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#183752 - 03/12/14 08:19 AM Need some gear advice...
dylansdad77 Offline
member

Registered: 03/12/14
Posts: 161
Loc: New Jersey
I am looking for opinions on rectangular sleeping bags. I own 2 mummy bags and I can never seem to get a good night's sleep in either one - mainly because I am a stomach sleeper and I keep 1 leg straight and 1 leg bent at the knee. This means the mummy style with the tapered footbox does NOT work for me. However, I am a weekend warrior and like 2-3 day hiking and or kayaking trips so I am looking to stay close to (preferably under) a 3 lb carry weight. Pack size is also a consideration.

Anyone have any suggestions? Anyone ever try the Eureka 20/40 bag?
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#183754 - 03/12/14 08:44 AM Re: Need some gear advice... [Re: dylansdad77]
ETSU Pride Offline
member

Registered: 10/25/10
Posts: 933
Loc: Knoxville, TN
What about a quilt?
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#183759 - 03/12/14 09:57 AM Re: Need some gear advice... [Re: dylansdad77]
lori Offline
member

Registered: 01/22/08
Posts: 2801
I regretted every cheap bag. Have yet to regret the nice down quilts I've got. Less than two pounds and unfailingly warm. However, they work best in colder temps when tucked around you nicely.

If you want to thrash around in complete enclosure go look at Montbell Super Spiral bags - higher end, but some models are made with stretch for folks who move in their sleep or sprawl. Western Mountaineering is another high end bag with different options - you can find a semi rectangular in varying weights.

You really get what you pay for with bags... learned that the hard way. Pay once, enjoy for years... pay many times over when the bag is cold, the zipper breaks, the synthetic breaks down... You don't get cheap, warm and light all in the same bag. You get two of those. Pick your priority.
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#183765 - 03/12/14 01:28 PM Re: Need some gear advice... [Re: dylansdad77]
aimless Offline
Moderator

Registered: 02/05/03
Posts: 3292
Loc: Portland, OR
Your particular style of sleeping, with one straight and one bent leg would clearly make mummy bags a problem. I haven't used a quilt, but there are quite a lot of experienced people here who swear by them. I'd look into that option before I'd look at a rectangular bag. The drawback of a rectangle is that it creates a very large air space that your body must keep warm. A quilt should be able to wrap you more snugly and eliminate that inefficiency.

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#183766 - 03/12/14 02:31 PM Re: Need some gear advice... [Re: aimless]
finallyME Offline
member

Registered: 09/24/07
Posts: 2710
Loc: Utah
There are bags that are half way between a mummy and a full rectangle.

Of course, if you made your own quilt, or went to a custom cottage company...you can get a quilt with a foot area that is as wide as you like.
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#183772 - 03/12/14 04:01 PM Re: Need some gear advice... [Re: finallyME]
OregonMouse Offline
member

Registered: 02/03/06
Posts: 6799
Loc: Gateway to Columbia Gorge
We all have our individual styles of sleeping, don't we! Plus it can change--in my old age I seem to be switching from being curled up on my side in the fetal position to sleeping on my back. Occasionally I do tummy-sleep in the position you describe--yes, a bit difficult in a mummy bag.

If your current mummy bag has a full-length zipper, try unzipping it and using it as a quilt. That will give you at least some idea if a quilt will work for you. Of course, as finallyME says, you can get a quilt made wider at the foot. Maybe a warm blanket(s) would be better for a trial?

ZPacks carries what is really a cross between a sleeping bag and a quilt in extra-wide width.

If you can find a Montbell stretch bag at a local store, try one of those, too. Or order one and be prepared to pay the return shipping.

Western Mountaineering and Feathered Friends (both top of the line) carry several semi-rectangular bags. These don't have hoods, so you'll need to wear warm headgear. Feathered Friends, Goose Feet and Katabatic make down hoods that would work well. You'll need these with a quilt, as well.



Edited by OregonMouse (03/12/14 04:12 PM)
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