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Posted: 11/19/2012 6:19:26 PM EDT
This past weekend I went with my son on a webelos Boy Scout camp out. Im in Texas and the weather got down to 33 degrees while in my tent. Needless to say I froze my ass off. I'm in need of a good cold weather sleeping bag. Give me som opinions. I'm 6 ft 2 in and need a large bag here are some I found.
http://www.campingcomfortably.com/yeti-45-square-sleeping-bag-hood.html http://www.campingcomfortably.com/black-pine-sports-neg-35-degree-the-big-johnson-square-sleeping-bag-w-hood.html http://www.amazon.com/Sports-Celsius-Degree-Flannel-Sleeping/dp/B001D6TB8W/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1353379826&sr=8-3&keywords=teton+sports+celsius+xl |
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For what you're looking to deal with, (TX and hobby camping) These are a pretty good deal.
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What's your price range and temperature range?
http://www.rei.com/product/795978/mountain-hardwear-phantom-32-sleeping-bag#video-inner If you're willing to spend $250-ish for a great bag. http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___37418 If you want to spend only around $100-ish, go with the above one from CampMor. I have this bag, it's pretty light, compacts well and kept me warm in 35F weather. |
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You need to decide how "cold" you need and how far you're going to have to carry it.
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You need to decide how "cold" you need and how far you're going to have to carry it. This. Depends on if you are tent camping or packing. Makes a difference if you have to carry a heavy bag. I have had good luck with my Kelty 15 degree bag, and have slept out in 10 degrees and snowing and kept warm. This one is on sale, and is a 20 degree bag. You can pick up a liner if you want to go lower. Kelty Mistral |
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It's not just your bag that will help keep you warm. Get a good tarp like construction emergency blanket. Put it under the tent shiny side up, then get a good sleeping mat,get up off the cold ground.... combine that with a decent sleeping bag and your Gtg.
Also, changing into fresh dry sleeping clothes if you can. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
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It's not just your bag that will help keep you warm. Get a good tarp like construction emergency blanket. Put it under the tent shiny side up, then get a good sleeping mat,get up off the cold ground.... combine that with a decent sleeping bag and your Gtg. Also, changing into fresh dry sleeping clothes if you can. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile And a $10 air mattress is pure heaven. It not only softens the lumps but gets you off the cold ground. |
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I bought the North Face Goliath, zero degree bag I've had on many trips from -13 to 50 degrees F, it's the perfect size for me(6'4"). And even tho having it below the rating I was still toasty, highly recommend it to anyone.
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I like the grand teton celsius XL models. I've only been camping down to the low 20s, but I've never been cold in my sleeping bag. I think mine is rated for either 10 or 15 F.
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Cat's Meow for a bag. It's a 20C bag, so make it about 25 for "acceptable" if you're a guy. $200 for a "long" at REI.
Then splash out and get either an big agnes Q-Core sleeping mat (long and wide is $180) or an exped downmat 9 ($165 on sale at REI) |
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Wiggys. Warm when wet, maintains its loft, machine washable. I love mine. Not the lightest for backpacking however.
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Pick 2 of 3: (1) warm, (2) inexpensive, (3) lightweight. If you're just car camping, then you really don't need to worry about light weight. Buy something name brand, and something large enough to fit you comfortably (both length and girth––it really sucks to try to sleep in a bag where you can't move your arms). If you're really not concerned with packed-size or weight at all, then look at big rectangular bags with flannel interiors, much more cozy than a slippery nylon bag.
Also, get a good pad. I really like the Big Agnes Insulated Air Core. The best pad I've found for a side sleeper. ETA: don't get a used milsurp bag...just think of all the soldiers that have beat their meat in that used bag. |
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In your price range and for what you want I would look at
1 Marmot 2 the North Face 3 Kelty I prefer down 650 fill or better. If your car camping, weight is not a big deal. If you thing you will keep doing it spen more and carry less weight. $200 will get you a good bag in the 20* range. Look for the EN raiteing. Also GET A GOOD PAD, I have used Therarest, I now use Exped. Money well spent for a good night sleep. |
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You also need to remember that the degrees number is a survival rating. If it says 20f it means you'll survive at that temp. It does not mean that you'll be comfortable at that temp.
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More insulation UNDER you.
Sleep in clean clothes. At the very least, sleep in clean socks. In my experience, every temp rating I've seen on a bag is about ten or fifteen degrees optimistic. Take time to fluff the bag up. A wool army blanket burrito'ed around a sleeping bag goes a long way. If all else fails, that shiny throwaway emergency blanket will get you roasty toasty. You may just not be able to sleep for the noise it makes. Sleep with a knit cap on, even in a mummy bag. Especially in a mummy bag even, keeping the greasies off the bag is good. Speaking of mummy bags, I consider there to be two forms of sleeping bags. Mummy bags, and shit I fucking freeze in. A clean, dry down bag is the most perfect thing ever on this planet when you're cold and tired. They just don't stay clean or dry, lose effectiveness rapidly when not clean and dry, and are a raving fuckton of hate to return to that state. I don't even know if they still make real down bags anymore, but fuck them if they do. |
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Keep an eye out on steepandcheap.com and you can get some name brand top of the line bags at 50% especially now at the end of the season with closeouts etc..
