New Sleeping Bag for a Big Guy

[Patrickjd9]

I'm looking for a 30 degree bag for 2.5 to 3-season use on the AT. As I've gone to a lightweight internal frame pack, it needs to be very compressible.

I'm willing to get over my concerns about down in the wet eastern U.S. if the bag has a good shell material. My current bag is a 20 degree LL Bean synthetic bag that is 3 pounds and an ounce or two (long), and frankly too tight--as in an arm has to stay out of it.

I'd like to get down to 2 lbs. Compressibility is more important than weight, though I'm certainly not going over 3 lbs.

I don't need a semi-rectangular, just a mummy with good shoulder room.

Any suggestions? And what about the Big Agnes bags with the mattress pocket? Will they work for a side sleeper?

[hopefulhiker]

Yes, that would be a good choice.. I used a down quilt and a Big Agnes air mattress for my thru...

[Patrickjd9]

Yes, that would be a good choice.. I used a down quilt and a Big Agnes air mattress for my thru...
http://www.bigagnes.com/str_bags.php?bid=32

This bag came to mind in a long, but I'd sure like to get closer to 2 lbs. The Divide series may be too narrow.

[HikerRanky]

I'm looking for a 30 degree bag for 2.5 to 3-season use on the AT. As I've gone to a lightweight internal frame pack, it needs to be very compressible.

I'm willing to get over my concerns about down in the wet eastern U.S. if the bag has a good shell material. My current bag is a 20 degree LL Bean synthetic bag that is 3 pounds and an ounce or two (long), and frankly too tight--as in an arm has to stay out of it.

I'd like to get down to 2 lbs. Compressibility is more important than weight, though I'm certainly not going over 3 lbs.

I don't need a semi-rectangular, just a mummy with good shoulder room.

Any suggestions? And what about the Big Agnes bags with the mattress pocket? Will they work for a side sleeper?

You forgot to mention what size you are.... I'm 6'6" 278 pounds, and I have a BA Crystal 30.... It's a bit tight on me around the chest and shoulder area, but my chest is 52"..... and shoulder girth on me is right at 72"......

As far as sleeping on the side in it, it is possible, and I especially like the pad pocket.... stays right with me if I move around....

Hope this helps....

Randy

[jrwiesz]

http://www.bigagnes.com/str_bags.php?bid=32

This bag came to mind in a long, but I'd sure like to get closer to 2 lbs. The Divide series may be too narrow.

Just a couple of the wider bags I've seen:

https://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=39203085&memberId=12500226

https://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=39174174&memberId=12500226

You might consider going with a quilt system.:sun

[hopefulhiker]

Back Country has the Big Agnes Zirkle on sale...

[Roland]

Patrick,

This is a subject that comes up periodically. The Montbell (http://www.montbell.us/) SuperStretch is a bag that is frequently recommended. Western Mountaineering also makes some wider bags. Take a look at their comparison chart (http://www.westernmountaineering.com/index.cfm?section=Products&page=Sleeping%20Bags&viewpost=2&ContentId=27).

[take-a-knee]

If you or someone you know can sew, don't rule out a Jardine-style quilt. You follow Jardine's directions and build it to fit YOU. With a quilt I recommend a good supplemental head covering like Bozeman Mountain Works balaclava or Jardine's bomber hat plan.

[Patrickjd9]

Patrick,

This is a subject that comes up periodically. The Montbell (http://www.montbell.us/) SuperStretch is a bag that is frequently recommended. Western Mountaineering also makes some wider bags. Take a look at their comparison chart (http://www.westernmountaineering.com/index.cfm?section=Products&page=Sleeping%20Bags&viewpost=2&ContentId=27).
The shoulder girth in the 70" range seems to be the key statistic. A quick measure laces me as just short of that. I'm 6', 255. This Montbell would seem to work, Roland.

http://www.montbell.us/products/disp.php?cat_id=29&p_id=1121750

800 fill down is out of my budget:(.

Thanks Randy for info on the pad and Big Agnes.

I've tried comforters (even multiple) for car camping and don't think the quilt would work for me.

Thanks to all so far!

[10-K]

Patrick,

This is a subject that comes up periodically. The Montbell (http://www.montbell.us/) SuperStretch is a bag that is frequently recommended. Western Mountaineering also makes some wider bags. Take a look at their comparison chart (http://www.westernmountaineering.com/index.cfm?section=Products&page=Sleeping%20Bags&viewpost=2&ContentId=27).

I took my new Mont-Bell Super Stretch out last week and was extremely pleased with how well I was able to move around. I'm 6'3, 175# and my preferred sleeping position is on my side with my knees slightly bent. No problem - in fact, I could get in a full fetal position without feeling squeezed. Great bag!

Tb

[BOWSINGER]

Don’t be too quick to give up on sleeping quilts. Sleeping under comforters is nothing like a sleeping quilt with a foot box to keep everything nice and cozy around you. I have a mummy bag that I really like but it is just a little too snug. So I turn it over and use it as a quilt with a footbox. I like it better that way than even a roomer zipped up bag. Why don’t you try it with the bag you have now. Maybe you don’t have to buy anything.

[bigcranky]

I have a Western Mountaineering Megalite, a 30-F wide-cut mummy, which I like a lot. I'm 6-2, 210, with a 44-inch chest, and it's plenty wide enough for me and down clothing to loft up inside.

[Patrickjd9]

Don’t be too quick to give up on sleeping quilts. So I turn it over and use it as a quilt with a footbox. I like it better that way than even a roomer zipped up bag. Why don’t you try it with the bag you have now. Maybe you don’t have to buy anything.
I do this quite a bit in summer. The key issue is that I need to free up a lot of volume/cube to get to do five days with my internal frame (Granite Gear Nimbus Ozone).

There were several things I wanted to carry on a 4 day fall trip that I couldn't because of lack of volume.

[LIhikers]

The shoulder girth in the 70" range seems to be the key statistic. A quick measure laces me as just short of that. I'm 6', 255. This Montbell would seem to work, Roland.

http://www.montbell.us/products/disp.php?cat_id=29&p_id=1121750

800 fill down is out of my budget:(.

Thanks Randy for info on the pad and Big Agnes.

I've tried comforters (even multiple) for car camping and don't think the quilt would work for me.

Thanks to all so far!

Montbell also has bags with the stretch feature with 650 down and synthetic insulation. I'm very happy with my Montbell #2 super stretch sleeping bag.

[shampine]

This is very interesting to me,I had the same question.

I have been out of the loop for a while.

What is the quilt method ?

I have used my sleeping pad with a flannel blanket on it for a base.and a mummy bag on top,like a blanket(feet in the box). This was only good for car camping.That way weight was not an issue.

I want to get back into backpacking,looking for the right sleeping combo.

I am 6' and 240 pounds. Mostly sleep on my right side(95%) of the time,the other time I am rolling around:(. Sleeping is not my best trait. I need room...

[BOWSINGER]

[quote=Patrickjd9;539955 The key issue is that I need to free up a lot of volume/cube to get to do five days with my internal frame (Granite Gear Nimbus Ozone).

There were several things I wanted to carry on a 4 day fall trip that I couldn't because of lack of volume.[/quote]

I reread your original post and you did address the compression problem. I think we all spend too much time worrying about weight, while volume is often the deal killer. Finding pack room for all that really great ultralight stuff.

Of course nothing compresses like down. If you want to compare down to synthetic fill compression bag sizes, Big Agnes lists compression bag sizes on their sleeping bag spec. Chart. Also, Big Agnes has just listed their Wedgie Bag Expander zippers that add 7-inches of girth to their bags. I want one of their summer bags that I can also use as a winter overbag, real bad.

I don’t like to use compression bags; I just stuff my sleeping bag loosely into my pack first and then shove everything else down on top of it. But I find that I have to use a lightweight but bigger pack with synthetic fill bags. So that I can use an even lighter and smaller and cooler looking pack, I bought a down LuxuryLite V Bag. It is a slim cut bag, but with its center zipper it makes a fine quilt. So it has become my 2-inch single layer top loft/60-inch wide at the shoulders/30.2 ounce/$125 down sleeping quilt. I am 5’ 11” and about 250 pounds or less depending on how much trail time I can get in.

[Almost There]

Try the Montbell SS UL series. I am 6ft, 260lbs, I have a 50in chest and 39in waist. Make sure you get the long, I would find a place to get into one before you buy. I've used Big Agnes in the past and like them, but they are a little bit on the heavy side IMHO.

[Frosty]

The shoulder girth in the 70" range seems to be the key statistic. A quick measure laces me as just short of that. I'm 6', 255. This Montbell would seem to work, Roland.

http://www.montbell.us/products/disp.php?cat_id=29&p_id=1121750

800 fill down is out of my budget:(You're going to have a hard time meeting all your requirements:

Larger bag
Light weight
Low cost

You can easily get any two of them, but a bag with a 70" girth has a lot more material than a narrower bag, and even a std size bag would be difficult to find cheaply under 2 pounds 30*.

If you have some bucks, I am 6'5" and over 255 :D with wide shoulders and the WM Megalite fits me okay. Not a lot wiggle room but I can turn around in it. 24 ounces about $300. I have a synthetic 20* bag model name MAMMOTH (tell you anything?). It is very roomy but weighs 3 1/2 pounds.

http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=39279775

It is also 66" girth (2 X 33"). Are you sure you need 70"?

[Wags]

have you given barrel bags or semi-rectangular bags any thought? personally i'd rather haul an extra pound if i'm going to get a comfy ass night's sleep

http://www.climbinggear.com/products/listing/item11135.asp

couldn't find any reviews on em. maybe some of the experienced can shed some light on it...

[Wags]

marmot makes an extra-wide mummy as well


http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=39174174&memberId=12500226

[Patrickjd9]

You're going to have a hard time meeting all your requirements:

Larger bag
Light weight
Low cost

You can easily get any two of them, but a bag with a 70" girth has a lot more material than a narrower bag, and even a std size bag would be difficult to find cheaply under 2 pounds 30*.
Really not looking at low cost, I just said that ($300!) 800 fill down is out of my budget. I already own a winter bag, my two three season bags are no longer suitable.

Actually, I've gotten several good choices in the 2 to 2.5 pound range. Under 2 pounds is unrealistic without the high-dollar down.

[Nearly Normal]

My next bag will be a Montbel SS but Sierra Designs is making a stretch bag again. They are more afordable.

[rpenczek]

6'3" and 300 lbs. I have the Marmot Trestles 15 degree synthetic (my first mummy bag), which works great, I can sleep on my side and its temp range is true for me.

I still use the Marmot bag if its going to be wet weather. I have also purchased a Big Agnes Lost Dog (50 dregree) for summer and a Big Agnes Lost Ranger (15 degree) for the other seasons along with a Big Agnes 15 degree air core pad. This system works great for me and I can sleep on my side. The air core pad is the most comfortable pad I have ever used. I still own, but seldom use a therm-a-rest zpad, therm-a-rest regular pad and a Therm-a-rest Prolite 4.

Check out Big Agnes, I have been very happy with this sleep system.