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Hunter4life
02-06-2006, 08:43 PM
Im just wondering what you guys would recommend for sleeping bags. I would be using it for spike camps so some criteria would be:

-light and compact
-preferably down fill
-around a -10 degrees temperature rating
-and money is not much of an issue

I having been thinking of something along these lines

http://www.mountainhardwear.com/Product.aspx?top=4&prod=1871&cat=43&viewAll=False

thanks for your opinions

LOC
02-06-2006, 09:24 PM
http://www.cyber-north.com/outdoorsupplies/compact.html CityLite 1050 is the bag I've used for years (been through 2 now in 10years), for fall/winter back packing...
http://www.infinity-outdoor.com/asolo_sleepingbag_cortina.html is what i use for warmer stuff...

Mountain hardwear makes good stuff so I can't see you having a problem with them!

Maxx
02-06-2006, 09:24 PM
some good info here,


http://forums.accuratereloading.com/groupee/forums/a/tpc/f/300106493/m/987109493

Fred
02-06-2006, 11:39 PM
I recommend you let sleeping bags lie! It is easier on the ears and nerves if you don't wake them up? :biggrin: Fred

harbinger
02-06-2006, 11:48 PM
consider getting a sleeping bag liner and a bivy sac. both will increase your comfort(warmth) level and weigh next to nothing to pack.

BlacktailStalker
02-07-2006, 08:25 PM
Bought a Marmot Pinnacle bag 2 years ago, good to -9. Was toasty on a -3 hunt last fall. Previous year I put it inside a cheap zero degree bag in -15 weather on a hunt (in a tent both times) and it was great. PAcks up the size of a foot ball with the extra compression sack. Cant go wrong with it.

kutenay
02-09-2006, 07:50 AM
I have owned/used a lot of bags and find Canadian-made Integral Designs bags to be the finest available and I cannot recommend them too strongly. I prefer the XPD2 Himalayan down/endurance bag with some custom options for very cold, dry weather and base camp in tents. I ALWAYS carry an I.D. North Twin Primaloft bag with an I.D. eVent Southh Col O.D. bivy and Sylwing O.D. tarp; I also have two other bivies by them.

This with a Ridgerest is the lightest, most bombproof backpacking camp I can find, it is not cheap, but it will meet your needs and last forever. I have owned and do own gear from the other highend bag/tent makers and only Western Mountaineering bags are as good as I.D., but, they do not make Primaloft or "wide' bags. I really suggest going to the Primaloft for a hunting bag, check out www.integraldesigns.com (http://www.integraldesigns.com) and Mountain Magic in Surrey for the best prices/service, phone 535-5182.

Thunderstix
02-09-2006, 08:23 AM
I have owned/used a lot of bags and find Canadian-made Integral Designs bags to be the finest available and I cannot recommend them too strongly. I prefer the XPD2 Himalayan down/endurance bag with some custom options for very cold, dry weather and base camp in tents. I ALWAYS carry an I.D. North Twin Primaloft bag with an I.D. eVent Southh Col O.D. bivy and Sylwing O.D. tarp; I also have two other bivies by them.

This with a Ridgerest is the lightest, most bombproof backpacking camp I can find, it is not cheap, but it will meet your needs and last forever. I have owned and do own gear from the other highend bag/tent makers and only Western Mountaineering bags are as good as I.D., but, they do not make Primaloft or "wide' bags. I really suggest going to the Primaloft for a hunting bag, check out www.integraldesigns.com (http://www.integraldesigns.com) and Mountain Magic in Surrey for the best prices/service, phone 535-5182.
Wow! Those are pricey!

kutenay
02-09-2006, 10:36 AM
They may seem pricey, but, they really are worth the cost; I am not wealthy, but, I learned long ago that the finest in backpacking/hunting/mountaineering gear really does make a difference. The North Twin Primaloft bag, in particular, is the most useful sleeping bag I have ever tried and it is big enough for "gentlemen of substance" to be really comfortable in....I hate those little tubular mummy bags made for leaflickers, budgies and fudgepackers.......

