quote:

Anyone know of a vendor they recomend to buy the Western Mountaineering or Feathered Friends from?

quote:

Originally posted by Cold Zero:
The search function showed a thread from 10 years ago on this, so I thought it is time to revisit it due to changes in technology and new products on the market.

I am thinking about replacing my Integral Designs 10F rated synthetic bag, since the hood does not provide full head coverage and the bag is 20 years old and is has not kept me warm enough, even though it does not have a lot of use on it. Before that bag I had a North Face Synthetic bag that was warm, but is no longer made.

My intended use for this bag will be for Backpack hunting in Alaska, Wyoming and Canada.

I usually sleep with a lightweight fleece beanie or balaclava on. I don’t think I sleep as warm now as I did whenI was younger. I sleep in a 3/4 zip shirt base layer and bottom and light weight socks.

My pad is Thermarest blow up, if weather is expected to be cold, then a Z Rest closed cell pad under the Thermarest and I just ordered a Mylar reflective pad to try out under the Z Rest.

I have also been using a Black Diamond light weight 10 or so oz. Bivy bag to help keep me warmer, I estimate it gives an additional 5-7F of warmth to my Integral Designs bag. The 10F Integral Designs bag rating must be a survival temperature rating, not a comfort rating.

Looking for a 0F rated bag. It can be Down, does not have to be synthetic. Weight is a factor, not too heavy, doesn’t have to be the lightest one either.

If you have a recommendation from quality companies like:

Marmot

TNF

Big Agnes

Mtn. Hardware

Wiggies

Etc.

I would also like to hear any opinions on which would be better for my intended usage
Western Mountaineering vs. Feathered Friends.

Thank you.

quote:

Originally posted by DavidReed:
I used a Marmot Never Summer 0 degree bag for ~15 years and now use a Western Mountaineering Antelope 5 degree bag for 90% of my camping/hunting needs. The WM bag outperforms the Marmot bag in every way. It is warmer and more comfortable, breaths better, is lighter and its construction is detailed and well thought out in ways that few other brands are. Things like velcro tabs being able to fold back and attach to themselves so they don't snag on the bag or other gear and the extra material along the zippers to prevent snagging. The WM Antelope bag has also kept me warm and comfortable in temperatures below its rating.

I also have a Western Mountaineering Bristlecone -10 degree bag that gets used once in a while but is too much of a good thing for me in all but the coldest conditions. Though it is the most comfortable being a semi rectangular bag. This experience is based on cold tent camping and I strip down to my base layer to sleep.

The WM bags are top tier bags regarding construction and down fill whereas the Marmot (and other similar brands) are mid tier bags based on my knowledge of those two factors.

I have never used a Feathered Friends sleeping bag but do have one of their down vests and a down comforter for my and my wife's bed and both are high quality products. Feathered Friends appears to have updated and revamped their product lines over the last few years do I may look at them in the future.

Additional key considerations:

Bag shape. Do you sleep comfortably in a mummy bag or does a semi rectangular suite you better? As I get older (I'm 46) overall comfort is becoming more precious to me. A Thermarest pillow is always part of my pack load out now.

Your whole system for the conditions you expect to be in. Sleeping bag, sleeping pad and tent. Do you sleep under a tarp; in a hot tent; a bivy? Cheap tent or a high quality tent?

I would also look at something like the Kifaru Slick bags (disclaimer I haven't used one but do have one ordered) which are synthetic but are surprising light and pack down fairly compact.

A final consideration. Western Mountaineering, Feathered Friends, Kifaru ( I'm sure there are others) are made in the USA which is important.

quote:

Originally posted by Jason P:
I do not want to hijack this post but I’m interested in the bag you are recommending. What would be the highest temp (outdoors) that you could sleep comfortably, in this bag?

quote:

Originally posted by DavidReed:

quote:

Originally posted by Jason P:
I do not want to hijack this post but I’m interested in the bag you are recommending. What would be the highest temp (outdoors) that you could sleep comfortably, in this bag?

Jason,

That's a tough one since there's a lot of variables unique to your complete sleep system and the current conditions one might find himself in. I sleep hot and find myself out of or on top of most bags once the temperature gets above the mid 50's if I'm in a tent. As I stated above I strip down to my base layer to sleep. For a different example I have a friend that is a back-country skier that uses a 20 degree bag in below 0 temps but he sleeps in all of his clothes in his bag. He also wears out his sleeping bags in a couple of seasons...

I've been comfortable in my WM Antelope using a tarp in dry conditions to the aforementioned temperature range (50's). Though it was mostly unzipped at that point and that's one reason I don't much care for sleeping under an open tarp myself. In something like a Hilleberge Nallo I would probably be out of this bag when the temperature reaches the 50's.