Can it be done?

[trailwobbles]

Sorry, I'm sure if I dig harder I could find a similar thread, but I need your help...

I want to know if it is possible to spend 100 bucks or less and get a good sleeping bag. I'm not through hiking, just section hiking a week at a time. It's me, my husband, and our dog, and we have almost everything ready to go except the sleep system. We don't have pads yet and we don't have sleeping bags. I have spent SO much money on everything else and I am just sick of it. Probably the WORST place to start cutting costs would be our sleeping arrangements, but besides the stove, bear canister, water purifier, and our clothes, I have little less to procure. All stuff you really cant skimp on when it comes to $$. So... CAN IT BE DONE? Or do I really have to pay $300 + for a thermal, polyfill, insulated face gasket, flow technology, insect repelling, alien abduction thwarting, SLEEPING BAG FROM THE GODS.

Or is there something I can get at walmart that will work?

Let me know, thanks.

[Sierra2015]

Montbell has a sale right now.

http://www.montbell.us/products/list.php?cat_id=10&fo_flg=1

[bigcranky]

Lots of good reviews on the Kelty Cosmic 20-f rated down bag. It's $150, though I have seen it on sale many times closer to $100. There is a much cheaper synthetic version but my personal preference is for a down bag for warmth, weight, compressibiity, and long life.

[Feral Bill]

1. Skip the bear canister, unless you are hiking where they are required.
2. If you are hiking in warmer weather (late spring through early fall) you should be able to find suitable bags under $100. Look for closeouts, sales, etc. on name brands.
3. If you can get a good nights sleep on one, get closed cell foam pads. They are cheap and work well.

Have fun!

[trailwobbles]

1. Skip the bear canister, unless you are hiking where they are required.

Have fun!

I have an irrational fear/love of bears. Too many late nights with Discovery Channel horror episodes. Bear canister will be more for peace of mind than reality.

Good call on the closed cell pad. Thanks.

[FooFighter'12]

Lots of good reviews on the Kelty Cosmic 20-f rated down bag. It's $150, though I have seen it on sale many times closer to $100. There is a much cheaper synthetic version but my personal preference is for a down bag for warmth, weight, compressibiity, and long life.
+1. It kept me nice and warm on my through.

Also, I bought this bag over the summer and took it down to mid 30's during the fall and stayed comfortable. The weight isn't bad at all. http://www.ccoutdoorstore.com/vaude-featherlite-350-sleeping-bag.html

[bfayer]

Yes you can get a good sleeping bag for $100. It will be heavy, and it will not be compact. If you want light and compact it is going to cost you. Light, compact, cheap - Pick 2 :)

Take a look at Kelty cosmic synthetic bags. Well made, temp rating is pretty true to spec, bulky and a little heavy. Campmor has a few other choices also. Eureka bag are not too bad for the price. Stay away from Slumberjack, the temp ratings are way off and the zippers suck.

I am a scout leader so I see every inexpensive bag out there.

[LIhikers]

What kind of hiking are you doing? If it's middle of the summer, warm weather, use a simple, and cheap, fleece blanket.

[Slo-go'en]

Walmart bags are only suitable for car camping or sleep overs at your kids friends house. Lafuma bags are reasonably priced.

[bfayer]

I have an irrational fear/love of bears. Too many late nights with Discovery Channel horror episodes. Bear canister will be more for peace of mind than reality.

Good call on the closed cell pad. Thanks.

I assume you are talking about hiking on or around the AT. If that is true than you need to understand that bears are creatures of habit, and that it's not what you do with your food that effects the bears behavior, it is what the last 50,000 hikers did before you got there.

The only thing a bear canister will do is keep critters from stealing your food. It will not stop you from having a bear encounter. If fear of bears is your issue, a bear canister will not change anything. If you are going to carry the weight, do it for the right reason.

Now after saying all that, your chance of having a bad bear encounter is way less than getting run over by a truck on the way to the trail. Fear traffic, not bears :)

[Tuckahoe]

What rating are you looking for? As already stated, at that price point, the bags are goingto be heavier and bulky. Here are a few possibilities --

http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___43195

http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___46708#

http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___46710

http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___45395

http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___42252

http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___41065

Just offered as potential options, they're all under $100, but come in about 3 pounds.

