Rectangular bags in the cold on the trail

[Mishigami Manitou]

As I've gotten older, I've gotten progressively more claustrophobic. When I was in my 20s, I could sleep in a tight mummy and a bivy with no problem. Now, any mummy makes me too uncomfortable, and I find myself leaving them unzipped, which defeats the whole purpose of the bag. In my mummy days, I've slept on ice flows and igloos. I have not had the pleasure of cold weather camping since those days - and I always used a mummy back then - so I'm a little out of practice for what non-mummy bag will work best when the temps get below freezing.

I've been looking most recently at the Western Mountaineering Ponderosa MF ( http://www.westernmountaineering.com/index.cfm?section=Products&page=Sleeping%20Bags&cat=Microfiber%20Series&ContentId=36 ) which is a 15 F bag.

My question is this: How would I fare on a through-hike in something like this? Would the open end pose problems when the temps drop? Do any of you have experience hiking the trail with bags like this?

[kayak karl]

i've used quilts on the ground down to 10 degrees. i got it for hammock "High Sierra Sniveller (Long)" (http://www.jacksrbetter.com/Wearable%20Quilts.htm) , but have done many nights on the ground with my dog.

[Wil]

How would I fare on a through-hike in something like this? Would the open end pose problems when the temps drop? Do any of you have experience hiking the trail with bags like this?I used a rectangular bag for my first 15 years as a backpacker because I didn't know any better and I was (ages 12-27) so strong it didn't seem to matter. Loved it. Miss it.

It will NOT create any problems for you, but you will be carrying more weight and volume than you need to; not just the extra weight from the shape, but to compensate from what you'll lose from the open end. It's just like any other decision. I hike very light nowadays, but if I decide I want something I carry it. DAS it.

[jeffmeh]

i've used quilts on the ground down to 10 degrees. i got it for hammock "High Sierra Sniveller (Long)" (http://www.jacksrbetter.com/Wearable%20Quilts.htm) , but have done many nights on the ground with my dog.

+1 on the quilt. I have used a Warbonnet Mamba L/W on the ground. My son took it on his recent through-hike and loved it.

[moytoy]

I don't have experience in the NE but I use a 20 deg. down rec. bag from March Thru Nov. in the Smokies and all winter in Fl. I spend at least 100 nights a year in the bag and I can't say I've ever been cold. Down around 20 deg I will usually put a sweater and a hat on.

[moof53]

Pulled the trigger on a Ponderosa MF last week for a thru starting next March (first rectangular bag and first WM). It is rated to 15 degrees and from what everyone says here about Western Mountaineering the temp rating is pretty true. I will use some kind of insert in the bag, not so much for warmth but to help keep it as clean as possible on the trail. That, plus being in a double wall tent that will hold in a little heat, should help keep me warm and drafts out next March/April in the mountains.

Taking it to the High Sierra for a week in Aug. Shouldn't be to cold up there but will give a chance to see how drafty. Really don't expect any problem with it.

[bfayer]

Rectangular bags = Cold feet.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

[Ladytrekker]

http://www.rayjardine.com/index.shtml Has anyone tried this Ray Jardine quilt that is open on one side for that not closed in feeling. I have looked at these several times online but decided on a Montbell super spiral because of its flexibility. Just askin any reviews.

[oldbear]

As I've gotten older, I've gotten progressively more claustrophobic. When I was in my 20s, I could sleep in a tight mummy and a bivy with no problem. Now, any mummy makes me too uncomfortable, and I find myself leaving them unzipped, which defeats the whole purpose of the bag. In my mummy days, I've slept on ice flows and igloos. I have not had the pleasure of cold weather camping since those days - and I always used a mummy back then - so I'm a little out of practice for what non-mummy bag will work best when the temps get below freezing.

I've been looking most recently at the Western Mountaineering Ponderosa MF ( http://www.westernmountaineering.com/index.cfm?section=Products&page=Sleeping%20Bags&cat=Microfiber%20Series&ContentId=36 ) which is a 15 F bag.

My question is this: How would I fare on a through-hike in something like this? Would the open end pose problems when the temps drop? Do any of you have experience hiking the trail with bags like this?
I'm kind of in the same bag so to speak
I'm normally claustrophic But as I've gotten older ( and wider) on top I've become less tolerant of no bs mummy bags
I'm seriously considering begining my NOBO thru hike with a 15F Big Agnes Summit Park sleeping bag
Yeah it's on the heavy side But then again so am I
https://www.bigagnes.com/Products/ProductFinder/Bag/filters/6

[Tom Murphy]

Mummy shaped bags limit the dead air space your body's metabolism needs to warm up. Integral hoods, chest baffles, and zipper baffles become much more important when you get below freezing.