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.

Been there/done that.

I won't own a down bag and am willing to pay the weight-penalty.

YMMV.

I will add my vote to the Western Mountaineering camp.

I am a side sleeper also and sleep really cold these days.

I have 3 of their bags.

The first one I bought was their Antelope model in their old Dryloft configuration.
I used it wide open in the summer to below zero with strong winds with me wearing all my clothes it has kept me comfortable.

The next bag I bought of theirs is the Caribou. It packs down small and makes a nice summer bag. The microfiber shell beads water off of it nicely from condensation that formed on the walls of my TarpTent.

My favorite bag though is their Alpinlite which I bought last fall. The extra width just makes it comfortable and it packs down small and really lofts up nice. I have used in an open lean to 20 Degrees again with my clothes on, no problem.
It will be my go to bag from this point on.

My buddy uses Mountain Hardware Lumina bags and he has climbed all over the world. If you are looking into synthetic bags that might be a good place for you to start as he is around your size.

Sean, as Powerguy recommended early in this thread, the Kodiak would be a solid choice as well with its 67" shoulder girth in Long Size.

http://www.westernmountaineering.co...cat=Microfiber%20Series&ContentId=38

If a 63" shoulder girth in your current bag feels too tight, the Marmot Helium won't make you happy, even though as the guys point out it can be quite a bargain on sale. It's a decent bag.

Regarding Feathered Friends, I've compared them numerous times side-by-side with WM bags, and they just aren't as "lofty"... well made, but I really don't think they're quite at the level of WM for the same money. Obviously a subjective thing.

In your shoes I'd go Badger MF or Kodiak MF, leaning to Badger.

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

I'm running two Enlightenedequipment quilts and couldn't be happier.

In the Rockies in November above 7,000' down to 0*F or lower?

Ive done it quilting at 0F, however at those temps , I'm favoring something that zips together

I'm not in the know, exactly, but I listened to some who are and went with WM and down. Very happy.

Brad, I've done it down to single digits several times without issues. Not in the Rockies and not at 7k. I've got some experience with that you mention and wouldn't hesitate for a second to take a quilt.

B-mnan, good to know. Thanks for the information.

Quilts have certainly become popular, undoubtedly given their weight.

This is more my idea of light weight but I think I've gotten to be more of a cold sleeper than I used to be when younger, therefore I doubt I'd want a quilt:

http://www.zpacks.com/quilts.shtml

When, in the early 1980s, I saw my first WM and FF bags, I felt that the FF ones were slightly superior, overall, to the WMs available then. I had a FF made for alpine hunting in 1989 and it was VERY well built, but, not as warm as I had expected and the WM Alpinlite I bought in 2008, certainly WAS.

AS I encountered more of each make, I slowly changed my opinion and, for several years now, I have agreed with Brad's comments above.

In 50+ years using bags, I have had a lot of experiences and owned quite a few bags. Right now, as sold in North America, I consider the "Shocking Blue" style from Valandre and the WM bags to be THE finest available on a production basis.

As I posted earlier, I consider the WM Badger to be the best choice for this person OR the superb Valandre Shocking Blue, a really fine sleep sack.

For most of my uses at 68+, I want a WM Terralite plus extender, but, I sleep warm and need the lightest pack possible due to spinal stenosis and other such issues.

Quilts are OK in mild weather or in no air movement environments, not so good otherwise. I prefer down but synthetics are good if weight and packability are not major issues. I have had good luck with several brands but Feathered Friends and Western Mountaineering are excellent. Stay out of drainages, eat a good dinner, wear long johns and socks if nights are cold.

EE quilts are the bomb

I can confirm first hand that western mountaineering makes high quality bags. I would also recommend marmot and mountain hardware 800+ fill power rated bags. I have yet to get a down bag dangerously wet. The biggest culprit is usually condensation on the wall of your tent. If you have a concern about this there are good waterproof stuff sack options.

It's been my experience that most bags are overrated in terms of temp. For example my 20 deg WM bag (alpenlite) is too cold for me at 32, I just use my zero degree bag (MHW Banshee SL 0deg).

The nice thing about WM bags is you can send them back to the factory (Made is USA) and have them "overstuffed" for some extra warmth.

Another for Enlightened Equipment quilts.

Sprawl out when it is warm, roll up when its cold.

I ordered a Feathered Friends Flicker 20 degree. Personally, it looks like the best of both worlds for me, as it can be zipped up like a bag or used open. Traveling high to low a lot , temps can vary a lot. I'll post some thoughts once I've used it a few nights. There is certainly nothing wrong though with EE quilts or most of the good bags mentioned. This however, looks like it will fill my needs a bit better.

I'm a pretty big fan of the Mountain Hardware Ultra Lamina 15*... There was one for sale here for cheap... They are awesome bags.

Tanner

I have two MH Laminas; one 20* and one 0*. Neither have impressed me much; the 0* is warm, but bulky and weighs too much.

different bags. Ultralamina 15 is a good bag. Lamina 20 is a heavy bag.

Ah, gotcha.

http://www.sierradesigns.com/sleeping-bags/bed-style

love my 600-2season....might get a heavier one for regular trips below 20* but have used it from 20 to over 90 by varying what i sleep in....and occasionally tossing a coat over my toes on the real cold humid nights....but i got it mainly for 30-90* range and it works well....so far its been my favorite style of sleeping bag ive ever had for solo sleeping

I have two EE quilts and have used them below 0 above 7000' and have stayed warm. One is a 0 degree made with cuben fiber (not made any more). It is a vapor barrier. The other is a newer 20 degree. With the 20 degree I used a WM Hotsack VBL (Vapor barrier) and kept warm in single digits.

I also have a WM Antelope that I've used below 0 and I prefer the quilt.

I have two Western Mountaineering bags. The Antelope is rated at 5° and the Alpinlite is rated at 20°. I use the 20° bag throughout the summer and switch to the 5° bag for hunting season. They are both pretty lightweight and have goose down insulation and you know the pros and cons of that. I like them both. I took the 5° bag to Kodiak in December and made it work but a bag with synthetic insulation would have been easier to keep dry.

KC