Sleeping Bag Help

[Desert Eagle]

I am looking for a new sleeping bag. I have a hunt booked for next year in the arctic (August) I am told to expect weather around 0 degrees C and lots of moisture in the air. This bag will also be used for hunts in AB after that. I have managed to find a few decent options in my opinion, just wanted to see if you guys have any thoughts. The options I have found are from Mountain Hardware. They are synthetic bags, which I understand are a bit heavier, but will not soak up as much moisture as a down bag. To me it makes more sense as if you are backpacking in to a camp you are not packing your bag all day every day, and it shouldn't have to be dried out as often on a week long trip. I had a $350 budget in mind.

What say ye?

Thanks for the help!

[Argentus]

Here's a DND report on more than you ever wanted to know about sleeping bags in Arctic conditions. Not sure how much it applies in August, but it seems relevant.

http://cradpdf.drdc-rddc.gc.ca/PDFS/unc17/p520372.pdf


For what it's worth, my approach to carried weight is that as long as I'm carrying 30 extra pounds around my midsection, a couple of pounds of sleeping bag (or rifle, binoculars, or whatever else) is not the problem, so I agree that the extra weight shouldn't be that big a deal.

[The Fisherman Guy]

The North Face - Campforter is what I use.

Big enough mummy bag that a big guy can move around in easily and not feel confined. Good to -7, packs up with it's own compression sack just as small as most mummy bags.

[Dubious]

Go to mec in Calgary if it dosnt work out atmosphere is right across the street. I've been really happy with the mec brand equipment in the past

[katts69]

Whatever bag you get make sure it is EN tested. Don't go by the rating the manufacturer provides. Only certain ones are telling the truth.
Western mountaineering is the tits. Higher than your price range but it will be the last bag you buy.
If you really want synthetic check out Kifarus slick bag.
Again a little more money but worth every penny.
Are you running a floored shelter then don't be scared of a down bag. More compressible, and weight savings.

[Smokinyotes]

If you want a warm bag that you can use in very cold temperatures buy an Alaskan 9.5.

[mgvande]

Mec has nice down ones. I use one all the time in wet conditions in a mega tarp with not floor. Just a couple garbage bags and a 1/2 pad under me. It's rated -10c. I've been out in minus 15 ish with it and I survived. It's what I used in the territories as well.

[Desert Eagle]

Thanks for the input guys. I checked out MEC and most of their bags with a decent rating are $900 and up. I'm hoping to be around the $350 mark. I currently have a cabelas bag that is claimed to be rated at -20 but it barely does the job when it's +1 or 2 degrees. I'm a bit of a cold sleeper, so hopefully I'll find one that will work within the budget. The temps are expected to be near zero when I head up in August.

[Blastoff]

Check out the army surplus stores, they should have the down sleeping bags, the ne the military use. I wouldn't buy a Mec for $900.00,

[LJalberta]

Whatever you end up with, make sure you're using a suitably insulated pad as well. Without that pad insulation you can freeze your butt off even in the warmest of bags.

[mgvande]

Wow 900. I'm sure mine wasn't that much they must of went up substantially in the past 8yrs. Or perhaps I have selective memory.

[Newview01]

Originally Posted by mgvande

Wow 900. I'm sure mine wasn't that much they must of went up substantially in the past 8yrs. Or perhaps I have selective memory.

I have selective memory when it comes to large purchases.

[LJalberta]

Originally Posted by mgvande

Wow 900. I'm sure mine wasn't that much they must of went up substantially in the past 8yrs. Or perhaps I have selective memory.

The 900$+ bags are Western Mountaineering. Here's a couple MEC brand bag that may be worth checking out.

-10* C https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5035-4...0-Sleeping-Bag
-20* C https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5046-8...C-Sleeping-Bag

[coxy95]

Has anyone tried the wilderness excursions bags from the guy in Calgary? Prices are great if the bags are decent.

[Prairiekid]

Originally Posted by LJalberta

Whatever you end up with, make sure you're using a suitably insulated pad as well. Without that pad insulation you can freeze your butt off even in the warmest of bags.

What this guy said. I have a Thermarest Neoair Xtherm. It's pricey, but it works wonders by reflecting heat back at you.

