Im trying to decide on a first bag and need some help doing so. I would rather not want to have a winter bag and a summer bag, so im trying to find one to suit the needs of all the seasons. A couple i was looking at were the North Face Snowshoe rated at 0 degrees, the north face Cats meow rated at 20 degrees, also Mountain hardwear lamina series the 0 and 20 degree. Im having trouble deciding between the 0 and 20, the sales clerk at the store said most of his costumers get a 20 degree bag and do fine with it in our climate for year round. At the end of the day i would rather be to warm then to cold, i live in northern California. What do you think of the quality of the bags i posted, also i suspect the majority of my use will be spring, summer, fall.
#133761 - 05/14/1008:56 PMRe: Sleeping bag help(1st one)
[Re: Jacobman]
ChrisFol
member
Registered: 07/23/09
Posts: 387
Loc: Denver, Colordo
Originally Posted By Jacobman
Im trying to decide on a first bag and need some help doing so. I would rather not want to have a winter bag and a summer bag, so im trying to find one to suit the needs of all the seasons. A couple i was looking at were the North Face Snowshoe rated at 0 degrees, the north face Cats meow rated at 20 degrees, also Mountain hardwear lamina series the 0 and 20 degree. Im having trouble deciding between the 0 and 20, the sales clerk at the store said most of his costumers get a 20 degree bag and do fine with it in our climate for year round. At the end of the day i would rather be to warm then to cold, i live in northern California. What do you think of the quality of the bags i posted, also i suspect the majority of my use will be spring, summer, fall.
There is no such thing as an "all-season" bag. If you get a winter bag, then you are going to overheat in the summer and if you get a summer bag, then you will freeze in winter.
A good trade off is going to be a +20 or +15 degree bag which is generally viewed as solid three-season territory. You could perhaps bring the temps down into the low-teens with additional clothing, but you won't get much lower.
Furthermore, the bags that you are looking at are probably generously rated and are more like +5 to +25 degree bags. So beaware about taking a +20 Cat's Meow out in the mid-teens.
Since you will only be out spring/summer/fall (3-season), then go with the +20 degree bag. No need to haul a winter bag around in those conditions.
Thanks for the response, i think i will buy the cats meow. The sales clerk also was telling me you can do things like buy a sleeping bag liner that will add a few degrees if you need. Also that good insulating off the ground will go a long ways.
#133764 - 05/14/1009:32 PMRe: Sleeping bag help(1st one)
[Re: Jacobman]
ChrisFol
member
Registered: 07/23/09
Posts: 387
Loc: Denver, Colordo
Originally Posted By Jacobman
Thanks for the response, i think i will buy the cats meow. The sales clerk also was telling me you can do things like buy a sleeping bag liner that will add a few degrees if you need. Also that good insulating off the ground will go a long ways.
A good down jacket will be warmer and more versitle than a liner. Remember, the pad that is under you is just as important as the bag over you.
I agree on my recent smokies trip and first in years, I was using my 30 some year old Snow Lion Mt Lite bag. This a synthetic bag and has lost alot of loft. I was fine till final night on Mt Leconte at 6500 ft. Nights prior had been in the low 50s. Last night on Leconte dropped to 22 degrees and 40 mile an hour winds! We were in a trail shelter, and Thank god for my thermarest pro light pad. If my feet moved of the pad in the night I could instantly tell! I wore my shirt and pants to bed and managed to be comfortable all night. I am now saving for a WM Featherlight bag the snow lion has served me well, but shall retire!
Bought the North face cats meow yesterday and a Ridgerest pad. Set up a mock trial run in my backyard with my tent, the bag, and the pad. All went well and i was to warm at first but it was nice once it cooled down. Just wore a pair of board shorts and a t-shirt to bed. What is some standard summer wear you guys wear when out? Curious as to what the limits will be with this bag as far temperature goes. Thanks for the help.
Registered: 02/23/07
Posts: 1735
Loc: California (southern)
I always like to wear a set of synthetic long johns, along with a balaclava or knit cap in my bag, space and weight permitting. They tend to keep my body oils off of the bag and offer a slight bit of extra warmth.
You should keep track of your experience in the bag, noting temperatures and your general level of comfort, which will vary with your amount of exercise, what you ate for dinner, micro environment of your camp, and wind speed, to name a few factors.
The Cats Meow is a great, versatile bag. I carried one for years.
#133821 - 05/16/1004:06 PMRe: Sleeping bag help(1st one)
[Re: Jacobman]
ChrisFol
member
Registered: 07/23/09
Posts: 387
Loc: Denver, Colordo
Originally Posted By Jacobman
What is some standard summer wear you guys wear when out?
I wear various Capilene baselayers in the bag. Cap 1 in the summer all the way to a Cap 4 or R1 in the winter. A down jacet, fleece hat and fleece gloves are also options for colder weather.
Our long-time Sponsor, BackcountryGear.com - The leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear:
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.!
Previous Topic
Index
