What degree bag for 2011 Thru-Hike??

[Chrisj]

I'm looking to buy a new sleeping bag for my 2011 Thru-Hike. I will be starting around March 1-14, I have been trying to decide between a Western Mountaineering bag or The Mont Bell Super Spiral Down 800.

I'm usually a warm sleeper and will be using patagonia cap. 3 as a baselayer in camp and sleeping.

So that leads to my main question what degree of bag do most people use with a start in early March?
And which brand of bag and which one do you all recommend?

[Mountain Wildman]

Western Mountaineering Alpinlite - 20 Degree - 1 Lb. 15 oz. Not cheap but worth it.

I have a Feathered Friends Winter Wren - 25 Degree - 2 lbs. 3 oz.
My next bag will be the Alpinlite.
The FF Winter Wren is for my Thru-Hike starting in mid March 2011.

Both are good Down bags.

[Maddog]

i carried a WM VERSALITE this year and its the best bag ive ever owned. +1 for WM!! maddog

[Serial 07]

i would recommend between 0* and 15*...

[Serial 07]

i would recommend between 0* and 15*...

i have a montbell bag 0* (and 40*) and love it! the super stretch is very comfortable...haven't used a WM bag before, but MB is worth the $...

[SawnieRobertson]

After last year's winter snows, does anyone feel confident about when their start date will be? I am aiming for March 1. That means I KNOW that there are going be some low temps with big winds. I'm planning to place my WM 15-degree bag in my bounce bag and use the Raku that is being made for me. It is rated at 20-degrees. If it is insufficient, I guess I'll be ripping open that bounce box earlier than I expected.--Kinnickinic

[RevLee]

I used the Montbell Sprial Stretch 15 degree bag this year for a March 1st start and it worked fine. I did use a silk bag liner which adds a few more degrees and makes it more comfortable even into the warmer weather.

[10-K]

I've got a MB Superstretch 20* bag with the MB silk liner and (also wearing my down jacket and wool cap) have slept comfortably in the single digits.

IMO, if you go below a 20* bag you'll need to buy another bag to switch out to when the weather turns hot.

[Blissful]

Agree with 10K.
I love my Montbell down hugger 15 degree.

[Luddite]

I just got a WM Ultralight and love it. I've never owned such a great sleeping bag. Its pretty expensive but worth it.

[DapperD]

I'm looking to buy a new sleeping bag for my 2011 Thru-Hike. I will be starting around March 1-14, I have been trying to decide between a Western Mountaineering bag or The Mont Bell Super Spiral Down 800.

I'm usually a warm sleeper and will be using patagonia cap. 3 as a baselayer in camp and sleeping.

So that leads to my main question what degree of bag do most people use with a start in early March?
And which brand of bag and which one do you all recommend?

There are many good brands around as long as you are willing to part with your cash. Starting then it can/will still get very cold. I would say you might be wise to go with a good 0 degree, and while having to make the effort to keep it dry, a good down bag would be best. As far as what most degree bag the majority choose, I would say probably around the 20 degree range, but I am sure it is a grabbag out there when it comes to makes and models and degree ratings that people start out with.

[Lone Wolf]

20deg. Campmor down bag

[Luddite]

20deg. Campmor down bag

http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___40065

Can't beat that price and it looks like a lot of people like 'em. http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=56306

[gravityman]

I would and did freeze in a 20 degree bag (including the WM ultralight). Go with the WM versalite, and you won't be sorry!

Gravity

[Lone Wolf]

I would and did freeze in a 20 degree bag (including the WM ultralight). Go with the WM versalite, and you won't be sorry!

Gravity

shoulda been in a tent

[Torch09]

shoulda been in a tent

shoulda been in a house

[gravityman]

shoulda been in a tent

But people get upset with me when I set it up in the shelter!


Tarptent, which doesn't add much warmth, it's true. I would rather carry a warmer bag though...

[slow]

Call WM for some help.They will hook you up.

If you buy mb be sure to put on scale and under light to check for underfill in bag.

[Chop]

Thinking about the same thing, Chris. I have a MB Super Spiral 30 and love it. But even at 34 degrees a couple weeks ago it was slightly cool. I just ordered a Marmot 0 degree bag for the first part of the thru hike:

http://www.backcountrygear.com/catal...ductID=MA18200

Will send it home as soon as temps warm up.

[mikecordes]

I have a western mountaineering badger 15 degree bag.. It has kept me warm in temps below 10 degrees after march 1..