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What Is The Best Sleeping Bag On The Market?

18K views 95 replies 56 participants last post by  bunkerbuster  
#1 ·
I don't want to waste money on wallyworld bags that are fit for little more than a 5th grade kids sleep over. :sleep:

Even if it is an expensive option, what is the most thermally insulated, best quality material, sleeping bag that is attainable today?

What would YOU take to Alaska if money were no object?

EDIT: To clarify, I do not need portable. This would be for bug-IN and I do not need camo or rainproof necessarily. Weight not important. Bulk not important. Just needs to be warm
 
#3 ·
I own a pair of Mountain Hardwear -40F synthetic bags. But I'd willingly use any of these down bags for what you describe (the 5lb/-60F Feathered Friends model would be my choice for deepest sub-zero weather):

Feathered Friends Snowy Owl EX -60; -60F Expedition Down Bag; $1079.00
http://featheredfriends.com/snowy-owl-down-sleeping-bag.html

Mountain Hardwear Ghost; -40F Down Expedition Bag; $1000
http://www.mountainhardwear.com/gho...l?cgid=equipment-sleepingBags- below 0&dwvar_OU8515_variationColor=099#start=13

Marmot CW MemBrain; -40F Down Expedition Bag; ~$900
http://marmot.com/products/details/cwm-membrain

Western Mountaineering Bison GWS; -40F Down Expedition Bag; $1065
http://www.westernmountaineering.co...Products&page=Sleeping Bags&cat=Gore Windstopper Expedition Series&ContentId=52

Prices are for Regular Length. Long Length is advised for extreme winter temps as the extra length allows for stuffing the foot box with added insulation around your feet... or if you're just tall. Long lengths will be just a little bit more in price.
 
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#4 ·
Military Modular Sleep System 4 Piece with Goretex Bivy Cover and Carry Sack. Usually under $200.

It's what the military uses after all. Modular and adjustable depending on temperature/environment. Water proof as well. I'm pretty sure that your not going to be sleeping in temps under -50F so this thing has you covered no matter how cold it gets.

I personally like Marmot brand, compression style mummy bags. They are ultralight and compact and will do the job in less than extreme weather.
 
#65 ·
Military Modular Sleep System 4 Piece with Goretex Bivy Cover and Carry Sack. Usually under $200.
:thumb: Works for nearly every weather situation including rain. The real ones have a genuine Gore-Tex outer cover. -50 to 50 rated when using each piece as designed. Using the compression sack, it'll shrink to fit inside of a 5 gallon bucket with room to spare.
 
#7 ·
Alaska can be really wet, so down is not always the best choice.
This. I haul my -40F bags on snow machine pulled sleds for unheated tent use during deep winter temperatures. They are huge and not really for stuffing into a pack. For actual humping on your back, at continuous sub-zero temps, sub-zero down bags are useful and portable (in terms of weight/compressability). But for more average temps from just below zero to just above freezing, you'd not require as much bag. Less expensive models rated for -20F, 0F, or even the teens would work just fine. If you expect to be around a lot of water, rain, or temps fluctuating above/below 32F... synthetic models from the companies I listed have advantages. Better able to cope with liquid precipitation or absorbed condensation. (On the other hand, today's better down bags are treated with proprietary water resistance for down or fabric shells, so many of them now have a lot of resistance to wet). If you don't actually need something to handle -40F or below, companies like Big Agnes, Slumberjack, Sierra Designs, Kelty, Mammut, Snugpak, RAB, or North Face also make a variety of bags to meet those less than antarctic/arctic conditions.

I've used a -20F Camp Seven down mummy bag for over 30 years. The company is long gone, but the bag is still performing. In everything from rainy temps just above 32F to high mountain winter use at below zero. In milder winter temps, I just sleep with it unzipped in order not to overheat.

Absent plans to sleep outside in places where temps routinely hit -20F or below, I think most folks are well served by any quality manufacturer's bag rated for around 0F. My personal rule of thumb is to have a bag rated for 20 degrees colder than the lowest expected temperatures. By following that rule, I sleep warm and comfy.
 
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#9 ·
If money were no object, I would first choose between very high quality down or a continuous batt synthetic (modern polar guard).
I chose a synthetic fill called Lamonite.

Next I would choose bag shape, size, and temp rating. Buy a bag that fits you.
I choose a Wiggy's synthetic Lg/Tall mummy bag. It weighs 5lb and is rated for +0 F.

They also make a bag called the Antartica model rated to -60 F.

I like the fact that my Wiggy's bag fits within a military MSS bivy.
 
