Goose Down Sleeping Bags?

[Colorado Ron]

Im looking for a goose down sleeping bag system. I want 2, but would like them to zip together for when the wife and I are together. Does anyone have a good recommendation for a setup like this.

Ive seen the double size ones, but they dont seperate. Id like to have them seeperate so I can load one on my bike when doing solo trips.

 

[lowenbrau]

If it's cold enough for down, its way too cold to try to use them zipped together. The exception may be if you each have a lighter bag inside the big bag but where's the fun in that? You just can't control the drafts when there are four shoulders and two heads sticking out the top.

 

[cjmitchell5]

:iagree: Plus the whole "down, if it's wet it don't work".

Other than that if your heart is set on it Big Agnes bags are really nice and they can be zipped together if you order opposite zippers on each one.

 

[Tucson T4R]

My wife and I always used a pair of North Face Blue Kazoo bags that zipped together. They were synthetic though and not down. They worked great for us for years down into the teen temps.

 

[kai38]

I like a down bag over other types of sleeping bags.
In over 20 yrs I've never got the bag wet enough it didn't dry by bed time. Ive used the same down bag for backpacking & camping you will need to take care to keep it dry. Store it in a cotton bag not in the compression bag that comes with the bag when not using it (stored at home). Use the special down garment / sleeping bag detergents to clean it.http://www.nikwax.com/en-us/activity/index.php?activity=OUTDOORS
You can zip two mummy bags together get a left & a right zipped bag that will unzip all the way to the end of the track, not to the end of the foot. And they will zip together. After one night zipped together you won't sleep that way again though.

 

[762X39]

I have heard the stories about down not being a good insulator when wet but you know, when your hollowfill (or whatever) bag gets wet, it doesn't insulate worth a #*@% either.
I use a Woods bag that is big and bulky but it sure is warm. When I zip the matching pair to it so K and I can snuggle, she generates so much heat I don't have to worry about losses.
When I did my winter warfare course, I used a 2 piece down bag (issue) with a goretex bivy and it was no problem down to the Minus teens in celsius.
Mating mummy bags are good on paper but they are an aquired taste. A couple of rectangle bags are good as long as you know that there will be some heat loss.
The biggest factor is to change into some dry clothes (that you have not been wearing all day) and you should be able to stay "relatively" warm.

 

[Explorer 1]

Our bags of choice

I have an invividual very cold rating goose bag for my solo trips but when the two of us travel, this is our bag of choice:

"cabelas.com" search "Ultimate Adam and Eve"

It is two bags which can act as individual bags or zip together. We use the goose one on top and place the Quallo one on the bottom as it seems to be a thicker insulator and gives more cushon.

I'm also finding that as I get older I need to turn on my side and bring up my knees to relive lower back pain while sleeping. The bigger square bag allows this with ease.

Both openings have draw strings so to keep more warmth and my wife has easy access to her automatic heating blanket......me.

It may be a bit pricy, but I was given it as a Christmas present so no worries. It also comes with two polly pillows.

Thanks,
Fred
Explorer 1

 

[Colorado Ron]

I have an invividual very cold rating goose bag for my solo trips but when the two of us travel, this is our bag of choice:

"cabelas.com" search "Ultimate Adam and Eve"

It is two bags which can act as individual bags or zip together. We use the goose one on top and place the Quallo one on the bottom as it seems to be a thicker insulator and gives more cushon.

I'm also finding that as I get older I need to turn on my side and bring up my knees to relive lower back pain while sleeping. The bigger square bag allows this with ease.

Both openings have draw strings so to keep more warmth and my wife has easy access to her automatic heating blanket......me.

It may be a bit pricy, but I was given it as a Christmas present so no worries. It also comes with two polly pillows.

Thanks,
Fred
Explorer 1

Perfect! Thats what I was looking for! Thanks.

 

[MaddBaggins]

Down bags are the only thing I use backpacking. Lighter weight, larger comfort range temperature wise, better compressability. Never had issue with getting it wet, even in the nasiest of rain storms. Just be careful.

Check out REI for down bags. They have a huge selection.

 

[norshor]

Down, by far is the most thermally efficient insulator available. No man made material can approach the range of comfort, ability to compact, longevity,and the overall weight savings of down.
As a paddling guide in the BWCA for many years, and as an avid hiker/backpacker, I have never gotten my bags wet enough to not be serviceable. The answer to the wetness question is a good dry bag, and a solid tent or bivy.
My down bags are older than almost any of my gear. Down will not degrade like a petroleum based, synthetic material (which as a side note is why I prefer Merino Wool, such as Icebreaker to any synthetic base or mid layer or socks). When stored properly it will outlast anything, especially if you use a product like Nikwax, which was mentioned before.
REI's private label bags are great option, my wife has a -5 degree 800ish fill bag that she uses for all but July and August. And we have a pretty big range of temperatures where I live. I have and old Mountainsmith 880 fill 0 degree bag (no longer made) that handles the same seasons for me, along with a TNF Superlight that is older than I care to admit.
If for some reason I had to shop for a bag right now I would start with Mountain Hardwear and Marmot, as they use some of the best down for a reasonably priced mainstream consumer brand.
You dump a lot of $, into a bag, and I must say, its some of the best coin you can spend.

ps
I was in outdoor retail for a long time, as a manager/trainer/buyer, and feel very passionately about people getting the right gear.
Rant over:ar15: