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Help me choose a new sleeping bag please!

PostPosted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 5:35 pm
by MountaingirlBC
It's time for a new bag. I'm looking for something in the -10C / 15F range under 2lbs. I think I've pretty much narrowed it down to:

Feathered Friends Egret with Event
Mountain Hardware Phantom
Western Mountaineering Ultralight
Marmot Helium

I'm 5'6", a cold sleeper, side sleeper with a knee pulled up so I need a bit of room and since I do most of my trips in the PNW, wetness is an issue. I have a waterproof bivy sack but it would be nice to have the option of not taking it. That said, I don't usually bivy so I don't necessarily want to lug extra weight around the rest of the time.

Whaddya think? What's the lightest, comfiest, most weather proof bag out there these days?

PostPosted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 7:55 pm
by ExcitableBoy
I have a WM Apache Super Dryloft rated to 15 degrees that has been a great bag for me. Not sure if they still make it.

PostPosted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 10:23 pm
by Snowslogger
I have a MH Phantom 32 (lighter than what you were looking at) that my kid used when we went to the Sierra last month. We slept out a lot and it seemed to get damp/wet from frost/dew more easily than other bags. This might be because it was thinner, but it is probably not as weatherproof as some of those other bags (such as the one with Event). Still think it's a good bag, and don't think this would usually be an issue as I'm usually in a tent or bivy sack. Probably cheaper than some of those other lightweight bags, too.

PostPosted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 10:47 pm
by merrrrjig
I have the Phantom 15 and love it. but I dont know about the wetness, I am from Southern California and I have gotten the bag a bit wet once or twice, it seems like it held its heat pretty well, and it dried quite fast because the shell is so thin. The bag is a bit tight width wise, every so often i realize I cannot stretch my legs out as much as id like. Overall a great bag though!

PostPosted: Sun Sep 13, 2009 6:23 pm
by zeroforhire
Go with the FF egret in eVent. The eVent is way more breathable than any of the other options. FF will also overfill the bag if you'd like... (for more warmth and longevity) it is $10 per ounce.

I used to have the MH phantom 32 and had the same wetness issues as described earlier.

PostPosted: Sun Sep 13, 2009 6:30 pm
by The Chief
You WILL NOT go wrong with this awesome 31oz 900 Down SMF WM bag!

It's roomier (warmer) and only 2oz heavier than the Ultra Lite and the rest in your selection list, BTW.

Western Mountaineering Alpinlite

I have used my for the past five years from April through Nov in temps down to 10F and it has kept me roasty toasty!

I love it!

Image

PS! Western Mountaineering's Manu & CS is UNMATCHED in quality... PERIOD!

PostPosted: Sun Sep 13, 2009 7:03 pm
by MountaingirlBC
Thx everyone... I'm totally open to other suggestions too btw. I'd carry a few extra oz and pay a little more for a bag that was made locally too. I am pretty wetness paranoid so thx for the heads up about the phantom. I find that the bag I have now gets damp just from the condensation in the tent which isn't a big deal if you're leaving it in the tent in the hot sun all day but sucks if you have to stuff it damp in the morning.

PostPosted: Sun Sep 13, 2009 10:17 pm
by The Chief
I have had an inch of snow on my Alpinlte and countless mornings have awaken to a very damp top layer... NEVER DAMP inside the bag though. And, the MF Shell is totally dry within 5 minutes when laid out in the morning sun to dry.

WM's Microlite & Microfiber material sees to that. This material is the best there is IMO.

PostPosted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 12:34 am
by mtnfreak
Marmot is just as good as the "premium" brands...just ask Andy Kirkpatrick...

Really, the best fitting hoods I've ever slept in too! And for a few less dollars...

I vote Marmot!

PostPosted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 12:58 am
by The Chief
Hmmmm....

All Marmot bags are made in CHINA!

Bad juju.

We should do our best to Support 100% American Made Companies.

PostPosted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 2:40 am
by zeroforhire
The Chief wrote:Hmmmm....

All Marmot bags are made in CHINA!

Bad juju.

We should do our best to Support 100% American Made Companies.


shells stitched in china... bags filled in USA. Sort of made in China.

PostPosted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 3:45 am
by The Chief
Feathered Friends and Western Mountaineering.....

100% Made in the U.S.A.... 100% Life Time Warranteed


BTW: Both the WM's Ultralite & Alpinlite are lighter and cheaper than Marmot's comparable Helium. For the same price of the Helium, ya can get WM's Versalite which is still lighter and rated lower at 10F.

PostPosted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 6:25 am
by Vic Hanson
I have the Helium and have been very happy with it, although it does get damp from condensation. I know the regular version (mens) comes in an EQ (waterproof) version, but that brings the weight up to 2 lb 5 oz and adds $70 to the price. I don't know if the women's version comes in EQ or not.

By the way Chief, MountaingirlBC is from Canada, so why should she buy something made in the U.S.? By your reasoning, she should only buy something made in Canada, or at the very least only with down from Canadian Honkers! ;-) edit - Oops, just noticed she mentioned buying something made locally too, so is the U.S. 'local' to a Canadian?

http://www.backcountrygear.com/catalog/bagdetail.cfm/MA1810 Helium EQ

http://www.backcountrygear.com/catalog/bagdetail.cfm?PRODUCTS__ProductID=MA18110 Helium

Vic

PostPosted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 6:33 am
by The Chief
OK....

They are 100% North American made, they all stay dry in any condensation situ, are roomier, weigh less (less than 2lbs) and are less expensive than the Helium.

How bout that.

PostPosted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 7:02 am
by Vic Hanson
The Chief wrote:OK....

They are 100% North American made, they all stay dry in any condensation situ, are roomier, weigh less (less than 2lbs) and are less expensive than the Helium.

How bout that.


Sorry! I just reread her second post and edited mine, before I saw yours.