Deciding on sleep bags (budget)

[abhisheks77]

Hi,
I have been looking around for budget sleeping bag. Also, I searched different threads for getting worthy piece. We are couple and will be doing car camping in range of 35 to 50 F. I don't think, I will ever camp in freezing or lower temperature. Either I will two separate bags or one double (for both of us). We are occasional camper, not frequent. Can somebody help me in giving opinion about below options (which I found in my budget range) ---
North Face Wasatch 20F
North Face Wasatch 30F
North Face Dolomite 20F Double Wide (this one is double)
Marmot Sorcerer 20F
Mountainsmith Redcloud 20F
Kelty Mistral 20F
Slumberjack Latitude 20F
Kelty Cosmic 20F
REI Polar Pod Lite 31F

Except Wasatch, I was not able to find any of above in stores, so I am not able to decide if any of these will work for me. Can you please help me in suggesting any of these or anything else. Pictures don't do justice so I will not know, if any of these bags have good roomy space, as well as, should let me sleep comfortably in temperature range of 35 to 50. I have coleman basic tent and Alps mountaineering sleeping pad (3 inch thick).
Regards

 

[MudderNutter]

I have the North Face Dolomite that is shown in this link (http://www.rei.com/product/828230/the-north-face-dolomite-2s-sleeping-bag). I bought it, and have used it for backpacking for over a little over a year. My girlfriend has the same sleeping bag, but hers has the opposite facing zipper (mine is right handed, and hers is left handed). This allows us to use them as individual sleeping bags, or to zip them together as one large bag. I highly recommend going this route, as it allows much more versatility. The bags seem to be made/priced extremely well, and are also very comfortable (plus they look pretty sweet!). I am also a fan of rectangular shaped bags, because I move a lot when i sleep. Mummy bags make me feel like..... a mummy.

I see that most of the bags that you are looking at are rated around 30F or lower. I believe that you will be much happier if you stick to a bag rated at around 40F, as you will be able to use it in many more scenarios without being miserably hot. I have slept in my Dolomite 2s on nights colder than 30F and been very comfortable. If you are worried about those extra cold nights you can pick up a sleeping bag shell for a fairly low price that will allow your bag to handle about an extra 15 degrees of chilliness. :ylsmoke:

 

[abhisheks77]

Hi MudderNutter,
I am assuming your 2 North face Dolomite should be equal to "North Face Dolomite 20F Double Wide" (http://www.sunnysports.com/p-nfcbd2...double-wide?ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=NFCBD20DRR). Regular size is 119 $ on this website, which is cheapest I can found on internet. Do you think if I use it somewhere in around 50F, will it be miserably hot ?
Your bag seems to be excellent, but I am just concerned about its Temperature rating. Rei website says that it is 40F, while many other posts says that we should pick bag which should rated 10-15 degree lesser than the weather, in which we are going. And I will be going at place where temp can come down to 35-36.

 

[AFBronco235]

If you have any military surplus shops around, you should look into getting a military 3 piece sleep system. It has three pieces: the outer layer is a water resistant liner, the second is a moderate insulating bag and the third is a sub freezing bag. You layer them as you need them. They pack up in a small transport bag and the one I have cost $80.

 

[abhisheks77]

I checked military surplus stuff here, but currently available sleeping bags with them are either too bulky or not available.
If I choose to go with "North Face Dolomite 20F Double Wide", will it unbearable warm in 50's ?

 

[98OzarksRunner]

I have an REI Polar Pod 25 (25 deg) that I use for colder weather (well, cool - I've slept in it when it was 45, in a summer tent, and was warm). For warmer weather, I have a cheap Coleman bag (40-60 deg) from WalMart. Both bags are cheap enough that I can afford two, rather than being too hot or too cold with just one.

 

[MudderNutter]

Hey abhisheks77,

For your purposes I believe that the "North Face Dolomite 20F Double Wide" will be perfect for your application. Especially if your only intended use is to car camp with it. I required a single person sleeping bag, as I go solo hiking a lot... but like being able to link up the bags into one large one when the situation arises. Since your temperature range is 35-50 I would just buy the 20F Double Wide and be very happy with my purchase!:wings: I believe that you will be fairly comfortable up to 50F (you can always unzip one side)... it's hard to beat 119 dollars for two persons worth of sleeping bags at North Face quality.... then down the road if you plan on camping in warmer weather explore other options!

 

[Herbie]

How infrequent is your camping?

If you have a good tent, and you aren't going more than a few times a year, why not just use sheets and blankets from home? (A decent wool blanket and a flannel sheet set is more than warm enough for the weather you're describing...

 

[abhisheks77]

Thanks MudderNutter.
Herbie, I am not very frequent traveller. I will go to Banff and Canadian Rocks in end of this month which may be 40+ in night. In August end, I will camp in Yellowstone which will may come down to 35F in night. In october, again a trip to Yosemite which can show me 40F in night.

 

[Dvsjw_Betterhalf]

Remember if you are getting two separate bags that mens and womens bags are rated differently for the same thing. A mans 0 degree bag is a womens 15 degree bag. My husband and my temperatures run to different to attach sleeping bags. lol The "idea" of it and the reality of it can be two different things sometimes. I'd rather have a heavy bag and either sleep on top if need be or have a fleece to throw over top of bag as a light cover (or fleece goes inside of bag if REALLY cold).

I also advice going to stores that might have these and slide in them and try them out. Surprising how differently each one can be shaped and makes a difference how you sleep. I roll around a lot and have to have that room. I'm much smaller than my husband but my bag is larger so I'm more comfy. lol

 

[Desert Dan]

Big 5 has some coleman rectangular bags on sale. Good for summer car camping and can be zipped together.
Cotton flannel is good in warm weather.

 

[cdthiker]

with sleeping bags... you get what you pay for....
Despite lack of use you should still consider paying for a better bag.

Stay away from cotton.
Think about getting down.


I have four bags that I rotate depending on where I am and what time of the year. I have an REI brand 32 syn that is a decent car camping bag since it is a bit bulky. It is about fifteen years old at this point still going strong.

I have a Northface Cats Meow 20 that is fairly solid and I use as my summer backpacking bag also syn

I have a Mountain Hardware 0 syn that is my shoulder season bag early spring early fall

And finally a -40 Mountain Hardwear Gohst that I use in the winter it is down and worth every cent.


The NF 20 was the cheapest and the first to start falling apart. I think it came in at around 200 at the time


I guess my point is spend the money and only buy it once. VS going to a box store and buying a cheapy and replacing it.

For the record I destroyed a colmen and the wife has a Slumberjack left over from earlier in life. Bother were fairly worthless after the first few years as the started to fall apart and were no longer as warm as rated.

 

[JHa6av8r]

If you have any military surplus shops around, you should look into getting a military 3 piece sleep system. It has three pieces: the outer layer is a water resistant liner, the second is a moderate insulating bag and the third is a sub freezing bag. You layer them as you need them. They pack up in a small transport bag and the one I have cost $80.

x2

 

[Desert Dan]

Cotton is fine for summer car camping!
Down for winter!

 

[Rattler]

I am going to investigate the Eureka sleeping bags. They are owned by the company I work for so I get a good discount.