TrophyHusband 0 #1 March 5, 2007 ladies, i want to buy my wife a sleeping bag and need a little input. i was thinking of a zero degree bag since she is almost always cold. The problem with that bag is size, weight, and cost. Do we have to just suck it up in order for her to be comfortable? or is there a good compromise? if she's not comfortable, i won't be able to get her out very much. my price range is $150-$200, or $200-$250 if it can be bought through rei (dividend and %20 discount). "Your scrotum is quite nice" - Skymama www.kjandmegan.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,120 #2 March 5, 2007 > i was thinking of a zero degree bag since she is almost always cold. For me the bag is only about 1/3 of the equation. A good ground pad (Thermarest, there are a lot of different thicknesses/lengths, and there's an REI brand that's a bit cheaper) and decent thermal underwear are the other parts of the keeping-warm equation. REI has a -5 synthetic bag for $169 and a variety of pads from $39 to $199. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LisaH 0 #3 March 5, 2007 A 10° down bag was awesome in the Grand Canyon for me. Just don't get a mummy bag. Too confining.Be yourself! MooOOooOoo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shell666 0 #4 March 5, 2007 I'm always cold when I'm camping and I've found if I add a polar fleece blanky between me and the sleeping bag, I'm toasty warm. I believe you can get them as "sleeping bag inserts" as well. All I've done is go to the fabric store and purchase enough to stitch together my own. WAY cheap.'Shell Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slotperfect 7 #5 March 5, 2007 Quotea polar fleece blanky between me and the sleeping bag, I'm toasty warm We have been doing that for years with a poncho liner inside the ol' fart sack. Arrive Safely John Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eeneR 3 #6 March 5, 2007 QuoteA 10° down bag was awesome in the Grand Canyon for me. Just don't get a mummy bag. Too confining. See that is a personal preference. I have a Northface synthetic mummy bag that I love!!! Infact it is also a petite bag for 5'4" and under. I happen to fit in this bag perfectly. If I point my toes with my head in the hood, it is snug. The thing about mummy bags, if you are a side sleeper you need to get adjusted to not being able to actually curl up "Inside" the bag. You have to move the entire bag with you. This is something else you shoud consider for your wife, does she want to actually be able to be knees to chest balled up "inside" the bag? Like Lisa mentioned, these are confining and that is not an option.She is not a "Dumb Blonde" - She is a "Light-Haired Detour Off The Information Superhighway." eeneR TF#72, FB#4130, Incauto Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shell666 0 #7 March 5, 2007 QuoteQuotea polar fleece blanky between me and the sleeping bag, I'm toasty warm We have been doing that for years with a poncho liner inside the ol' fart sack. Love your description of a sleeping bag! 'Shell Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightingale 0 #8 March 5, 2007 Um... ask her? If it's for a gift, take a picture of a sleeping bag and put it in a card, and then go shopping for it together. the right sleeping bag is really a matter of personal preference. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shotgun 1 #9 March 5, 2007 So does this mean that you're a girly man? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shell666 0 #10 March 5, 2007 QuoteSo does this mean that you're a girly man? Yep ... Amy's MUCH tougher than him! Love you billvon ... 'Shell Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
karenmeal 0 #11 March 5, 2007 Let her pick it out. That sort of thing is so individual. I've got a mummy bag and I wish I had a normal one. I got this one as a present and wish I had been able to have some input on it. (Especially considering that it's a pretty spendy bag.) "Life is a temporary victory over the causes which induce death." - Sylvester Graham Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FlyingJ 0 #12 March 5, 2007 Definitely consider your options for layering. My bag of choice is a 40 degree that I use with a fleece sleepsack when necessary. Those two together pack down smaller than any of my colder rated bags, and it gives me the wider comfort range since I can choose at the time to use one or both. If you go with a sleepsack, I 2nd the suggestion of picking up some fleece and making your own. I've had Kelty and REI brands in the past and they were both much more bulky than what I could make on my own. The store bought sacks are one size fits all, so unless you happen to be at the top end of that "one size" you can probably cut out a good chunk of fabric by making one to fit your size. Rather than bulking it up with a zipper, etc. I just sewed a few small pieces of velcro along the open edge to help keep it closed when I use it alone without a sleeping bag. You said you are buying it for your wife. Not sure if it is a gift, etc., but if you can check out an REI scratch and dent sale. Two of my favorite sleeping bags I've owned were purchased for less than $20. One of them had a missing zipper pull but was otherwise fine, and the second one was returned because "the owner stated the mummy bag made them feel uncomfortable." Both were high quality bags. Plus, if it turns out you don't like it, you didn't spend much! Though I guess if you buy at REI you could always return it anyway - help fuel the good bargains at the next scratch and dent!Killing threads since 2004. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TrophyHusband 0 #13 March 5, 2007 good points. i plan on getting her i good ground pad and she'll bring thermal underwear ever in august. how does synthetic compare to down? i have a down bag that is half the weight and 1/3 the size of my synthetic bag. my synth bag is very old though. have synthetic bags gotten smaller and lighter in the last few years? "Your scrotum is quite nice" - Skymama www.kjandmegan.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TrophyHusband 0 #14 March 5, 2007 QuoteLet her pick it out. That sort of thing is so individual. I've got a mummy bag and I wish I had a normal one. I got this one as a present and wish I had been able to have some input on it. (Especially considering that it's a pretty spendy bag.) i'm talking with her about it. she doesn't know really what to get either. she has slept in mummy bags and found them confining. are there square bags that are light and pack down small? karenmeal, what would you pick? "Your scrotum is quite nice" - Skymama www.kjandmegan.