When considering a sleeping bag I think you have to consider everything else you will be sleeping in. When it's cold out I am always sleeping in full merino wool long underwear with a toque on. That with a good sleeping pad and I have managed to go cheaper and lighter on the tent until I can upgrade that part of my equipment.

[rangerstan]

I picked up some awesome bags from Kijji, some excellent brands rated for -10. 60-100 bucks but you need to know what you are looking for. Packable and good quality from individuals just upgrading or cleaning up gear.

[Desert Eagle]

Any thoughts on the MEC centarus?

I saw an awesome Hybrid one on there, but they only have regular size, and I'll need a long one.

Does anyone else make a good hybrid bag?

[BackPackHunter]

I have bags from $100 to $1000
The best back for your buck is a mountain hardwear lamana

http://www.mountainhardwear.com/mens...ar-OU8500.html

[Gbuss]

I got this bag in the link below. I'm using it this weekend. Just remember the lowest rating is it will keep you alive not warm. I also got a Colman fleece liner I can put that bag into. It is a bit heavy but if it is for a camp and go hunt from their it won't be bad. Also not a bad price.


https://www.amazon.ca/Coleman-North-...=Sleeping+bags


Gbuss

[Fowl91]

Originally Posted by BackPackHunter

I have bags from $100 to $1000
The best back for your buck is a mountain hardwear lamana

http://www.mountainhardwear.com/mens...ar-OU8500.html

I use the Mountain Hardwear Lamina 15, and have for about 5 or 6 years. It's a packable synthetic bag that excels in wet environments. To make it comfortable below 0 degrees I use a Sea to Summit Reactor liner. Using this combo has made this bag work for all conditions. I've backpacked mid summer and into late October without issue.

[-JR-]

Originally Posted by BackPackHunter

I have bags from $100 to $1000
The best back for your buck is a mountain hardwear lamana

http://www.mountainhardwear.com/mens...ar-OU8500.html

This place needs to be in Edmonton.

[mgvande]

Originally Posted by LJalberta

The 900$+ bags are Western Mountaineering. Here's a couple MEC brand bag that may be worth checking out.

-10* C https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5035-4...0-Sleeping-Bag
-20* C https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5046-8...C-Sleeping-Bag

I would of done something like that. My bag was a MEC bag similar to those. It's awesome

[BackPackHunter]

Originally Posted by -JR-

This place needs to be in Edmonton.

You can get Mountain Hardware @ Campers Village

[couleecat]

Fwiw I have two Mountain Hardware bags. To me, for the money they can't be beat. One is good to-17 and the other to +2. They are true to the temp rating and the +2 bag compresses down to 4-5 ltrs and around a pound and a half

[leeelmer]

Wigies bag
Look up on line
They are a unreal bag

[IronNoggin]

Still can't believe the number of folks who blindly support the anti's through MEC?
Whassup with that anyway??

Here's a decent option for a bag at a reasonable price: https://www.mountainhardwear.ca/en/l...r-1651601.html

Even one on the BC site that is less coin: http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/showth...05#post1938205

Cheers,
Nog

[Desert Eagle]

That first bag is the one I am most interested in. A great friend gave me a pretty stellar review of the mountain hardware bags. I'm heading in to check it out tomorrow and see how they look.

[Twobucks]

I sleep cold and find I rarely need anything more than a -7 rated bag. Remember with synthetic it won't be as warm much after the first few times you use it it as the insulation compresses. Always store it loose in a proper storage bag.

You can get an excellent bag for your budget. I've bought most of mine from MEC because of price, selection, generally expert staff and their return policy is unbelievable.

Good luck - I'm sure you'll find something that works.

[Birdy]

Check out LiveOutThere if you don't already. I picked up a Mountain Hardware hyperlamina Torch (rated to -17) for half price a couple months ago. Haven't had a chance to really test it yet, but found it way too hot for one night that went down to 0c.


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[Mateo]

the sleeping pad underneath you is more important than the bag when it comes to staying warm. those blue mats are for summer nights. it's been said for winter camping that for every layer above you , you need 2 below. your body is putting out heat into the bag above you, doesn't take much to keep that in. but if you have a poorly insulated mat/bed, not to mention you are compressing all that lovely down that is supposed to keep you warm, the cold will get you from below. there are some very well made mats out there now. some that pack down ridiculously small and have great insulating factors. I've used my -7 bag in -12 and with a proper mat below me it was ok to sleep in.