Hey everyone, I'm going on a backpacking/extreme adventure trip to Israel this May and need a small and compressible sleeping bag. The packing list given to us does not specify a temperature rating. However, I would like to get a 3 season sleeping bag if it can fit the bill in terms of being small and compressible.
I'd prefer to spend less than $150 if it is going to be a bag with a 40+ temp rating but I'm willing to spend more for a warmer bag. I know down is more compressible than synthetic, but I really don't know anything else about the differences between the two.
Going through the same problem at the moment, im looking for one that will handle springs in the pacific northwest so kind of different environment.
What i have found is what matters the most being warm or having a small bag. Snugpack is one that i have found that is both warm and small in synthetic. they are just hard to get after hours of searching. Snugpak
Found alot of people who review them say they are great, they are common in the UK.I but the Kelty that was recommened is probably what i will go with myself for my trips this year.
Registered: 10/30/03
Posts: 4963
Loc: Marina del Rey,CA
There are thousands of posts (really, no exaggeration) on dozens of websites about sleeping bags and the differences and advantages of synthetic v. down. The basic rule is this- Warm, Cheap, Light - pick two.
The more elaborate basics- 1. Down is warmer and compresses more than any synthetic for the weight; 2. Down costs more than a comparable synthetic bag; 3. Don't believe the temp rating unless it is an EN1357 rating or you recognize a top brand name (Feathered Friends, Western Mountaineering, Marmot, Mountain Hardwear, MacPac, etc. 4.Don't get fooled by an EN 1357 rating that isn't the comfort rating (you have to read up on this to understand how bags are rated); 5. Don't be taken in by "wonder bags" you see on eBay. Most of them are junk.
There are thousands of posts (really, no exaggeration) on dozens of websites about sleeping bags and the differences and advantages of synthetic v. down. The basic rule is this- Warm, Cheap, Light - pick two.
The more elaborate basics- 1. Down is warmer and compresses more than any synthetic for the weight; 2. Down costs more than a comparable synthetic bag; 3. Don't believe the temp rating unless it is an EN1357 rating or you recognize a top brand name (Feathered Friends, Western Mountaineering, Marmot, Mountain Hardwear, MacPac, etc. 4.Don't get fooled by an EN 1357 rating that isn't the comfort rating (you have to read up on this to understand how bags are rated); 5. Don't be taken in by "wonder bags" you see on eBay. Most of them are junk.
I would rather spend $599 once and get exactly what works for the environment I hike in, will last years, and packs small and light. So I did. It only took one budget bag to teach me that any fool can cheap out and freeze - and any fool can learn from the experience and get it done right, second time around. This fool found some down quilts, 800+ fill power, and that's what I'll be using from here out. One quilt packs down about half what a sleeping bag - a good one - would. So if I take a hammock and need both quilts, it works great.
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"In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities. In the expert's mind there are few." Shunryu Suzuki
i have a Sierra Designs ridgerunner 30 and i love it. it's an older model so they're going to be on clearance usually. it's a 600 fill Down, 30 degree mummy bag @ just over 2 lbs. compresses quite small (not nearly a cocunut though ^^) got mine for 109.99 with free shipping. the ridgerunner line gets good reviews and at sub 150 i think it's a steal.
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