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cloudseeker2001 0 #15 March 5, 2007 I have a Big Agnes and an REI pad that fits in the pocket of the bag and I think it is great. I think mine is rated for 15 degrees, but it was a little hot for me even when the temp inside the tent was about 12. If it is still not warm enough, a blanket will do the trick........but probably lighter is better. Another thing is synthetics materials can really get rank in just a few nights, but it's all about blending in with nature! "Some call it heavenly in it's brilliance, others mean and rueful of the western dream" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eeneR 3 #16 March 5, 2007 Quotegood points. i plan on getting her i good ground pad and she'll bring thermal underwear ever in august. how does synthetic compare to down? i have a down bag that is half the weight and 1/3 the size of my synthetic bag. my synth bag is very old though. have synthetic bags gotten smaller and lighter in the last few years? The Synth has gotten lighter, but still heavier then down, but the key thing between synth and down. If synth gets wet it will still insulate, where as if Down gets wet it looses its ability to keep you warm. All in All warmth, down will always be a smidge warmer, but you to weigh in the elements too. If you use REI.com, you can scroll down and they will give you full specs on the bag. This will include weight, length, width, hip width etc. to give you and idea here are two REI -5 bags, one Down Specs: REI Kilo Plus -5 Sleeping Bag - Women's Regular Specification Description Comfort rating -5 degrees Fahrenheit Average weight 2 lbs. 8 oz Shell Polyester ripstop Fill 750-fill goose down Lining Polyester taffeta Fits up to 5 ft. 6 in. Shoulder girth 56 inches Hip girth 52 inches Stuff sack size 8.25 x 18 inches one Synth Specs: REI Zenith -5 Sleeping Bag - Women's Regular Specification Description Comfort rating -5 degrees Fahrenheit Average weight 3 lbs. 14 oz. Shell Nylon ripstop Fill Polyester Lining Nylon taffeta Fits up to 5 ft. 6 in. Shoulder girth 58 inches Hip girth 57 inches Stuff sack size 9 x 20 inches The one I have is simlar to Northface Cats Meow Mine is just a few years old, and petite in length. There really is a lot of information on REI's site, make use of it. But I still stand by what has been said, this really is something you need her to be there for, get in the bags and try them on. I just grabbed a -5 as an example, again it is personal choice to how warm to go. But what ever you do, do not go what you think what will be the coldest you will need, as mentioned there are liners. Layering is always better, sweating is not so good especially if there is a risk of cooler temps.She is not a "Dumb Blonde" - She is a "Light-Haired Detour Off The Information Superhighway." eeneR TF#72, FB#4130, Incauto Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #17 March 5, 2007 My recommendation: Unless you use it in extreme environment when you NEED to extra warmth to use in in -20 temps and not be weighted down, get a synth. Its easier to take care of, just as warm, a fraction heavier, but will stay warm even if you get a bit of water in it. That being said, if you 2 hike together, a good option may actually be to get 2 rectangular bags, and zip them together. It makes thjing much warmer since you share body heat. You do get some loos through the open top tho.Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
karenmeal 0 #18 March 5, 2007 Well.. if she has problems keeping warm, then I guess a down would be the gold standard. Also, you could get a down bag that goes down to a lower temperature which would still pack up smaller. Synthetic bags are good, and that is what I have, but it still packs up relatively bulky compared to a down. I wish I had a down bag, I need all the extra space that I can get in my backpack and having a down bag would probably free up some substantial room. I guess until I get one the boyfriend will just need to continue carrying all the extra stuff that won't fit in mine. I've never had problems keeping warm, but I usually go to bed with poly-pro long sleeve tops and bottoms, wool socks, a fleece jacket, and a fleece hat on. That works for me. And I have a therma-rest, that is essential too. I got the short one, don't waste the space or the money on the longer one, your feet don't need the padding. Ooh.. make sure whatever bag you get can be cinched up real tight around her head so that her neck stays warm. "Life is a temporary victory over the causes which induce death." - Sylvester Graham Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DJL 235 #19 March 5, 2007 A trick to make almost ANY sleeping bag warm: Heat water and put it in a good/tight Nalgene bottle. I slept in a tent most nights this winter in temps down to 10 degrees with a 20 degree bag, a fleece liner and a hot nalgene bottle down at my feet. My sleeping pad varied between a thermarest dreamtime (top notch) and thermarest prolite4 (minimal). Also, choose your camp spot wisely. Stone is going to be cold, leaves and dirt don't transfer as much heat to you but make a mess. I slept on snow last week and spread twigs and brush across the ground to keep me off the snow. Also, you can get matching sleeping bags and zip them together."I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
karenmeal 0 #20 March 5, 2007 QuoteAlso, you can get matching sleeping bags and zip them together. Those are good, although I can only handle it for about an hour before I need to unzip. "Life is a temporary victory over the causes which induce death." - Sylvester Graham Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DJL 235 #21 March 5, 2007 Then you're dating the wrong person! But anyway, the ones that most effectively zip together are the rectangular cheapos from Walmart. My Marmot Col EQ probably wouldn't zip together with someone very effectively. But it's rated to -20F so I don't need someone else...which is pathetically lonely... Edit: Gear Maintenance: Keep sleeping bags hanging, not in the stuff sacks. The same applies to sleeping pads. Doing this will help to keep their thermal properties."I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyangel2 2 #22 March 5, 2007 I backpack a lot, and tend to get cold. Here is what I use and it all works out perfect for me. Sleep pad Sleeping bag. I went with the men's to give me extra room. Before I crawl into bed, I put on this and this. The last trip I took, I found I had to take off the bottom part of the long johns cause I got too warm, and the weather was snow and sleet. Don't forget these May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DJL 235 #23 March 5, 2007 You know, we may be making a bit of an overkill on this. How about a more low tech solution (slightly nsfw)."I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
