Sleeping Bag Preferences/Ideas?!?

**treehouseguy** · 06-06-2009, 19:54

Not sure where to post this but...

I'm kinda curious as to what sleeping bags you all use? I have a +25 down bag from REI but I'm kinda intested in maybe going winter camping every now and again - whenever I make it home again (northern Michigan). Whenever I used to tent-camp, I'd just pile on a bunch of blankets and junk, till' I felt comfortable, but now that I'm able to spend a bit of money, well I kinda want to consolidate things and maybe get a 4-seasons bag?!?

One other thing... I pretty much live out of a hotel room 90% of the year and when I travel, more often than not I am flying, so I'd like to try and keep things light and compact-ish so that I can have it with me when I work in PA, VA, WV, NV, CO, ID, CA...

**Take-a-knee** · 06-06-2009, 20:05

There is only ONE sleeping bag for a hammocker, a Feathered Friends Rock Wren (or the winter wren).

**east_stingray** · 06-06-2009, 20:44

Originally Posted by Take-a-knee

There is only ONE sleeping bag for a hammocker, a Feathered Friends Rock Wren (or the winter wren).

Just like all other bags... you end up carrying quite a bit of extra weight around in a configuration like that, don't you? I see how the arm holes would be nice, but I don't really get why that makes it any better for a hammock than on the ground.

Please share your wealth of knowledge so that I may see the light! (Actually, it would be better if you kept your knowledge to yourself... I already bought a freaking quilt today. Don't even get me thinking about these bags).

**BillyBob58** · 06-06-2009, 20:51

Originally Posted by east_stingray

Just like all other bags... you end up carrying quite a bit of extra weight around in a configuration like that, don't you? I see how the arm holes would be nice, but I don't really get why that makes it any better for a hammock than on the ground.

Please share your wealth of knowledge so that I may see the light! (Actually, it would be better if you kept your knowledge to yourself... I already bought a freaking quilt today. Don't even get me thinking about these bags).

Ease of use with hammock compared to a regular bag. Since you can wear the bag, with your feet outside the opening on the end, you can then just sit/lay down in the hammock, already in the bag. You can do the same thing with a normal bag of course, but you have to stand with the foot end of the bag being pushed into the ground by your feet, not great in the mud.

**Dutch** · 06-06-2009, 20:53

Originally Posted by east_stingray

Just like all other bags... you end up carrying quite a bit of extra weight around in a configuration like that, don't you? I see how the arm holes would be nice, but I don't really get why that makes it any better for a hammock than on the ground.

Please share your wealth of knowledge so that I may see the light! (Actually, it would be better if you kept your knowledge to yourself... I already bought a freaking quilt today. Don't even get me thinking about these bags).

I think the real advantage of a wren is the fact you can stick your feet out. That way you have your bag on when you get in the hammock. I use a winter wren when it is very cold, but quilts aare my 3 season top insulation.

**Take-a-knee** · 06-06-2009, 21:11

Originally Posted by east_stingray

Just like all other bags... you end up carrying quite a bit of extra weight around in a configuration like that, don't you? I see how the arm holes would be nice, but I don't really get why that makes it any better for a hammock than on the ground.

Please share your wealth of knowledge so that I may see the light! (Actually, it would be better if you kept your knowledge to yourself... I already bought a freaking quilt today. Don't even get me thinking about these bags).

A Wren is about five or six ounces heavier than a quilt of the same warmth. It is made typically of 1.7oz, most top end quilts are 1.1oz. fabric. It is a few ounces heavier than a mummy bag because of the larger diameter of the foot area. The Wren however, is also an arctic parka, combined with JRB sleeves.

Don't fret about buying a quilt, I love my Wren, but I'd rather have a quilt in a hammock three seasons. I'll keep my Wrens if I have to go to ground (the JMT calls). I now have a Winter Wren and a JRB Rocky Mountain No Sniveler, I haven't used either enough to know which I prefer in the cold. I don't get too many nights where I live cold enough to really test them.

The ultimate cold weather bag for hammock or ground use would be the Nunatak Raku:

http://www.nunatakusa.com/site07/other_bags/raku.htm

I believe a Winter Wren and the JRB sleeves would accomplish the same thing.

**sbmcghee** · 06-06-2009, 21:15

I'm using the Campmor 20 degree rectangle down bag. I pull it up over my hammock like a peapod. No need to carry more than 1 piece of gear for top and bottom insulation.

**optimator** · 06-07-2009, 00:28

I've been using my MontBell UL SS DH #2. So far so good!

**TrailH4x** · 06-07-2009, 12:19

ALPS Desert Pine 20- Wide- (down isn't practical in south LA due to humidity)

My son and I've been down to 27° in south Louisiana with the Reg size versions of this bag and were toasty as a bug para TR and reflector screen. I was hanging for this trip. My son worked through his Wilderness Survival weekend in a ground based tarp shelter.

The value really showed through for us with their ScoutDirect Program.

I grabbed the Wide version only recently through their Spring Sale ($35 + shipping to qualified Scouts and Leaders).

Regulars were picked up through the same program a year ago @ $30/ea + shipping.

I'm toying with the idea of converting one of these bags to an underquilt, but I'm not feeling slothie enough with my sewing skills yet.

**Red Hat** · 06-07-2009, 20:38

I love my Western Mountaineering Alpinlite. I can crawl in if its really cold, or just use it like a quilt if its not. When I get rich, I might get a JRB quilt, but since I already own the WM bag, I think I'll use it for now.