Sleeping Bags

[Berner9]

Looking to purchase a new sleeping bag for winter camping. I come from the ultralight backpacking world have have always used quilts. I'm looking for something with space and not a mummy bag. I was looking at a WM Sequoia (5 degree). Kind of a large mummy. Most of the time it would be used in northern Michigan and mid Ontario. Should I be looking for something warmer?

What is everyone using?

[Nanook of the Suburbs]

I use a Big Agnes Elk Park -20f. It is NOT ultralight at 9 lbs and is synthetic. While it’s not what you’re after I can however highly recommend looking at Big Agnes because of the quality and the features this bag has. I especially like the sleeping pad sleeve.

[brulu]

I use a Western Mountaineering Puma (-25 F) for northern MN in cold temperatures. For milder conditions I use a North Face Furnace 20 (20 F). For in-between conditions I use either the Puma zipped partially open, or the 20 F bag layered with another lighter bag or quilt. These seem reasonably roomy to me, but they are probably more mummy than rectangular.

It depends on your nighttime metabolism, but I think a 5 degree (fahrenheit) system would be enough for a lot of the situations you would encounter in MI and Ontario.

Bruce

[brianw]

I have a 2 bag system from WIggy's that is rated to -40C/F when combined. I hot tent, but I don't run my stove overnight. I have a sleep system that will handle the lowest overnight low temperatures that I would ever expect to encounter plus a a bit of a safety cushion.

Depending on your quilts and sizes, you could stack 2 or 3 of them together and combined with a good insulated sleep pad you could get to some decently cold temperatures.

Cheers

Brian

[Ray1984]

I am still using a Canadian militarily arctic sleep system, in conjunction with with the pile of summer/spring/fall bags i have, its always some combination. Bulky, but never cold.

[Snowbound]

A couple years ago I finally sprung for the western mountaineering puma and I don’t regret it at all. I love it for the warmth, quality and weight savings. I’m in northern Minnesota so needed something to get me well below zero. When the —20 and below stuff is forecasted I do bring a second bag for comfort. I’m not sure what the low temps are in your area but the sequoia might be just right for you. I’ve tried out the bristlecone which has the squarish footbox - was nice but decided I didn’t need it.

[empirecanvas]

I had a Feathered Friends Snowy Owl for a few seasons. It was too hot for most trips. I traded to a WM Bighorn (Puma). It works just fine down to -30. I don't bake any more.

[Berner9]

Anyone use wool blankets?
What about 10oz climashiels apex diy blanket?

a lot cheaper than these sleeping bags.

[Heavy Duty]

I use a wool blanket between my sleeping bag and my sleeping pad to ward off a rouge spark from the wood stove, other than that I use a wiggys FTRSS sleeping bag rated to -40.

So far so good. I don't have too much experience with other bags.

[Snowbound]

Some people use wool blankets as part of their sleep system but not as a replacement for a sleeping bag if that is what you are suggesting. There are several price point sleeping bags out their that will do the job. If you are just getting into winter camping I would highly suggest using two warmer rated bags, one inside the other, to get out there and then decide what you really need/want.

[Lonelake]

I use a combination of 2 down bags. I have a Big Agnes mummy 0 degree that fits into a 15 degree Big Agnes Down square bag with a hood. This is good for me to -30f. The added bonus, is it pretty much covers my other seasons as well. For many years I used a Down mummy bag, inside of a square synthetic bag. Worked well, but weighed a lot. I have a down quilt I also bring on the really cold trips, to add to the sleep system.
I have had a Wiggs bag also, but did not like the hood or baffle.

LL

[Berner9]

Got the sled today! Made me look at bags again. Placed an order for a WM Bristlecone(-10). Have a 50 degree synthetic quilt I can put over the top if needed.

Almost ready for snow! Only need a couple more small things and maybe some traditional snow shoes

[Haggis]

I’ve a Wiggy’s -60°, but it’s roomy inside,,, if I don’t move around it’s a pretty good bag... Difficult for me these days to make enough heat to stay really comfortable if the bag doesn’t fit well. I’ve also got a down Never Summer 0° Marmot bag I can shove inside the roomy Wiggy’s bag. Makes getting out in the middle of the night to count squirrels a bit more challenging, but cold isn’t an issue.

[Model94]

I have a 2 bag system from WIggy's that is rated to -40C/F when combined. I hot tent, but I don't run my stove overnight. I have a sleep system that will handle the lowest overnight low temperatures that I would ever expect to encounter plus a a bit of a safety cushion.

Depending on your quilts and sizes, you could stack 2 or 3 of them together and combined with a good insulated sleep pad you could get to some decently cold temperatures.

Cheers

Brian

Second the wiggy's. Kind of bulky but reasonable $ and they work well. Nothing fancy

[snapper]

Not sure how it's going to work out but this winter I'm going to try an old Moonstone Mountaineering down bag covered with a Hammock Gear extra-wide down quilt. I'm hoping that the two together, along with an insulated sleeping pad underneath me, will be good down to zero. If not, I'll go back to my North Face bag that's supposed to be good to -20 F; although I doubt it will be good down to that temperature....guess we'll see.

That's all for now. Take care and until next time...be well.

snapper

PS - For what it's worth, I did purchase zero degree bags from Wiggy's for the outdoor program I just retired from after 40 years. While they're bulky, they do the job and you can wash them in a home machine if that's a consideration for you.