Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting Sleeping Bag reccomendations?

Looking for a quality bag that is compressible, light, wide & warm to 0�. I sleep with my knees drawn up so it can't be narrow.

Your help?

I love my Enlightened Equipment quilts. I'll never go back to a bag

Western Mountaineering or Feathered Friends

See also:

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbth...Sleeping_bag_recommendations#Post9360710

Big Agnes Classic series. Sort of a tweener between an mummy and a rectangular bag. Pad attaches to bag making it impossible to roll off.

Down or syn?

You can flex using a narrower bag. It's described as 'wearing' the bag as opposed to being 'in' it. FWIW.

I'd recommend the Mountain Hardware Phantom 800 fill, 0 degree down bag. This will be my 4th year with this bag and I've put it through the paces in the CO Rockies, camping in 2nd rifle season elk hunts at altitudes from 9,000 to 11,000 feet. It has never failed me and I wouldn't trade it for any other 0 degree bag I've seen. I too sleep with my knees drawn up and, although the MH bag IS NOT a wide bag, it does moves nicely with whatever position you sleep. I have another synthetic fill 0 degree bag that does not compare for warmth.

Given that you are from WARM Texas and perhaps not very experienced at sleeping in cold weather and require a wide, warm bag; I would strongly suggest a Western Mountaineering Bristlecone which is a SUPERB bag and WILL keep you warm, allow you the space you desire and, with appropriate care, last a lifetime.

It's sure hard to put your socks on in one of those, though.

Not this one:

http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/Ultralight-Sleeping-Bag-Reviews/Feathered-Friends-Rock-Wren

do a search for Wiggy's. Made in Alaska, and have been recommended to me by folks up there. I already have an Alaska Sleeping Bag, bag, which is good to -30, so haven't gotten one of theirs yet. I have been told my old goose down one not the best because if hunting and it gets wet, won't dry very well. But never had that problem, so don't know. Wiggy's are some other sort of fill material. I also have a govt. surplus Mummy bag, which is part down and part feathers, and works fine probably down to 0. Used it, before I got the Alaska one, in the mountains were we got 8" of snow. was fine in the pup tent we had then. Also, one time, when hitchhiking, slept in it under a picnic table in Yellowstone when it snowed during the night. Had just put it in a BIG plastic barrel liner to keep it dry.

Not something I do, but OK!

Wiggy's factory is in Grand Junction CO. His bags are rectangular, which fits the OP's criteria, but they're not known for being lightweight, which doesn't.

Personally, I'm not comfortable recommending gear I've never tried.

Western Mountaineering Kodiak, or Sequoia. I'd get the more mummy shaped Kodiak as it will sleep warmer, but I'm not you.

Only other bag I'd consider is Valadre. But if you're looking to save money, the top end Marmot or Montbell bags.

Wiggy's have their place in the trunk of a car, but that's about it.

Feathered Friends are nice enough, but I've never found them at the quality level of Western or Valandre.

Western mountaineering Versalite. lots of room to pull your feet up very warm, very light

I am 6'3"-210# and claustrophobic in mummy bags. Tried the WM Kodiak but couldn't do it. Have a couple Wiggys that I like but too heavy and bulky to pack sometimes.Now have a long-wide Kifaru -20 slick bag that works great. Comfortable to 0, packs small and weighs just under 5# and not the least bit constricting to me. Also synthetic insulation which I prefer.

This. I have a 0 degree, "wide" Slick bag. Spendy, but worth every penny considering.

Sleeping bags are second only to boots in terms of use on most hunts. Lots of guys balk at a $400 bag, but think that's "cheap" for a rifle. Never understood that thinking.

I love Montbell bags for the stretch capability. Mine are a 30 and 0 and several years old so I'm not sure if they have changed. They are the only bags I have found that I don't frequently wake up with that panicked/tied up feeling. I'm 6'2 215 with wide shoulders.

I have a Versalite, love it, but I doubt it meets the OP's criteria for roominess.

LOL, great description!

I'm only 5'10" 155lbs, so I can use a smaller bag, but I've had a couple that were tight enough I've experienced that feeling! But I've been using mummy bags for 40 years now and that hasn't happened in a long time.

If it doesn't absolutely have to be 0 F.
Take a look at the WM terra. This is a great and roomy bag. It should take care of 90 % of your camp needs.
You can completely unzip it to an open quilt or anything
in between

I have not taken the leap yet but I really like the quilt concept. Long semi-rectangular is working for me. At 55 and 6'1" I only use my long mummy if it's well below freezing.

Brads spot on with the WM Kodiak.......again.


I own one and have used it down to -6F and was TOASTY warm.

I'm 5'11" and 220 and it is comfortable for me.



Life is too short for chitt gear.

Western Mountaineering. Love my Antelope, but I don't hardly fit in the dang thing anymore. I only weigh about 10 lbs more than I did 20 years ago......pizzes me off.......

Like Brad recommended, the semi-rectangular bags are a better bet for those over 40.

WM bags are kinda' pricey. I have been liking my Big Agnes synthetic Encampment and Farwell bags with the integral sleeping pad arrangement. The Farwell is a 0 degree bag. I have slept in a tent with my long handles on when it was 0 outside with the Farwell with no issues. I'm a fairly warm sleeper.

Down lasts longer and of course is more expensive than synthetic but down is also more susceptible to moisture degrading its insulating qualities. Some companies have begun offering a treated down that is more hydrophobic. The jury is still out on its efficacy.

Casey

The wiggys bags are the best for motorized as they can be washed at will and are tough as nails warm but heavier. Backpacking down is much lighter and smaller and very expensive. Zero degree is the best for mountain hunting.

I do a combo of:

40� down Vaude (1.5 lbs)
Kifaru Doobie Express (1.54 lbs)
782 Gear Smoke Kloke (1 lb)
Kifaru 20� wide Slick (2.3 lbs)
Kifaru 0� Slick (3 lbs)


The key and most often used is the 20� wide Slick. I use it alone or with other bags/poncho liners in it to adjust temp range/comfort. The 0� Slick in the wide 20� is still < 5.5 lbs. I really like the flexibility of combining sleeping gear and not having to buy a mondo ultra cold bag that won't be used as often.

When it's above 32� at night, I just use the Doobie Express alone or with the 40� Vaude.

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