If unlimted $$, what sleeping bag/quilts?

[Pumba]

I'm in the market for a new sleeping bag/quilt. I want lightweight. I'm not going to say money is no issue, but with an upcoming student loan dispersal, I have wiggle room. I'm looking for a late spring/summer/early fall bag and a late winter early spring bag. What would you recommend? Most of my trips will be here in the Southeast and mid-atlantic. I'm looking at going out in October at the latest, and March or April at the earliest.

Thanks!

[hikerboy57]

western mountaineering highlite.

[Migrating Bird]

WM or feathered friends for bags, Hammock Gear for quilts. Here is a list of links list of cottage industry manufacturers (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?81415-list-of-cottage-industry-manufacturers)

[House of Payne]

HB57 beat me to it, Western Mountaineering for sure. I have the same bag and the older 1988 version.

[Bear-bait]

I own a Feathered Friends -25 degree bag, a Western Mountaineering SDL Antelope, a Western Mountaineering Alpinlite, a Western Mountaineering Caribou and a recently purchased Katabatic Designs Chisos quilt. I love them all in their particular temperature ranges, but based on your particular need, I would go with the Katabatic Designs Chisos--with an ounce or two overfill or the WM Alpinlite or Katabatic Palisade if you are a cold sleeper or plan on pushing temps down to 20 degrees. I am completely sold on Katabatic quilts as lightweight, amazingly warm, comfortable, flexible sleeping options.

[Pumba]

I did forget to mention I'm not a huge fan of mummy bags. I like to move around.

[Maddog]

western mountaineering highlite.
Western Mountaineering gets my vote! I have the Versalite! Maddog:)

[leaftye]

I'd get another custom quilt built by EnLIGHTened Equipment. If it was for extended trips below 20°F, then I'd get a bag, probably Western Mountaineering. If it was for -40°F, then that upcoming Nemo bag looks interesting. It weighs 4 lbs, 5 oz. That's good for -40°F, right?

http://www.nemosleepingbags.com/images/products/canon.png

[House of Payne]

On my trips so far this summer I took the WM hyperlite and opned the zip up to make like a blanket, only the toe box stayed the same. I actually enjoyed it that way.

[Nutbrown]

Check out Jacksrbetter. Quality quilts.

[ChinMusic]

I'm sure the other choices on here are excellent. I just have been so happy with my Montbell bags that I have nothing else and cost is not a concern of mine either.

[kayak karl]

these guys (http://enlightenedequipment.com/quilts.html) quilts in cuben fiber. next, on MY list.

[kayak karl]

these guys (http://enlightenedequipment.com/quilts.html) quilts in cuben fiber. next, on MY list.
bad link? http://enlightenedequipment.com/quilts.html Enlightened Equipment

[kayak karl]

http://www.enlightenedequipment.com/ :)

[Rasty]

these guys (http://enlightenedequipment.com/quilts.html) quilts in cuben fiber. next, on MY list.
bad link? http://enlightenedequipment.com/quilts.html Enlightened Equipment

+1 on enlightened equipment. Revelation will be my next bag.

[ChinMusic]

http://www.enlightenedequipment.com/ :)

Garlic has one of these. I got a good look at it on July 4th. Looked sweet. I'm just too happy with my Montbells to consider one.

[grateful 2]

I do not like mummy bags either, but I have fallen in love with the montbell's UL super spiral down bags. They stretch and are warm!
I'm sure the other choices on here are excellent. I just have been so happy with my Montbell bags that I have nothing else and cost is not a concern of mine either.

[leaftye]

these guys (http://enlightenedequipment.com/quilts.html) quilts in cuben fiber. next, on MY list.

Mine is a 0°F cuben fiber. It's unbeatable in terms of warmth to weight. I want my next one to have breathable fabric though. The breathable fabric will be for shorter hikes when I value sleeping comfort more than saving weight. The cuben fiber quilt will be for colder stretches of a thru hike...I tend to start hiking early in the season.

[Slacks]

If you like to move around look into the Marmot Helium. It is a 15 deg rated bag with a nice wide shoulder space that is still very light because of its 850 fill power and UL fabrics. It is available in the EQ/membrain version that I have that repels water very well.

My helium membrane long version comes in at just over 41 ounces, pretty darn good for a roomy 3 season bag. I'm a little claustrophobic and this bag has been a great help.

[QiWiz]

I did forget to mention I'm not a huge fan of mummy bags. I like to move around.

JRB Sierra Sniveller and Shenandoah quilts would cover your needs as stated.

[Tom Murphy]

Check out Jacksrbetter. Quality quilts.

+1

very happy with my JRB quilts

[Nutbrown]

I never would have imagined making quilts in cuben.... I would think the non breathabilty would be terrible. Maybe for the winter when there isn't threat of sweating.

[ChinMusic]

I never would have imagined making quilts in cuben.... I would think the non breathabilty would be terrible. Maybe for the winter when there isn't threat of sweating.

I am a big cuben fan but I cannot imagine a bag/quilt being made of cuben either. Garlic loves his and he has been camping on some awfully hot evenings. Hopefully he will report back when he is done with his trip.