[Sarcasm the elf]

............

[dmax]

Check Steep and Cheap . Com. If you don't mind used check @ backpackinglight . Com.
REI is also having their 50% off sale right now on all kinds of items.

[Sarcasm the elf]

1. Skip the bear canister, unless you are hiking where they are required.
2. If you are hiking in warmer weather (late spring through early fall) you should be able to find suitable bags under $100. Look for closeouts, sales, etc. on name brands.
3. If you can get a good nights sleep on one, get closed cell foam pads. They are cheap and work well.

Have fun!

1) Seriously, skip the bear canister there are only black bears on the A.T. Grizzley bears (the ones you hear stories about) don't live east of the Mississippi river. That will save you $70 right there. If you are worried about bears then learn how to hang a bear bag using the PCT method and hang it away from your campsite. Search youtube for "PCT method" and you will find a number of how to videos showing how to properly hang your food.

2) It is easy enough to find a decent three season synthetic sleeping bag for under $100. Here is a link to rei's outlet that have a lot of options that are very workable:

http://m.rei.com/outlet/search/?cat=22000001&cat=22000021&hist=cat%2C22000001%3ACamping+%26+Hiking%5Ecat%2C2 2000021%3ASleeping+Bags

[4eyedbuzzard]

Thought you might have some interest in this pair. Not the lightest (42 oz each from what I can figure out), but 15° REI down bags with mating zips: http://www.ebay.com/itm/REI-Down-Time-15-Right-Left-Oversized-Goose-Down-Mummy-Sleeping-Bag-Lot-of-2-/271399796932?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f30b040c4

[Malto]

I have an irrational fear/love of bears. Too many late nights with Discovery Channel horror episodes. Bear canister will be more for peace of mind than reality.

Good call on the closed cell pad. Thanks.

Skip the canister and use the money on a better bag. It is likely the single best BPing expenditure. that will turn irrational into rational. :)

[HooKooDooKu]

If you get really lucky and happen to catch a good bag at a clearance price, you MIGHT get close to $100. But it's likely to be a pretty heavy bag.

Quickly checking the websites I've been watching for after Christmas clearance specials, I found the following two bags at really great prices:

A Mountain Hardware Ultralamina 32 degree bag for $127 (http://m.rei.com/product/860983/mountain-hardwear-ultralamina-32-sleeping-bag-womens-long-2012-closeout). This is the woman's version of the exact bag I purchased for me and my son's for warm weather hiking last year for $150. It weights slightly more than 2lbs and packs down really small... smaller than some down bags that cost much more. A down bag at this temperature rating will be lighter, but also a lot more $$$

One bag that almost perfectly matches what you're looking for would the the Mountain Hardware Lamina 20 degree bag (http://www.campsaver.com/outlet/lamina-20-womens-sleeping-bag-clearance). Once you apply the advertized 20% coupon, the final price is $101. The Lamina bag is one step down from the Ultralamina. The weight of this bag is a hair over 3lbs.

[HooKooDooKu]

Here's another 20 degree bag that is slightly over 3lbs (http://www.campsaver.com/outlet/wild-bill-20-sleeping-bag-synthetic) that is only $58 after the 20% coupon (Regular size).

[Aristicks]

I use the US military patrol bag. Rated to 30 degrees (although I'm not too sure how accurate that is). Fits into a 10 liter compression sack. I love mine. You might not find a new one but you can't beat the price. Also check you're local military surplus shop.

http://www.amazon.com/MILITARY-MODULAR-SYSTEM-PATROL-SLEEPING/dp/B0046K63HY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1392521313&sr=8-1&keywords=military+sleeping+bag

[scrabbler]

I use the US military patrol bag. Rated to 30 degrees (although I'm not too sure how accurate that is). Fits into a 10 liter compression sack. I love mine. You might not find a new one but you can't beat the price. Also check you're local military surplus shop.

http://www.amazon.com/MILITARY-MODULAR-SYSTEM-PATROL-SLEEPING/dp/B0046K63HY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1392521313&sr=8-1&keywords=military+sleeping+bag


I'm fairly certain the ratings on those bags assume you're wearing the ECWS sleeping system clothing as well. That said, I've had on thermals, and have been comfortable down to mid 30's in that bag, but I sleep warm. So YMMV. Its really a great deal for what you get. I'd say they are around 2.5lbs+. It's more my warmer weather bag though.

