Late Season Sleeping Bags

[WonkyWapiti]

Does anyone have any experience with the Kifaru slick bag?  This possibly looks like a good option for Alaska next year.
https://kifaru.net/slickbag.html

[ICEMAN]

Very interesting.

Like the concept....

[Bean Counter]

but i dont know if its just at the end of its life span or what but its really lost alot of its loft and ive been geting cold even when its only in the high 20's..

Have you put your bag in a clothes dryer on cool/fluff to bring back some loft? Do you store the bag in a compression sack? I hang mine uncompressed, as should anyone with a cold weather down or synthetic bag to retain internal loft.
 
-Steve

Chances are this also just due to it being a synthetic fill bag. Synthetic bags will last you 5 or so years, where as a down bag can last nearly a life time. However, the down bag will most likely loose some of it's warmth value over the years. Most quality sleeping bags will also come with a storage sack, as mentioned keep it in this bag or hang it if you have the space available. Also, make sure it's in a good temperature and moisture free environment.

  I've been storing my wife's backpacking bag in a large box, nice and fluffed, but in a garage in the Southwest heat. Been there for three years now. Guess its toast? 

[fillthefreezer]

i asked on this board about the kifaru bags about a year ago and all i got was "thats stupid, just buy a cats meow....."

id realy like to get one.
some reviews of them on rokslide.com/forum

[WonkyWapiti]

Thanks Freezer, if I end up biting the bullet on one I'll definitely post a review.

[Doublelunger]

There are tons of good sleeping bags out there.  You'll be fine as long as you go with one that has synthetic down.  It's extremely light, warm, and still works if it gets wet.  real down is nice, but you're screwed if it gets wet.  I think the synthetic was patented for a while but almost everyone offers it now.

[ridgefire]

Look at the marmot never summer

[coyote_out]

I looked at that bag (never summer), and couldnt find anything that was worth $100 more than the Kelty I decided on.  Atleast on paper.  Guess I'll find out and report back this november!

[luvmystang67]

I've got a North Face Snow Leopard 0 degree for when things get real cold.  Probably don't need as much warmth as it provides around here most places, but I found it on sale for $120 last year.  Synthetic so it doesn't suck if it gets wet.  In hindsight a 20 degree bag is probably plenty for nearly every place here unless you're snow shoeing.  Packs a little large, but being cold ruins a good night's sleep.

I also recently bought a 40 degree Go-Lite down bag for summer hiking (also $125 on sale).  I even used it on the high buck this year.  With double socks, under armor and a beanie, and an inflatable thermarest neo-air I was warm in 35 degree nights at 6k feet this year.  Its nice because it weights a hair  more than a pound and packs absolutely tiny.  I also LOVE the center zipper.

Love them both for their application.  85% of the time I'm happy with my go-lite.

[6x6in6]

I was in the Burlington Wholesale Sports this past Saturday and they have a good selection of bags on sale/closeout.   

[EGrady]

I have a wiggy's 0 deg that I bought in 1992, I have used it every year since then. I need to send it because it is a little cold at below 10 deg now, but they have a lifetime warranty. It's a little heavy at 4 lbs and I'm looking at Golite or western mountaineering but it will always be my go to bag for times that it could get wet. I have woke up with puddled water in my tent and the bag wet, but I was dry and warm.

[EGrady]

The wiggy's superlite camo 0 deg bag is on sale right now for $115

[elkpack]

Marmot pinnacle +15 degree 850 fill down bag has served me well on many late season hunts.  Extremely warm and very light.  Worth the money in my opinion but a bit warm for me in the early fall but I just unzip it on the warm nights.

[actionshooter]

I use a REI Kilo expedition bag, 850 down. Its a little overkill at -20, but I have needed that a couple of times.

[briancorneal]

If someone already said this,  opps.  But when you drop 1 pound in weight at the same rated temp, you gain about $100 in cost.