Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting Good Lightweight, Compactable Down Bag?

I'm starting to think I need a new Down sleeping bag. I want about 10-20 degree range, 2.5 lb, bag that will pack into the bottom of my X-1 daypack (for 2-3 day elk hunts). I currently use a TNF Cat's Meow, but it seems to have lost some of its rating or else I'm sleeping colder than I used to. What do you have? How does it work? What would you recommend? Thanks

I use a Versalite Super with 2 oz's overfill... it or several of the Western bags would fit your needs (Antelope SMF, Alpinlite Super, Badger SMF)... down bags don't get much better than the US made WM's:

http://www.westernmountaineering.com/ind...mp;ContentId=20

I'm going to beat Kute to the punch. ID (Integral Designs) makes the XPD0 rated at 10 degree (F). The bag (regular, relaxed) weights 2 pounds, 12 ounces.

You could do worse.

Are the North Face, REI or Kelty price range bags worth considering? I will use the bag mainly in the fall for bowhunting and then a bit later in October for the Rifle seasons here in the Idaho high country. I usually spend around 10 nights a year in a tent. Thanks.

You bet.

Truth of the matter is quality in down-made stuff is at a high-water mark accross the board what with cheap Chinese down and labor. You'll typically get less lofty down and heavier materials... all that will translate into a heavier bag for the same temp rating.

I'm a BP gear nut so I like the best I can get and am willing to pay more for a US built product to boot... if that's not you, by all means, save some bucks and put it elswhere!

Western Mountaineering or Integral Designs.

Oh yeah Wiggy's is actually the best ----- <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />!!!!!

Hey, I thought a down bag was taboo due to the chance of it getting wet. I always steered away from them for that reason especially for my remote hunts. Did I miss something?

Besides the almighty MH & ID, you might also look at the super stretch down bags from Montbell...

I love mine!

I've been real happy with my Big Agnes Lost Ranger. The attached pad is a plus for me as I'm a restless sleeper.

It's a matter of personal preference. Down is still the king when it comes to maximum warmth, minimum weight, maximum compression. On the other hand, I'm willing to carry a bit more weight and bulk for the security of a synthetic.

Ok, thanks, I thought there was some new kind of "down" out there. Now, maybe if I put it in a "dry bag" I can have down too!

For the past three seasons I've been using a Marmot Arroyo down bag, which is rated for 30 degrees and weighs right around 2 lbs. I's been an ok bag, but I get a little cold in it near freezing temps. That's probably just me, however, since I'm not a real warm sleeper. I've had an instance of the down coming out of as small hole, which has been repaired. It doesn't seem very durable, which is why I baby it. Still, it's been a pretty decent summer and early fall bag. I like it's light weight and size - about the size of a loaf of bread when in it's stuff sack. My next bag will be a Western Mountaineering bag.

For cold weather I still use my Eddie Bauer down bag I bought in 1975. It's still lofts a full 6" and is as good as new, despite 30 years of use. I would sooner part with my right arm as part with this bag.

Down bags - I've been hiking and backpacking in Washington's Cascades (wet!) for 40 years and I've always owned down bags. Just have to make sure you keep it dry!

Cliff

Good advice... but sometimes things don't go quite as planned.

Marmot Helium, rated at 15 degrees.

Marmot Helium EQ. No complaints so far after one year. A bit pricy though.

True....can't argue with you there....