while I have camped for many years I have just started to get into Backpacking and am haveing trouble finding a sleeping bag that I can fit into yet fit in to my pack. I have looked at some diffrent brands at my local Cabela's, but would be skined alive if my wife found out that I droped a good chunk of change on a sleeping bag.
Any one know of a good brand of bag that will pack small you fit a larger sized person???

It's not a dedicated sleeping bag, but my poncho/liner combo rolls up and packs down quite small, and gives me quite a bit of warmth for the size/weight... and if it gets really cold, the AMK bivvy is a pretty good back up to go along with the poncho/liner... if that combo won't keep me warm, it's time to build a bigger fire <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />.

Troy

Get one that comes with a compression sack, that is intended for packing. I got an excellent one at REI, good down to 15*F and packs down nicely.

I'm thinking of loosing my sleeping bag and simply cover myself with some kind of blanket... I don't need a "bag" per se. Maybe you should try to find a blanket that suits you well (instead of a bag)?

I use a hammock. They are compact,very lightweight, comfortable, keep you off the ground and with a small thermal blanket they work great. All you need is 2 trees.

Let me answer with a question- what kind of climate are we talking.

I do the blanket and hammock thing in the summer if the weather is good. But cold kills easily enough without us showing off how tuff we are once the temp is below, say 50.

I have blanket that would work, dont know why I did not think of it.
As for the climate, I live in Kansas so depending on the time of year it can swing in a wide range, last week we had a couple of hot days 90+ the next day was to be the same and it only got in to the mid 70's. A guy I work with is getting me in to it and wants to hike southren MO and work our way "up" to bigger and better things. we have talked about winter hiking but I think I would rather do a "drive up" winter camp first.

If I'm expecting the weather to get cold, I build a shelter and a good fire. Here , we don't have real drastic changes in the weather but in Texas I always take a sleeping bag. I've seen it go from 85 degrees to 6" of snow and ice in just a few hours so I always build a shelter when I'm there.

I would say that one's perspective on sleeping bags is definantly created by one's enviroment.

I would also say, always expect it to be cold, but I'm lucky enough to live in a less than obliging climate. And I honestly enjoy it that way. If it was 80 when you conked out at last twilight, 50 with a heavy dew a shock to the system.

if you're looking for a more roomier bag you might want to look at these from REI. they seem a bit wider than normal bags. not cheap, but not too pricey either. http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductD...vcat=REI_SEARCH
good luck.