Registered: 04/16/08
Posts: 12
Loc: East Tennessee
I am currently researching my options for a <2 lb sleeping bag. I want a 3 season bag. I have been researching the WM Alpinlite, but have come to the conclusion that I may not be ready for a 410 dollar sleeping bag...although I am very careful almost obsessively careful with my gear. I am 72" tall and wide shouldered. Any suggestions or alternative ideas are appreciated.
I love my WM bag. I'm not sure why you don't think you're ready for the bag - sounds like you take good care of your gear, so I doubt you'll trash it.
However, before I got the WM (Megalite), I also found the Marmot "elements" bags (Hydrogen and Helium) to be very good, and only a couple of ounces heavier. You might give them a look.
Registered: 02/03/06
Posts: 6800
Loc: Gateway to Columbia Gorge
The Marmot Helium is even more expensive than the WM Alpenlite, unless you can find a sale. The Marmot Hydrogen, at 30*, is definitely not going to work for those frosty nights in spring and fall, unless you're a really warm sleeper and don't mind wearing all your wraps inside the bag. The Montbell Super Stretch Down Hugger #1 is only $20 less than the WM Alpenlite. The only way to get a high quality down bag cheaper is to grow your own geese.
I agree, you get what you pay for. This is a lifetime investment, if you take good care of it.
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May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view--E. Abbey
i just purchased the U.L. Super Stretch #2 - Long for $268 on clearance. It is super comfy and I actually fit in it (I am a large guy). The bag is a 25 deg. bag and weighs 30.8 oz. IM me if you want the online store that I got it from. Good luck.
This system may not work for you, but it is my 3 season system; and I only give to offer a suggestion on sleep systems and bags. A: I love my WM highlite (35f...18oz) B: I already carry a patigonia silk weight top and bottom for those frosty morning and evenings when it dips below the 40F mark (which is the norm for my hiking region and elevation of hikes) and a Montbell U.L. down inner jacket. This is my 3 season kit. C: I allready have all of that 'cold' weather gear why would I want to carry a bag that is rated at 15-20F and sleep in it with just my skivy's, and have to carry the extra weight of the bag plus the weight of my clothing? So If I know it is going to get "cold" (according to me) I will put on top, or bottom or both, depending. When the temp really drops on goes the Ul jacket and beanie hat. Or if I get cold in the middle of the night I will put on what ever layer is appropriate. D: This ultimately saves weight which equates to hiking comfort and yet there is a large enough safety margin to where one can stay warm. E: Like the others you get what you pay for. I love my WM and I am a 200lb 73 in broad shoulder guy myself. The bags are straight forward and are no frills in ragaurd to lots of zippers, pockets, exotic designs and colors etc, that alot of the manufactueres use to catch a customer. And like others have said as well, when taken care of they will last a life time.
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I miss my 4.8lb base weight as a ground dweller. But I sure don't miss the ground.
Registered: 02/03/06
Posts: 6800
Loc: Gateway to Columbia Gorge
A lot depends on whether you're a warm or a cold sleeper. I get COLD really easily, and my WM 20* bag was rather marginal on a few frosty nights in the Wind Rivers even with extra layers on, although I very much doubt that it actually got below 20*. There's a lot of individual difference here, and you'll have to experiment a bit to see what works for you.
My problem is that if I'm wearing all my wraps to bed, when I get up (which I have to do several times during the night, unfortunately) I get really cold while out of the bag, so I'm shivering for at least half an hour when I get back in before I can fall asleep. The same thing happens in the morning, which means I'm liable to stay in the bag until the sun hits the tent and end up getting a very late start, YMMV!
If you can be comfortable on below-freezing nights in a 30* bag with extra layers, more power to you--I envy you! It certainly didn't work for me.
The best thing about my 20* WM bag (Ultralight Super) is that wonderful draft collar, which I can snug around my neck--it provides the extra warmth I need.
Edited by OregonMouse (09/05/0811:58 PM)
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May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view--E. Abbey
Oh I totally agree. I bought a cheap north face 40 degree bag, It's small and lined inside with nylon? I plan to get a better bag but when the temp dipped to 35 I froze all night and when I woke it was clammy as ever inside the bag. Why is that? I might as well have taken a swim and then climed in the bag. I've never experienced that before even when sleeping in the snow in a cheap coleman bag when I was a kid. Of course the bag then was lined with cotton fabric. Learning the hard way is not nesessaryly the best way. My next trip (soon) late summer. I will use a bag liner for now.
I do something similar. The Megalite is a 30-degree bag; usually, if it's going to be colder than that, I simply choose to stay home. (I'm not as much of a winter camper as I used to be.) I also carry a down sweater and long johns, which serve as my backup system if it turns out to be a little cooler than expected. It saves weight, and gives me a nice safety margin.
I'd also mention that WM bags are conservatively rated, by about 5 degrees. Marmot bags are pretty much dead on.
Registered: 04/16/08
Posts: 12
Loc: East Tennessee
I went for it and spent the chunk o change to get the good stuff! The bag is awesome as far as quality goes and after actually getting my hands on it and laying in it I am much more comfortable with its durability. The local shop gave me a military discount so I got away better than I planned, now for a trip in the Smokies to give it a whirl.
You could also supplement your bag by using a down coat and hat and underwear. I use one or two hot water bottles (Gatoraid) in a large ziplock baggie wrapped in insulation and they can really really extend your comfort zone. This only works if you can use reliable wood fire, however. I use the TNF Beeline bag with a 1/3 zipper. I don't want to carry a 3 lb. 15 or 20 degree bag when it is 30 or 40 outside. A full zipper bag can be opened as a quilt on hot nights. Consider a synthetic if it is damp where you are.
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