The Accurate Reloading Forums
Sleeping bags
12 June 2023, 05:41
Scott PowellSleeping bags
So I've booked a fall brown bear hunt on the peninsula.
My sleeping bag is very dated and its time for a new one. I dislike the mummy bag style as I sleep on my side.
What's the best bag out there? Kuiu has some nice bags but they are mummy style which I am hoping to avoid.
My old bag is a Wiggys bag but pretty worn out...
"At least once every human being should have to run for his life - to teach him that milk does not come from the supermarket, that safety does not come from policemen, and that news is not something that happens to other people." - Robert Heinlein
12 June 2023, 09:58
CougarzYou might take a look at Feathered Friends, they are in Seattle and have a website. Excellent bags and offer customization.
Roger
___________________________
I'm a trophy hunter - until something better comes along.
*we band of 45-70ers*
12 June 2023, 11:21
Adventure907Look into Kifaru. I've been happy with their bags since I switched from down back to synthetic.
13 June 2023, 02:47
LeonardCI like Wiggy's bags.
13 June 2023, 22:31
AtkinsonI have 3 or 4 bags, either old world Woods or old world Eddie Bauer..They don't make them like this anymore, they are true down gathered from nests by Eskimos, not a bunch of feathers..All are over size, gave one to my cowboy grand son, he said its like sleeping with a polar bear..I have no need for them these days but have turned down some rather estravacant offers in the past, might trade for a rifle that caught my eye.
Nothing can ruin a high dollar hunt like a bad sleepiing bag and a poor nights sleep.
Ray Atkinson
Atkinson Hunting Adventures
10 Ward Lane,
Filer, Idaho, 83328
208-731-4120
rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com
14 June 2023, 00:10
chuck375I have an LL Bean rectangular hollow fill bag, inside it I put my Sierra Designs down Mummy bag. Sleep on a cot with a pad, I've never been cold even at 10 below zero until I had to get out of it lol
Regards,
Chuck
"There's a saying in prize fighting, everyone's got a plan until they get hit"
Michael Douglas "The Ghost And The Darkness"
Second the Wiggy's I've had it up doing what you're proposing in Alaska and many Elk mountain hunts.
I'm talking about the two bag system. it's a 32 bag you can use for warmer weather and a 0 degree bag for colder. You zip together and you go under zero by how much Wiggy could tell you.
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15 June 2023, 01:43
Otto$1946Western Mountaineering, Feathered Friends, Valandre, own(ed) and used them all plus Canadian Integral Designs down and synthetic bags.
60+ years using different bags all over BC, much of Alberta and on the BC-AK border for 3+ solo months.Ambient temps. varied between tested -40*
and warm summer nights.
I consider WM bags to be then finest overall that I have used and FF and some others a close second.
I have used many synthetica, but, just gave a buddy my last and best one and have no use for Wiggy's which I gave to charity. Down is where it is at and BC is WET, but, never an issue with a GOOD down bag as those above.
15 June 2023, 09:40
Cougarzquote:
Originally posted by Otto$1946:
I have used many synthetica, but, just gave a buddy my last and best one and have no use for Wiggy's which I gave to charity. Down is where it is at and BC is WET, but, never an issue with a GOOD down bag as those above.
Plus 1 on the down bags.
Lots of cold wet trips with them and as far as I can remember only once did I ever have get one really soaked which was totally my fault. This is the same ratio I’ve had getting synthetic fill wet.
Besides most quality bags now have water repellent finishes on the outside which helps too.
Roger
___________________________
I'm a trophy hunter - until something better comes along.
*we band of 45-70ers*
15 June 2023, 22:31
medveddown may be good with goretex but going in alaska that is known to be wet with a down and not having the experience of them might be a call for disaster.
we have been using now for a few years in the yukon the mountain hardwear lamina previous version synthetic and it s known that we got less rain than on the west but we like it even when moring are colder.
16 June 2023, 04:24
AtkinsonIve hunted the world with my Woods and Eddie Bauer extra large bags good to 60 below...I wouldn't know about sleeping out in the rain but if I was that silly Id sure have a tarp and a plastic cover for that..I prefer a wall tent..Sleeping on the wet in the open is not the brightest thing Ive heard of have my doubts about such a thing..If its wet then I prefer wool clothing not my down coats..
Ray Atkinson
Atkinson Hunting Adventures
10 Ward Lane,
Filer, Idaho, 83328
208-731-4120
rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com
16 June 2023, 10:12
Cougarzquote:
Originally posted by medved:
down may be good with goretex but going in alaska that is known to be wet with a down and not having the experience of them might be a call for disaster.
we have been using now for a few years in the yukon the mountain hardwear lamina previous version synthetic and it s known that we got less rain than on the west but we like it even when moring are colder.
