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Post by flyinion on Sept 2, 2015 19:05:17 GMT -8
Thanks again everyone. I think right now I may go with the REI Radiant 15 bag and some sort of pad(s) as needed for the environment (camping vs. backpacking) and temp. I might try using it as a quilt too by unzipping it especially on warmer trips. I'll probably give one of the quilt companies a call though before making the final decision and talk shoulder measurements with them. I looked at some of the Enlightened quilts and really like the prices on them and the weights were awesome.
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Post by dayhiker on Sept 2, 2015 19:47:39 GMT -8
That sounds like a plan, I just looked at the bag 70" is really wide. I have tried making my sleeping bag like a quilt, unzip part way so the bottom is still a foot box, put zipper facing down, use a strap to hold bag around pad you would not use the pad pocket since it would be on the side. (Mine has a removable hood , so this is not a problem), you would have to ignore the hood since it would be to the side, you would have allot more space without it being zipped up, and save weight of not having a zipper on most quilts, even if you could find one this wide, maybe one made for two, or a custom one ($$$$). But in actual camping I just have the zipper on the side or top (esp. in hammock) and pull up the bag as it gets cooler and/or zipping it as well.
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Post by flyinion on Sept 2, 2015 20:38:41 GMT -8
That sounds like a plan, I just looked at the bag 70" is really wide. I have tried making my sleeping bag like a quilt, unzip part way so the bottom is still a foot box, put zipper facing down, use a strap to hold bag around pad you would not use the pad pocket since it would be on the side. (Mine has a removable hood , so this is not a problem), you would have to ignore the hood since it would be to the side, you would have allot more space without it being zipped up, and save weight of not having a zipper on most quilts, even if you could find one this wide, maybe one made for two, or a custom one ($$$$). But in actual camping I just have the zipper on the side or top (esp. in hammock) and pull up the bag as it gets cooler and/or zipping it as well. Yeah I know 70 is really wide, but based on trying a 64, which was quite tight i.e. I'd probably wake up in the middle of the night with hands "fallen asleep" from being pinned against me, I know I need wider. I know part of it is with the whole getting in shape thing I also have a lot of weight to lose as well. So maybe for now I start out with the 70" bag and later on I can move on to a more traditional size bag possibly.
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Post by cheaptentguy on Sept 6, 2015 16:31:22 GMT -8
Hi guys, new around here and have some sleeping bag/pad questions that hopefully I can get some advice on. So, currently I have been only car camping, however as part of a lifestyle change of getting in better shape I've become interested in hiking and eventually want to do some backpacking. I've done it before as a kid years ago with my parents and liked it then. Just never really did much outdoors stuff as a tech geek adult until now. Nothing to add, but I'm in the exact same situation. Good luck on your journey!
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Post by cycle003 on Sept 11, 2015 10:33:19 GMT -8
Not all of the Big Agnes sleep system bags are for 20" pads. There are also a number that use 25" pads. I have the Summit Park 15 degree bag. I like it OK, but I have switched over to higher end bags and quilts because the BA ones weigh too much for wilderness camping. The other downside to these bags is that they are large (wide) from head to toe, which means that you have much more air space to heat up, so they tend not to be as warm as they should be for the amount of loft they have.
Another thing to note is that not all manufacturers size measurements will be the same, although you would think that 64" would be 64" regardless of the manufacturer (don't count on it).
Quilts are great for a range of temperatures, but I don't like standard quilts once it gets below about 40 F or so because I'm a restless sleeper and have trouble keeping out the drafts. However, some of them (zpacks and now EE's newest quilt) can be zipped up all the way.
BTW, the radiant is a fine bag (I tried one at REI once), so if it fits you, then go for it.
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markskor
Trail Wise!
Mammoth Lakes & Tuolumne Meadows...living the dream
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Post by markskor on Sept 11, 2015 11:07:02 GMT -8
Interesting thread... Also a long time "dirt-bagger", thousands of bag nights (77 this season) and still going strong -
Thoughts: If seriously committed to backpacking - not just a whim, buy the very best first - no compromises...and select one stuffed only with high quality goose down. Here Sierra, I would recommend nothing short of a 20º down bag (or quilt), especially if going high regularly. I treat my down bag much like a quilt - usually unzipped, but the few times actually needed to zip up, glad I had a bag over a quilt. YMMV. For years, the thought of spending $500+ on a sleeping bag seemed excessive/foolish until trying WM products (use the Badger) - now I wonder what took me so long - worth every penny. Well made - light - cheap...pick 2.
