Backcountry Forum
Backpacking & Hiking Gear

Backcountry Forum
Our long-time Sponsor - the leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear
 
 
 

Amazon.com
Backpacking Forums
---- Our Gear Store ----
The Lightweight Gear Store
 
 WINTER CAMPING 

Shelters
Bivy Bags
Sleeping Bags
Sleeping Pads
Snow Sports
Winter Kitchen

 SNOWSPORTS 

Snowshoes
Avalanche Gear
Skins
Hats, Gloves, & Gaiters
Accessories

 ULTRA-LIGHT 

Ultralight Backpacks
Ultralight Bivy Sacks
Ultralight Shelters
Ultralight Tarps
Ultralight Tents
Ultralight Raingear
Ultralight Stoves & Cookware
Ultralight Down Sleeping Bags
Ultralight Synthetic Sleep Bags
Ultralight Apparel


the Titanium Page
WM Extremelite Sleeping Bags

 CAMPING & HIKING 

Backpacks
Tents
Sleeping Bags
Hydration
Kitchen
Accessories

 CLIMBING 

Ropes & Cordage
Protection & Hardware
Carabiners & Quickdraws
Climbing Packs & Bags
Big Wall
Rescue & Industrial

 MEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 WOMEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 FOOTWEAR 

Men's Footwear
Women's Footwear

 CLEARANCE 

Backpacks
Mens Apparel
Womens Apparel
Climbing
Footwear
Accessories

 BRANDS 

Black Diamond
Granite Gear
La Sportiva
Osprey
Smartwool

 WAYS TO SHOP 

Sale
Clearance
Top Brands
All Brands

 Backpacking Equipment 

Shelters
BackPacks
Sleeping Bags
Water Treatment
Kitchen
Hydration
Climbing


 Backcountry Gear Clearance

Topic Options
Rate This Topic
#104695 - 10/12/08 10:46 AM Man Using Woman-Specific Sleeping Bag+Pad?
jimt Offline


Registered: 09/29/08
Posts: 7
Hello Everyone, (first post) I just decided to get into hiking and am thinking about buying a woman specific sleeping bag and pad because I am 5' 4" and weigh165# (I should weigh 145-ish). The bag I am looking at is a 20 degree down bag, with a 5' 6" hgt limit and a shoulder girth of 58" (2" less the mens version) I was thinking about this because on colder nights it's less space to warm up and less to carry (8 oz and 8 cu in). I guess it would be like a 5'10" guy in a 6' bag. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

(REI Downtime +20 and Ether Thermo 6 Pad)
Any and all advice is greatly appreciated...

Thanks in advance
Jim

Top
#104696 - 10/12/08 12:08 PM Re: Man Using Woman-Specific Sleeping Bag+Pad? [Re: jimt]
phat Offline
Moderator

Registered: 06/24/07
Posts: 4107
Loc: Alberta, Canada

Try them on first. A ladies sleeping pad and bag won't magically make your willy shrivel up and fall off if you use them, so your masculinity won't be at risk, but they are cut different. The answer is simple. Try it on - if it fits, buy it. if it doesn't, look at a short size mens bag
(or look at both and buy what you are *comfortable* in.
_________________________
Any fool can be uncomfortable...
My 3 season gear list
Winter list.
Browse my pictures


Top
#104697 - 10/12/08 01:13 PM Re: Man Using Woman-Specific Sleeping Bag+Pad? [Re: jimt]
OregonMouse Online   content
member

Registered: 02/03/06
Posts: 6799
Loc: Gateway to Columbia Gorge
Unless the bag is in the so-called "feminine" colors of what I call "bink and burple," nobody will know the difference. I'm female and I won't buy those colors, either! I know that a number of men use the Thermarest women's Prolite 4 pad because it has more cushioning, despite the pink color. Be sure to try the bag out, though, because you want to be able to wear more insulation inside the bag on a really cold night.

On the other hand, the Western Mountaineering Ultralight Super is a men's bag, but the short (5'6") size fits me just fine, even with my very ample hips.


