Welcome to the hiking crowd! I use a Slumberjack 20 degree for winter and a fleece liner for summer. Also have a mid-wieght 30 degree for those fall trips where you never know.

I feel your pain on the size. It would be nice to not have to buy the extra big bags or the extra long bags...but such is the price us larger fellas pay. Just think, you're getting more exercise by carrying more weight. <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

Oh yeah, when you are buying a backpack...you might look for one that provides plenty of space for your sleeping system..whatever that might be.