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

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