FF are right there with it, just depends on your cut and design preference.
I intend to try Brooks Range one of these years, but can't justify ditching the Mirage.

Western mountaineering kodiak Wide bag nice for rolling around

This would be my experience, my North Face 0F rated bag was not comfortable in single digit temps. Not at all.

You folks who are trying the quilt option, I'll sure be looking for your posts on how they work out. I, too, am not much for laying out flat and sleeping in a tight bag.

For truck camping I'm actually thinking I'm going to sheepskin rugs and wool blankets.

Geno

You'll get a lot of extra body heat if you leave the sheep attached.

RC,

How would you know, I thought you ID folks left that kind of stuff up to the WY and MT fellas

Geno

I had an army mummy bag with the chickens still attached to the feathers.

I know that one too.

My first bag with Boy Scouts was a cotton, flannel one. It was so heavy I think the dirt from the roots of the cotton plants got incorporated into the bag!

Geno

I'm in love with my EE quilts. I've been good down to the stated temps and sleep as well or better then my bed at home.

BCJR,
I was in a small climbing/outdoor shop in Wasilla in 2002 or 2003 IIRC. They were going out of business and had crazy good sales going on.

They had a WM -40 bag on sale from $830 to $300. I had it in my hand, but I had just bought a Wiggys bag and really couldn't afford it. So I passed, but my friend who was with me got it just because of the price.

This friend spent five years in Point Hope, using that bag on his late season trips. Since then he teaches Outdoor Rec classes in SE. He has put in a HUGE number of days in that bag and it is holding up great. Since then he has also bought two more WM bags for summer camping.

I really should have bought that bag!

Yep. Just got back from chasing sheep for a week, and 5 of the 7 days had us socked in the shelter. That Downtek down sure works better than regular down. My bivy and quilt got pretty soaked at the head and foot areas, and the quilt still lofted and insulated like a champ. I was plenty warm and had lots of freedom to move around and vent when I got too hot. Always used mummy bags for backpacking, and after this first trip with the EE quilt I'm sold on 'em, assuming it holds up to use.

I have used a Western Mountaineering Antelope for five years. I'm not as slim as I used to be and it's a little tight. I think I've about grown into the Sequoia, which is a little roomier.

KC