RE: Pads. Some might prefer a full length, 25" wide pad...not me. With a mind to reduce weight carried, (not ultralight but lighter), for the past 5 seasons, carry a short Prolite+ (47" long) wrapped/rolled up safe inside of a 3 foot long, blue, cc foam pad. The Prolite gives great support shoulders to hips, and the cc pad takes care of cushioning the feet. Pad roll is carried outside of the backpack. Total weight of the pads is well under 1 pound...rolls up small too..
One other quick question about quilts. If a quilt can be zipped up all the way as stated just above, what's the difference between that and a sleeping bag?
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reuben
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Gonna need more Camels at the next refugio...
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Post by reuben on Sept 11, 2015 11:36:48 GMT -8
Markskor - I take it you like the Badger. I'm in the slow process of upgrading a couple of good bags (Marmot) to better bags (FF, WM). I have a 30F FF which I like, and am looking for something in the 10F range. At 15F, the Badger is in the ballpark. Would you buy it again as a 10-15F bag, or would you recommend something else, or perhaps a newer version of the same?
Thanks.
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markskor
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Mammoth Lakes & Tuolumne Meadows...living the dream
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Post by markskor on Sept 11, 2015 13:23:50 GMT -8
Reuben - Yes, do like my WM Badger big time! Would recommend/ buy again -
IMHO, the best sleeping bag available for a larger individual - Sierra.
As stated above - If seriously committed to backpacking - buy the very best first - no compromises. (You will invariably regret buying one that is "almost as good as...") Mark
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Post by flyinion on Sept 11, 2015 14:02:11 GMT -8
Thanks everyone for more info I think I'm going to go with the Radiant since I know it will fit, and it's in the price range that can be afforded right now. I'll keep bags like the Badger in mind for later down the road if I really do stick with it.
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Post by 805gregg on Sept 19, 2015 16:25:28 GMT -8
I've been through every bag and pad combo out there, I finally got a BA Lost Ranger 15 and UL BA pad, after sliding or rolling off all the pads finally no more, best combo. No more where is my pad and the bag captures my inflatable pillow so that is secure also, plus I like the foot vent. I gain a little weight, but I sleep like a log so it's worth it, and waterproof Dri Down is a plus.
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Post by cheaptentguy on Sept 26, 2015 6:42:51 GMT -8
I just sprung for the BA Gunn Creek. It felt substantially better than the other mummy type bags I tried. Still trying to figure out if I'm going to go with the 20 inch fitted pad or get something bigger and just not put it in the pad pocket. Haven't tried it outdoors yet. Will report back after I do.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 20, 2015 11:20:02 GMT -8
Hi All, newbie to board...long time (40+ yrs) BP'er. Not sure anyone answered the question; can you stuff a 25" wd pad in a standard width BA sleeve.
I am intrigued by the BA system also. I have 2 BA pads...both are 25" wd...the best (lite/warm) BA bags are advertised as accommodating 20" wd pads...
Thx. Bill
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almostthere
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putting on my hiking shoes....
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Post by almostthere on Oct 24, 2015 5:01:31 GMT -8
I'd get cold in a BA. Can't tuck it in around me. I use a quilt - you get better "tuck" than with a mummy bag.
A petite hiker who borrowed a BA setup froze herself on a 40F ish night, one trip. I suspect it was a combo of the BA Air Core (no insulation in the mattress) and having a BA bag that was far too large for her. OTOH, the BA Q Core (original) has an R value of 5 (15F) and is pretty darn cush. I use it with a quilt instead tho.
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Post by cheaptentguy on Oct 24, 2015 7:02:56 GMT -8
While I have not tried a 25 pad in the Gunn Creek BA bag, it doesn't look like it would fit. The pocket seemed to fit fairly close on my 20 inch wide NeoAir pad.
Used the BA bag and NeoAir Pad (got on great sale) and really liked it for a large frame guy. I have very little experience to compare, but I feel like it will work well for me. Ideally, the pad would be a little wider, but I like that the pad is integrated.
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amaruq
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Call me Little Spoon
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Post by amaruq on Oct 26, 2015 8:09:43 GMT -8
I'd get cold in a BA. Can't tuck it in around me. I use a quilt - you get better "tuck" than with a mummy bag. A petite hiker who borrowed a BA setup froze herself on a 40F ish night, one trip. I suspect it was a combo of the BA Air Core (no insulation in the mattress) and having a BA bag that was far too large for her. OTOH, the BA Q Core (original) has an R value of 5 (15F) and is pretty darn cush. I use it with a quilt instead tho. Strange. The NeoAir mattresses have no internal insulation and are very warm (with the XTherm having an advertised R-value over 5).
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