Sleeping Bag

[Mr T]

Asking the wife for a sleeping bag for Christmas.  Any suggestions?  I find myself sleeping in a tent and the back of my truck for turkey season in the NE corner of the state.  Also use it for backpacking in the summer and backpacking into the early high bcuk hunt every couple of years.  I always seem to freeze my you know what during the high buck hunt.  So.............looking for an econimical, lightweight, warm sleeping bag.....not sure if that is even possible but appreciate any feedback/advice.

[ICEMAN]

From the sounds of it, you may need two bags.

A camp/truck bag could be a bit bigger than your desire for a backpacking bag. ...

[Mr T]

Yes you ar right....primarly looking for advice for the backpacking bag.

[Hunterman]

Have you looked into the old military style mummy bag??

Hunterman(Tony)

[halflife65]

Marmot Helium: 15 degree bag, 2 pounds.  Expensive but found mine on sale...

I also have a 20 degree (probably should be more like a 30 degree rating) Kelty Lightyear - this one is inexpensive.  I think about $120 if you look around.

You can buy the big, heavy oversized bags for the truck for not much money (over $100 but less than $200, I think).  Cabelas has a bunch of them. 

Unfortunately, decent sleeping bags are expensive items. 

[MtnMuley]

From the sounds of it, you may need two bags.

A camp/truck bag could be a bit bigger than your desire for a backpacking bag. ...

I agree.  I use a king size Slumberjack when camping from a road, and an ultralight Marmot when packing in.  There isn't a happy-medium in my opinion, and I want all the room I can get in a sleeping bag, yet need the most lightweight mummy bag for packing in.

[Wacenturion]

The best possible tip I could ever give folks here..........

If you can locate one somewhere on line, or by searching military surplus stores, look for an U.S. Army Arctic Causality Evacuation bag.  Long, wide and trimmed in coyote, wolf fur....on the bag it says...."For Causalities Only".  Vintage...late 40's and early 50's.  Loaded with down....I mean loaded.

You will never need another hunting bag in your lifetime.  They pack into a bag about half a full duffel in size...weigh about 8 1/2 lbs.  Cold is something you will never experience in one of these.  Zips completely up with just part of your face showing if you want.  Zips across top sideways as well.   In fact you will not want to leave it in the a.m.  

Plenty of room...even for two.  Even when warmer, can zip down and open partially.  I have had one since I was a kid...father got one while in the service in Alaska.  Have purchased 3 more over the years.  Nothing out there compares for warmth and comfort and room especially for bigger guys.  Might be hard to locate on....but believe me you will never ever regret it.

Just don't leave it in site....someone will steal it.


Oops....didn't see the reference to backpacking bags.  Oh well....I'll leave reply if someone just wants to find a lifetime camp bag.  Iceman, you're always out there in the cold....

Found a link..........$299  Check out the dimensions.

http://www.armynavysales.com/products/casualty-evacuation-sleeping-bag-/

Another......

http://go-armynavy.com/index.php/outdoor-gear/sleeping-bags/u.s.-military-casualty-evacuation-bag.html


Here's an historical statement from an Arctic health article back then....

"One technique used by the Snow Hawk Brigade to keep casualties warm is to place them in military evacuation bags. Lined with 13 pounds of insulating material, the military evacuation bags were designed for moving injured soldiers in an extreme cold weather environment. Double zipper openings allow easy entry and exit of casualties."

By moving they are referring to like on the legs of a helicopter while flying them out.

[wilywin]

Cabelas .44magnum.....Zero degrees!  Cant beat it!

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Camping/Sleeping-Bags%7C/pc/104795280/c/104770080/Cabelas-Magnum-44-Sleeping-Bag/715304.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fcamping-sleeping-bags%2F_%2FN-1100675%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104770080

[MikeWalking]

You can get a good enough Truck camping bag for $150 or less, but it will only pack down to Keg size.  I swear by down for backpacking with the written stone rule; Keep it dry.  I'd go better than 15. My winter bag is a now 12+yo  -5 650fill down bag with a Dryloft shell, 3.5lbs one step back from Gortex. (Goretex bags are no longer made)  $280 marked down from 300something...  Been caught in winter storms at 10-15 degrees with winds over 50mph gusting to 120+mph. Slept snug and warm in my tent.

[BLKBEARKLR]

Well the only advice I will give you is find one that is waterproof, a lot of good insights on the old military sleeping bags, I have had one in my ruck for @ least 15 years when i was in. Trust me if they get wet you will leave it in the woodline. I have had mine weigh an extra 20 pounds because of that.

If you are going to look into the military sleeping bags look into the modular system It is three pieces, gortex outer shell, lite weight green bag for not to cold, black bag for a lil colder, put green bag into black for extreme weather.

I spent plenty of nights buried in a snow pile for ambushes in Alaska and never got cold. Just remember with this kind of system you really want to be done to the bare minimum in clothes, you sweat in your bag means you will get cold.

http://www.cheaperthandirt.net/ZWB155-1.html

Joe

[boneaddict]

I picked the coldest rated mummy I could find at cabelas.  It wasn't cheap.   I slept out in it the other night when it was -20. (I believe my bag is rated to -30.  It depends when you plan to be on the mountain.  If its Sept through November, I'd look at temp rating more than weight.  Summer backpacking, a blanket works, you really don't need a bag and then weight would be more of a factor. 

[swanny]

Marmot Helium: 15 degree bag, 2 pounds.  Expensive but found mine on sale...

 

[Bob33]

Marmot Helium: 15 degree bag, 2 pounds.  Expensive but found mine on sale...

 

+2

[WDFW-SUX]

Ive got a marmot never summer that I like its 4lbs.


I also have an old Patagonia that is 2lbs doesn't keep you warm like the marmot but I can compress it to the size of a Nerf football.

[Bofire]

or an outfitter type cover bag, that your sleeping bag fits inside of.
Carl