[leaftye]

It definitely takes some getting used to. It helps if you are using a tent so that you can ventilate better. If you open it up like a blanket, it breathes extremely well. I've used mine like that at home and didn't get wet. It's not fun on humid nights, especially when snugging it tight in a bivy. On nights like that you might be better off stripping your clothes so you have something dry to put on in the morning.

Like I indicated earlier, it's the best thing out there when you're pushing the limits. It doesn't have to be crazy cold either. It's primarily about saving weight. Lots of other benefits too though. I don't always need all the benefits, which is why I want to add another enLIGHTened quilt with a breathable shell. If I had the money, I'd probably get a super light 0.3 oz/yd cuben quilt for very fast long summer hikes.

The main set back to cuben fiber isn't really that you get clammy. So what? The bigger problem to me is that it creates more BO, and that sucks when you get to a highway and want to hitch. It also makes wearing additional layers more complicated.

It's one of those things that can serve you well if you're really prepared for it, but you can really hate if you try to use it like a traditional quilt/bag.

[ChinMusic]

The main set back to cuben fiber isn't really that you get clammy. So what?

Really? So what?

I ain't willing to sacrifice comfort for an ounce or two. Give me sleep.

[leaftye]

I sleep just fine. Being a little clammy isn't any worse that being warm, sticky and dirty all day. If you want to be clean and dry all the time, perhaps you should stay at your air conditioned home instead of doing a long hike.

[ChinMusic]

I sleep just fine. Being a little clammy isn't any worse that being warm, sticky and dirty all day. If you want to be clean and dry all the time, perhaps you should stay at your air conditioned home instead of doing a long hike.

Somewhat of a false choice but I get it, cuben bags are hotter/wetter.

[Pumba]

Thank you all for your suggestions. Looks like I have a lot of research to do for the next month.

[jimmyjam]

+1 for the quilts from EnLightened Equipment. Check out the Revelation X. Great gear at reasonable prices.

[Pumba]

Well, I think I've narrowed it down the Enlightened Revelation x and the WM Highlite. Now I just have to pick one.

[rocketsocks]

western mountaineering highlite.Yep....................

[Hairbear]

Check out Jacksrbetter. Quality quilts. nutbrown said it all i called them a few days back and left a message the owner calls me at 730 at night and gives me a personal explaination of what i needed.That is quality service in my book.thanks to all at jacks.

[Pumba]

Well, I just ordered an EnLIGHTened Revelation x 30 degree in wide width, orange interior and red exterior. Super exicted about getting this quilt with all of the good reviews I've seen here. Thanks to everyone for their input!

[Tacky Hiker]

I had a Sierra Desings Arrow Rock 15* Down bag and loved it. It was a mummy but was made with Flex Technology which gave a little more room when needed.


I now use GoLite down bags. Great price, light weight !

[Tipi Walter]

Back in the 1970's it was North Face who made the best down bags. Then in the 1980's it was Marmot. Now it's Western Mountaineering, Feathered Friends and Valandre. The best is the lightest. And go from there.

[Pumba]

My quilt came in the mail yesterday. I can't believe how light it is....amazing. I'm hoping to give it a good test run the first weekend of October. Hopefully the weather will be nice and it won't be too cold. I'll post a pic or two soon. You certainly can't miss the red and orange colour combo!

[Not Sunshine]

western mountaineering highlite.

+1. My mountain engineering is rated to 35F and weights just 16oz.
probably warm and cozy to the low 50s.
GREAT summer bag.

[Not Sunshine]

I had a Sierra Desings Arrow Rock 15* Down bag and loved it. It was a mummy but was made with Flex Technology which gave a little more room when needed.


I now use GoLite down bags. Great price, light weight !

+1. My Golite 20F down bag is great! I think I got it for ~$200. It's cozy to about freezing. Weighs 2 lbs 1 oz. Mine was the venture, which is no longer made, but similar still made, i'm sure.

[T-Rx]

+1

very happy with my JRB quilts

Another +1for JRB quilts. Very happy with mine also.

[Drybones]

Thank you all for your suggestions. Looks like I have a lot of research to do for the next month.

Pricing is outdated...if $$ is no issue I'd go with the WM Versalite...if $$ is an issue, the Marmot Helium...watch for sales.



Company
Model
Rating
Weight
Insulation
Cost
Shoulder
Hip
Foot
Fill wt


REI
Igneo
19
2.06
800
$339
60
55

16.7


Feathered Friends
Swallow
20
1.81
850
$479
60
56
38
16.8


Western Mountaineering
Ultalite
20
1.94
850
$385
60
52
38
17


Western Mountaineering
Appache
15
2.13
850
$465
60
51
38
21


Brookes-Range
Alpini
15

850
$389
62
55
40
20.5


Western Mountaineering
Versalite
10
2.13
850
$495
62
54
39
22


Mountain Hardware
Phantom 15
15
2.06
800
$450
62
58




Feathered Friends
Swift
20
2.06
850
$499
64
58
40
18.8


Marmot
Helium
16
2.38
850
$360
64
60
40
21.5


Western Mountaineering
Alpinlite
20
2.06
850
$465
65
56
39
21