All my other stuff is very cheap, so my next bag will be down likely. I still haven't figured out what size for the type of winter hiking and skiing and camping I do. I only go 2-5 days, but I would like to have something for longer trips, if only in theory. I would like to try sleeping out in the backyard the entire month of January just to see how much weight the bag gains over time.

I think I might have asked this before, years ago...
What rating bag would you use for these conditions, for a 9 day 8 night trip?
+-0°C: 1 night
- 5°C: 1 night
-10°C: 2 nights
-15°C: 2 nights
-20°C: 1 night
-25°C: 50% chance 1 night
-30°C: 10% chance 1 night

Rest of kit for Northeastern Coastal Woodlands
8 pounds: clothes... wool, fleece, light skin layers, light wind layers
2 pounds: long wool underwear as emergency backup.
2 pounds: mukluks and felt liners in addition to above
3 pounds: 72"x28" blue foam pad, CF Gortex Bivy, Sylnylon Rain Poncho/Tarp
3 pounds: Kelly Kettle and all the other usual stuff, hatchet maybe
2 pounds: backpack
2 pounds: average water carried
16 pounds: food starting out
=================
40 pounds total skin out + sleeping bag 2.5 pounds???
or less clothes and a bigger bag?


I know that's alot of clothes, but I lean heavily on my clothes and I can wear them until dry or dry them out with fire when needed. I'm wondering with the wool long underwear for the coldest nights and all the other stuff, and being in woodlands where you can find shelter and make a fire easier than on exposed ridges, but it can still get very cold for 2-3 days, if a 2.5 pound -10°C rated down bag might be a good enough fit, and I might get better use out of it the rest of the Spring and Fall when packing less clothing and food.