Recommend me a sleeping bag

wsp_scott

wsp_scott

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I had an airline incident and a bunch of gear got trashed (see photo). The most pressing is a sleeping bag so I can still get out this winter.

So, any recommendations for a 20 - 30 degree down bag that is ideally not too heavy and not too expensive (I know these requests don't really go together)?
I also need a replacement for Patagonia Cap 4 base layers/long underwear for my winter sleep outfit. Any suggestions?

2021-09-21 19.17.10.jpg

Enough friction to ruin my bear can, but I have a small one and won't need another large until next summer.
2021-09-22 10.40.12.jpg
 
That has to be a be a huge bummer! I'd think they owe you a replacement, but with all the waivers in place, can only wish you luck with that!

I have a 20 yr old Western Mountaineering Versalite, rated 15F, ~2lb 4oz. I swear by it, even though it's probably closer to a 20F bag at this point and lighter materials are available now. If I had to do it all over, I'd still go WM. Paid $375 20 yrs for a bag now selling at ~$600. But it lasts forever (unless a bear or luggage handler gets ahold of it). I don't regret paying up for quality in a critical piece of gear. You might check into the Ultralight (20) or Caribou (35) especially if you are using warmer sleeping outfits.
 
@wsp_scott what a mess!
Sucks,

I vouch for WM bags, had an old one in college that was excellent. It was pre-owned and I made it holey.

Funny enough I also have a MHW Phanton 15, got it on clearance for about half off a few years ago because it was a Long and LH zipper. I am over 6', so long works great for me. I have had plenty of nights below the teens in it, and in the 30s I sleep with a leg hanging out or partially zipped.
For summer I have a different bag when a 40d bag will work.

What about quilts? I have borrowed a Jacks R Better, EE Revelation quilt and a Zpacks quilt from friends when I was contemplating a different not-winter bag. I did not find the right combo for sleeping on my side and moving around without getting a draft, but otherwise all 3 seemed pretty good bang for the buck.
On REI outlet they have a Big Agnes North Fork 20d it is a little heavier, but not bad price.
 
+1 on the WM bags for warmth to weight ratio + longevity. I just bought a Summerlite to complement my Versalite, which I've had for ~8 years.
 
Ugly said:
@wsp_scott what a mess!
Sucks,

I vouch for WM bags, had an old one in college that was excellent. It was pre-owned and I made it holey.

Funny enough I also have a MHW Phanton 15, got it on clearance for about half off a few years ago because it was a Long and LH zipper. I am over 6', so long works great for me. I have had plenty of nights below the teens in it, and in the 30s I sleep with a leg hanging out or partially zipped.
For summer I have a different bag when a 40d bag will work.

What about quilts? I have borrowed a Jacks R Better, EE Revelation quilt and a Zpacks quilt from friends when I was contemplating a different not-winter bag. I did not find the right combo for sleeping on my side and moving around without getting a draft, but otherwise all 3 seemed pretty good bang for the buck.
On REI outlet they have a Big Agnes North Fork 20d it is a little heavier, but not bad price.
Click to expand...

It was actually a 30 degree quilt that got destroyed. I had already decided after drafts in the High Sierra and then Yellowstone this summer that I wanted a bag for temps around freezing. I was planning on keeping the quilt for hammock camping and temps in the upper 30s/40s. Now I'm getting a nice cold weather bag and will plan on venting if needed at warmer temps.
 
I hope you'll be getting some $ from the airline to cover the damages.
 
Ugly said:
What about quilts? I have borrowed a Jacks R Better, EE Revelation quilt and a Zpacks quilt from friends when I was contemplating a different not-winter bag. I did not find the right combo for sleeping on my side and moving around without getting a draft, but otherwise all 3 seemed pretty good bang for the buck.
On REI outlet they have a Big Agnes North Fork 20d it is a little heavier, but not bad price.
Click to expand...
I have an EE quilt in the long/wide configuration. I toss and turn a lot and it gives me the room I need to thrash around mostly unimpeded. You do need to adjust for the occasional draft, but I wake up often anyways so that doesn't bother me much.
 
My Big Agnes Spike Lake was a decent compromise between price and weight. It's not the lightest 15 pound bag, but it's held up well, packs down nicely, and cost me less than $200 when I bought it.
 
I have a western Mountainering alpinlite 20 degree. And it is accurate, I cook at 30 to 40 degrees and use it as a quilt then. Comes in at 2 lbs. Pricey but will last. Before that was a MHW ULtralamina and a Kelty Cosmic. Both fair bags....
 
Bob said:
15 pound bag?!? Wow...................................
Click to expand...
Hahaha shows what happens when I'm multitasking while trying to comment! Yeah my bag is actually insulated with rocks.

If it wasn't obvious, I meant 15 degree bag. I think it weighs a little under 2 pounds but can't remember. I'm gonna leave that typo up though because it's funny.

Edit: just kidding, it's slightly over 2 pounds.
 
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another +1 for the western mountaineering bags. but cheap they are not.

i used to get by just fine with a marmot 20 degree down bag. they go on sale often. they wont last nearly as long as WM but they are a lot cheaper. mine eventually lost warmth after about 7 years i think before i upgraded, but it did the job.
 
I've got a Klymit ksb 20 degree bag that I think is a pretty decent budget option for weight and warmth. I think the temperature rating is pretty accurate. I don't think I've ever slept cold in it but I also don't go out and camp in the mountains in the winter. I've spent a lot of nights out in the desert in winter and have never slept cold in it. The downside is that is really isn't that light. I think it's right about 3 pounds. I used to use this backpacking but have since switched to a UGQ bandit quilt which I really like. They also make an ultra wide version of their quilt. Mine is a 55 inch but they go up to a 65 inch wide on the Bandit XL. I have liked the Klymit bag and really the only reason I got the quilt was for the weight and space savings.
 
gnwatts said:
I love my Feathered Friends bag, beautifully made.
WM comes in a close second.
Click to expand...
haha I was waiting for some FF love here, i've been super happy in one of their 20 degree bags for quite a few years now, though at this point a 20 degree night in it would not be comfortable. thinking about getting a 15 next time, and then sort of calling the old 20 a 30 or 35
 
I settled on a 20 Degree Enlightened Equipment Convert in Wide/Long https://enlightenedequipment.com/convert-stock/
It has a full length zipper for the colder trips, but works as a quilt for warmer trips or when I have my hammock. I looked at all your recommendations (which I really appreciate) and this seemed to be the best for what was in stock/ship now.

Fully open like a blanket, I put my camera on it for scale and to show the loft. This thing is big.
2021-09-27 15.00.37.jpg

Like a quilt
2021-09-27 15.02.34.jpg

All zipped up like a bag
2021-09-27 15.03.05.jpg

I'll try to remember to update once I've used it in cold temps. Thanks again for everyone's advice.
 
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