I'm new here and wondering if someone here can help me with sleeping bag info. I'm looking for a sleeping bag that is light weight, rated for about +35/+40 Deg.F., Compresses fairly small, and is a nutral color. I'd prefer one that is not down filled. I'm average height and weight, and tend to sleep "cold". I've got a Sportsman's guide ultralight bag, but it is not warm enough in the early mornings. I'm looking for something to use for bicycle camping (that's why I'd rather not have down, if you travel far enough you'll get rained on and things will get wet). I'd like to be able to stay in the public hunting lands, and other out-of-the-way places with out making myself to visiable, mainly because I can not afford motels etc. Cost is a factor, but I'd pay more for a bag with a subdued color, verses one with the same ratings and bright color/s. Thanks for any suggestions!

Glenn G.

Welcome, GlennG.

Can you describe your usual sleeping setup? Tent, tarp, sleeping pad, clothing worn (or not)?

Sometimes a few adjustments can add many degrees to the bag you already have, and be more versatile in the bargain.

For example: I use a thin bag, but wear a fleece jacket and toque (stocking cap to you U.S. folks) to bed. That way the midnight foray to the john isn't quite so frosty. I have also spread a good space blanket over top, loosely so it doesn't trap too much moisture. Dry socks before bed can make a huge difference. And recently I'm putting a light fleece blanket underneath -- very cosy, useful around camp, and cost $5.

On the other hand, have you considered an overbag? Some of these are mummy-style, and you can stuff them inside your existing bag. Handy in damp conditions, because you can pull the two thin bags apart and they'll dry more readily.

Thanks Doug. Here's what I'm doing. My tent is a Eureka Spitfire 2. I sleep on a thermarest pad. I need to go light, as weight becomes a problem fast. Everything I carry has to do double duty so, a pull over watchcap becomes a pot cozy, helmate linner, thermal cover for an ice filled water bottle, and sleeping cap. Socks need to be wool biking socks and sleepware. The wool bike jersey used with a wind breaker becomes a jacket and with out the wind breaker, riding cloths and sleepwear. I can sleep in hiking pants, but they are not comfortable. Biking shorts keep you snugged up all day, so I'd like something loose and comfortable later in the day. I've been expermenting by camping in the back yard when the weather is cool, but I'm not quite happy yet. Still looking for that elusive sleeping bag.

Thanks for your help!

Glenn G.

Both Snugpack and Arktis have bags that fit your bill here.
I know folks that love their Snugpacks and I have an Arktis Halo 3model that's served me well in lots of different locations and conditions for a number of years.

They're both military models, so they tend to have some durability. The Arktis model has a waterproof foot area, accommodates people up to 6'4", and weighs about 2 lbs.

Nothing will ever be warmer/smaller than a down bag. I own fiber bags (heck, I have 6 total, 2 of them fiber) but they are not the warmest or most comfortable bags I have. You can choose a fiber bag, but know that it will die a little every time you stuff it up. You can spend a lot of money if you want, but it won't ever be the lightest thing available because manufacturers know that only novices buy synthetic bags so they add gimmicks that attract casual buyers (and add weight). Your only real hope for a truly lightweight bag is to buy an overbag/quilt from an ultralight shop (www.backpackinglight.com, et al) but bear in mind that those guys sell gossamer gear and expect to replace it every season.

I lived in Seattle for a year, and used nothing but down bags in the Cascades and the Olympics, so I scoff at the industry's push to get everyone into synthetics. Harvey Manning, Washington state resident and author of the bible: "Backpacking: One Step at a Time" (and 30 hiking guides) puts it best. When someone tells him that a wet down bag is useless he says: "Absolutely. So don't let your bag get wet."

If your sleeping bag gets wet you don't have a sleeping bag problem. You have a packing problem or a shelter problem.

Buy a Western Mountaineering bag, a lightweight drybag and a roll of compactor bags to line it. You won't be sorry.

I will HEARTEDLY recommend the Marmot Trestles 30 degree bag that is now on sale for $59.97 at http://www.campmor.com

I myself use a Trestles 15 degree bag and find it VERY high quality - a great bag. I liked it so much I bought three more for each of my family members.

The 30 degree version is greenish, which meets your color preference better than the blue 15 degree color.

They also have a long version if that is needed.

Ken K.

I forgot to mention that I've had down bags and synthetic bags, and these days I much prefer the synthetic bags.

Just my opinion.

Ken K.

Have you considered a quilt instead of a bag? I've just ordered a DIY synthetic quilt kit myself (around $100 for a 40*F-rated one). The insulation of the bag under you doesn't insulate as well since it's compressed anyway, so just eliminate the bottom of the bag. This saves packed space and weight. Make sure you're going with the latest synthetic fill. Climashield XP seems to be the latest and greatest.

