Winter Gear

[Graywolf]

You may have read my topic on 'New Pack' so you may have a jest that I am now going lightweight.

Well, here is the news, I think I have made my decision on the Golite Odyessey pack. Looks like I can get my base weight down under 10# except with one item. My sleeping bag.

Befor e I go into the winter gear, I would like to know of a good bag for winter hiking that is light but wont break the bank or break my back.

My current bag for winter, rated 15* is a good bag, but what is the use of getting you weight down when the heaviest item almost doubles your base weight. Yes, it weighs 6#. I need some suggetions on this.

Also I am looking for suggetions for light weight winter clothes. I live in Texas and most days we don't need anything very low. I use my jacket maybe 2 days out o fthe year and it is heavy.

I am considering a late fall hike (1st week of December), from Springer to Neels Gap and need to find a lite weight jacket so any suggetions for this too will be great .

Thanks Guys.

[sweetpeastu]

hmmm If Lonewolf were around and you asked him about sleeping bags, he would be the first to tell you that Campmor's down bags are excellent (lots of people say this, though I've not tried them).

A lot of it depends on how much you're willing to spend and whether you want down or synthetic and what temp. range you're looking at. I really like my Marmot Helium (down) 15 degree bag that weighs 1 pound 15 oz., but it cost $300.00 You might also check out Mountain Hardwear -- I hear their gear is good. They have a down bag (30 degrees) that I've been looking at that weighs around 1 pound 7 oz., but it too costs over $200.00. Mtn. Hardwear also makes a line of synthetic bags called "Ultralamina" in varying temp. ranges. They are lightweight and more compressable than other synthetic bags...I've been looking at these for a while too.

Did you say that your current sleeping bag weighs 6 pounds?!? It shouldn't be very difficult to cut that weight down to 2 or 3 pounds depending on the sleeping bag you choose and how much money you can spend.

SOmone recently suggested Lafuma bags to me. (I think its Lafuma) They're NOT top of the line bags, and whatever their temp range says, I'd subtract ten degrees (ex, if it says its a 30 degree bag, I wouldn't try to sleep in it past 40 degrees). They make some down bags that are lightweight and relatively inexpensive.

Hope thats helpful.

[Summit]

For a sleeping bag, bargain shop the sales. You can get good synthetic bags much cheaper than down at the same temp rating. A 15-20* bag should be adequate and you should be able to get a newer synthetic for about half the weight of your current one. But if you've got an extra $100 and insist on down, there's nothing wrong with that . . . just can't dry out sweaty or rain wet clothes in it like you can synthetic bags.

I love my Marmot Precip jacket for both rain and as the outer layer of my cold weather clothes solution. Get the jacket large enough to be able to wear two layers of fleece underneath. I like to have one front zip fleece that I hike in . . . the zipper allowing ventilation adjustment. Then if needed in camp, I can add a second pull-over fleece underneath the Marmot Precip, and I'm telling ya, those layers will take you down into the teens, possibly single digits depending on your metabolism.

You can usually find the Precip on sale for around $60-65, and quality fleeces for $40 apiece. I got lucky and got my zip up one for $12 on sale at REI. A layered system like this allows you to only wear what you need, rather than some heavy winter parka that's overkill most of the time, and you are too chilled without it, and roasting with it.

I'm sure some other folks with suggest some other similar brands, and maybe other materials besides fleece, but what I just described works very well for me. It's what I wore last April when Christus Cowboy and I got caught in a six-inch snow storm and two nights down into the single digits with a 20* high day in between. I stayed dry and comfortable.

[Graywolf]

I have been looking at the western mountaineering and Mountain hardware and both seems to have good gear according to the threads I have read from other hikers. So I do have some good choices. I appreciate all who have givin me some information.

FYI, I am experianced at backpacking but I am old school, meaning I am still in heavy gear line. A few years ago I upgraded from an MSR Whisperlite stove to a Tangria stove and love it. Then from a heavy Walmart brand dome tent to a Henry Shires Squall. (the first one) and loved it. At the (then) 18 oz, I thought it was incredable. But I just couldn't get around to letting the backpack and bag go. (Hardheads never change so they say). On my section hike I left the bag at home and just took a fleece blanket, and it worked great, bulky but light. Now that my pack is on it's last leg, uhhhh... suspension rod, I am changing that out.

I will be off at the end of november and thinking about doing another section hike. And hope the gear being updated, will hold up this time.

To me synthic is the way to go as I am kinda of a clutz and want a bag that can hold up a little. Although I am looking more towards the Wwestern Mountaineering Apachie Down bag or the Ultralite series.

REI has one, Halo, rated at 10* 2#10oz 299. SO I have some good choices to go after.

