thenhoc

Looking at bags for freshmen trip (that is, if i make a decision quickly). Couple questions:
I'm about 5'11/maybe 6foot- should i go w/ a bag that says its good up to 6 foot or go for the long version thats good up to 6'5/6 and gives me a bit of insurance if i grow a bit more.

Also, what do people think of this bag:
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___68544
Thats the regular version, which says its good up to only 5'11. Theres a long too for 89 bucks. It seems like a pretty good synthetic bag and I can get it from a place around here (the regular though, not the long).

My other main option is Eric's suggestion:
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___40065. Again, theres a long version. I'd have to pay a bit more for rush shipping, but whatever.

Thanks for the advice.

Shippie

I just did a quick research of the slumberjack..for that price and projected rating and weight I'd say be a little wary..

I've read a review that said that the bag got chilly around the edges at in the 30s F..but for summer and late spring early fall you can get away with that. Plus 3 lbs is decent but hopefully it's weighed properly. The stuff size is good. Slumberjack definetly makes affordable gear but quality might suffer (broken zippers, the insulation losing its loft and forming cold spots after a while).

Now I'm bias but I'd go with the Campmor bag ( here's a working link the other one didn't work for me)

http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___40066

a little more expensive but I think it's a better quality bag, lighter, and packs down to roughly the same size.

I haven't checked out other online stores recently but check out www.rei.com and check out their outlet section..you might find some steals there.

A word on down vs. synthetic...

Personally I felt more comfortable with synthetic when I bought a new sleeping bag a couple years ago. I don't necessarily have anything against down...synthetic just "felt right" given that most hiking trips involve some sort of wetness. Down is more or less the best for weight, packability, etc., but there are a lot of good synthetic bags out there too that don't really give up much compared to down.

I sprung for an REI Zephyr. It was rated a 15+ bag when I bought it...the current Zephyr is a 20+, which might make more sense because I don't exactly overheat in mine. Then again, I am freakishly skinny so I have a hard time filling up any sleeping bag. My Zephyr packs down to similar dimensions to that Campmor bag, small enough to stuff in the bottom of a pack (sideways, no less) with few problems. One random feature I like is the pouch inside the hood where you can stuff things to make a pillow.

http://www.rei.com/product/762035

Full disclosure: I am a former REI employee and a huge fan of the company! Just ask Eric.

Maybe someone tall (Colum??) can chime in regarding long vs. regular bags. My sense is that you should go for a long bag, but I'm 5'8"....

Jake is the REI expert..I have some REI store brand gear too and I've been pleased with it.


come on now jake..you're not freakishly skinny

Hope this isn't to late to be of no use, but i saw this the other day on mountain gearhttp://www.mountaingear.com/pages/p ... 1349/N/948

a TNF 35+ bag regular to 6 feet and long to 6'6". Just over 2 pounds as well.

I've never used a warm weather TNF bag but i've spent about 20 nights in their -20 and -40 bags, including 3 nights below -20 and they worked really well. For a hundred bucks i think this bag's a steel.

-Erik

i screwed up the link..

http://www.mountaingear.com/pages/produ ... 1349/N/948

come on now jake..you're not freakishly skinny

Heheh, I think I am rivaled only by you in this regard.

That TNF bag does seem like a good deal. I should point out though, Franky Cabin can get a lot colder than 35 degrees in the chillier months. I just don't want anyone to buy this thinking it will be a good 3-season bag. At least, I wouldn't be comfortable with it. But for summer only, it could be great.[/b]

yea one of the reviews suggested non three season as well. I tend to sleep in a lot of layers so it would work for me. But everyone is different.

In a way, this could be a 3 season bag with the NHOC if you were staying in one of the cabins at night. I think even in the fall/spring a 35+ bag could work much of the time. But a tent would naturally be a different story.

Hey everyone, thanks for the advice. I ended up going with Eric's suggestion after much deliberation...

woo hooooo! The Purple Sleeping Bag Army gets another soldier!