#12 ·
Pretty fond of my Big Agnes 20*.
I know down is lighter and compacts smaller, but it's pretty wet where I live and I like the "water proof-ness" of synthetic...
https://www.bigagnes.com/Products/ProductFinder/Bag/filters/6
The pad sleeve insures that you always have insulation on your backside, (no sliding off), and the lack of bottom insulation helps it pack down smaller than other bags of its size...
 
#13 ·
On a budget, I like the U.S. Military Sleep System. It can be used in a variety of climates as it is pieces three components that can be used together or individually. The problem with the is that they weigh about ten pounds. Wiggy's make some excellent cold weather sleeping bags that are lighter. The only downside to those bags is that they are very expensive.
 
#45 ·
Lots of awesome info here...

Thanks for all the posts

I went with the MSS. When it arrived I was very pleased.

I was not familiar with this "system" at all... My only experience with USGI bags was an old musty down bag I had from the Guard 40 years ago that was absolutely the smell of comfort.

Thank you!
 
#18 ·
One of the more sensible suggestions i have heard came from a book titled "Hunt and Fish the Backcountry".

This Author suggests owning two bags and packing the one most suiited to the trip.
1) Mid wt synthetic (5 lbs, rated to +0 F),
2) High quality down bag (5 lbs, rated to -40 F).

He points out these bags would likely stuff to the same size and perhaps the same total wt.
 
#17 ·
What would YOU take to Alaska if money were no object?

EDIT: To clarify, I do not need portable. This would be for bug-IN and I do not need camo or rainproof necessarily. Weight not important. Bulk not important. Just needs to be warm
I like my Wiggy's bags, but they are big and heavy. I'm sure there are better options, but for the money I'm happy.
Looks like the weight does not matter for the situation.

Just my opinion.
 
#19 ·
I don't want to waste money on wallyworld bags that are fit for little more than a 5th grade kids sleep over. :sleep:

Even if it is an expensive option, what is the most thermally insulated, best quality material, sleeping bag that is attainable today?

What would YOU take to Alaska if money were no object?

EDIT: To clarify, I do not need portable. This would be for bug-IN and I do not need camo or rainproof necessarily. Weight not important. Bulk not important. Just needs to be warm
Since you are bugging IN.

Sound like a couple good quality big wool blankets, combined with polar fleece or thick flannel sheets & a big fairly heavy DOWN COMFORTER (with a zip up slip cover) would do the job for you. That combination is comfortable & will keep you toasty warm in -60F conditions.

Born/raised in Alaska, where in winter it often got down to -50F, with zero wind chill. With wind chill much lower. So, I know about COLD.

Over the years, I have acquired multiples of that bedding set-up piece by piece at thrift stores, garage & rummage sales in like new condition for pennies on the dollar.
 
#41 ·
I've been thinking about your post a lot and like the concept. I thought down comforters went for a lot more, but Amazon has some for $30. Who knows how something that cheap would hold up long term, but it may be worth a shot.

Another thing I've thought about was using cheap sleeping bags as a comforter in your system. Cabelas often sells their bags on clearance for $40 and Coleman and other brands often go in the same range. They may not be down, but combined with a wool blanket they may do alright.
 
#20 ·
OK since you are referring to the similar climate and basically same stuff as we use in Norway here is what I use here.

You cannot use one sleeping bag all year round, sorry you will sweat to death and overheat in a winter bag during the warmer months. You are stating bug in, and then the question would be back to you, will you be in a cabin with stoveheat or similar? In that case any 3 season bag will do. If you will stay in without the luxury of stove heat or anything you need a winter bag for the winter months. Since snow creates a lot of humidity I prefer a synthetic winter bag, you will have bulk, you will have weight but since that is not an issue you gain a bag which will be hot even if it gets damp or wet. A down bag looses the ability to hold warmth when wet, and are pretty reduced even damp. So a synthetic winter bag should be on the list.

My winter bag which I sleep out with in the mountains of Norway during winter months is an Ajungilak Tyin Winter, it has scored best in test of several mountaineering magazines in Norway as best winter bag, with best tolerance of humidity. I love it and can sleep well in it below 0 degrees Fahrenheit with a silk liner inside, if you add a fleece liner you can go way lower than that as well with it. Great winter bag BUT I could not use this in summer times it would kill me with heat.

Again for the warmer months I would go synthetic if space and weight was not an issue, same reason as above the resistance to humidity is far superior and well worth it. I would go for a bag which could handle heat, so a low scored temperature rating would be great as a supplement to your Tyin winter bag. I would even go as far to say a square one you can zip all the way open like the North Face Dolomite 2S sleeping bag would be great during summer time. Then you would have a great bag for winter and cold and an excellent hot weather bag as a supplement.

