Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting Mummy bag for a big man/ bivy sack.

Planning a backpacking trip for elk this fall, two years ago froze to death in a too small bag. I’m 6’4” 225, bigger shoulders and chest so the tightness of the average bag lends to poor sleep. What brand would any of you look at? Have an opportunity on a long wiggy ultralight 0 degree bag. Any opinions would be appreciated. Also looking for opinions on bivy sack. Would like to go really light for this trip.

MM

I'm 5'9", just under 200, wide shoulders (and a bit overweight). I really like Western Mountaineering's semi-rectangular bags. They give me room that a mummy bag just doesn't have without wasting weight and bulk. Take a look at their lineup. Be sure to check the semi-rectangular, not mummy, bags .. their mummy bags are too skinny for me.

Tom

Western Mountaineering Kodiak long,

6'6 or even a 7' O degree bag.

Love mine.

Wooh!! Looked that up and was wondering if I could just rent yours? Lol, just kidding and sincerely appreciate the info but not in the budget.

MM

EE 0 degree quilt ordered in whatever size will fit you, and a Borah Gear Snowyside eVent bivy.

If Western Mountaineering is not in the budget you might consider the Kifaru Slick bag? They offer it in a 'wide' size...

For a bivy sack-I like the Rab Ascent as well as the Outdoor Research Alpine Bivy. Though I am only 5'9" I run 190 and am broad-shouldered and the Ascent especially, has ample shoulder room.

Wiggys Superlight xl wide body is a bombproof roomy bag if you can deal w/ the extra weight. Get their compression stuff sack and it packs to a decent size. There are a lot of good bivis if you have to have one. They work OK unless you have to use a stove to prepare food or melt snow.


mike r

I myself just peeked at the current price of a Kodiak, 675?

I paid about 250 less from backcountry.com about 6 years ago.

Yes, that is steep.

RAB has them but it's pricey stuff.

Quilt?
http://www.rayjardine.com/ray-way/Quilt-Kit/index.htm

I have used a military 4 piece system for hiking above 11k in the Rockies and it fit me. Others say it doesn’t fit them, but I am 6’6” and 250pounds with 52” shoulders. I was able to sleep just fine in the bag under a lightweight tarp with temps below freezing every night. For $100 or less at any Army surplus store it is worth looking in to. The con is that is a heavy system.

https://www.amazon.com/Military-Modular-Sleep-System-Goretex/dp/B002LLPILC

There is a “long” version of this system and a lot of non-military copies. Look for the long version and make sure it matches the Military spec numbers for the system.

More notes here. For my MSS system I got one of the rectangular form matress pads and then cut it down to fit inside the Goretex shell. That way the mattress pad didn’t come out from under the bag. It also keep the matress pad dry since the Goretex shell was under it. Not as big a concern if you are using a tent, but great for sleeping under a tarp or in a hammock. Save the need for a ground sheet. If you still want a ground sheet I would suggest one of the reflective heat blankets. Put the silver side up to reflect heat back at you. Makes the system even warmer. Especially if you put a water bottle with hot water at the foot of the bag at night (keeps the toes nice and warm).

If the MSS isn’t your style or you want something new and more civilian friendly, Wiggys makes great modular systems in long/wide sizes: https://www.wiggys.com/sleeping-bags/ftrss-core-bags/

I'm the same size as you and don't like mummy bags either. Tried the WM Kodiak but too tight. Have a Wiggys rectangular for truck camping but too heavy and bulky for packing.Settled on a wide long Kifaru that is quite comfortable, about 4# and $400 bucks. Also have a Big Agnes Encampment wide long, 3 1\2# and $200 bucks that is really comfortable. Sleeve on the bottom for a 20" insulated pad. Good luck.

Some day maybe I'll dump the coin on a WM. I'm 6'-1" 235 with a barreled chest. Love my Montbell Super Spiral! Absolutely meets its temp rating. Bought mine lightly used for $300 Owned it for 5 years and still kickin arse!

It's like the folks that did this review took the words straigth otta my skull.

https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/revi...ll-ultralight-super-spiral-down-hugger-1

I like the room of a rectangular. When it's cold, I wear a stocking cap or sometimes a warm hoody. A hooded puffy jacket would be great when it gets real cold. Admittedly, the feet will get colder in a rectangular but a pair of thinsulate socks helps.

Big Agnes Classic line in the temp range and material you want. Get the Long as it's wider as well as longer.

I'm also a big guy (6 ft 7") and I often find I don't fit into anything! When I was looking for my last sleeping bag, I came across https://www.simplyhike.co.uk/blogs/blog/gear-review-top-5-winter-sleeping-bags this guide. It helped me to narrow my search but eventually I went with the Hyke and Byke Quandary that I found here: https://professionalcamping.com/best-cold-weather-sleeping-bags/. I hope you find the right sleeping bag for you!

MARMOT Lithium Long (-20) - really warm and really light...~2lb 9oz 850 down that is virtually waterproof. Use a Thermarest All Season air mattress. Trust me. Snow and ice climber. Used from Mount Hood to the North Cascades (where you MUST pack a rifle/revolver).

REI Expedition Long (-20) - excellent. Lost in 60 mile per hour winds at 9500'...sure missed that bag that night. Glad I had put my boots on and parka. No gloves. Now, I ALWAYS carry three or four kinds of gloves in the mountains!



The new ThermaRest bags are superb!

Polar Ranger 3lb 3 oz 800 hydrophobic down (-20F with extra layer in the foot box) or Oberon 2lb 7 oz (-18F). Ranger has vents that you can put your arms through if needed...damn good idea!!

If sleeping WITHOUT a tent shelter...highly recommend what is called a **bivi sack.** or bivi bag...a waterproof envelope that covers your bag and functions as a ground cloth. Some, you can fit a mummy shaped or rectangular air mattress inside. Have used all kinds of mattress pads. Go with the best air mattress you *cannot* afford. Thank me later. Better versions will have more ventilation which is ***ultra important***, so study up!

Whatever you get...DWR (durable water repellent) it *properly*...thank me later.