Recommended lightweight, highly packable, "warm weather" sleeping bags?
- Thread starter zuren
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RDK13
Observer
I love the Snugpak bags. Ditched my issue bag system and have been using Snugpak bags for years. I use the Jungle bag for warmer weather and the Softie Elite 1 when it's colder. They pack up supper small and they are light weight. They can be a bit pricey but they are worth the money. I have used them for several deployments and have not been disappointed. If I have a bunk I like the jungle bag as it will completely unzip and a can be used as a blanket.
Ray
Ray
Rumblefish_Pro
Observer
I hear you, I originally got my Merlin 3 to save space in my rucksack when patrolling, but lost it in a wicked storm on a training exercise for deployment. I still have and use my Kestrel 6.
Mountain Hardware Speed 30 dry down, packs to nalgene bottle size. Open it up and use it as a blanket below the tree line, wear your puffy in the alpine. Kind of my go to bag as its the smallest I have. It spans range from summer backpacking to mountaineering in the cascades. Winter/Shoulder I use one of my WM bags.
There are some better options our now from zpaks but about 1lb treated down is probably your target.
There are some better options our now from zpaks but about 1lb treated down is probably your target.
http://www.gofastandlight.com/Rip-Stop-Summer-Season-Sleeping-Bag/productinfo/S-WFS-XLITE/
Best price and a great bag, packs very small.
Best price and a great bag, packs very small.
I definitely second the Mont Bell Spiral Super stretch. The new 900 #5 is incredible. Plus the pack-ability on these is incredible. Even though they are not cheap, you will never be sorry you spent the money.
Also the next level below, which is still down, but 600 or 700 fill, is still incredible and packable.......just much cheaper.
PirateMcGee
Expedition Leader
Really enjoy big agnes sleep systems
I'm a big fan of Wiggy's sleeping bags. Made in USA, have a lifetime warranty and they encourage you to wash it after every use.
http://www.wiggys.com/sleeping-bags/
http://www.wiggys.com/sleeping-bags/
Just to update this thread:
I took some time to weigh my sleeping bag and it was heavier than I first thought; just a hair under 3 lbs. A bit heavier than I want. It does not completely unzip but even if it did, while the hut beds do have a pad/mattress with some type of cover/sheet on them, there is no telling how many people have slept on them by the time I get there. A sheet or layer of material of some sort between me and the pad would have made me feel better.
The GoSnug blanket looks nice and I like merino wool, but how packable/compressible and light is a twin size blanket? $300-400 is a hefty chunk of cash as well!
Of everything I've come across so far, the Big Agnes Cross Mountain 45 is the most interesting. https://www.bigagnes.com/Products/Detail/Bag/crossmountain452017
Weighs 1 lb. 13 oz. No insulation on the bottom so it seems to me it would work well in my van on the fold down bed and in any situation wear a pad/bed was provided but no sheets or blankets (eg. crashing on someone's couch). I would like to try a summer bikepacking trip so this could work for that too. I need a new pad so I could get one of the Big Agnes pads and have an integrated system. And I could pick the bag up for a little over $100. Anyway, those are my thoughts so far but appreciated the feedback!
I took some time to weigh my sleeping bag and it was heavier than I first thought; just a hair under 3 lbs. A bit heavier than I want. It does not completely unzip but even if it did, while the hut beds do have a pad/mattress with some type of cover/sheet on them, there is no telling how many people have slept on them by the time I get there. A sheet or layer of material of some sort between me and the pad would have made me feel better.
The GoSnug blanket looks nice and I like merino wool, but how packable/compressible and light is a twin size blanket? $300-400 is a hefty chunk of cash as well!
Of everything I've come across so far, the Big Agnes Cross Mountain 45 is the most interesting. https://www.bigagnes.com/Products/Detail/Bag/crossmountain452017
Weighs 1 lb. 13 oz. No insulation on the bottom so it seems to me it would work well in my van on the fold down bed and in any situation wear a pad/bed was provided but no sheets or blankets (eg. crashing on someone's couch). I would like to try a summer bikepacking trip so this could work for that too. I need a new pad so I could get one of the Big Agnes pads and have an integrated system. And I could pick the bag up for a little over $100. Anyway, those are my thoughts so far but appreciated the feedback!
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SoDakSooner
Adventurer
We elk hunt right in that exact spot. I use a cheap cabelas 20 degree bag in late September, when we spike out. Weighs nothing, was less than $100 and packs with my tent/food/and pad and 3 days food all inside a 5200ci bag.
vwhammer
Adventurer
Have you ever heard of Outdoor Vitals? They have this 20 degree underquilt thing.
https://outdoorvitals.com/product/outdoor-vitals-aerie-20f-down-underquilt-sleeping-bag/
It can function as an under quilt, a sleeping bag or just a big blanket.
It only costs $160.
I am going to get a couple to try out for the wife and I for some van camping, backpacking and car camping.
https://outdoorvitals.com/product/outdoor-vitals-aerie-20f-down-underquilt-sleeping-bag/
It can function as an under quilt, a sleeping bag or just a big blanket.
It only costs $160.
I am going to get a couple to try out for the wife and I for some van camping, backpacking and car camping.
That looks cool, but all that verbiage on their page and not a single mention that I can find of the dimensions.
Outdoor Vitals, it's great that you're, "pushing the boundaries of quality, price and innovation via our direct-to-consumer business model and amazing company culture", but how long and wide is the thing you're trying to sell?
DaveInDenver
Middle Income Semi-Redneck
I've done about a dozen of the 10th Mt huts on skis and bikes as well as a few yurt and other huts (Never Summer up here, for example). Which hut was it?
You'll get a range of experiences. One time we had Polar Star completely full and the guys sleeping next to the stove kept it stoked, it had to be 70F upstairs. We slept on top of our bags with the windows open. Other times the stove will die and the rooms are laid out different. Like Eiserman in the late summer, it was probably 40F that time because it was just 3 of us. It's rarely going to be below about 50F though in my experience.
Most of the time the hut gets chilly so a bag liner is just not quite enough. I usually bring my old 20F Marmot bag, which is roughly like a Helium. It's a little overkill most of the time but with a full zip I can regulate for everything other than full sauna conditions. Also don't forget that you don't want to shed so much weight that you risk an issue if you or someone is caught out. There's been a couple of times where route finding and weather made for late arrivals so your bag might come into use for a hasty bivouac.
My plan is to buy an ultra light maybe 35F to 45F rated bag this summer and for huts I would add a bag liner for winter huts. That way you're covered for just about anything.
You'll get a range of experiences. One time we had Polar Star completely full and the guys sleeping next to the stove kept it stoked, it had to be 70F upstairs. We slept on top of our bags with the windows open. Other times the stove will die and the rooms are laid out different. Like Eiserman in the late summer, it was probably 40F that time because it was just 3 of us. It's rarely going to be below about 50F though in my experience.
Most of the time the hut gets chilly so a bag liner is just not quite enough. I usually bring my old 20F Marmot bag, which is roughly like a Helium. It's a little overkill most of the time but with a full zip I can regulate for everything other than full sauna conditions. Also don't forget that you don't want to shed so much weight that you risk an issue if you or someone is caught out. There's been a couple of times where route finding and weather made for late arrivals so your bag might come into use for a hasty bivouac.
My plan is to buy an ultra light maybe 35F to 45F rated bag this summer and for huts I would add a bag liner for winter huts. That way you're covered for just about anything.
vwhammer
Adventurer
Hmmm Yes that's a good point. I guess I overlooked that.
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