Personally I have 3 bags, one winter bag, one 3 season bag and 1 summer bag. My summer bag is a down one because I move a lot during summer months fishing and hunting so weight and size matters a lot. I use the winter bag solely for winter, my 3 season for early spring and late fall, and my summer bag for all else.

So
Winter Ajungilak Tyin Winter
Early Spring, late fall Mammut Kompakt 3 season
All else Sea to Summit Spark spl

And always remember to use a liner, I use silk liner always and sometimes in the winter when its freaking cold I add a fleece liner and sleep well all year round. The liner is easy to wash and keep clean and protects your bag from you. :)

That works great in same to even higher latitude in the world.
 
#21 ·
Add another vote for the military Modular Sleep System. I've used the intermediate liner as a stand alone in sub-freezing temps several times & have used the two bags together in sub-freezing temps hanging in a hammock (which makes things REAL cold) with zero problems.

Assuming you know how to dress properly for cold weather (& that does not mean over dress), this sleeping bag "kit" will be able to handle most anything you can throw at it.
 
#22 ·
Are you in a tent? if so your Sleeping Bag needs are not the same. -25 outside on Mt. Washington NH one winter +21 inside the tent w/three people. My -35 Mt Hardwear bag was serious overkill for that trip. -28 outside with no tent in the Adirondacks one night, added a nalgene bottle with boiling water to my sleeping bag felt hot air rushing past my face all night and had a warm drink in the morning. (The hot air had nothing to due with diet)
 
#24 ·
Okay, I am going to answer your Question not as a theory of someone going to Alaska, but as someone that LIVES IN ALASKA and drove truck depending on the bag to save my life. There is only one I would and HAVE risked my life on. That is a Wiggys Bag. The stay warm even if you are wet, they help dry you even at 30 degrees below, there are no cold spots to get frost bite. And they are a SYSTEM and you can use the the sleeping system separately in warmer conditions or zip it all together when it is colder than hell, they are guaranteed for life, all of mine are at least 15 years old (have 3 of the extra large ones as I am a big guy)... I would put my two daughters in one bag and they would sleep comfortable during a breakdown when they were little.

The best part of them is you don't get sticky wet in below zero weather... and you don't lose toes and fingers do to cold spots. AND THEY KEEP YOU WARM EVEN IF THEY ARE SOPPING WET from getting dropped in a river and I have done this by accident.

And just using the outer liner is a great hot weather sleeping bag, and it wicks the moister and sweet away...

Love my Wiggys bag... www.wiggys.com

PS. I don't work for or have any affiliation with them other than I have been in their Colorado facility and met the originator of them and he was a really good guy and I bought my first set from him. After the next trip I bought 2 more.

Michael
 
#25 ·
The fact they are warm soaking wet is what eventually sold me on them. Again, there may be better options out there especially when personal preference comes into play, but things go wrong in emergencies. Of all the models and brands I looked at they seem very low maintenance and would still work in bad conditions.
 
#26 ·
My money saving truth

Several years ago I realized I needed an even better sleeping bag for higher elevations. I went on line and did what most of us do and googled "Best sleeping bag."

All kinds of pages from hunter/hiker/survivalist pages to give personal recommendations. I looked at each of them and noticed a pattern: Every year there were bags that that made the "editor's choice" or "editor's pick."

Of course the reviews seem to indicate that the Editor was mostly correct in their reviews of the bag. Unfortunately the pick invariably ended up being the most expensive- or darn near the most expensive.

But like all things new and shiny they loose their spot to next years line up. So I Googled: "Best of 2008, 2007, 2006," etc. As I went back in history the bags were still among the highest priced... then. But today they are priced less and all but forgotten as the one time "BEST".

So look backwards to find the best. You might say that technology has advanced and the bags are better today. Ok, but the reviews speak for themselves. Read them and see if such glowing reviews don't sync with what you are looking for. No stick zippers, wears well fabric, lighter weight, smaller packing, waterproof, chest flaps. Good is good, now or before. Try shopping this way. You'll find that many of the items you want are still available.
 
#27 ·
Check out the recon bags. http://reconsleepingbags.com

These are light, high quality and durable. If you are going 4 seasons, you will need multiple bags or you can augment the bag with a SOL Bivy bag over your sleeping bag for extra warmth.

These bags are really light for a synthetic and will still insulate when wet, unlike down bags.The compression sack also packs the bag into a small space.

Just remember, down and cotton will get you killed, so avoid them in all things. "Lightweight and ultra lightweight" backpacking is really popular with hikers and climbers. Most of these folks read the magazines and watch Youtube and are convinced this is the way to go. They are taking a big chance relying on this equipment and basically "betting their life" that they can keep their systems dry outdoors. This is a bet no one should be making. Look at what folks use who make a living in the woods and/or what the military uses and base your buying decisions accordingly.