Any thoughts on sleeping bags for the high country??

[timberghost72]

Anyone try the North Face Cats Meow? I was looking at that one today at REI. Its rated at 20*, EN rated for men at 23*. Weighs in at 2 lbs 10 oz. Costs $180.00 and has a 4.5 star rating. Seems like a great deal especially with the weight to temp ratio at that price.

I'm not sure if you are aware, but North face was bought out by Vanity Fair not too long ago.  They are not the same company anymore.  I took my own cats meow back for a refund this past week because it had lost all of its loft, even after hanging and proper storage.  If your looking right now, I would suggets checking out the clearance 600 fill down Marmot bags on sale.  Depending on your build, you may fit in the womens teton, which is rated to 2 degrees for men.  The never summer is even better.  Both are around 3.5 lbs. You should be able to pick one up on sale for around $200 minus the 20% off for one item which is good thru april 20th.. 

I was not aware of this. Good to know.

[pope]

VF corporation (formerly Vanity Fair Mills) owns, among others, Wrangler and Lee Jeans, Vans, Nautica, North Face, Jansport, Smart Wool and Timberland. The North Face originally produced equipment of unparalleled quality designed for extreme mountaineering, but there's very little money to be made in that market.

[xsf1]

http://www.tacticalintelligence.net/blog/military-sleep-system.htm

search ebay for this, I was in Korea for a little bit had to sleep outside and broke ice off the sleeping bag to get out. you can pick up a use one for about 65 with shipping (if you act fast) http://www.ebay.com/itm/USGI-Army-Modular-Sleep-System-/180850775474?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a1b8bd5b2 you have 19 hours before this system goes off ebay.

oh yea and they are waterproof...

[AKBowman]

The North Face Cats Meow 20*.

Anything over 20* is too heavy for a legitimate backpacking bag IMO. I use everything I have to keep warm if it gets to that. I will layer the inside and outside of my bag with my extra clothing and slip my empty pack over the end of the bag to keep my feet warm. I've spent nights when it was in the low teens like this. yes, I didn't get much sleep and froze my arse but being comfortable is not on my priority list when on a backpack hunt. light weight and killing something are what I'm worried about.

a 2 lb 10 oz bag is too much to carry? Are you kidding? What are you using for a bag that weighs less with a rating of 20* + or -? A garbage bag?

TimberGhost- I think I miscommunicated my message, I meant to convey...I would go with The North Face Cat's Meow. I've had the Cats Meow for around 8 years now (2 different bags) I found them on sale at REI about 2 years ago for right around $100 so I bought a second in long. Anything over 20* is too big or heavy. The Cat's Meow has everything I'm looking for in a backpacking bag; a 20* rating, one of the lightest weights in its class, sythetic and compactable.

I've tried putting a garbage bag over the top of me at night...didnt work out so well my bag was soaked b/c plastic doesnt breath. I guess I didnt have to be a genius to figure that one out 

[trophyhunt]

I have one of those army bags with the gortex liner, do any of you guys know what it's rated at? It's fairly light but a bit bulky, always seems to keep me warm.

[high country]

2# 8oz. Warm as hell and compresses to a need football.....and fits a grown man so he can scratch his ass without having to unzip.

 http://www.westernmountaineering.com/index.cfm?section=products&page=Sleeping%20Bags&cat=Microfiber%20Series&ContentId=34

I would highly suggest this bag if you don't have your high school body anymore.

[TwoSixFourWins]

In my experience a down 20' bag will work and you can get s compression bag that will make it pretty small. If it ever gets colder I usually have a down jacket I'll throw on inside the bag. Both are small, light, and really warm. Just don't get them wet.

[xsf1]

I have one of those army bags with the gortex liner, do any of you guys know what it's rated at? It's fairly light but a bit bulky, always seems to keep me warm.

im not 100 percent sure but I think its like -15C or something. whatever it is its sure to keep you warm

[trophyhunt]

I have one of those army bags with the gortex liner, do any of you guys know what it's rated at? It's fairly light but a bit bulky, always seems to keep me warm.

im not 100 percent sure but I think its like -15C or something. whatever it is its sure to keep you warm

Thanks, it is really warm but it's also about 2' long and about 18'' in diameter. Kinda big for the long packs but light enough to bring a long.