[canoe]

I have an irrational fear/love of bears. Too many late nights with Discovery Channel horror episodes. Bear canister will be more for peace of mind than reality.

Good call on the closed cell pad. Thanks.
Take the bear canister back and get a better bag.

[Foresight]

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/marmot-20-f-sorcerer-sleeping-bag-synthetic-mummy-for-women~p~4034x/?filterString=sleeping-bags~d~208%2F&colorFamily=01

Browse around if this one doesn't do it for ya.

[HooKooDooKu]

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/marmot-20-f-sorcerer-sleeping-bag-synthetic-mummy-for-women~p~4034x/?filterString=sleeping-bags~d~208%2F&colorFamily=01

Browse around if this one doesn't do it for ya.
The only thing that stinks with Sierra Trading Post is that they don't do free shipping... so you have to add about $10 to the price of the bag. But because it's easy to find coupons for Sierra Trading Post (http://www.retailmenot.com/view/sierratradingpost.com), you can still get a Marmot 20 degree 3 pound bag for about $75.

For a half pound more and a free shipping coupon, you can get this one (http://www.sierratradingpost.com/marmot-20-f-sorcerer-sleeping-bag-synthetic-mummy~p~3047c/) for $55.

[Kingbee]

For summer, this is pretty nice.

http://www.rei.com/product/731835/rei-travel-sack-sleeping-bag

[Nooga]

If you are section hiking during warm weather, you should be able to find adequate bags for $100. If you are looking for winter bags, that a tough issue. I would look for used gear.

[bobp]

Fits into a 10 liter compression sack.

That is a typo, right? It is supposed to be something like "one," and not "ten?"

[bfayer]

That is a typo, right? It is supposed to be something like "one," and not "ten?"

If you can find a honest to goodness real 30f degree sleeping bag that fits into a one liter stuff sack, please let me know and I'll buy it and I'll buy you one too :)

The army bag is 10 liters.

[MDSection12]

Ditch the bear can, make an alcohol stove setup, and get a Sawyer Mini... That should save you enough for a decent bag. I got mine (Sierra Designs Ridgerunner 15 degree) for $120.

[shelterbuilder]

With respect to bfayer, Slumberjack bags should NOT be ignored if you're doing 3-season section hiking and are running low on cash. And whenever Campmor comes out with a new catalog, there are always bags on sale. Yes, the zippers could be stronger - so be careful with them. And if you get 2 bags with mate-able right-hand/left-hand zippers, you could always zip your bag and hubby's bag together, and you will find that you WILL sleep warmer. Oh, yeah - ditch the bear canisters and learn to do a proper bear-bag!

[CoffeeBager]

I agree with shelterbuilder about Slumberjack bags. As a poor student, I got one and used it for at least 100 nights without any trouble. The temp rating was not accurate, but it was cheaper to just throw on a fleece from Goodwill and use some long johns I already had than to get a better bag. Never had any issues with the zipper.

I will say, though, that there's a night and day difference between that old Slumberjack and a really nice down bag (or even a decent down bag). Once I borrowed a decent down bag from a friend for a trip when I knew the Slumberjack wouldn't be enough, I could never go back to it and shelled out the cash for a nice Montbell.

[HooKooDooKu]

If you can find a honest to goodness real 30f degree sleeping bag that fits into a one liter stuff sack, please let me know and I'll buy it and I'll buy you one too :)

The army bag is 10 liters.
About the closest thing I know of is the Ultramalimna 32 degree bag that fits in a 6"x10" stuff sack (about 4.5 liters).

[Mr. Allen]

I've got a $90 Marmot 20 degree synthetic bag that has never let me down

[Bronk]

I carried a 50 degree Walmart sleeping bag for 850 miles through the snow and rain and wasn't cold if I slept with all of my clothes on. Now I have a Eureka Silver City 30 degree bag I got at Cabelas for $40 on sale, which was about 50% off. It weights 2lb 2 ounces...if you watch Cabelas in the spring their sleeping bags go on sale. If you are patient and do your homework you can get good gear really cheap.