You guys gave me some good info and I will check it out.:D

[buz]

If you are considering spending the $ for a WM or high end down bag, I say do it. last bag you will buy, packs way smaller and lighter and warmer then synth. and as long as you are halfway smart about your shelter set up and location, should never get truly wet. A good down bag is a great investment.

[bigcranky]

It's tough to get a winter bag that is both lightweight and inexpensive. I use a Western Mountaineering Antelope in the winter around here. This is a terrific 5-F rated bag that weighs less than 3 pounds. The rating is spot on, at least for me. And I got it on a 40% off clearance sale at my local outfitter when they stopped carrying that model. But it was still expensive even on sale.

[Snowleopard]

Adapting the old saying to sleeping bag: cheap, light, winter -- pick two.
Decide what temperature rating you need first. The Campmor sleeping bag that is often recommended is I think rated for 20 degrees, and it's cheap and light; I think it's this one for $120, 2 lb 4 oz: http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___40065
If you need a colder rating you ought to be able to find 0 to 10 degree ratings in synthetic at about 4 lb and not expensive.
This one is $150 and 3 lb 8 oz, haven't read a review: http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___40068

My sleeping bag is a down 10 to 20 degree bag and under 2 lb, a Feathered Friends bag, very nice, and bought when I had more $$$.

[Cool AT Breeze]

Campmor down bags can't be beat for the price.

[aquaman1208]

Just a related question? I can't find my western mountain sleeping bag I paid a lot of money for and have to get a new bag. My memory isn't quite what it used to be and I wonder if the temp it's rated to is supposed to the temp you could drop to and still be comfortable or a temp you can just make it though you still have to wear your fleece or other warm clothes? Just don't wanta make a mistake and suffer for it.

[bigcranky]

Hey, aquaman,

I find that both of my WM bags are good down to their rated temp when I am wearing long johns, socks, and a light hat. This assumes I am on a good pad and out of the wind (i.e.. not in a shelter or out in the open.) I also sleep pretty warm, though, so YMMV.

[David@whiteblaze]

i think theres supposed to be a minimum temp (u wont freeze, just every thing will be a second away from frostbite i.e. survival.) and a comfort temp. im also pretty sure that the online shops show min. rather than comfort.

[buz]

We have quite a few of the Campmor 20 down bags in our scout troop. Good value bags, no doubt, but IMO, skimpy on the 20 degree ratings. IMO a warm 30 degree bag, but at 20 or less, you better have some good layers on. Sleeping temp is highly variable, but we have had some cold outings, and that is my best findings on these bags. Again, good value, but at 20 or below, better have extra help.

[babbage]

Just a related question? I can't find my western mountain sleeping bag I paid a lot of money for and have to get a new bag. My memory isn't quite what it used to be and I wonder if the temp it's rated to is supposed to the temp you could drop to and still be comfortable or a temp you can just make it though you still have to wear your fleece or other warm clothes? Just don't wanta make a mistake and suffer for it.

Sounds like you already did make a mistake - and now you gotta suffer for it. If your memory is that bad, you might not remember how cold you got the night before -- so it may not matter. LOL

[fiddlehead]

100% Polypro Govt. Issue Sweatshirts and Sweatpants
Lightweight and warm.
Google it.

[garlic08]

My first down bag was the Campmor and it is a good bag, with that qualifier "for the price". Then I got real lucky and found the Marmot Helium on sale on Steep n Cheap, and the first time I used it I kicked myself for waiting so long to get a really good bag. I don't think I ever would have paid full retail, over $300, but as it turns out over the past few years it would have been worth it after all.

Get as good a bag as you can possibly afford, and spend a lot of time shopping. It will be worth it. The 550 down fill in the Campmor bag really can't compare to the 800+ fills in the high-end bags.

For winter clothing, it depends a little on your style. Do you plan on sitting outside at all? If so, you'll need a lot--fleece, wool and down, bulky and/or heavy. My style is to keep walking until I'm ready to sleep, then I get in my bag, so I don't carry much in the way of clothing--a Marmot Driclime shirt, a light down vest, a good light rain jacket, and light long undies.

Good luck and have fun gearing up.

[WILLIAM HAYES]

marmot helium EQ 15 degree bag IMO the only way to go

[Wags]

i'd take a hard look at an army/navy surplus store and try to find a field jacket liner for your jacket. they are pretty warm when worn under a rain jacket, and usually cost $10. you'll be hard pressed to find more bang for the buck...

the 15 degree sleeping bag is more of a challenge as far as saving some money. if you were goign to use that bag a ton i'd recommend dropping the money on the Helium or a WM bag, but since you live in texas, the majority of your hiking/camping will be in warm temps.

if you're looking to just do that winter trip for a week or so, maybe someone here with an excess of gear, would loan you a bag...