View Full Version : Sleeping Bag Frustrations
Ugh, I spent the better part of today running around to places like REI, LL Bean, EMS, et al. in search of a new sleeping bag to replace a 20 year old bag that I'm finally retiring. Either I grew in the shoulders and back considerablly over the years or some drastic design changes have taken place over the years. I could not find a bag that would fit me in the chest and shoulders. All the bags ranged in shoulder girth sizes from 60" to 72" diameter.
I've been interested in switching over to a quilt for quite sometime and now might be the time to do it. However, looking at the standard offerings from Nunatak and JRB, the all may be too small as well. But, I do see that JRB has their new Mt. Rogers quilt that will easily fit me (I just read Brancher's review on here).
Any suggestions for this big boy? I am 6' 2" tall, 270 pounds, 42" waist and very broad in the shoulders and upper back apparently.
- Tobias
Tobias,
I was going to suggest taking a look at Western Mountaineering (http://www.westernmountaineering.com) or Montbell (http://www.montbell.us/). Both these manufacturers offer wide bags. However, if you have already rejected bags up to 72" girth, these will not suit you either.
A quilt may be your best option. Consider making your own, custom size, to fit you properly.
I just measured around my shoulders, 59" around which explains why I didn't fit the 60" to 64" bags. No one had any 72" or 73" bags in stock for me to try but I have a feeling they will be snug as well once my arms get inside.
- Tobias
I'm not sure of the exact size but I use the seirra designs Paul Bunyun which is bigger than most mummy bags..
Toolshed
07-28-2007, 23:38
Tobias, I used to be a bodybuilder and have extremely broad chest/shoulders - I wear a 54" Suitcoat. I have two bags that I absolutely love a Montbell superstretch down hugger (http://www.backcountry.com/store/MTB0046/c3/s18/MontBell-America-Inc.-U.L.-Super-Stretch-Hugger-%232-Sleeping-Bag-25-Degree-Down.html) and a Marmot Sawtooth X-Wide (http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=39174364&memberId=12500226&storeId=226&catalogId=40000000226&langId=-1).
Both give me a lot of room to move around and I have had been pleased with both.
Thanks Toolshed, I'll check those out.
- Tobias
Tobias, I used to be a bodybuilder and have extremely broad chest/shoulders - I wear a 54" Suitcoat. I have two bags that I absolutely love a Montbell superstretch down hugger (http://www.backcountry.com/store/MTB0046/c3/s18/MontBell-America-Inc.-U.L.-Super-Stretch-Hugger-%232-Sleeping-Bag-25-Degree-Down.html) and a Marmot Sawtooth X-Wide (http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=39174364&memberId=12500226&storeId=226&catalogId=40000000226&langId=-1).
Both give me a lot of room to move around and I have had been pleased with both.
Does the super strech have a full zipper?
hopefulhiker
07-29-2007, 01:27
Check out the Big Agnes Bags...
optimator
07-29-2007, 02:19
Does the super strech have a full zipper?
Yes it does. I bought one last month and love it!
little bear
07-29-2007, 04:35
like hopeful hiker said check out Big Agnes......Im about a little taller than 6 feet and about 240 lbs and I have the BA Lost Ranger and love it, its wide enough for me to sleep on my side in comfort.....I think they are great bags.
LB
Cannibal
07-29-2007, 04:52
Quit carrying useless weight and go with the top quilt thought. Especially since JRB has the sale on until mid aug!
Yeah, I think Cannibal is right. Thanks guys for all the recommendations on extra wide sleeping bags but most of them are just way too heavy for what I am trying to accomplish. I'm trying to keep the weight under 2 pounds. The Marmot Sawtooth X-Wide (http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=39174364&memberId=12500226&storeId=226&catalogId=40000000226&langId=-1), as with most of the Big Agnes bags, would be a great bag but they all weigh in at well over 3 pounts.
I think I am going to go with the JRB Mount Rogers quilt.
- JT
GlazeDog
07-29-2007, 22:10
I've been interested in switching over to a quilt for quite sometime and now might be the time to do it. However, looking at the standard offerings from Nunatak and JRB, the all may be too small as well.
Tobias--
All the Nunatak bags and quilts are custom made AFTER ordering, so you can make adjustments based on weight, girth, height, even shoe size is taken into consideration for the foot box. I'm 6'6" so Tom at Nunatak suggested an extra couple inches to my length and added a touch of space to the foot box for my size 12 EEEE shoes size. A simple e-mail and I've got a custom quilt to fit me perfectly.
GlazeDog
slowroller
07-29-2007, 23:28
I hate mummy bags, so I decided to give The Ray-Way quilt kit a try and absolutely love it... I can twist and turn &rock and roll all night in comfort, and for 32oz's that ain't bad... As for as the temp rating's I have had mine down to 19* with no problem. that being said, I would highly recommend the quilt no matter which one you choose.
Farr Away
07-30-2007, 00:40
I hate mummy bags, so I decided to give The Ray-Way quilt kit a try and absolutely love it... I can twist and turn &rock and roll all night in comfort, and for 32oz's that ain't bad... As for as the temp rating's I have had mine down to 19* with no problem. that being said, I would highly recommend the quilt no matter which one you choose.
I also made a Ray-Way quilt, and highly recommend it. The thing I liked best was being able to completely customize it. My quilt fits me, and how I sleep.
