Expensive Sleeping Bags

[GA_gal]

Wow! I had no idea I would get such a response on this thread! Thank-you to everyone who responded. Since this will be our first camping trip, we decided to forego backpacking and stay near the car until we get the hang of things, although we do eventually want to venture into backpacking territory - literally and metaphorically speaking. Still, I don't know if the ultra lightweight, backpacking-friendly sleeping bags are in our budget, what with most of our savings already spent on Christmas, so I think we'll start with OwenM's suggestion of The North Face Cat's Meow and go from there.

[DuctTape]

When it comes to sleeping bags there are Cheap, Light and Warm. But you only get to choose two.

[Pathfinder1]

Hi...


Try .....new sleeping bag..... - Outdoor Basecamp Forums

[Gunny Webb]

I have 2 Western Mountaineering bags. You get what you pay for when it comes to sleeping bags. My 35 degree bag is toastie at 25 degrees and the 10 degree bag could easily be used at zero or below. Took the thick bag on a trip and the coldest temp was 25. Had to unzip the thing it was so hot. The 35 degree bag weighs 15 oz and the 10 degree bag weighs 2 lbs.
If you're car camping weight does not matter. But I like to walk, so weight and size is a biggie.

[charley]

Spend time watching online sales. I have gotten good deals just before Christmas and sometimes just after. I have gotten 2 different 20 degree down bags that weigh just over 2# and compress to about the size of a half gallon for less than $75 delivered.
REI rents bags.

[Gondor]

As far as sleeping bags, I guess this is true to some extent. Paying $250 will surely get you a good product but paying $500 maybe be a little too much hype.

[Barney]

Depends a lot on the manufacturer. You don't need to spend 400 bucks on a bag. There are perfectly fine bags around $150, but it also depends on the temperature rating.

[Gerry]

We once spent the night in the car when the temperature got down around 25. It was totally unplanned, but we had a stack of blankets in the car, including a couple of down comforters. It's amazing how warm and toasty we were with just a little body heat, our golden retriever and those blankets. The car broke down, and we knew we weren't going to be able to get help until morning.

[Gunny Webb]

Originally Posted by Gondor

As far as sleeping bags, I guess this is true to some extent. Paying $250 will surely get you a good product but paying $500 maybe be a little too much hype.

As someone who has owned bags from 30-460 dollars, a 500 dollar bag is not hype. It's comfort is a light, small package.
Granted, if I were 250 lb guy in his 20's who did not mind carrying 35-40 lbs, I wouldn't spend money on a 850 down bag. I'd drop 150 dollars on a 4.5 lb synthetic bag. But I'm much older and want a lighter load. And a cold sleeper to boot. A buddy loaned me his Western Mountaineering bag and I was sold in about one trip. Before that trip I had the same opinion as you.

[ChadTower]

Also decide ahead of time how much you like sleeping with your knees locked together and your arms in tight. Some lighter bags are lighter because they are barely big enough to zip past your chest. I have one bag that's nice and warm but also taught me why they are called "mummy bags". I can't move my arms at all once it's zipped.