Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting Preferred sleeping bags/quilts?

I might be upgrading my sleeping bag (or switching to a quilt) soon. What are the best/preferred versions out there? I'm a "cold" sleeper and a side sleeper. I'd be looking for something in the 0 degree to maybe 20 degree range.

Thanks.

If you want a synthetic, check out the new Kifaru bags, they're much improved over the old models. New insulation material and better built.

Still debating synthetic over down. Down is warmer and lighter, but if it gets wet, you're f'ked. I don't like that latter option.

Based on ownership/use of many bags, mostly down, but, some synthetic. I would recommend the microfiber version of the Western Mountaineering Badger, as the one to buy.

For a cold sleeper, you might want to look at the WM Bristlecone or even their new Cypress. I have a custom Integral Designs bag almost identical to that last, but, it is super comfy in cold weather.

WM Kodiak

Done

4ager:

I've been using sleeping bags for over sixty years. No bullshit, sixty+ years. All types. I've never gotten a down bag so wet that it wouldn't insulate. I have gotten one wet when I slipped and fell while crossing a creek. I've gotten a few damp when moisture condensed on the walls of a single-wall tent and it dripped onto my sleeping bag. They will dry out if opened up inside a tent.

I'm too old to be macho and carry a heavy backpack. So I go as lightweight as I can that means a down sleeping bag. I use a Western Mountaineering Antelope bag rated at 5°. There have been times when I wished that this bag was a little warmer so a WM Kodiak rated at 0° might be better.

I also use a Western Mountaineering Alpinlite bag rated at 20°. You know I use the 20° bag in the summer and a lot of the time I don't zip it up and just lay it over me like a blanket. Maybe a quilt might be better for that situation and it might weigh less.

KC

Back Country Bed...

http://www.sierradesigns.com/product/backcountry-bed-800-3-season

I gotta get one. The link shows a 20* bag.

I have two, one's a surplus military mummy bag, which is fine down to about zero, and an Alaskan Sleeping Bag, bag, good to -40 or something. It has goose down in it, I've slept out on the snow in it. the mummy bag is down and feathers, and works well. I once slept under a picnic table in Yellowstone park, in it, and it snowed that night, and was totally comfortable.

Notice, the guys with long experience, mine is 50+ years and includes using bags in BC and Alberta, frequently for 3 months at a time in some of the most remote places we have here, seem to recommend ONE maker?

Right now, the finest bags in North America, are made by Western Mountaineering and the best imported bags are made by Valandre of France....yeah, I know......

I use synthetics for some hunting trips, only solo ones and for my 4x4 emerg. kit, but, have never found one that equals a really good down bag, especially when temps are below 20*F.

Sean, you've got some pretty good answers.

Western Mountaineering is my favorite bag maker. Personally I have no use for synthetic bags, and have been using down bags for backpacking since I got my first in 1975. Agree with Snap, Western or Valandre are as good as it gets. Obviously Feathered Friends makes a top notch bag too.

I've never found it difficult to keep a down bag dry.

A word caution, I think most guys buy "too much" bag, ie a bag rated too warm. If you get a bag with a comfortable girth, you can always layer up. But sweltering in an overly warm bag isn't much fun. You can also always get an overbag and/or VBL to extend a bags tmep usefulness. Not sure I'd gravitate to a quilt if you're a cold sleeper.

I assume you're getting this bag, in part, for your CO elk hunts?

Before I'd recommend a bag, your physical details would be helpful... Height, weight, chest size (ie what size sport jacket do you wear). Deflave wanted me to ask pecker size too, but I'm still trying to figure out how that enters into it...

Brad

LMAO!

6'1", 190. 44 jacket.

The bag is intended to be the "one bag" regardless of season or species pursued. Thinking along those lines, a 20 degree bag might make a lot of sense and then adding a VBL and/or layering up prior to bed if the temps or conditions dictate that additional warmth.

It sounds like WM and down are the ways to go from those in the know.

As to deflave's question: he'll just have to keep on guessing and wishing.

So you're a pretty big dude. In my mind, your minimum shoulder girth in a bag would be 63", and you might be happier with a 64"+ shoulder girth.

For an example, I'm 5'10"/155lbs/40-41"jacket... my preferred shoulder girth is 62", though I've used as small as 58".

I use a WM Versalite which is what I'd refer to a "30-06" bag. It can cover most bases. It's rated at 10*F, but I do use it in the highcountry on summer backpacks. It's an ideal fall elk hunting bag.

You're going to need a "tall" sized bag (up to 6'6"). Good news is as bags get longer they are typically made a bit wider.

Versalite in size long has a 63" shoulder:

http://www.westernmountaineering.co...at=ExtremeLite%20Series&ContentId=20

Ditto Antelope:

http://www.westernmountaineering.co...cat=Microfiber%20Series&ContentId=37

Badger may be your huckleberry with a 67" shoulder and 15* rating:

http://www.westernmountaineering.co...cat=Microfiber%20Series&ContentId=34

The Alpenlite has a nice 65" shoulder girth in the long size... a really great bag. Both my wife and her girlfriend both have this bag, and even though both are pretty svelt, appreciate the extra room:

http://www.westernmountaineering.co...at=ExtremeLite%20Series&ContentId=28

Push to shove, I'd recommend the Badger or Alpenlite for you... if you can find a local retailer and try them out, so much the better.

Hope any of that helps.

Marmot Helium has done really well for me.

That's what I've been using too. If you can keep an eye out and take your time, REI has them on sale about once a year.

I've been pretty happy with my Big Agnes Lost Ranger. I bought it largely due to the reviews of JimF if anyone still remembers him... It's a 15º bag and that temp range for me covers a lot of ground, but I'm a warm sleeper.

Though I don't have the experience of most here, I do prefer down. I just like it. I've yet had a problem with it getting wet. If I get terribly worried about that, I'll tote it in a silnylon dry sack.

The Helium works well for me, although I would like to try the FF flicker http://featheredfriends.com/feathered-friends-flicker-20-ul-quilt-sleeping-bag.html

It looks to be a nice combination of bag and quilt.

A center zip would be very, very nice. I wonder if that one can zip to a second bag (for those rare trips when my wife accompanies me)?

Wait - that FF Flicker weighs less than 2#? WOW!

I certainly remember JimF, along with EdT, about the most enjoyable guy I ever read here and he knew whereof he spoke.

Odd, I was just thinking of him this morning, his rifle projects were really inspirsational, as I am now so crippled by old injuries and age, that many of my rifles feel much hesavier than even 5-6 years ago.

If, you ever find him on another site, please extend an invitation to re-join us here.

Many makers are going to the coated down. The light weight of down, with superior insulating qualities when wet. Sierra Designs, Mountain Hardwear, and Marmot are all using it now.

That being said, Western Mountaineering makes the best bags I've ever owned/used. I've never used Feathered Friends personally but I just bought my daughter a FF bag and the quality seems to be on par with WM.

Wiggy Glacier Hunter is next on my list.