Thanks again guys. I am definitely going with a quilt, I am just waiting to hear from the "Jacks" to figure out if one of their 48" wide quilts will be large enough or if I need to go with one of their new wide models. My choices are pretty much narrowed down to the JRB Hudson River (48" wide) or the JRB Mt. Rogers (64" wide).
- Tobias
peter_pan
07-31-2007, 12:48
Thanks again guys. I am definitely going with a quilt, I am just waiting to hear from the "Jacks" to figure out if one of their 48" wide quilts will be large enough or if I need to go with one of their new wide models. My choices are pretty much narrowed down to the JRB Hudson River (48" wide) or the JRB Mt. Rogers (64" wide).
- Tobias
Tobias,
Details sent by PM.... Mount Rogers will be a great fit.
Pan
Thanks again guys. I am definitely going with a quilt, I am just waiting to hear from the "Jacks" to figure out if one of their 48" wide quilts will be large enough or if I need to go with one of their new wide models. My choices are pretty much narrowed down to the JRB Hudson River (48" wide) or the JRB Mt. Rogers (64" wide).
- Tobias
-------------------------------------------------------------Hi Tobias ! I've got the WM Caribou which in the 6'6" lenght that I think you need too, is 65" wide. If you can't fit in there I don't know where... I just love that bag !http://www.westernmountaineering.com/index.cfm?section=Products&page=Sleeping%20Bags&cat=Microfiber%20Series&viewpost=2&ContentId=23http://www.westernmountaineering.com/index.cfm?section=Products&page=Sleeping%20Bags&viewpost=2&ContentId=27
Thanks again guys. I am definitely going with a quilt, I am just waiting to hear from the "Jacks" to figure out if one of their 48" wide quilts will be large enough or if I need to go with one of their new wide models. My choices are pretty much narrowed down to the JRB Hudson River (48" wide) or the JRB Mt. Rogers (64" wide).
- Tobias
Hopefully with the right link now:http://www.westernmountaineering.com/index.cfm?section=Products&page=Sleeping%20Bags&viewpost=2&ContentId=27
MadMax, thanks for that but the last bag I tried at REI had 65" shoulder girth listed on the specs but I couldn't get my arms in the bag. I'll check it out but I am 99.9% set on a quilt at this point.
Appreciate yours, along with everyones, replies however.
- Tobias
Thanks again to all who replied to this thread. I just ordered a quilt from JRB. I decided to go with their new Mt. Katahdin model, at 36oz. it's a bit bigger than I originally wanted but it is baffled to 3" and overstuffed to 3.5" of loft so I should stay pretty warm down to some really cool temps. It also measures 64"x84".
Now I need to decide on a tarp and I'll have my big three on hand.
- Tobias
Frolicking Dinosaurs
08-03-2007, 10:23
It is really hard to go wrong with a JRB anything -- these guys design top-notch products and have excellent customer service.
and have excellent customer service.
They sure do, The Katahdin isn't scheduled to be released until next month but Pan happened to have one ready to go early and said I could buy it. :D
I also ordered it with a pair of wings.
- T
mikeinFHAZ
08-03-2007, 12:37
I just ordered a quilt from JRB. I decided to go with their new Mt. Katahdin model
Now I need to decide on a tarp and I'll have my big three on hand.
- Tobias
I had the Mt. Rogers, also in the family of larger quilts and it was HUGE. I sent it off and got the Hudson River, which is the no sniveller minus the $50 head hole.
Zpacks makes a good tarp for little $ but Joe is out until September.
Any suggestions for this big boy? I am 6' 2" tall, 270 pounds, 42" waist and very broad in the shoulders and upper back apparently.
- TobiasIf the quilt doesn't work for you, I have four bags that fit me well enough that I can roll over inside without the bag turning with me (marginal with the Megalite).
Two down bags, expensive, but light:
WM 30* Megalite.
WM 15* Badger. more roomy that Megalite.
Two synthetic bags, heavier but roomier:
NF 20* Mammoth (model name says it all)
SD -25* very heavy, not for the AT, but great for winter packing. So roomy I can wear thermals AND a fleece in it.
It's hard to get stuff for big guys.
I had the Mt. Rogers, also in the family of larger quilts and it was HUGE. I sent it off and got the Hudson River, which is the no sniveller minus the $50 head hole.
I gave Pan all my measurements and we consulted quite a bit before I decided on The Katahdin. He didn't think the Hudson River would fit me very well and I'd be more comfortable with either the Mt. Rogers or the Katahdin. I'm going to try some cold weather camping this year (when snow isn't forecasted) so I decided on the slightly heavier Katahdin.
Zpacks makes a good tarp for little $ but Joe is out until September.
Yeah, there are actually quite a few guys closed until next month. I think I am going to try an oware tarp. I was also thinking of MLD but they quoted me a 10 week wait and I can't wait that long.
- T
FF makes awesome bags in three different widths. You customize the size, fabric, and loft. Incredible!
That being said I've moved to a hammock and have the JRB quilts. You'll love them too!
Decision made but just so you know, there are "wedges" available that add girth to your sleeping bag. I use a BA bag that is supposed to be one of the bigger bags at 72" but I had to add the wedge anyway. And it is still just over 2 lbs on the 35 degree bag and, not sure exactly but obviously, a bit more on the 20 degree.
I think these wedges will fit most any bag.