johnes50
02-09-2006, 11:11 AM
I had a Woods bag stuffed with Hollofil fibers. It was not expensive, but it kept me warm in -20 during winter camping trips in Ontario and when it got wet on canoe trips it was still fluffy and warm, unlike my companions down filled bags.

http://www.cyber-north.com/outdoorsupplies/outdoorsman.html

jethrobuddy
02-09-2006, 11:23 PM
Taiga Works in Vancouver has a pretty good selectoion. I have a 1001 nights bag and it is plenty hot even in -5 in the camp. If you get it with dryloft(waterproof/water resistant) material, it is even lighter. Haven't had a chance to be out in colder temps yet.

http://www.taigaworks.ca/

Tarp Man
02-17-2006, 05:23 AM
Well, the big debate begins: synthetic or down? It is my opinion that if you hunt in any weather, you need synthetic. Down has far too many risks to use for hunting. Down is useless if wet or even too damp. It is more expensive, and is harder to launder. It will last about twice as long as a synthetic. It is lighter and compresses a bit more.

However, synthetic will insulate when wet, is easier to launder, and is more affordable. The new synthetics will compress almost as much as down, and the weight difference between a 600 fill down bag and Polarguard Delta synthetic in most bags up to -15 degree C bag is negligible. If you want to get into -20 or colder, the synthetics are a bit bulkier. Stick with a bag that fits you, with lots of length. You don't want to have your feet right against the bottom compressing the insulation.
This post could go in for a while. Instead, go to your nearest Mountain Equipment Co-op and spend at least an hour going into each different bag with the salesperson. They know their stuff and will spend time with you. Go first thing in the morning and not on a Saturday.
-Tarp Man

Tarp Man
02-17-2006, 05:33 AM
Hunter, I just saw that you are from Abby. Check out Valhalla Pure in Abbotsford. Brent Murdock is the owner and is a part time firefighter. He has a decent selection of bags, synthetic and down. His prices are a bit steep, but he will match prices. Or you could check out Coast Mountain Sports in Langley on 200th. That's where I bought my bag. They have good sales now and then. I bought a North Face Cat's Meow (-7C) from them and they were great. I also bought boots from them. Great customer service before and after purchases.
-Tarp Man
-Tarp Man

stonesheep
02-17-2006, 06:15 AM
I have had great luck with my mid range MEC bag, its rated to 10 bellow, but I have been toastey in it down to at least 15 bellow, without a thermorest, on my late season goat hunts, and if I remember it didnt coast much more than 150.00, plus it is great for packing as it is only 3 or 4 pounds.

Tarp Man
02-26-2006, 09:23 AM
Stone, I agree with you about MEC. They are great at warrantying their gear. If you have problems with anything, they are more than happy to work things out or help you find the right bag in the first place. But maybe hold off on the whole "I plan to use it for high altiture hunting" story. That little fact might bring out the sleeper cell of the Sierra Club that has well placed microphones all over MEC!
-Tarp Man

qwerty
02-26-2006, 01:23 PM
definetly buy a compression sack with the sleeping bag it will greatly reduce the size of the sleeping bag overall. what you're looking at seems to be more or less what your looking for. I'd recommend getting a sleeping bag with a holofil linging (i believe thats what its called) around the seam and what it does is keeps the heat from escaping from the zipper ect.

Johnnybear
02-27-2006, 12:26 AM
I've had a North Face Cat's Meow for over 8 years now and it's still going strong. Good for most outings but not the really cold stuff. Synthetic all the way especially here in B.C.. If you store your sleeping bag properly in the off season it will last a long time.

dirtyharry
03-01-2006, 06:17 PM
I agree with the other posts about checking out MEC. They have a great selection and excellent customer service. Their bags are top of the line and cost less than some of the other "name brands". Their websight is excellent and has lots of good info. Unless it has to be cammo I buy all my gear from them. Especially now that I'm stuck in St John's and there are no good stores nearby.

http://www.mec.ca/index.html

Rob