My friend recently asked me what sleeping bag I would recommend and I was at a loss what to tell him. I have a couple of old Soviet ones, so it's never been an issue for me. I still need to get back to him, however. What are some quality sleeping bag manufacturers?

Coleman, for one

Western Mountaineering has one of the best reputations out there. Expensive, but worth it in my opinion.

I just saw a nice oversized (40 x 84) rectangular bag at Bass Pro Shops for $49.95 this weekend. It is rated to 0 degrees and the outside is a decent duck canvas. Not a backpacking bag, but definitely a decent elk camp bag. I can't recall the mfr, but in any case it was what I would class a very good deal.

Mountain Hardware makes prety good bags. Wiggly's is supposed to be one of the best.

But first the question needs to be asked, what does your friend need a bag for. Cold weather, warm, hot, wet, dry, tent, no tent, backpacking, car camping, etc etc etc...

"Cold" weather, or at least as cold as it gets here in Israel. With tent and a car some miles away.

Cold weather in Israel can be considered 'freezing cold' if the temperatures plummet below 10-15 C. On a trip to Cyprus during December virtually everyone was wearing thick down jackets and some were even wearing hats and gloves and most were complaining about the freezing weather conditions during the evening. The temperature must only have been around 13-15C. I was wearing a short sleeve cotton shirt and thinking what a nice evening it was after the heat of the day (about 21 C), which would have been considered a warm Scottish summers day.

So I guess you'll probably need a warm sleeping bag if it is to be used for winter conditions and will probably need to be rated down to at least -10 C if used in local winter desert conditions.

Being a resonably dry part of the world a down bag would probably be fine for your purposes being very lightweight but slightly expensive. Down bags can be up to half the weight of even the best synthetic bags. Generally the better quality down, the lighter the sleeping bag and the more expensive.

There are lots and lots of high quality manufacturers.

PHDesigns - http://www.phdesigns.co.uk
Alpkit - http://www.alpkit.com/shop/cart.php?target=product&product_id=16244&category_id=253
or a slighly more cost effective bag from Alpkit
http://www.alpkit.com/shop/cart.php?target=product&product_id=16321&category_id=253

Marmot - http://marmot.com/fall_2008/equipment/sleeping_bags
Rab - http://www.rab.uk.com/products_sleeping.html
Western Moutaineering - http://www.westernmountaineering.com/index.cfm?section=Products&page=Sleeping%20Bags
Mountain Hardware - http://www.mountainhardwear.com/en-EU/Category.aspx?top=1561&cat=1561&level=1

For Synthetic bags

Snugpak - http://www.snugpak.com/index.php?MenuID=160-101
Wiggys - http://wiggys.com/category.cfm?category=6

There are still lots of good manufacturers not mentioned here.

Some "Old world" advices :

Down:

Valandré, very very good, pricey : http://www.valandre.com/us/frontpage.htm

Warmth, less expensive, very good : http://www.warmthunlimited.com/


Synthetic:

Carinthia, military well known bags. some models with "central zip" : http://www.carinthia-bags.com/schlafsack/expeditionen/12.html

Helsport, good swedish brand, very compact synthetics bags : http://www.helsport.com/helsport/product...amp;pageid=5011

No offense intended, but this is almost like asking what gun is best? I mean, what is the intended use?

If someone just needs something for car camping in moderate temps, they would be fine probably with anything from Wal-mart or someplace. If they need something for extended winter camping, they'll want something else.

You probably know that high fill down (e.g. 850)is generally warmest and most compressible, but becomes nearly useless when wet. The synthetics don't compact as well but still insulate when wet.

There's also the size to consider. "Normal" size people can use most bag, but big folks need to get bags that are cut larger.

I overnighted more than 40 times in the last year in all weather. Was out with well over 100 different people. Have seen a massive variety of sleeping bags and many many conversations with their owners.

Boils down to this. Either Marmot or Mountain Hardware for the brand. Synthetic not down and go 20 degrees colder rating than you think you will ever be in.

My 2.5 cents.

Cameron

+1 on Marmot
+1 on Mountain Hardwear

As always, do some research. There are a lot of good websites with reviews, discussions, etc. out there. The type of use you want the bag for is very important:
-Dry climate vs. wet?
-Compressable or bulk not that big of a deal?
-Light weight needed (personal carry) or weight OK (vehicle carry)
-wide temp ranges
-Use with second person (zip together?)
-Hasty camps (tactical) vs. deliberate camps (backpacking, camping, etc.)
-High visability (blaze orange) vs. concealed (camo)
Those are just a few things to consider. I'm sure you can think of other issues/considerations that are particular to your situation.