If quilts sound too radical, Big Agnes bags just have a pocket for a pad on the bottom.

It sounds like your style of camping might be well-suited for a hammock?

+1 for jaywalker's comments. I have used a down bag for about forty years, both backpacking and bike touring and I soaked one exactly once - valuable lesson! A thin plastic bag liner inside your sleeping bag's stuff stack will keep things in good shape. Do not depend upon your pack or panniers to much water out. Well made down bags are durable. I used one for sixteen years, and I just this year supplemented my Marmot, twenty-three years old, with a new generation bag. The Marmot bag was hideously expensive to purchase, but became a bargain, considering all the comfy nights it gave me.

The shape and color of your tent is a lot more important than your sleeping bag color in keeping out of sight. Even more important is your choice of campsite. I agree heartily with you about staying hidden when out on a bike

Maybe I missed something, but if you're sleeping in a tent, why is the color of the sleeping bag within the tent an issue?

I'm +1 on Western Mountainneering, but they're not cheap. I did buy a dry sack/dry bag (depending on who you're talking to; they're pretty much synonymous) to keep it dry. You can get some pretty light weight dry bags.

The bag I got is the Summerlite which is rated at +32F. I paid $245.00 for it, but it's only one pound, three ounces, and highly compressible. If you're looking for a bag that's rated at around +35/40 and you sleep cold, this bag would be about right for you. I tend to sleep a liitle cold too, but I have had no problems on nights in the 30's with my Summerlite. http://www.westernmountaineering.com/ind...mp;ContentId=69

The dry sack I got weighs just 0.9 ounces (i.e. less than one ounce): http://www.rei.com/product/730876

Glenn,

It sounds like you are a touring cyclist. If you are not already, I would recommend you sign up for the Bike Touring email list (Phred). There is so much bike touring knowledge there it will make your head spin.

You can sign up here: Touring List

Not that the gang here doesn't know their stuff, but bike touring is a little different from backpacking and hiking.

FYI I prefer synthetic bags as well, mainly because of down's issues with moisture. Using arm and leg warmers allows for a lot of flexibility both on and off the bike, and they roll up very small.

Good luck!

Greg
(fellow tourist)

The synthetic bags are definitely better in conditions where the bag may get wet. For years, I carried a synthetic for just that reason. Then they came out with internal frame packs, into which my bulky synthetic bag just won't fit. I bought a down bag.

It's pretty darn cool when you can compress your bag down to the size of a loaf of bread. Also, my down bag weighs less than half of my old synthetic bag.

Of course, you do have to be really really careful not to get a down bag wet. I keep it in the dry sack until I've got my tent fully up, and then I unroll the bag inside the tent. I've got a Big Agnes Sunnyslope 2 tent. I've gone through serious thunderstorms with nary a drop getting inside.

But as Greg pointed out, I'm a hiker not a touring cyclist. You know what they say, "take what you liked and leave the rest."

Happy trails (happy tours?)...

Thanks everybody for the Info., comments, and suggestions. I still would peref a synthetic bag over a down bag. Mainly because on bike camping if it gets wet and there are miles to do, it would be very hard to dry properly. One other reason is they take cleaning better, more damage is done to down bags with imporper cleaning than by improper use. Another thing is I distroy pillow cases because of oily skin, the wife is always on to me about it, but washing only makes it worse it seems to turn on the "weep oil" light. I know a bag liner would help, but it's one more thing to carry.

I really don't see much use for a bag that is a bright color. Sometimes you want to loft it and air it out before turning in, so it gets time outside the tent, besides that, to me it's the equivelant of a visual "boom box"; If I'm trying to get away from the loud, bright, flashy, crazy world why carry it with me? I'd much rather enjoy the mutted and subtil hues of this wonderful God made world. Just my way of looking at it.

The problem with Bikeing and camping is that the requirements for riding and campind are at the opoiste ends of the spectrum
on the road you need to do everything possible to be seen, and stealth camping everything to blend in. I love to camp, hike and bike, but there is nowhere around here to hike to, so biking is the best way to "get there".

From what I can figure, there are two ways to do this thing, one is to Bike so I can camp, the other is I can camp so I can bike. The one means distance, the other a longer stay. In either case a good light weight nutral color bag would be a great asset.

I like the snugpak, and the drybag idea thats a big help to me. I've tryed the Phred thing, but could not get it to work, I'm going back for another try. I just wanted to say thanks to everyone here for their input. See ya down the road.

Glenn