Inexpensive down sleeping bag

I know I should invest more in my sleeping bag but I am currently in college and don't have the resources I would like.

With that said, what would everyone recommend for a light +20 degree down bag for around $150?

I also understand that these requirements are all trade-offs but hey no harm in asking.

Have heard god things about the Campmor house brand bags
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___40065

As has been mentioned in other posts, there is the choice of light, warm and cheap. It is only possible to pick two.

I have not seen the Campmor but would guess it is a good compromise. That said, I'd still suggest you consider scrimping for a really good bag -- it's a 20 year investment.

Depending on your size as u human being and shipping costs (did a quick calculation for the states and it's quite ok) i think the Alpkit gear is hard to beat.
Link : Alpkit Sleeping bags

Sorry I failed to mention that I am 6'3" and so a long bag would be required.

I have been looking at bags and agreeing more and more with what Keith said about it as an investment. So lets raise the bar to fitting me at 6'3" and 185 lbs and $250.

Thanks everyone for your time.

It's a little more than you would like to spend, but I would look at these two bags:

Kelty Lightyear +20:
http://www.rei.com/product/763709

REI Radiant +25:
http://www.rei.com/product/777908

The Kelty has always been a popular and affordable down bag.

The REI is new this year and they are using the EN rating system used by all European sleeping bag companies for increased accuracy.

I'm currently looking at the Marmot Sawtooth +15 Long.

Any experience with this one.

Campmor has a few lines of down bags on sale, their house brand and TNF I believe, I just threw the catalog out. I picked up a TNF 12-15 years ago, 35 degree bag for $119. They have gone up some, but still a good deal. A full length zipper is nice. I sold my bag to a college student/counselor last Spring for cheap. It washed up good before I sent if off.

My nickel's worth of advise:

1. Holster you wallet, but leave the safety off.

2. Research all the popular and well regarded bag brands and make a list of acceptable models, the bigger the list the better.

3. Wait for a sale and/or closeout and JUMP when you hit your pricepoint.

By being flexible as to precisely which bag you end up with you'll inevitably snag a $250 bag for $150. Believe me on this last bit. Everything ends up on sale eventually; that's how I got my WM Ultralite for the price of a Kelty.

Cheers,

On the subject of bags, one thing I've only seen on one brand that I can't believe isn't more popular is the center zipper. A hiking buddy recently bought a 0-degree center zip GoLite down bag and when I saw it, I had one of those moments where you wonder "why isn't this more popular?" After crawling in it briefly to test it out, a center zipper is FAR better than a side zipper.

Thank you all for your input. I will do some more research and will definitely check out the center zip ones.

Thanks again

I've had a Marmot Sawtooth +15 long bag for about 5 years. Its a great bag and a great value for the quality. Do some research and you will find that Marmot is more conservative than most manufacturers in regards to temp. rating. I've camped in mine in the low teens several times and always been comfortable. Good luck and The Sawtooth is a great bag.

“3. Wait for a sale and/or closeout and JUMP when you hit your pricepoint.”

I like this idea. I bought some WM bags this way. For example, there’s a 6’6 “Western Mountaineering Alpine lite sleeping bag” at ebay # 280312873952

-Barry

I picked up two (one for me and one for the wife) Campmor down regular sized bags about a year ago on sale for $150-ish for both. I've used them in the house quite comfy as a quilt. The full length zipper was really nice and stops just shy of the foot box to keep your feet toasty. I also used it on a hunting trip in an unheated camper with outside temps in the low 20's. Kept me warm and cozy. Not a true test, I know, but reassuring none the less.

Kris

I've had one for a couple of years. I love it. It could be lighter but is a good price/weight compromise in my view. It is well constructed and quite comfy.

e.t.:

"one thing I've only seen on one brand that I can't believe isn't more popular is the center zipper."

Last year I bought two center-zipper "V" bags from Luxurylite. They come from Bruce Warren, a cottage-industry guy who every once in a while speaks up on this forum. My wife and I both love the bags (and she's a cold sleeper.)

And the "V" bag meets the criteria required by moose, who started the topic: cost: $145, weight: 31 oz., rating: 20F -- which is controllable since it is a center-zipper bag; just unzip in warmer temps.

(Note: Nowhere in my post have I mentioned the phrase, "fill power." Those words of Bruce's got some people riled up here on a post about his bags.)

WOW, thank you!! I may need to pick one up at that price.

Ummmmmm...ya' just did, Bra

BF

I got a couple of the factory second Luxurylites, and I couldn't be happier. I've had one down to 25 with long johns and a fleece top. The other one I opened, and added down to the underfilled baffles. Used it in 22 degree weather last weekend, but got a little warm. I think I turned it into a 10 degree bag.

Hey, moose:
Keep an eye out on eBay for one. There are two Marmot Sawtooth Long currently at auction.
good luck,
Oz

For the money you could do a lot worse than the luxurylite bags. I don't think I could sleep warm at 20F in one without a hat and long underwear, but the price point and the weight are attractive.

My three Luxurylites all weighed in at about 30 oz. And I wear a hat with any bag when it's cold.

As I said, you could do a lot worse. My lightest bag has 6" of loft and is just over 3 pounds. The luxury lite bag would be over a pound lighter for very little money. My current bag is clearly overkill for warm weather, it's just the bag I happen to own. Even better would be the luxury lite bag in a regular length - up to 6'.

I don't intend to open a can of worms here but in all fairness the LL "V" bag is not rated to 20 degrees F. At least not the way other bags are rated. From the LL website. Emphasis is mine:

"Temperature rating on the UltraLite Cot with Cool Mat inside a tent - 20 deg F. "

"Temperature rating on air mattress and no shelter - 45 deg F"

That number for outside of a tent is a joke. Mine are much warmer than that.

I think the killer phrase in that LL +45F rating is "air mattress". The usual cheap, uninsulated air mattress can suck a lot of warmth out of you from below.

If you look at Western Mountaineering specs as their temperature ratings are widely considered conservative, you'll find:
Megalite - 4" loft, 30* rating
Alpinlite - 5" loft, 20* rating

The luxurylite, with 4" of loft, should be comparable in warmth to the megalite (30*). So, perhaps not 20*, but at least good to freezing for most people.