Looking for a lightweight backpacking sleeping bag

When you go "light weight," you're also looking at "expensive." I'm looking for something a little more cost effective, so what brands should I be looking at for the best cost/weight benefit? I'll splurge a little for a down bag if it's a deal. I have a hammock setup now, but there are times when I need to do "tent camping." I basically have everything but a light weight sleeping bag. (I have "heavier" sleeping bags for "truck" camping.)

Looking for a +20F bag. I doubt I'll be camping when it's below 20F, but I would like to be relatively comfortable when it's ~30F.

TIA!

 

When I was in a similar situation looking for a new ultralight sleeping arrangement I went with a quilt instead of a bag. So FWIW, I'll throw Enlightened Equipment out there as an option since I've been very happy with my Revelation.

https://www.enlightenedequipment.com

The theory goes that you're probably carrying a sleeping pad or mattress of some sort already so if you use one that's insulated you can dispense with the bottom part of the bag and save some space and weight.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...ing-gear-thread.340757/page-478#post-22683956

 

Following. I’m looking for the same thing, enlightened equipment quilts do look like they tick all the boxes.

 

I like EE but they have been notorious for their temp ratings being off so plan accordingly. Western mountaineering is my best buy because it will last forever.

 

Not sure it's really apples-to-apples. I have a 20°F Revelation quilt and it's sufficient with a Klymit Insulated Static V for 3+ seasons here in Colorado. I have a 20°F Marmot bag and there's really no denying that it's warmer. Temp ratings have notoriously varied personally and are always hard to compare directly. My wife has a 20°F Western Mountaineering Alpinlite and it's warmer than my Marmot.

The point to a quilt is being ultralight, which also means you have to balance how comfortable you might be against volume and weight. My Revelation regular length, wide width weighs 17.3 ounces (actual) and I can, if I really need to, fit it in a 5L stuff sack. Her Alpinlite short weighs 31 ounces and stuffs to 8"x15", which is about an 11L stuffed size.

My Insulated Static V gives an R 4.4, is 24 ounces and rolls to 8"x5" compared to standard uninsulated Static V at R 1.3 and 18.7 ounces and 8"x3" size. If I was buying now I'd go with the Insulated Static V Lite that is still R 4.4 but rolls to the same 8"x3" and is 20 ounces.

So my quilt + insulated pad are 41.3 ounces and an Alpinlite + uninsulated pad are 49.7 ounces. That's a bit more than 1/2 a lbs saved.

In this case I'd say at the same 20°F using each as intended I'd be about the same comfort. I would be warmer in an WM, they really are the top of the top and I definitely do not argue that point!

In a mummy bag the intention is to sleep in just your base layers and with a quilt you (or at least I do) typically wear more clothes. That means sleeping with an insulating layer. I have a Cloudveil lightweight Emissive, for example, that works well for this. It weighs about 7 ounces and so would essentially negate the sleeping system weight advantage. But the weight of a layer like that is carried regardless if you use it sleeping or not, is the point.

 

The North Face Cats Meow. Its rated to 20 degrees , has a durable water resistant coating and is synthetic so it wont wet out in damp or humid conditions. I had mine for close to 15 years now and love it, its super warm and comfy and is fairly lightweight for a synthetic bag.

 

But you a bag rated to 32* then by a liner that will buy ya another 10*

 

I ended up buying a 30 degree Nemo "spoon shape" sleeping bag. I thought about a mummy bag, but went with this one after reading about it's extra room. It's very comfortable, and I think I'll enjoy this for years to come. It's about 2.5 lbs.

 

A 20 degree rated bag does not mean you will be warm in it down to 20 degrees. Remember a sleeping bag is just insulation. So if you are cold and the bag is cold when you get in it you will likely stay cold. Weather you choose a chemical hand warmers or a bottle filled with hot water to warm your bag from the inside you should also make sure you are well fed and hydrated. Then do a little exercise just to get the blood flowing but not sweating before getting in the bag. The wetter the environment you should lean more towards synthetic insulation. Down will absorb moisture so even if it is used in dry climates on longer trips make sure to take advantage of opportunities to open it up and get some sun on it to dry it out.

 

Wait until Costco comes out with their packable down throw again. Best $20 you’ll ever spend. I bought two. Warm, light and rugged. If nothing else, you can buy a relatively cheap bag, and throw that on top. For what it weighs and the space it takes up in the pack it’s well worth it.

 

Backcountry.com usually has good deals. Stay away from North Face and Mountain Hardware. Really good products but you pay a premium for the name. I have a Kelty 20 degree Mummy bag that was 60 bucks on there and it packs light and small.

 

I have an REI Magma-15 which has been awesome. 850 down. I've used in temps down to the low teens with no problems. Weights 1lb 12oz for a regular.

 

Quilts are great but only really cater to certain folks. Western Mountaineering is high-end. Nemo, Sierra Design, Big Agnes are all good “better” brands. Many are made with similar materials so it comes down to the shape, and if it’s part of a sleep system. Big Agnes for example has a lot of bags that don’t have much fill on the back side and they have a dedicated pad sleeve. The idea is to use an insulated mat (mats have insulation ratings). Lots of variables and lots of good brands to be has under $250.

In my experience, a sleep system is the best money spent for backpacking. That’s just me, but good sleep means I can deal with a lot of “type 2” fun.

 

I have a western mountaineering Alpinlite bag. It’s a 20 deg bag. I also have the enlightened equipment 10 deg quilt. Both are vastly different animals. I’m on the fence with the quilt. It’s a good warm weather cover for me at this point.
I’ve had my WM bag down to 12 deg and I had to wear clothing. I lived. Not the best sleep, but okay.
What bears mentioning, any bag sucks without a good pad. Don’t skimp on the pad. It might be even more important than the bag. It makes a huge difference.