View Full Version : Down makes me go achoooo!
Sierra Echo
02-16-2011, 08:19
This is the lightest synthetic bag I can find. Is it worthless or is just right??
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___45347
mweinstone
02-16-2011, 08:23
worthless. try black diamond. now!
This is the lightest synthetic bag I can find. Is it worthless or is just right??
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___45347
My GF has one of these, we picked up cheap for warmer months camping. It is an ok bag, but not great. I would not recommend it for temps under 40, and its over 2lbs and does not compress down that well. Decent budget bag for car camping, but would not recommend it for the trail.
Snowleopard
02-16-2011, 13:17
What temperatures will you be in? That bag is probably not very good.
For 3 season use on the AT, consider a quilt. If you can sew, it's not too hard to sew a backpacking quilt -- basically a sleeping bag with no bottom and no zipper:
http://www.backpacking.net/makegear/make-quilt/
Or a kit: http://www.rayjardine.com/ray-way/Quilt-Kit/index.htm
Use Climashield insulation: http://owfinc.com/Fabrics/insulation.asp
Mrs Baggins
02-16-2011, 15:33
I have the down-filled REI Sub Kilo +20 - weighs 29 oz, highly compressible to a very small size. I wouldn't take it down to +20 but then that's the survival rating, not the comfort rating, as with any bag temp rating. It's warm and comfy down to about +35. If I take it in colder weather I use a silk liner and that works pretty well. Otherwise for colder temps I use the Sub Kilo Plus -5. Heavier but still compresses pretty nice and is very warm and comfortable.
Sierra Echo
02-16-2011, 18:35
What about this one?
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/,3195K_Lafuma-40-F-X800-Sleeping-Bag-Mummy-Synthetic-For-Women.html
its for Ga in May
check this one out http://www.ems.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3655529&lmdn=Brand&cp=3677338.3737362.3705267 Ems bags are pretty good with thier temp ratings in my experience.
What about this one?
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/,3195K_Lafuma-40-F-X800-Sleeping-Bag-Mummy-Synthetic-For-Women.html
its for Ga in May
only if you're a very warm sleeper, I had this bag for summer use, shivered all night with damp conditions outside, temps around 50*F and that was in May
don't cut yourself short on a good quality bag
Sierra Echo
02-16-2011, 18:57
Thats just it! I cant seem to find a good, LIGHT quality bag. They are all heavy. And im frustrated and no doubt pissy!
look into a Montbell, good quality and light weight and worth the price they make down and synthetic
if you might concider a quilt this place makes great gear http://arrowheadequipment.webs.com/apps/webstore/products/show/1313864 You can order this quilt in 5 different colors and weighs 1lb 11oz..
I would definitely consider making a quilt. If you use Climashield it is actually pretty easy to sew together and it would weigh less and cost less than buying a quality one.
Sierra Echo
02-16-2011, 19:16
I found this on the Mont-bell website. It looks really nice!
http://www.montbell.us/products/disp.php?cat_id=798&p_id=2321220
johnnybgood
02-16-2011, 21:11
I found this on the Mont-bell website. It looks really nice!
http://www.montbell.us/products/disp.php?cat_id=798&p_id=2321220
This isn't a bad looking bag after reading through the essential " nuts & bolts " on the bag. It has " Exceloft " which is of higher quality material and this bag is only 1 lb 15 oz.
Mont-bell is also a reputable company which is a plus , and I'm thinking the ratings for their bags actually might be on the conservative side.
I think this is a good deal on a synthetic bag for that price.
crazystick
02-17-2011, 19:20
I bought a kelty light year 25 from camphor that was a great synthetic. Definitely good quality, light, compressable and backpacking quality. Not sure if they still have it though. Look around, I know kelty makes the light-year in down as well.
crazystick
02-17-2011, 19:27
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___43130
Kelty lightyear climashield 20 degree, it's a few years newer than mine so the model has changed a bit, sure it's still good
Sierra Echo
02-17-2011, 19:40
I ended up getting a the mont bell bag. They make good bags and it weighs in at less then 2 lbs. Thanks everyone for you help :)
crazystick
02-18-2011, 14:10
That's a nice bag! Good choice, just so you know tho, it's only under 2 lbs because it's made for 40 degrees so it's basically a summer bag. If that's what you need then great but it might not keep you warm in spring and fall.
"I cant seem to find a good, LIGHT quality bag"
To get the same warmth as with a good down bag (800-900 fill) a synthetic bag has to be about 70 to 100 % heavier.
For example Montbell 800down, 30f 1 lb 5 oz. Montbell synthetic 30f, 2 lb 8oz.
Another example . Golite 20f 800 down quilt 1 lb 8oz. Golite synthetic quilt 25 f, 2 lb 2 oz.
That is because synthetic material is heavier also,usually, heavier (cheaper) fabrics are used for the shells.
BTW, I have stated this many times, but here I go again : the cheaper the item the higher the claim.
For sleeping bags it means that a cheap bag will have a more inflated warmth rating than one from a reputable brand.
Franco
BTW, some that say they are allegic to down are actually allergic to dust and or dirt that is gathered by down with use or there from poor manufacturing process.
So you may react from one bag but not another. Maybe a sniff test of one of the bags (new...) from one of the better brands will confirm if this is the case or not.
Franco