Coastal British Columbia and Washington state don’t get wet too?
If you use some due diligence down works fine as does synthetic bags. Incompetence makes both a disaster.
I’ve had both. If lightweight, compressibility and which would last the longest were the most important factors down wins. If you are a little more careless and want to save some money get a synthetic bag. They are a little easier to dry out in the field. Either way the choice is yours.
Roger
___________________________
I'm a trophy hunter - until something better comes along.
*we band of 45-70ers*
17 June 2023, 06:33
medvedquote:
Originally posted by Cougarz:
quote:
Originally posted by medved:
down may be good with goretex but going in alaska that is known to be wet with a down and not having the experience of them might be a call for disaster.
we have been using now for a few years in the yukon the mountain hardwear lamina previous version synthetic and it s known that we got less rain than on the west but we like it even when moring are colder.
Coastal British Columbia and Washington state don’t get wet too?
If you use some due diligence down works fine as does synthetic bags. Incompetence makes both a disaster.
I’ve had both. If lightweight, compressibility and which would last the longest were the most important factors down wins. If you are a little more careless and want to save some money get a synthetic bag. They are a little easier to dry out in the field. Either way the choice is yours.
if you do not have the experience i will not recommend using down in alaska but everybody is different but i doubt experiment during a hunt is the way to do it.
im using down as well in winter here but i wont do that knowing it will be raining but i never hunted in coastal bc or your state so i can t comment on that. like everybody else we have different experience. when i was mountaineering i used almost only down and never been wet i was certainly lucky who knows ...
30 June 2023, 16:49
dogcatScott,
Been in your position.
I would strongly suggest you call Kevin Dana at Barney's Sports Chalet in Anchorage and talk to him.
He is an expert on all things Alaska and equipment.
He sells the best there is.
I have been on several hunts in Alaska. His advice has been perfect every time.
Buy what he tells you to buy. You will glad you did.
30 June 2023, 22:14
butchlocray is 100 my old eddie bauer long and large has kept me comfortable for a lotta years ND A LOTTA different places might be big and heavy but i slept next to others who shiverd
01 July 2023, 07:20
medvedquote:
Originally posted by dogcat:
Scott,
Been in your position.
I would strongly suggest you call Kevin Dana at Barney's Sports Chalet in Anchorage and talk to him.
He is an expert on all things Alaska and equipment.
He sells the best there is.
I have been on several hunts in Alaska. His advice has been perfect every time.
Buy what he tells you to buy. You will glad you did.
+1.
01 July 2023, 11:52
458WinThe Wiggy’s Hunter series is a rectangular bag that has been my go to bag for hunts on the Alaska peninsula for the past 8-10 years .
Like you, I prefer a roomier bag. Both for comfort as well as for the ability to cram in more clothes in case the temps drop more than expected.
Anyone who claims the 30-06 is ineffective has either not tried one, or is unwittingly commenting on their own marksmanship
Phil Shoemaker
Alaska Master guide
FAA Master pilot
NRA Benefactor
www.grizzlyskinsofalaska.com
Nothing like standing over your own kill
03 July 2023, 02:36
Frostbitquote:
Originally posted by dogcat:
Scott,
Been in your position.
I would strongly suggest you call Kevin Dana at Barney's Sports Chalet in Anchorage and talk to him.
He is an expert on all things Alaska and equipment.
He sells the best there is.
I have been on several hunts in Alaska. His advice has been perfect every time.
Buy what he tells you to buy. You will glad you did.
+1
Barney's is worth the contact.
04 July 2023, 18:29
Cold ZeroWestern Mountaineering, Sequoia Rectangular Down bag with optional overfill.
Lightweight, warm plenty of room. The best there is.
Cold Zero
05 July 2023, 09:16
eagle27Irrespective of what sleeping bag you may have a polar fleece liner will increase it's cold performance immeasurably. My wife has made these liners for our sleeping bags when when we are in the alps hunting tahr. She purchases fleece blankets folding them and sewing up the open side and the bottom. The liners are longer than the sleeping bags so they pull up and bunch up around shoulders and head keeping the warmth in the bag, super cosy.
For summer use or if just laying around in a tent or hut during rainy weather the liner is warm enough on its own.
After a very cold miserable week back in the 70's on our Stewart Island hunting whitetail deer and enduring a storm blown up from the Antarctic I purchased a NZ made Fairydown Everest Mummy Bag. This was an uprated bag from the Fairydown Twenty Below bag that both Edmond Hillary and Norgay Tensing used in the first ascent of Mt. Everest. It cost me what was a small fortune in those days but has provided many a warm night in our Alpine regions and is still in use.
Don't ever scrimp on a sleeping bag.
