MEC Sleeping Bags

I got myself a new sleeping bag this year. Down filled MEC Gosling. http://www.mec.ca/AST/ShopMEC/SleepingBags/DownBarrelBags/PRD~5025-513/mec-gosling-sleeping-bag-5c.jsp

They have 3 sizes, Long, Regular and Small. The Reg. is for people up to 6' and the small is up to 5'6". When I went to the store they were out of the Reg, so I said to hell with it and got the small. I am 5'9". Even with the Small, there was plenty of room. I could still pull it over my head if I wanted to. So I was very pleased by this. It's a little lighter then the Regular size and takes up less space of course. I will always buy the small size from now on.

I wouldn't take this as gospel gordie - bag fit is an individual thing, and just because the small works for you in the gosling, doesn't mean it might not in some of the other bags or other brands.

For example, if you were to pick up an MEC merlin bag (which is a mummy as opposed to a barrel) you might find you need a bit more "closer to your size" fit.

but having said that, there's nothing wrong with using the bag that *you are comfortable in* - if you like the fit - the heck with what the label says! The moral of the story is, don't believe what it *says* it's for - Try them on and go with what you like. bags fit like clothing.

I think MEC-branded gear designs, on average, are at least a little better than REI-branded gear. As fashion in USA at least, the brand is way better.

I've got MEC Brio 50+ pack. It's pretty good. Was very cheap on sale 8 years ago, when CD was still a bit low.

Design strains slightly too hard for left field though, and I wish they had just opted slightly for something slightly more standard.

REI designs, from time to time, have suffered the same sin sometimes in more extreme form. They come up with something that is slightly weird, sell it for a couple of years, and then drop the idea and move on to other stuff.

Sleeping bags with perforated, aluminized covers, come to mind. Also bivy sack with arm holes, etc. I don't follow this stuff so closely any more.