During my Naches run I wished I had a warmer sleeping bag.  My initial thought was to look for a 0* bag as I think that is a good realistic temp.  Thoughts on that?  My use would be mild winter camping and spring/fall as well untill my 40* bag would fit the bill.  Also I have found several bags ranging from $99 to well I stopped at $299...

I would like some input on suggested temp rating and also what to look for in a new bag.  Mainly so when I go down to the store I have some idea on what to look for and justify the price differance. 

Thanks,

Tim

I have a +15 bag from Cabelas that I purchased about 23 years ago. It's a little heavy and bulky for backpacking(i have a Northface Cats Meow+20 for that) but it's great for car camping. If it gets really cold make sure you have proper insulation between you and the ground. Mattresses, cots, tarps under your tent. If you have a weaker bag you can get by without having to spend the $$$ on a real expensive bag by doing the following.

1. Sleep in long underware, stocking cap, socks.

2. Double up your bag with another bag. Put the better bag on the inside.

3. Purchase a good down blanket from Costco($30), these are handy to have around the house anyway. You can throw the blanket over your bag.

4. This one is crazy but I had to do it once(don't ask why)  Empty out your internal frame pack if your backpacking. Stick your feet in the pack and put as much of your legs in the pack as possible. Don't laugh........it worked. Big garbage bags can also be used for this.

The Marmot Never summer bag has some impressive reviews although the moisture comments make me wonder a bit.  I suppose I will have to go down and see the differances in person.  I read all the specs but knowing what works and what is better than the other is beyond me. I plan on buying a 2" Thermarest pad to go with the new bag, I have always used an air mattress or slept on the ground and after using an REI pad last weekend I am convinced that I need one.

Make sure you have room in the bag to move around a little, some of them can get tight and uncomfortable. Another thing, don't thrust the length tag, get in the bag your going to buy and make sure the bag is long enough. Thermorests are wonderful. I puntured both mine and sent them back to the factory via REI. They were both repaired, free of charge.

Well, I almost bought the Marmot bag today.  I will probably go back in and buy it next week before the sale is over.  I liked the idea of the pad being able to slip in the back of the big agnes bags BUT I tend to roll around a bit and would probably end up with it on top of me.

I love mine.  They are wider, and because the pad is built in you can roll over w/o the bag going with you.  That said, it isn't the warmest 0 degree bag I've slept in; most likely because it is bigger.

Craig

Ah, sleeping bags; nice topic.  Waaaaay back in the early '70s, I bought and sewed together a Frostline kit bag called the Cougar.  It was a winter down bag on top with, if I remember right, chunks of high density foam of the bottom to act as a pad on the bottom.  I used it for many years in the mountains when working as a field geologist for the feds.  I sleep cold, and wanted the addtional warmth.  The bag has a lot of foot room, and the only problem is....if you are a squirmer at night and flop around alot, you may end up with the down below and the crushed foam on top.  Not a good idea.  I still have it but don't use it much.  It's got 20 years+ of my sweat leached into it, so no one else wants to use it either.

For a backpacking trip through the Sawtooths back in 2003, I bought a Marmot winter bag.  It is down and I love it and use it a lot.  The only problem with it for me is too little foot room.  It's like sleeping with your legs taped together.

Last fall I found this bright yellow Coleman synthetic bag in a Sierra Trader catalog.  I bought one in a large size for my wife (not that she is big, but because she wigggles around all night).  She loves it for cold weather.

We also have two light weight North Face summer bags that fit like cacoons. 

We sleep the best however in our rooftop tent with it's high density foam mattress, suplimented with a one inch thick addtional memory foam pad that She Who Must Be Obeyed bought for it, flannel sheets, real pillows, and a down comforter.  Adding our winter bags to the mix gives us four season comfort.

Getting too old to sleep on the ground.  Anyone else remember Frostline kits?

Dale

I bought the Never Summer bag and have slept in it for 2 nights now and am very happy so far.  I fit perfect and am comfortable even with rolling around as I have enough room inside the bag to not take the bag with me.  I have not been able to test its warmth as I was too big a sissy to test it these last few cold nights.... its hard to pass up the warm house.  I am concerned as I was not hot durring the night and the room temp was apx 65* But I didnt have it zipped up to enclose the hood.  Other than that I am going to look into waterproofing to help with its moisture issue. 

REI link: http://www.rei.com/product/747411

Almost all bags are too tight in the foot for me.  I understand the idea of reducing the volume of air you're heating, but much like with tight shoes, I can't stand not being able to move my feet and legs in the bag.  I've yet to see anything but a summer bag that is cut square.

Tony, have you looked at the Columbia Bugaboo bag? Square 0 deg bag ( I think) that has a removable liner. I have wanted one for a while but couldn't justify it already having a cold weather bag. I got a gift card for Joes for my BDay last week and am thinking I may go get it tonight. I have only seen it at Joes, not Campmor or REI. Hopefully it isn't discontinued.

I like the fact that it is bigger, but still warm (hopefully) and I can take the liner out when nights are not as cool.  You can probably get them for cheap at your company store, I think it was only like $80 at Joes.

Well, Duh. Sleeping bags are a product we license. Since I don't participate in the production, I kind of forget we sell them.
Perhaps I'll go stick my nose in the employee store...