trinity
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Post by trinity on Feb 27, 2016 14:03:04 GMT -8
You might also keep an eye on the Gear Swap forum over at Backpackinglight. You can often find some pretty good deals there on used bags. Probably wouldn't be quite warm enough for your purposes, but there's a WM Caribou for sale over there right now for $200 link
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idahobob
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many are cold, but few are frozen
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Post by idahobob on Feb 27, 2016 18:52:19 GMT -8
I'd definitely buy an adult bag, because he'll be about full height in no time. If you like quilts I'd get him a quilt. He can take long johns to use when sleeping on cots, or a blue foam pad.
I tested the BA boot jack 24, $185, a great down sleeping bag. I had it down to 19 degrees with no tent. No problem.
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jj
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Post by jj on Feb 27, 2016 22:43:34 GMT -8
We took my now 17 yo (5'11) to REI and Cabala's back when he was 11. He found one at Cabela's that was rated 10 deg on clearance ($69.00 ~6 yrs) but compressed down to fit his compartment in his backpack. He is still using it every other weekend thru the summer whether we are camping or backpacking. Actually, we've bought most of our gear on clearance and except for our mini-mo's (got them 1-1/2 yr ago) have used it for 7+ years. Look at it as an investment & quality time spent
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Post by Coolkat on Feb 28, 2016 6:47:10 GMT -8
we've bought most of our gear on clearance I'll second this. I don't think I've ever paid full price for anything. I've always waited for end of season sales or clearance sales and my once a year dividend at REI.
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Post by rodwha on Feb 28, 2016 8:46:00 GMT -8
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Post by 92hatchattack on Feb 28, 2016 12:06:13 GMT -8
Should duck down vs goose down be a major concern for me? I cant imagine im going to find Many goose down options in my $200 price range.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Feb 28, 2016 12:45:45 GMT -8
Should duck down vs goose down be a major concern for me? I cant imagine im going to find Many goose down options in my $200 price range. There's some. www.rei.com/product/864543/the-north-face-furnace-35-sleeping-bagHit rei and search sleeping bags, insulation type:down, sort price low to high and browse. An EN rating is one worth considering. Don't know what difference, if any the species would have, maybe weight versus loft efficiency. The sleeping pad will he as important in its way as the bag itself.
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Post by 92hatchattack on Feb 28, 2016 12:58:07 GMT -8
Thank you, I will search around a bit, though mid 30's is going to be too light for our needs as we sometimes see temps go as low as the mid 20's for us. So, is the only downside of duck fill the smell when it get wet? Kids smell like crap anyways, he can deal with it if need be. lol
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Feb 28, 2016 13:01:31 GMT -8
Yeah, that one was a random selection as an example. If the bag is wet there's more of a problem than smell.
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Post by 92hatchattack on Feb 28, 2016 13:07:34 GMT -8
^^^ Haha, very true. I dont think we will have issues with the bag getting wet. The Troop doesnt backpack, and they use large heavy duty canvas tents so I'm thinking it should be safe from water. And if we are out backpacking together I'll be smart enough to keep it in a dry sack .
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snappypepper
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Post by snappypepper on Feb 28, 2016 16:49:51 GMT -8
The smell issue is one reason we opted for the "dridown" version. If it's super wet outside and the bag starts getting damp either from condensation or from an unforeseen issue, at least we won't reek of wet duck. I've used mine in some really wet weather and it has stayed warm and odor free. I know different companies offer different versions of treated down to help combat the dampness.
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idahobob
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many are cold, but few are frozen
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Post by idahobob on Feb 28, 2016 19:41:19 GMT -8
92hatchattack- I repeat, Big Agnes Boot jack 24, (goose) down, $187. I've slept in it at 19 degrees.
It less than $200 It's not duck down It's good to mid or low 20s It's light and high quality
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Post by 92hatchattack on Feb 28, 2016 20:19:35 GMT -8
^^^ Thanks, I'm checking it out now. Though I cant seem to find it stated anywhere that its goose down and not duck down.
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jazzmom
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Post by jazzmom on Mar 4, 2016 5:19:01 GMT -8
Obviously, there's a trade-off between weight and price; the lighter, the more expensive. You want to go as light as possible for kids since their body weight is low, but it's difficult to justify the cost of the top bags. A couple of good strategies that I've found:
- Consider a "women's" or short bag. These are sized for 5'6" and under (sometimes 5'8".) The advantage is that you save some weight because it's shorter, so you can compromise on the fill-count and still come in at the same weight. Yes, down bags "last forever" but, in reality, the bag you get as a 11 year-old is *not* going to be your life-long bag. Unless you have the budget to buy him a Feathered Friends/Western Mountaineering quality bag right off the bat, I would buy him a bag that will fit him for the next 2-3 years. Keep in mind the kids' gear is easy to re-sell since most parents are in the same boat. My son's first bags were my hand-me-downs and I have since sold those off to others looking for kids' bags.
- Buying a used bag is a great option. You can get used top-end bags for about the same price as new mid-tier bags. Go for something 800+ count. You can sometimes find short/women's lengths. My 20-degree WM 'short' Ultralite only weighs 27oz; fantastic bag.
- I think the 700-750 count bags are often a really good compromise. I think the SD Zissou is one. My son has an REI Halo 25 that has worked really well for him (I don't think they make these anymore.) IMO, there's a distinct difference in the down quality between 600-ct and 700-ct; more so than between 700-ct and 800-ct. Probably something to do with the percentage of feathers vs down. We have a lot of down bags in our house and I can't really tell the difference between the 750 and 850 bags except that they're a little heavier. The 650 bags, on the other hand, have a denser stiffer feel.
- With the exception of a few brands (Feathered Friends, Western Mountaineering, cottage companies), there's really no reason to ever pay full price for a sleeping bag. Understand what the specs mean (fill count, fill weight, EN temperature rating, girth) and buy for the specs. Don't get hung up on buying a particular bag. Also, don't rely on the bag name for the temperature rating; just because a manufacturer calls it a "20 degree sleeping bag", that's not a guarantee. Look for the EN rating and use that number for comparison.
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