seeking the perfect bag

If you could only have one sleeping bag what would it be?

A bag that keeps me warm at 30F at 16oz will always have my attention. And the cheapest one I could find was the Western Mountaineering POD30.

If there’s a comparably lighter one, I would like to hear it (for <$300).

-Barry

Nunatak Arc Alpinist.

http://www.nunatakusa.com/site07/arc_products/arc_alpinist.htm

Western Mountaineering Megalite.

I own several bags and use my WM Ultralite 80% of the time, so I guess that's it. Could be a little roomier and the newest versions are a little lighter, but the proof is in the field every time I take it out.

Me also on the Western Mountaineering Megalite.

Didn't WM discontinue its POD line? I'd always heard good things about the POD, but never got around to checking it out. (Probably because the WM bags I already had worked great, and because my wife never really understood why I needed a Mitylite and a Megalite: "But, honey, one has a hood and one doesn't...")

Anyhow, is the 16 ounce weight an apples-to-apples comparison? As I recall, you must use an inflatable pad (maybe even their brand?) because there was no bottom insulation in the bag. To the extent that the pad weighs more than, say, the closed cell pad or possibly lighter inflatable pad you would otherwise use, don't you have to add the extra weight to the bag's weight?

For example: I normally use a 3/4 length Prolite 3 pad, plus the backpad on my Vapor Trail pack, to obtain a full-length pad. If I were to switch to a POD 30 bag, and was required to now use a full-length inflatable pad that (for the sake of argument) weighed 10 ounces more than my Prolite 3, wouldn't my "effective" sleeping bag weight be 26 ounces (16 for the bag and 10 for the excess pad)?

This is all probably a moot point if the line is discontinued. Also, it may simply reflect my own ignorance about the bag, if you can in fact just lay it on top of any kind of pad (including my Prolite/pack combo) and have it perform just as well.

Like I said, I always heard good things; too bad if they stopped making it.

“This is all probably a moot point if the line is discontinued.”

My very unique feeling of why it got discontinued is because they advertised it wrong. They advertised it at 32 oz when it should have been 16oz. The same thing for their 15oz Tamarak--- WM advertises is at 19oz. So I bet that’s not going to last long.

Who wants a $270 32oz 30F bag? But if people found out it was 16oz, I bet it would sell more. And no, you don’t need their pad (made by the ever so heavy POE). POD30 works great on the prolte 3 or 4’s. And yes you can just plop it down on any pad. I use it on my Torso pads (NightLight or Bozeman).

It looks like this “no insulation in the bottom” is becoming more popular as quilts are coming out (nunatek and golite). And they’re right; who needs insulation on the bottom? When I use a NightLight, I feel the warmth radiate back up to me.

WM had a clever way of attaching the pad (if you wanted to). They had the best design I’ve ever seen. There were no air pockets to the side of you the way BA does with their bags. And Golite recommends putting the pad inside their quilt. It would be warmer if people kept the pad outside of their quilt.

-Barry

Megalite for me too. I own a couple of bags but end up using it the most.

I'm hoping that it might be a GoLite Ultra 20 Quilt. I got one on order. If it really can keep me warm below freezing, it would be great, but I'm sure that I'll have to supplement with some head gear with the lack of the hood, but still at 19 oz, and $225, that aint bad.

It's called the "Blazer209".........ooops ! Different post...sorry ! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Anyone Western Mountaineering makes. Joking aside. Well maybe I'm not joking. I have the W.M. Hooded Aspen SMF now called the Sycamore. 25 degree - semi rectangular - 2 lb bag. Not the lightest but so versatile. If I'm dressed and prepared for 10 degrees with a little layering or a lot, ( if not sheltered ) I can still fit in my bag with room to spare and be toasty warm. Foot zip - two side zips- makes into a quilt total temperature control. Being comfortable from 6 to 60 degrees or at least survive a few nights at the lower temps without having to hike home because your freezing is a nice thing.

"Time is precious. Trek slower."

WM Summerlite. If you fit in it, of course. This thing packs so small it's amazing. My second choice (for colder climates) is the WM Versalite Super. It's funny I went mountaineering last summer and I was the only guy that ventures into the lightweight gear. On the way up to base camp everyone else had these huge packs and tents and sleeping bags hanging off their packs. I had my WM Versalite super and my BD Lighthouse tent stuffed in the bottom of my Vapor Trail pack and everyone kept asking me if I was sure I remembered to bring everything I needed. Someone specifically asked "Are you sure you didn't forget your sleeping bag? Where is it?"

