Advice on the best lightweight sleeping bag for backpacking.

[Nick]

Let me offer a different perspective . . .

Really good points, Ned. Inexpensive stuff can still be really great, especially if it's the difference between getting out there or not. A few extra pounds overall isn't going to kill you starting out if cost is an issue for the really fancy stuff. The vast majority of my gear has all been sourced through super clearance deals or Sierra Trading Post double coupon type sales. Probably why I haven't invested in a WM bag yet.

In my opinion you'll keep a lot warmer by getting the best pad you can and then get the bag with whatever is left in your budget.

So true! I never even zip up my bag because my pad is so warm (neoair xlite or all season usually).

 

[Joey]

In my opinion you'll keep a lot warmer by getting the best pad you can and then get the bag with whatever is left in your budget. If you've got a $400 bag and there's nothing between you and the ground, you're more likely to be cold than with a high quality air mattress that keeps you 3" off the ground and a less than sleeping bag.

That's a pretty valid point.

 

[Bob]

Yes a pad is important. Any closed cell will work and is inexpensive. I use a regular NeoAIr. A lot of people complain of getting cold with it but I never have. I use a Prolite at work and when I hunted (late Oct), and camped a lot on snow, never been cold on it either. To me the pad is more of a comfort thing though.

 

[steve]

x4 on what Ned said. Pad is a huge factor in warmth. I only have one pad and use it all season long: a neo air x-therm. I love it. Nothing can touch it's weight for the r-value.

 

[gnwatts]

I have 2 bags that work well for me. Winter I use my Feathered friends Puffin. I asked them to add down at the bottom because I have cold feet, and they threw in a little more down to bring down to 0 degrees. They were terrific to work with, I like the bag because I need a lot of room, and it's semi-rectangular design works well for me. My other bag is a Western Mountaineering Mitylite, 40 degrees of down heaven. I have used it below freezing with long underwear. It packs down to nothing. I have also combined the 2 when needed. Amazing workmanship and if cared for will last a long time. I love my Exped Synmat pad, easy to pump up and pretty bomber construction.

 

[natylka]

I recently got the North Face Blue Kazoo down sleeping bag. It's rated at 15°, and is $279 at many websites, I happen to get mine via Dicks.com:
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=30831106
or the women's version: http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=30831146
it's also at Scheels here in Utah
I haven't used it outside yet. But I will the first weekend of February. I can let you know how it does.
it weighs about 2.5 lbs and North Face uses "water resistant 650 ProDown"

I would be willing to try this north face sleeping bag. It looks similar to what I had.

 

[natylka]

I have 2 bags that work well for me. Winter I use my Feathered friends Puffin. I asked them to add down at the bottom because I have cold feet, and they threw in a little more down to bring down to 0 degrees. They were terrific to work with I like it because I need a lot of room, and it's semi-rectangular design works well for me. My other bag is a Western Mountaineering Mitylite, 40 degrees of down heaven. I have used it below freezing with long underwear. It packs down to nothing. I have also combined the 2 when needed. Amazing workmanship and if cared for will last a long time. I love my Exped Synmat pad, easy to pump up and pretty bomber construction.

If I were to get feathered friends puffin, might consider this sleeping bag. http://featheredfriends.com/petrel-nano-womens-down-sleeping-bag.html

 

[Bob]

Sign up for Dick's Sporting goods email you get 10% off.