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I have a Kelty Mistral 0 for cold weather and a Mistral 40 for warm weather.
Super affordable, comfortable, they hold up well and pretty decent for weight. |
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30 degrees is cold? Come talk to me when you sleep in a snowbank and its -20
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Just remember that the ratings a almost always VERY OPTIMISTIC. Always have a good thermal pad.
Follow the usual camping rules for staying warm at night. |
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You also need to remember that the degrees number is a survival rating. If it says 20f it means you'll survive at that temp. It does not mean that you'll be comfortable at that temp. ^ Exactly. |
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Elcope, details on that stove? Kifaru sawtooth with medium stove and Titanium Goat Titanium chimney. http://www.kifaru.net/sawtooth.html I ain't gonna lie, it's expensive. But my hobbies take me to shitty locations with beautiful views enough to warrant a tent the price of a used camper. The first year I owned it, I spent about 5 weeks in it around Montana doing various cool things. I also have a very understanding Wife now that I mention 5 weeks in a tent. ETA: I actually know the guy who makes those stoves for Kifaru, they are made here in Helena MT, and if you are looking for one, I can put you in contact with him. |
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Thanks for the info! After moving to CO i've been meaning to do much the same, myself.
Being from Texas, the idea of "start walking this direction for as long as you care, it's all public land" is foreign to me. Very nice tent and very nice stove. I'll send you an IM once I get around to spending money on camping gear instead of other stuff. |
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FPNI. I have one. last time i used it was 24 degrees out i was in the black bag inside the gotex shell and had no idea it was cold out all. MSS is awesome. ask any of the Joes or Marines who have used one. |
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30 degrees is cold? Come talk to me when you sleep in a snowbank and its -20 Sorry man, down in Texas everything below 50 is freezing. |
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Also I don't mind spending a couple hundred bucks on a nice bag. Thanks for the help.
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It's not just your bag that will help keep you warm. Get a good tarp like construction emergency blanket. Put it under the tent shiny side up, then get a good sleeping mat,get up off the cold ground.... combine that with a decent sleeping bag and your Gtg. Also, changing into fresh dry sleeping clothes if you can. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile And a $10 air mattress is pure heaven. It not only softens the lumps but gets you off the cold ground. an air mattress is bad. when you sleep the insulation in the bag compresses due to your weight allowing cold to transmit its self up into the bag. he'll need insulating closed cell foam between himself and the air mattress i use a large thick thermarest |
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Wiggys. Warm when wet, maintains its loft, machine washable. I love mine. Not the lightest for backpacking however. |
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if you are looking for a good and inexpensive down bag, check out the Kelty cosmic
http://www.rei.com/product/809427/kelty-cosmic-down-20-sleeping-bag I have done multiple hiking and camping trips in below freezing weather and this bag has been great. Also get a good pad or hiking air mattress, because you dont want to be directly in contact with the ground. |
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Coleman Heritage big and tall sleeping bag:
http://www.coleman.com/product/heritage-big-and-tall-sleeping-bag/2000008710 Mummy bags are great for backpacking and being in really cold climates. But for camping, like unloading your truck and pitching a tent, these bags are great! They also double as a comforter on your king sized bed for really cold nights. My girls keep steeling mine and I never see them again. They are relatively inexpensive and it's like bringing your bed with you. If it's not big enough, look for something like it, only for two people. They make them and they aren't that expensive either. |
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FPNI. I have one. last time i used it was 24 degrees out i was in the black bag inside the gotex shell and had no idea it was cold out all. MSS is awesome. ask any of the Joes or Marines who have used one. Fucking cats pajamas. Buy with confidence. |
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Quoted: Wiggys. Warm when wet, maintains its loft, machine washable. I love mine. Not the lightest for backpacking however. wiggys makes my woobie. good stuff. also plus 1 for everyone saying to get yourself up off the ground, the ground will suck you dry of heat. |
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When I was a kid and in the scouts we used to camp every month. I had a normal sleepover type bag for the warmer months, but for the winter camp outs, I always used a cheap OLD (maybe Vietnam era) surplus down filled bag. Sure, sometimes I'd get poked with a feather, but man were those things warm. Of course, this was back when gore-tex was still a bit pricey.
ETA: Sure, it was a bit heavy, but if a a 14 year old kid could hump it several miles, I'm sure it wouldn't be too tough for a grown man. |
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30 degrees is cold? Come talk to me when you sleep in a snowbank and its -20 From last weekend. Camping at 5600' http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/395060_211078712359616_764020705_n.jpg Yours truly taking a bunch of expensive shit for a hike. AKA hunting. http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/248819_211078819026272_1868743553_n.jpg How to live like a king in shitty weather, heated backpackable tents. http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/59619_211077029026451_1391808884_n.jpg http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/306735_211078635692957_1440086383_n.jpg That looks like so much fun.. and I live in crappy Arkansas. |
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