[xsf1]

I have one of those army bags with the gortex liner, do any of you guys know what it's rated at? It's fairly light but a bit bulky, always seems to keep me warm.

I'm not 100 percent sure but I think its like -15C or something. whatever it is its sure to keep you warm

Thanks, it is really warm but it's also about 2' long and about 18'' in diameter. Kinda big for the long packs but light enough to bring a long.

it is a little bulky, the way I combat the extra weight is use a tarp instead of a tent then throw some 550 cord in to tie it down. IMO the warm waterproof sleeping bag is necessary. I can get ine down to about 14" long and about the same in diameter, thats a little too big for most packs but its really easy to attach to the outside of the pack. another downside is that its 11 lbs...

[7mag.]

http://www.tacticalintelligence.net/blog/military-sleep-system.htm

search ebay for this, I was in Korea for a little bit had to sleep outside and broke ice off the sleeping bag to get out. you can pick up a use one for about 65 with shipping (if you act fast) http://www.ebay.com/itm/USGI-Army-Modular-Sleep-System-/180850775474?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a1b8bd5b2 you have 19 hours before this system goes off ebay.

oh yea and they are waterproof...

Too bad they are 11 pounds.

[JPhelps]

I would say that for most Washington backpacking trips a 20* bag will work (unless you are doing some November hunts).  My Marmot helium long bag comes in at just over 2 lbs and is pretty true to its rating plus it packs smaller than a football.  I also use a sea to summit reactor bag liner.  This bumps the rating by +10*, keeps the  body sweat and oils off of the down bag and doesn't let me stick to it all night.

I would advise on putting anything on the outside of the bag.  The loft is what provides the warmth/insulation and any thing than compresses the loft will have a negative effect on the bags temperature rating.

[timberghost72]

The North Face Cats Meow 20*.

Anything over 20* is too heavy for a legitimate backpacking bag IMO. I use everything I have to keep warm if it gets to that. I will layer the inside and outside of my bag with my extra clothing and slip my empty pack over the end of the bag to keep my feet warm. I've spent nights when it was in the low teens like this. yes, I didn't get much sleep and froze my arse but being comfortable is not on my priority list when on a backpack hunt. light weight and killing something are what I'm worried about.

a 2 lb 10 oz bag is too much to carry? Are you kidding? What are you using for a bag that weighs less with a rating of 20* + or -? A garbage bag?

TimberGhost- I think I miscommunicated my message, I meant to convey...I would go with The North Face Cat's Meow. I've had the Cats Meow for around 8 years now (2 different bags) I found them on sale at REI about 2 years ago for right around $100 so I bought a second in long. Anything over 20* is too big or heavy. The Cat's Meow has everything I'm looking for in a backpacking bag; a 20* rating, one of the lightest weights in its class, sythetic and compactable.

I've tried putting a garbage bag over the top of me at night...didnt work out so well my bag was soaked b/c plastic doesnt breath. I guess I didnt have to be a genius to figure that one out 

Ahhh! I was wondering. Sorry if I misunderstood. Yeah the cats meow has everything I was looking for especially with weight. I'm thinking a 20* bag should be good for most 3 season backpacking. I need to find one by the 15th so i can use the REI 20% off and my dividend dollars. I sleep hot and can use thermals if needed. I've winter camped in the snow with a cotton 50* Fred Meyer special bag. That was a bit cold  The wife hated me for that.

[Tim in Wa.]

You cannot beat a Western Mountaineering Badger,they are spendy but it will be the last bag you will ever need to buy
Tim

[87Ford]

You cannot beat a Western Mountaineering Badger,they are spendy but it will be the last bag you will ever need to buy
Tim

Are you talking about the Western Mountaineering Badger in the Microfiber series or the Gore Windstopper series?