Edited by OregonMouse (10/12/08 01:14 PM)
_________________________
May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view--E. Abbey

Top
#104698 - 10/12/08 01:59 PM Re: Man Using Woman-Specific Sleeping Bag+Pad? [Re: OregonMouse]
jimt Offline


Registered: 09/29/08
Posts: 7
Quote:
Unless the bag is in the so-called "feminine" colors of what I call "bink and burple," nobody will know the difference. I'm female and I won't buy those colors, either!
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> It's Light Green and black, looks like a string bean or pea soup color but not so bad. I am pretty secure with my masculinity but not that much to use the feminine colors.

I guess I will have to try it on.

Thanks
Jim

Top
#104699 - 10/12/08 03:39 PM Re: Man Using Woman-Specific Sleeping Bag+Pad? [Re: phat]
Glenn Offline
member

Registered: 03/08/06
Posts: 2617
Loc: Ohio
I second what Phat says: if it fits well, and feels good, use it. Don't worry about the color - if obnoxious color was a deal-killer, I'd never have gotten my blaze-orange Hubba tent and Prolite 4 pad. (By the way, I don't see anything particularly "feminine" about the bink-and-burple - if anything, they're about as obnoxious as the blaze orange.)

Top
#104700 - 10/13/08 08:08 AM Re: Man Using Woman-Specific Sleeping Bag+Pad? [Re: jimt]
sarbar Offline
member

Registered: 07/15/05
Posts: 1453
Loc: WA
Hey my son slept in a ladies bag for awhile and he is still all boy <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Hey, at least they are starting to make ladies gear in non pink/sky blue/hot purple now <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> And yes, you often will be warmer with women's sleeping pads and bags - more insulation, especially in the feet!
_________________________
Freezer Bag Cooking, Trail Cooking, Recipes, Gear and Beyond:
www.trailcooking.com

Top
#104701 - 10/13/08 09:26 AM Re: Man Using Woman-Specific Sleeping Bag+Pad? [Re: sarbar]
CCH Offline
member

Registered: 01/27/04
Posts: 124
Loc: Colorado
Try it on. It depends on your build. I bought my wife a NF Snowshoe Women's Long that fits up to six foot. I fit okay but the shoulders are narrower than the equivalent Men's bag and the hips a bit wider. If you're not real broad across the shoulders, it could fit you great but in most bags, it's not just the colors that are different. As long as it fits though, who cares?

Top
#104702 - 10/14/08 06:48 AM Re: Man Using Woman-Specific Sleeping Bag+Pad? [Re: jimt]
tress29 Offline
member

Registered: 01/09/02
Posts: 110
Loc: Indiana
And I buy the men's bags cause I need more arm room! Whatever works for you...

Theresa in Indy
_________________________
Theresa in Indy

Top
#104703 - 10/14/08 12:02 PM Re: Man Using Woman-Specific Sleeping Bag+Pad? [Re: tress29]
jimt Offline


Registered: 09/29/08
Posts: 7
Well, the bag should arrive tomorrow and I will get to see how it works. I guess I will try it out for a night inside just in case I need to return it.

I just thought of a possible option if this doesn't work,

How about buying a longer bag and taking about 6" off the bottom? (or not)

Happy trails,
Jim

Top
#104704 - 10/14/08 03:49 PM Re: Man Using Woman-Specific Sleeping Bag+Pad? [Re: tress29]
sarbar Offline
member

Registered: 07/15/05
Posts: 1453
Loc: WA
I recently bought a Big Agnes Roxy Ann bag (the petite that goes to 5'8"). Wow. Roomiest bag ever - I sprawled in it this weekend. Warm and I could move in my bag. It was sleeping bag heaven in eyes <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
_________________________
Freezer Bag Cooking, Trail Cooking, Recipes, Gear and Beyond:
www.trailcooking.com

Top
#104705 - 10/14/08 05:40 PM Re: Man Using Woman-Specific Sleeping Bag+Pad? [Re: jimt]
leadfoot Offline
member

