Posted: 6/30/2024 9:40:19 AM EDT
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Hey guys, looking to buy a few more sleeping bags and sleeping pads to my inventory. I currently have a recon 2 that I've used for about 15 yrs. Looking to get something for my son. I'm thinking of getting a cold weather bag as it'll cover all 4 climates even if we only camp in the summer and fall. I'm looking for the most budget/ cheapest possible while keeping as good quality as possible. Same for the sleeping pads/ mats. Any ideas? |
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Are you backpacking or car camping? I found ALPS Mountaineering bags to be quite good for car camping, with pretty accurate temp ratings. I’ve never used them but I’ve heard a lot of good things about Outdoor Vitals sleeping bags and gear. For spring, summer, & fall in IL an inflatable pad with an R-value of 3ish will be good down to around freezing. Anything large enough for him to fit and thick enough for comfort will work. If you ever camp in winter everything changes. No cheap sleeping bags or pads unless you want him to have a miserable time (if car camping) or potentially suffer from hypothermia (if backpacking.) Check Sierra Trading Post, Geartrade, and FB Marketplace. |
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https://www.varusteleka.com/en/group/sleeping-bags-and-pads/154 Carinthia bags are pretty damn good Wiggys is also pretty damn good. |
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Paria outdoor products has an inflatable sleeping pad and a 650 fill down bag. The pad is like 4.5 R value so not ideal for cold weather camping but probably can work for a young man. I wouldn't really recommend a 0 degree winter bag for summer use. A 15 degree bag can always have a bag liner thrown in it, or a down blanket draped over it. For lots of bags you'll want to add 10 degrees onto the advertised rating and that will be the comfort rating. So a 15 degree bag will work below freezing and if you have a good R value pad you'll be more comfortable. Paria is ok stuff for beginners getting into backpacking. For car camping it's fine. If it's only car camping you can look at synthetic bags but I prefer down since it packs down more. |
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Go to steepandcheap.com and see what might fit your budget. Stoic is the Backcountry .com house brand, and generally GTG. Utilitarian, and budget friendly gear that is in the arena with the bluechip brands. They currently have a 20F synthetic for $40. Whatever you get for your wife, make sure it is rated at least 10F colder than what you would have. And forget fleece sleeping bag liners. Go with a 30F down hiking quilt (tapered w/ sewn footbox). You'll want to stuff this inside your heavier bag to (1) take up dead air space and (2) add insulation thickness with minimal mass. For pads, look, there's no substitute for thickness and youth. Your kids may be fine with a 1/2" thick closed-cell foam pad. You, however, will suffer. If you live, at all. Just depends on whether your wife kills you. And, of course, it all depends on how you intend to use this stuff: backpacking vs car camping, etc |
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Cumulus. It’s a Polish brand. They offer really good customization and their prices are pretty darn good. I’ve got feathered friends. I’ve looked into Western Mountaineering. The fantastic range of product, very accurate temperature ratings, price, quality, and ability to customize makes them a superior choice IMO. That said, when it comes to sleeping pads, I’ve not found any reason to not do thermarest. Yes- expensive, but worth it. Check eBay- you can normally find someone trying to move one for a few bucks less than Amazon. |
Joined:
Nov 2024
Posts:
3
EE: 100% (6)
KY, USA
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I am currently running a NEMO Forte. I’ve had it out in 10 deg and it was at its limit. When I added my down 40 deg ultra light bag inside and my Kifaru Woobie doubled up u derneath me along with sleeping socks and a hat I was toasty down to 5 deg the next night. This was car camping so I had the ability to add to it. |
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A brand I checked out a little bit after seeing some of their gear in a YouTube video. Rock Front I’d consider them along with Cumulus for a 2-season sleeping bag (~30F) I may pick up next year. |