07 July 2023, 21:52
AtkinsonA good wall tent with a stove helps make low dollar bags work pretty well...but I wouldnt swap my old Woods or Eddie Bauer for any of the new stuff, but I pack in on horses, to a wall tent and stove, if I had to carry a bag i would have to go lighter, but thats never been the case, never carred much for walking any more than I had to.Always had horses to hunt off of on this side of the pond.
Ray Atkinson
Atkinson Hunting Adventures
10 Ward Lane,
Filer, Idaho, 83328
208-731-4120
rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com
09 July 2023, 19:55
TREE 'EMWiggy's and Big Agnes for bags.
Enlightened Equipment Quilts are a good option too.
All We Know Is All We Are
14 July 2023, 03:21
chuck375quote:
Originally posted by Atkinson:
A good wall tent with a stove helps make low dollar bags work pretty well...but I wouldnt swap my old Woods or Eddie Bauer for any of the new stuff, but I pack in on horses, to a wall tent and stove, if I had to carry a bag i would have to go lighter, but thats never been the case, never carred much for walking any more than I had to.Always had horses to hunt off of on this side of the pond.
There's a saying in Montana "It's a poor ride that don't beat walkin"
Regards,
Chuck
"There's a saying in prize fighting, everyone's got a plan until they get hit"
Michael Douglas "The Ghost And The Darkness"
14 July 2023, 12:03
medvedquote:
Originally posted by eagle27:
Irrespective of what sleeping bag you may have a polar fleece liner will increase it's cold performance immeasurably. My wife has made these liners for our sleeping bags when when we are in the alps hunting tahr. She purchases fleece blankets folding them and sewing up the open side and the bottom. The liners are longer than the sleeping bags so they pull up and bunch up around shoulders and head keeping the warmth in the bag, super cosy.
For summer use or if just laying around in a tent or hut during rainy weather the liner is warm enough on its own.
After a very cold miserable week back in the 70's on our Stewart Island hunting whitetail deer and enduring a storm blown up from the Antarctic I purchased a NZ made Fairydown Everest Mummy Bag. This was an uprated bag from the Fairydown Twenty Below bag that both Edmond Hillary and Norgay Tensing used in the first ascent of Mt. Everest. It cost me what was a small fortune in those days but has provided many a warm night in our Alpine regions and is still in use.
Don't ever scrimp on a sleeping bag.
try a silk liner then a fleece over it ... you will thank me.
28 August 2023, 02:34
Cold ZeroIt appears that the Wiggys bags were popular on Season 10 of Alone.
Cold Zero
29 August 2023, 06:53
Gil FisherGo with a Wiggys. Even better now that Jerry fired Marc Taylor and you don't have to deal with "Wiggys Alaska" in Anchorage. Order it direct.
29 August 2023, 19:11
butchlocl[ke ray i wouldn't trade my old eddie bauer large and long
30 August 2023, 09:40
LeonardCquote:
Originally posted by Gil Fisher:
Go with a Wiggys. Even better now that Jerry fired Marc Taylor and you don't have to deal with "Wiggys Alaska" in Anchorage. Order it direct.
Years ago we tried to buy direct for Wiggys. Shipping was free to L48 but shipping to us in AK would have about doubled the cost. We had the order shipped to a friend's place in L48 and the Wife flew it back on AKAir It cost us the extra bag fee. Wiggys really compressed the stuff for shipping.
31 August 2023, 05:56
waterratquote:
Originally posted by dogcat:
Scott,
Been in your position.
I would strongly suggest you call Kevin Dana at Barney's Sports Chalet in Anchorage and talk to him.
He is an expert on all things Alaska and equipment.
He sells the best there is.
I have been on several hunts in Alaska. His advice has been perfect every time.
Buy what he tells you to buy. You will glad you did.
I tend to use more than enough gun
20 September 2023, 23:26
Austin HunterDo you have a weight limit? I've used all sorts of different bags in cabins and tents. And different temps.
Here's my favorite - don't get it wet, comfy to zero. And big. A little heavy. This is the Cabela's version. I have earlier versions from Wenzel.
https://www.cabelas.com/shop/e...apper-0-sleeping-bag
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Want to make just about anything work better? Keep the government as far away from it as possible, then step back and behold the wonderment and goodness.
22 September 2023, 22:21
AtkinsonIn 89 years Ive never had to sleep outside on bare ground in cold climes, since I was a kid when we used blankets under and over a tarp and a hand made shelter of one kind or another..
In Texas Ive slept under or on top of a tarp in my clothes or on top of my bed roll, but we were branding not hunting and its seldom wet, but hot even at night.
The most important issue for hunters is a good nights sleep in a dry warm bed, leave the survival crap to the idiots on TV.
Ray Atkinson
Atkinson Hunting Adventures
10 Ward Lane,
Filer, Idaho, 83328
208-731-4120
rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com