I guess for me it would be the WM Badger..Great bag for a big guy....Living in AK

Got to be the WM Mega-light....sabre11004 <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

MYOG quilt. It is light enough to carry all the time. I could supplement it in colder temps - But I would be limited to 25 degrees (with supplement) so it would kind of suck not to go when its cold.

No no wait - maybe the WM Alpinlite, I have had it down to 10 degrees and although it would be heavier for summer use I could still go 4 season.

Re-do: Yes, definately the quilt. I could never stand that WM in my hammock.

Final answer - myog quilt.

Presidnetial Signing Statement -- Unless its cold.

I'm with Budman, The WM Badger is a great fit for us big guys. I just bought a Mont Bell U.L.SS.Down Hugger #1 Long and it fits even better. Haven't got out with it yet, hopefully it will live up to it's temp rating.

Badger for me too. I wish it was lighter, but it is the warmest most comfortable 15 degree bag ever. I'm NOT big, five nine one fifty five. I love the extra room, can layer clothes, spin around, but most importantly: There is more. I use it unzipped with my wife with a piece of ripstop (epic it so happens) pinned under it. It's not the lightest one person three season, but may be the ligtest two person three season that is plenty warm to 20 degrees (have not gone lower).
Wait, there is more.
I can slide my WM Iroquois or my TNF Beeline inside it without losing loft on either= Full on winter bag.
Do I want a bag for every occation? Of course. Can I have one? No. The badger serves so many purposes, and most importantly is soo comfortable and sooo warm.

Other bags I have used and don't think are as good.
Ultralite (too tight, the down compressed against my butt when I side sleep. top quality.
Iroquois-I love it, perfect warm weather bag, unzipped as a quilt. Just so nice. However, it's not warm enough for me (cold sleeper) in the high country in summer. I could make it work but it's not perfect.
Mountainsmith Vision-That was a great bag. 2 Lbs, plenty warm, 3/4 zipper. Probably should have kept it.
TNF Beeline- Great bag. Comfortable, only 19 oz. Great solo bag but also can't handle high country for me. Because no zipper it has less range than the Iroquois, although it is lighter. I end up using it for my daughter. I fold the bottom inside for 4 layers of Uber warmth.
TNF-propel-Not warm enough-otherwise very nice
TNF Fission-Warm, nice light, too tight. Might be my choice for solo Lost Coast Hike in spring (Rain)
Golite Fur 40 degree two person quilt-
Actually we love this thing, great desgin, relaly great design with curved shoulders,middle falp[ to keep out drafts and zippered foot box (Way ahead of its time) but it weighs more than the Badger and isn't as warm. Nough said.It only comes whe we are near the car.
WM Highlite-Too tight, no full zip, not warm enough for me. What a nice piece of kit.
Helium EQ-This was a really nice bag. Also should have kept it. Full zip was the best part. I don't need a waterproof bag.
Lithium-Ah, now this was the closest thing to reaching the comfort and warmth of my Badger. With a full zip it would probably be the single best bag. However, slightly too warm for summer.

I have a Santa Cruz Down works Gore Tex bag from the eighties that I like alot. Don't need the goretex but I love the full wrap-around zipper, the quality is tops, and it has unique design elements I like (can be a flat quilt) I want them to make my next bag. It will be a 15-20 degree two or so pound with 64 inch shoulder, and some thin microfiber.

Othr bags I'm intrigued by:
Golite Ultra 20. come on, that just looks like it.
Jacks-R-Better Quilts _they look like alot of bag(quilt) for the money money
WM Alpinelite
WM Versatlite
All Valandre (Cost) Also, the ones I sw at rei were not as nice as I imagined they would be. Not equal to WM fom my limited evaluation.

Same here. The WM Pod 30 is my current and favorite bag. I removed the sleeping pad skirt and saved an ounce or two.

Ideal bag? Doesn't exist. What I want is a Pod 30 with a little bit of overfill (make it a Pod 25) and uses EPIC fabric as the shell. With these options, it would top out around 20 oz and I would be set for life.

P.S. Continuous baffles instead of sewn-threw box construction would be *awesome*.

peace.
ryanc