The "perfect" sleeping bag

[hddan]

I'd appreciate some sound advice on a new sleeping bag.
I'd like to get a smaller-packing 3-season bag for this winter's desert hiking. My 0 degree Marmot is just overkill for my new smaller pack.
What do you ultralight folks prefer?

I've been looking at the following:

Western Mountaineering Ultralight
Western Mountaineering Apache Super DryLoft
Marmot Helium and Helium EQ (water resistant down bag and pricey)
Golite Feather
North Face Hightail 900

Let's pretend that money is not the main concern. I'm thinking about quality, light weight, and low bulk.

Thanks for your opinions.

Dan

[butler]

Backpacking Light magazine can be helpful.

[azbackpackr]

Yes, and their website, too. I need to do some research for sure.

[te_wa]

bags are out.
quilts save weight.
there is a slight learning curve, but you will find a quilt is more like a comforter at home.
check http://tewaunderquilts.webs.com/apps/we ... ow/1535774 for an idea of what quilts look like

[nonot]

Another vote for the Montbell UL Superstretch. I have the #4. It is a great bag. Accurate rating. Taken it down to 28 degrees (about 10 degrees below its rating), I was definitely cold but I survived. It's perfect at 38-50 degrees.

[azbackpackr]

Te-wa, I am gonna have to try a hammock out before buying one.

And as for sleeping on the ground, a bag has to zip up and I have to be able to be entirely cocooned with the hood and drawstring, if it is a cold night.

[joebartels]

I think you'd have a difficult time finding conditions in Arizona to get cold in a Marmot Helium

Beware, Squirrel blanky man could sell an Eskimo a bag of ice

[azbackpackr]

Beware, Squirrel blanky man could sell an Eskimo a bag of ice

[writelots]

Beware, Squirrel blanky man could sell an Eskimo a bag of ice

Not to mention talking a tortoise into hanging from a tree...

[big_load]

bags are out.
quilts save weight.

For most AZ trips in the seasons that HAZ folks do them, I would use a quilt, too. It just doesn't cover my winter needs.

[te_wa]

yes alex, the cutoff for most quilts is 20° rating. i would prefer a bag, with a hood, in a shelter, and proper site selection for lower than 15... but, i have taken a hammock to 14.6 using a 35 degree top quilt wearing montbell alpine light jacket and down inner pants. my feet got cold, i then purchased http://www.goosefeet.webs.com booties.

liz, you can be a ground sleeper and still use quilts. mine have removable straps to hold tight to a pad. leave them at home when hanging. wanna bag of ice?

[azbackpackr]

Hey, I am still broke...just waitin' for the student funding to come in. (Then I have a lot of bills to pay...)

[hikeaz]

Western Mountaineering is generally credited with having the best bags and they are made (or at least assembled) in the USA as well. But like anything 'best', one will pay a premium. This is one item where I WILL pay this premium. No one who wakes up shivering at 3AM is thinking 'Gee, look how much money I saved on this bag'. I use a 10 year old, 2 pound WM Ultralite that was rated @ 25 degree when new, it's been washed countless times and STILL keeps me warm down to 20 - I am NOT a warm sleeper either. I also have a WM Dakota for the ultracold stuff.
I'd say that the 15 degree Marmot Helium is likely comparable to this as well.
I feel that the 20 degree bag, although overkill in some instances, allows the widest range of use while still being light.
Note: the 'lite' suffix bags from WM and most others makers superlight bags are generally narrow; be certain to investigate the girth at the shoulders & knees to ascertain that it will be sufficient for YOU. Being snug is good (not as much air to heat up) but if is too confining you will decrease the insulating qualities as you stretch the bag tight; you will also likely feel claustrophobic.

I have a brand new, never used, with tags & receipt, 6' length Marmot Helium (800 fill) for sale - I'll sell it for 10% less than the best price you can find on-line.

[azbackpackr]

What is 6' length? Is that for a tall person? I am a short person, so it may be more than I need.

[big_load]

oops, never mind.

[big_load]

What is 6' length? Is that for a tall person? I am a short person, so it may be more than I need.

That's the standard men's length.

[hikeaz]

What is 6' length? Is that for a tall person? I am a short person, so it may be more than I need.

It means that it fits a person up to 6'. Marmot makes two lengths - up to 6' (regular), and 6'1 to 6'6" (long).
If you are under about 5'6" it may make sense to seek out a women's bag or buy a brand that sells a 'short' version - I don't think that Marmot does - someone else may know this for sure.
A shorter person in a full-sized bag leaves too much air space to heat up and keep heated, not to mention that they'd be carrying unnecessary weight.

[joebartels]

With extra space you can store things by your feet that you do not want to freeze. If you're thin skinned (ie:fraley) put boiled water in a water bottle at your feet and it'll keep you warm all night. You can also scrunch down into the bag and over fold the extra as your pillow.

[hikeaz]

With extra space you can store things by your feet that you do not want to freeze. If you're thin skinned (ie:fraley) put boiled water in a water bottle at your feet and it'll keep you warm all night. You can also scrunch down into the bag and over fold the extra as your pillow.

Yes, Joe, all valid points...... we'll make a backpacker outa you yet! ;)

[azbackpackr]

Short People got no reason
Short People got no reason
Short People got no reason
To live

They got little hands
Little eyes
They walk around
Tellin' great big lies
They got little noses
And tiny little teeth
They wear platform shoes
On their nasty little feet

Well, I don't want no Short People
Don't want no Short People
Don't want no Short People
`Round here

Short People are just the same
As you and I
(A Fool Such As I)
All men are brothers
Until the day they die
(It's A Wonderful World)

Short People got nobody
Short People got nobody
Short People got nobody
To love

They got little baby legs
That stand so low
You got to pick 'em up
Just to say hello
They got little cars
That got beep, beep, beep
They got little voices
Goin' peep, peep, peep
They got grubby little fingers
And dirty little minds
They're gonna get you every time
Well, I don't want no Short People
Don't want no Short People
Don't want no Short People
'Round here