[bfayer]

About the closest thing I know of is the Ultramalimna 32 degree bag that fits in a 6"x10" stuff sack (about 4.5 liters).

That's about the size of my MB UL #3. I almost value space over weight. I would love a bag the size of a Nalgene. But reality is what it is :(

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

[CalebJ]

The only thing that stinks with Sierra Trading Post is that they don't do free shipping... so you have to add about $10 to the price of the bag. But because it's easy to find coupons for Sierra Trading Post (http://www.retailmenot.com/view/sierratradingpost.com), you can still get a Marmot 20 degree 3 pound bag for about $75.

For a half pound more and a free shipping coupon, you can get this one (http://www.sierratradingpost.com/marmot-20-f-sorcerer-sleeping-bag-synthetic-mummy~p~3047c/) for $55.
If you use the Android or iOS apps, shipping is free for orders of $100 or more. For this reason I only order from STP when I have a few things to combine and they're always sent from my phone.

[Foresight]

Ditch the bear can, make an alcohol stove setup, and get a Sawyer Mini... That should save you enough for a decent bag. I got mine (Sierra Designs Ridgerunner 15 degree) for $120.

I've made several alcohol stoves just goofing off and passing time and will gladly send you a couple if you want them.

[trailwobbles]

I've made several alcohol stoves just goofing off and passing time and will gladly send you a couple if you want them.

Foresight! That is VERY generous of you, but my husband is now on a quest to build one of his own. THANKS everyone for all your suggestions, we have a lot to ponder now.... :D

[HooKooDooKu]

Foresight! That is VERY generous of you, but my husband is now on a quest to build one of his own. THANKS everyone for all your suggestions, we have a lot to ponder now.... :D
I've done the same thing... and I warn you now... he's likely going to wind up spending more money trying to build them him self (the plural use of that word was intentional). :)

[trailwobbles]

I've done the same thing... and I warn you now... he's likely going to wind up spending more money trying to build them him self (the plural use of that word was intentional). :)

You know, sometimes it just works better if you leave him alone with a project and don't fight it. Keeps him happy!

[Foresight]

Get very concerned if you hear him start mumbling words like "I wonder...", "hmmmm, what if....", "AHA!!", etc.

And whatever you do, don't let him in your attic. Pro tip.

[RED-DOG]

Go to Wal-Mart they have decent down mummy for around 75$.

[Mountain Springs]

Re: the bear canister, even though you say it's only for peace of mind, it actually won't make any difference at all in the likeliness of having a bear encounter (compared to any other sealed container.) The point of canisters is like herd vaccination, it's to prevent a bear from eating your lunch and then making a lifestyle out of robbing other hikers. So now that you know that, you should have no extra peace of mind, just extra money.

But +1 on SteepandCheap (I've gotten 70-80% off on all 3 of my bags) or getting a light, good quality use bag (just wash it; it'll be used by your second day anyways.)

[Snowleopard]

The cheapest good option if you can sew at all would be a quilt with synthetic insulation:
you can read about them at http://www.rayjardine.com/ray-way/Quilt-Kit/index.htm He sells a kit with good instructions, but you can do it without his kit. At its simplest a synthetic quilt is a rectangle batt of insulation with two layers of nylon sewn around it. Quilts are lighter than equivalent sleeping bags and, more important, have less volume. http://thru-hiker.com/kits/apex_quilt_kit.php has bundles of materials cheaper than rayjardin. thru-hiker is great to deal with. Other places with materials for making camping gear:
http://www.owfinc.com/
http://www.seattlefabrics.com/
http://www.enlightenedequipment.com/?product=prodigy sells finished quilts. You can use his charts to see how much insulation to use for a given temp rating.

Cheap sleeping bag temp ratings are often ridiculously optimistic, so a 30F bag might only be good for 50F. If a cheap bag is a lot lighter than an expensive one of the same temp rating, guess which one you'll freeze in.

[Kraken Skullz]

A good resource is geartrade.com. Sometimes it is flooded by companies but you can definitely get a good deal on stuff if you visit on a regular basis.