Registered: 07/16/03
Posts: 954
Loc: Virginia
Some women's bags have more insulation (down) in the chest area and feet. That's where most of us get cold first. It really doesn't matter if you use a gender-specific bag/pad. Whatever gets you thru the night. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Top
#104706 - 10/14/08 05:55 PM Re: Man Using Woman-Specific Sleeping Bag+Pad? [Re: sarbar]
deliriousNomad Offline
member

Registered: 04/13/06
Posts: 64
Loc: Matthews, NC
At 6'3'" and 200lbs I can't really go for a women's bag, but I was thinking about one of the women's thermarest pads. I just couldn't get over the pink color though :-)

It would be nice to see these go more neutral in color...
_________________________
- deliriousNomad

Top
#104707 - 10/15/08 12:47 PM Re: Man Using Woman-Specific Sleeping Bag+Pad? [Re: deliriousNomad]
sarbar Offline
member

Registered: 07/15/05
Posts: 1453
Loc: WA
Lol...well you'd not have to worry about anyone stealing your gear <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Over the years I have sold a number of girly colored cozies to men....my theory is that a)they won't get lost or left behind b)their buddies won't take it.

lol......
_________________________
Freezer Bag Cooking, Trail Cooking, Recipes, Gear and Beyond:
www.trailcooking.com

Top
#104708 - 10/15/08 02:21 PM Re: Man Using Woman-Specific Sleeping Bag+Pad? [Re: sarbar]
jimt Offline


Registered: 09/29/08
Posts: 7
Quote:
Lol...well you'd not have to worry about anyone stealing your gear <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Over the years I have sold a number of girly colored cozies to men....my theory is that a)they won't get lost or left behind b)their buddies won't take it.

lol......


LOL, too funny... Well I recieved the bag today and it fits pretty good. I tried all my different sleeping positions and it was pretty comfortable. The two extra inches in the men's version would have been nice but I really don't think it would have made much of a difference, mummy bags aren't really designed like a queen-sized bed.

Oh, the color is a pea soup/olive drab-ish color with black bottom so the fact that it's a "girly bag" is only between us, OK <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for the input all,
happy Trails
Jim

Top
#104709 - 10/15/08 05:14 PM Re: Man Using Woman-Specific Sleeping Bag+Pad? [Re: jimt]
OldScout Offline
member

Registered: 03/17/03
Posts: 501
Loc: Puget Sound, Washington
No way man!!!! I'm telling EVERYBODY.

Top
#104710 - 10/15/08 05:41 PM Re: Man Using Woman-Specific Sleeping Bag+Pad? [Re: OldScout]
Folkalist Offline
member

Registered: 03/17/07
Posts: 374
Loc: Fredericksburg, VA
Too late! I think a couple hundred forum members already know! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />
_________________________
Why am I online instead of hiking?

Top

Shout Box

Highest Quality Lightweight Down Sleeping Bags
 
Western Mountaineering Sleeping Bags
 
Lite Gear Talk - Featured Topics
Backcountry Discussion - Featured Topics
Make Your Own Gear - Featured Topics
Featured Photos
Spiderco Chaparral Pocketknife
David & Goliath
Also Testing
Trip Report with Photos
Seven Devils, Idaho
Oat Hill Mine Trail 2012
Dark Canyon - Utah
Who's Online
0 registered (), 241 Guests and 0 Spiders online.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
Noodles, McCrary, DanyBacky, Rashy Willia, WanderBison
13240 Registered Users
Forum Links
Disclaimer
Policies
Site Links
Backpacking.net
Lightweight Gear Store
Backpacking Book Store
Lightweight Zone
Hiking Essentials

Our long-time Sponsor, BackcountryGear.com - The leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear:

Backcountry Forum
 

Affiliate Disclaimer: This forum is an affiliate of BackcountryGear.com, Amazon.com, R.E.I. and others. The product links herein are linked to their sites. If you follow these links to make a purchase, we may get a small commission. This is our only source of support for these forums. Thanks.!
 
 

Since 1996 - the Original Backcountry Forum
Copyright © The Lightweight Backpacker & BackcountryForum