And, generally do go with a bag with a rating higher than you think you need. You'll a) get a margin of safety and b) compensate for the manufacturer's overly optimistic claims.

HJ

I don't do a lot of camping but wish to keep a sleeping bag for bugout purposes. Due to my location, I am forced to consider owning more than one bag to deal with temperatures anywhere from 0-100 degrees F. I'd like to have one bag that will accommodate liners that easily zip in and out instead of multiple bags. Does such a bag exist? If so, would this be the most practical approach?

Just as important as the sleeping bag is a quality sleeping pad. Don't kid yourself. The ground can suck the warmth out very quickly.

Therm-A-Rest brend is top quality.

Cameorn.

You can find bags that "layer." See http://wiggys.com/category.cfm?category=6 (and search for FTRSS) for example.

You can also "adjust" your sleeping bag by DIY means:
-You can buy a bivvy sack that can be used as an outer shell for colder nights.
-You can wear long johns or double long johns for exta warmth. Don't forget socks, gloves, a neck gaiter, and of course a hat that covers the ears.
-You can purchase various types of liners. Silk is light but expensive.
-On summer nights, with a full zip sleeping bag, you can totally unzip the bag and use it like a blanket.

Those are just a few ideas; I'm sure others can point out more.

Snugpak have a bag that will do that called the Special Forces combo bag. Its actually two very capable synthetic bags which zip into each other using a centre zip baffle

http://www.snugpak.com/index.php?MenuID=93-101&ItemID=74

http://www.polimil.co.uk/acatalog/Snugpak_Special_Forces_Combo_System__166_18.html

Probably the limiting factor for most people in choosing a sleeping bag is going to be price, that would be the first question to ask your friend. I'm sure everyone wants a top quality -20 degree, 800+ fill, 1.5 lb bag, but nobody is willing to shell out $600 for it. There are a lot of really good bags in the $200 range, but it might be overkill if you only want a car camping bag.



Are you really going to be using a sleeping bag in 100 degree weather? Even a summer bag can be pretty warm in 70 degree weather. Instead of getting multiple bags, I would just concentrate on the lower temperature ranges, and if it's only for emergencies use only, I'd really only be concered about anything below 50 degrees. Now you've just cut your temperature range in half. In addition to what Jim said, there are a lot of things you can do to adjust the comfort level. The shelter and the sleeping pad are equally important, and can add or subtract to the temperature rating of the bag. A full length zipper allows me to use my 15 degree down bag in 60 degree weather without overheating, or some extra clothes, a good hood and a liner can bring it down closer to 0 degrees. So one bag can cover a pretty wide range of situations. Some people even boil a hot bottle of water to keep next to them while sleeping, or use those chemical heating pads.

I ask those who have more knowledge and experience so that I can make wise, informed decisions. Thanks for the excellent feedback.

Wiggies makes some fine bags, one of which I have been using for nearly 20-years.

Once again my degree in anthropology and multi cultural family puts ETS on the cutting edge of worldwide web diplomacy. Is your friend orthodox, secular, somewhere in between or just wants to sleep warm? Would He be breaking a mitzvah climbing into a sleeping unit that is shatnez?

You don't have to go to a Tijuana upholsterer to find strange things in your gear's lining!

Depending on the situation there is wide range to chose from. Even as a hot sleeper I would not recommend any bad rated over 32 degrees. If its hot, your hot no matter what your in or not in. If its chilly or cold, i like 32 at the min and then working down.

FEATHERED FRIENDS, in Seattle is by far the best sleeping bag I have EVER seen. They routinely outfit peak and antarctic expeditions.

Mountain Hardware is also very good.

I personally use Big Agnes. They are middle of the road as far as price and manufacturing. They cut weight on their bags by taking loft out of the bottom off the bag and including an insert for a sleeping pad. This way the bag is lighter and it never slips out off the pad. The pad is in it.

I have a Slumberjack with Holofill II it seems to work down to 35 or so fine. (works on colder nights by wrapping it in a quilt type blanket) It’s going on 20+ years old and still holding up well, not a single problem with it and I do a lot of camping every year. It’s rated for +20, but I never used it when it was that cold. I run it through my washer a few times a year (on gentle cycle) to clean it. I also use a pad under it to keep heat in and to soften the ground somewhat.

I don’t know if the model I have is made any more, but considering how well it’s held up I would buy another Slumberjack.

I think it was like $30.00 when I bought it, it was so long ago I can’t remember for sure.

SlumberJacks are still fairly inexpensive for the quality. I think I paid about $70 for the one my wife has.