Hello!!!! Sleeping bag blues

This is my first post in this forum. HELLO TO EVERYBODY!!!!! Ok, now, down to business. I am a small fellow and I do what I can to eliminate weight. I believe that my next weight loss program will be based around finding a new sleeping bag. I have been looking around and most of the ones that are about the temperature rating and weight that I'm looking for run around 140 - 600 dollars, not in my price range. I am looking for something that goes down to 30 degrees and weighs around 1 - 1 1/2 lbs. I would also like something that compresses really small. I have found some colemen products, I'm not a big fan of there's but they are about the least expensive I have found. The problem is that the closest store that carries backpacking supplies is about 2 hours away, so I can't actually look at anything. I'm rambling, sorry, any suggestions? My price range would be up to $80. Thanks for any help you all can provide.


Aaron

Welcome to the forum!

I'm afraid you're not going to find much that meets your specs.

For the price range, the best i can offer is a kit with which you can make a Ray Way synthetic quilt for backpacking. it compresses, but not as well as down. Mine's an upgrade to make it warmer; it weighs in the neighborhood of 16 oz. and was recently comfortable down to near freezing temps. it's intended to be comfy down to 20F. Do a google for Ray Jardine - he's got decent pricing and other gear you can get kits to make, like a lightweight pack and stuff sacks.

You will find that if you want lightweight and topnotch compression, you will sacrifice $. It's the way it is. Down is expensive - good down is even more expensive. And down compresses most. a primer on the pros and cons.

You also have to look out for truth in advertising on cheap sleeping gear. I have a 30 degree synthetic mummy I got for about eighty bucks. I was freezing at 50 degrees and i hate the bag - it fills up half the pack and doesn't compress well.

I am contemplating a kit from Thru Hiker to make a down quilt; one with momentum fabric and 800 fill power costs between 100-200 dollars. The other option I'm debating is Jacks R Better - they have wonderful quilts in all sizes and temp ratings. I'm looking into down because I have a hammock and carrying two synthetic quilts, one for top and one for under the hammock, is stretching the seams on my pack.

The main difference between quilts and bags is the absence of the zipper; quilts can be outfitted with straps, velcro or drawstrings to offset the looseness. I'm claustrophobic; I'll wear a hat and bundle up before I'll deal with another stuck zipper.

If you can hang out in forums around the net, you can sometimes find someone selling good gear for less than new pricing. That's about the best I can do for you.

We'd all love to find a 30-degree, pound and a half, $80 sleeping bag. They don't exist.

Oh, wait, I spoke too soon. Go to Campmor's website and check out the Kelty Light Year 45-degree Ultralight Down Mummy Sleeping Bag Regular - on sale for $90. (While you're there, check out some synthetic bags; I didn't look, but they might have some good ones in that price range. Of course, they'll weigh two pounds or more.)

It's only a 45 degree bag; you won't find one at that price at 30 degrees. However, if you're getting a 30 degree bag "just in case" it gets that cold, as opposed to planning to go out regularly in 30 degree temperatures, it might be OK.

You can do a couple of things to extend its range:
1) sleep on a slightly thicker pad (or two pads, stacked.)
2) sleep in a tent (adds 5 or 10 degrees)
3) wear your other clothing to bed (Campmor also carries a house brand of inexpensive fleece; get some pants, and sleep in your insulating layer and long underwear.
4) Avoid 30 degree weather until you can afford a sleeping bag liner (however, since this works like a layer of fleece, you might just as well carry the clothing which is more versatile.)

That may just get you enough margin that a 45 degree bag will be fine if you usually hike in 50 degree weather, but it occasionally drops down to 35 or 40. (I use a similar technique to extend a high-end 40 degree bag to 25 or 30 degrees, using a down sweater and pants.)

However, if you're planning trips in extended, continuous cold, you only have two choices: pony up the cost of the 30 degree bag, or change your plans.

Good luck. Let us know what you finally choose.

Thanks for the input, I guess I'll have to learn to deal with some cold. I found a 30 degree bag made by Columbia that weighs 3 lbs, thought I might try it out. It's at the Campmor cite. It's odd, that's the closest camping store to where I live. Maybe I should take a trip there soon. Anyway, the bag is filled with ThermalC synthetic insulation, not sure how nice that is. But, it's about the least expensive bag I could find that weighs an acceptable amount. The places I've been going lately are up in the Mountains of West Virginia. It's not too cold, around 40 degrees each night at the moment, and soon it will be warmer so I will be able to take my summer bag. Maybe I should just take an extra shirt. Thanks for the help folks.

Here's another thought: have you bought a tent yet? If not, what is your budget?

For $90, you can get an REI Minimalist bivy sack (and $20 - $30 for a small coated nylon tarp, in case of rain) instead of a tent. The bivy sack will also add some warmth to your sleeping bag. And, your total shelter/sleeping bag system (with the down bag I mentioned earlier) will cost $200.

You'll end up with a versatile, flexible, inexpensive system. Good luck.

Search the forums for ways to use your clothing in conjunction with your bag to get low weight - and possibly lower cost. A cheap bag is a cheap bag and you get what you pay for. Another option would be to make your own. Save money and customize. Quilts are fairly easy to make and work fantastically. Search the fourms for one on gear swap - I just saw a Hydrogen go for 190 shipped on another board.

Aaron: I sent you a private mail about gear; let me know if you didn't get it.

Human Bn.

Since you are look at cheap bags and want a 30-40 degree bag. how about this one and its 3/4 lbs lighter with the same material in the bag. plus the return policy is not bad.


http://www.rei.com/REI-Outlet/product/767274


Good Luck on your choice

Mike

Thanks, Mike. I may try that one out. Seems to be what I've been looking for.

HumanBN

Good job, Weldman! May be a good match for now.

I agree with Glenn's post except for a different perspective on these two points. . . .

In most instances, these factors are already calculated into temperature range of the sleeping bag, so it is necessary to do these two steps in order to reach the bag's advertised limit -- not to extend beyond its limit. Of course, if you add more than one pad, you will extend the bag beyond its advertised temperature range.

Great - more "marketing creep"! When I started, bag ratings were based on using a pad, but sleeping in the open on a still night. Next thing you know, they'll be using some kind of hokey standard for tents, like not counting the weight of the stakes, guy lines, and stuff sacks. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

Just a note on the LaFuma ratings... the 30* rating is why the bag is named the "extreme", that temp rating is the extreme limit for people who sleep warm. If you are an average or cold sleeper you will find that the Lafuma extreme will only be good to 35-40* at best.

Yeah and all the pack weight conscious people will start start using hokey standards like "base wight" and not counting everything in their pack, or wearing their extra clothes and sticking stuff in their pockets so it doesn't count. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />