View Full Version : 0 degree bag. FF, WM or MB
Earl Grey
11-26-2008, 19:06
I want to buy a good quality 0 degree bag. I am thinking either the MB #0
http://www.montbell.us/products/disp.php?cat_id=28&p_id=1121723
WM Antelope or Kodiak
http://www.westernmountaineering.com/index.cfm?section=Products&page=Sleeping%20Bags&cat=Microfiber%20Series&viewpost=2&ContentId=37
and a FF one
http://www.featheredfriends.com/Picasso/Bags/Product/0Degree.html
Now I have a 40deg MB that I used on my AT hike last year and it was great and still is great. I also have a Marmot Sawtooth and its great but using 650 power down is kind of bulky. What would you buy?
Personally I would go with the Antelope. Looks like is a slightly heavier version of my beloved Versalite which I have happily used to below 0F. For me, 62" shoulder is just the right size. That said, all of them are good bags. If you was a more protective outer shell, the the FF would make sense... more room to move around, the MB makes sense.
--mark
Three great choices. I prefer WM bags, but FF bags are nice too. I haven't had a MB bag, but have two of their jackets and they are top notch.
Earl Grey
11-26-2008, 20:12
I forgot to say if one of them was on sale it would tip me in that direction everything else being equal.
kayak karl
11-26-2008, 20:18
I want to buy a good quality 0 degree bag. I am thinking either the MB #0
http://www.montbell.us/products/disp.php?cat_id=28&p_id=1121723
WM Antelope or Kodiak
http://www.westernmountaineering.com/index.cfm?section=Products&page=Sleeping%20Bags&cat=Microfiber%20Series&viewpost=2&ContentId=37
and a FF one
http://www.featheredfriends.com/Picasso/Bags/Product/0Degree.html
Now I have a 40deg MB that I used on my AT hike last year and it was great and still is great. I also have a Marmot Sawtooth and its great but using 650 power down is kind of bulky. What would you buy?
http://www.topsleepingbags.com/golite-adrenaline-0-mens.html I have this one. has good reviews.
How big are you? The Kodiak & MB are large bags
The Kodiak has continuous draft tubes that allow you to move the down from bottom to top of bag and vice versa. This allows redistribution of down to top when it is colder outside and from the top when it is warmer making the bag more versatile. I believe the Kodiak plus a down jacket with pants would probably be good to at least -10*. (you would survive to -25 but would be uncomfortable with this set up)
The MB has the super stretch construction that allows freedom of movement. This bag would also allow the use of a down jacket and pants.
http://www.topsleepingbags.com/golite-adrenaline-0-mens.html I have this one. has good reviews.
I have the Adrenaline 20F. I, along with many other people in the Boulder area, rec'd a good deal on this bag at the GoLite warehouse sale. (2x a year, happening next weekend as a matter of fact).
It is a warm bag. True to its temp rating. Can't complain about that.
What I WILL complain about is that if I had paid full retail price, (which is almost as much as a Feathered Friends or a WM bag), I'd be a little miffed.
The attention to detail/workmanship is no where as good as my, since retired, FF bag. The stitching is coming a bit undone, the zipper snags, etc. IIRC, I only paid ~$170 for this bag so I am not going to complain too much. But, will this bag last for the same amount of miles I put on the FF bag (a fair amount)? I doubt it.
CONCLUSION:
If you get a really good deal on a GoLite bag, you will find that it is indeed true to its rating and is light.
But I can tell it is not made with same care as WM or FF. Not a big deal if it was say a Campmor House bag. But, since the Adrenaline costs $325 and the equivalent FF bag is $334 (Hummingbird w/ Epic Shell), I don't see any reason to NOT get a FF or WB if you have to pay full retail price for the GoLite. Personally, I don't think you can go wrong with either a WM of FF bag. Mercedes or BMW?
Recently purchased a WM Antelope. Haven't pushed the temp envelope yet but was out in 15 deg temps overnight . Top quality bag as it should be for the $. Plenty warm, room to toss around in for the average size person., not slippery on CCF pad , very nice draft collar that cinches around your neck with draw cord to keep heat in, breath out. the shell is a nylon tafetta material. FWIW
Earl Grey
11-28-2008, 23:11
I would also like to add the Marmot Lithium to that list.
http://marmot.com/spring_2008/equipment/sleeping_bags/ultralight/lithium_reg/
Its actually the lightest of the bunch. I wonder if its true to its rating though.
The WM Antelope is lighter than the Lithium. As fas as the temperature ratings go, most of the higher end Marmot bags are pretty accurate, but it would help if they would list specs like loft and fill amount.
I would also like to add the Marmot Lithium to that list.
http://marmot.com/spring_2008/equipment/sleeping_bags/ultralight/lithium_reg/
Its actually the lightest of the bunch. I wonder if its true to its rating though.
The Lithium has only an 18* "comfort" rating; not in the same class as the WM & FF.
The extra weight will be worth it in performance. Buy either the WM or FF.
I wish all bag manufactures would start using the EN Testing system. At least then we could accurately compare bags to one another.
Earl Grey
11-30-2008, 00:04
I have narrowed it down to the Antelope or Kodiak. I have never seen these bags in person but from reading about the Kodiak it seems to be for bigger people? If anyone has any hands on experience with these two I would like to know what the main differences are.
Tipi Walter
11-30-2008, 00:25
I just read somewhere in a forum, "If you want a zero degree bag, think minus 15 instead". Alot of truth to that. The WM bags are about the best backpacking investment you can make and you'll save money in the long run. Go for the warmest you can carry and think you'll need, I went with a minus 10 degree Puma, my new best friend on cold winter trips.
Are there better bags? Probably. I've heard good things about the PHD brand out of England and Valandre(sp?), and of course Feathered Friends. So okay, there's about 4 or 5 top-of-the-line down bags out there. But if you squirm and hem and haw over a mediocre zero rated bag(and there's plenty out there), and it turns out the zero rating won't even keep you warm at 10 degrees, then it's time to investigate the big dogs. In the long run you'll save money.
i Have Narrowed It Down To The Antelope Or Kodiak. I Have Never Seen These Bags In Person But From Reading About The Kodiak It Seems To Be For Bigger People? If Anyone Has Any Hands On Experience With These Two I Would Like To Know What The Main Differences Are.
W.m. Holds In The Top.:d
SassyWindsor
11-30-2008, 00:40
The very best bag(s) I've used and the best customer service has to be 1. Marmot 2. WM In my previous experiences both companies had great customer service, The Marmot is synthetic and I will use it occasionally, but primarily use the WM down bag. I also use other Marmot Gear with great success.
Tipi Walter
11-30-2008, 00:58
The very best bag(s) I've used and the best customer service has to be 1. Marmot 2. WM In my previous experiences both companies had great customer service, The Marmot is synthetic and I will use it occasionally, but primarily use the WM down bag. I also use other Marmot Gear with great success.
Back about 20 years ago, in the early to mid 1980s, Marmot was the bag of choice for serious winter backpacking. For years they had a way of getting the best goose down and people I knew who had top-o-the-line North Face down bags were tryng to afford a good Marmot. In fact I was one of them. I upgraded to a Marmot Couloir zero bag in 2001 and after several hundred winter nights sleeping in it(still use it down at my basecamp tent and it's become my summer bag), I found at around 5 to 10 degrees it wasn't keeping me warm enough and wondered what would happen at minus 5 or 10 degree below temps. It's a dang good bag, though.
Unless you are a big guy, I think the Kodiak would be a hard bag to heat up. The Antelope is a "normal" mummy bag cut at will be much more efficient.
This article sleeping bag buying guide (http://www.bcexp.com/guide_sleeping_bags.php) does not name mfgs. but goes into detail about materials bags are made from. good read before making the big decision.
I figured with a bag like the antelope (5*)you could winter camp to possibly 10 below zero if you had to with liner and extra clothing on and still have a 3 season bag . Not planning to camp in below zero temps but in the event of being stormbound or other emergency type scenario, you could push the temp envelope with liner/xtra clothing etc.