Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 21, 2015 11:38:39 GMT -8
Allrighty y'all first thing I'm Adam and I'm new here. My question is if anyone has any experience using a traditional rectangular sleeping bag like ones from Bass Pro? While I have good hiking and camping experience I have always used mummy bags and while I do love them my girlfriend and I want to do more winter hiking together where we would like to be able to zip out bags together. We did look at the two person bags but we didn't think we would like that as much. I'm looking for bags that are rated to 15 degrees because we hike in the NC mountains and I have liners that we could use to supplement if needed. If anyone has any experience here or a suggestion of a different sort I'd really appreciate the help.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Oct 21, 2015 12:19:46 GMT -8
For backpacking?
Winter hiking in doubled bags is going to be cold, there's no way to seal the top so it's inevitably drafty.... plus the additional inefficiency of a rectangular bag means carrying (?) a lot of extra bulk.
IIRC there are options to zip together paired mummy bags which would offer some weight efficiency and the option of an efficient mummy bag when used individually. Usually possible with pairs of bags from manufacturers that offer both right and left hand zipper options. Marmot did that at one time, others and they may still.
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Admin
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Post by Admin on Oct 21, 2015 12:34:14 GMT -8
Ditto what HSF said. I was going to tell you about left/right zippers on bags but it's been so long since I have sold bags in a gear shop I thought maybe my info would be out-of-date! Two down bags are certainly the way to go. If you already have one, just make sure a new one has the same type zipper to match.
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Oct 21, 2015 13:00:48 GMT -8
I will say it differently. I would rather have the zippers on the sides, than down the center. If one of you unzips to go out in the night, the other one will be completely exposed to that draft. Several of the Western Mountaineering semi-rectangular bags will open up to zipper to a coupler, so the single warm bag can be used by 2 people, with the zippers on the sides. However, they are much different than those sold at Bass Pro.
For true comfort in the Winter, I would begin with separate mummy bags, at least 20*, maybe 5* depending on you forecasted weather. Always buy 10* lower ratings than you expect to see temps. Those ratings are for survival, not comfort.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Oct 21, 2015 13:09:58 GMT -8
Even mummies zipped together can have the zippers off to the sides. That's completely a choice. And the way I'd do it, yes.
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Post by Coolkat on Oct 21, 2015 14:21:32 GMT -8
I guess this really doesn't help the original question but I really really miss my rectangular bags of my car camping days. Not only do I sleep on my stomach but mummy bags are so confining, almost claustrophobic (a bit of an exaggeration) for me but I use mummy bags anyway since they are lighter ones. Sigh..
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tigger
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Post by tigger on Oct 22, 2015 7:01:27 GMT -8
Look for stretch bags or semi-rectangular as an option. Less confining than full mummy bags but still reasonable in regards to weight and bulk.
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almostthere
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Post by almostthere on Oct 22, 2015 9:54:15 GMT -8
I'm finally pulling out the winter quilt for this weekend - getting cold at last.
Winter backpacking sleeping bags will be lighter and more effective than generic cheap rectangulars from Bass Pro. Mummy bags are warmer as the idea is to reduce air space inside the bag and seal off the openings so warm air can't escape.
You will be warmer in separate mummy bags. Not romantic, but warmer.
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Oct 22, 2015 11:59:00 GMT -8
You will be warmer in separate mummy bags. Not romantic, but warmer. Warmer is more important if you want to stay married. Or live through the night. |
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Oct 22, 2015 14:06:30 GMT -8
I guess this really doesn't help the original question but I really really miss my rectangular bags of my car camping days. Not only do I sleep on my stomach but mummy bags are so confining, almost claustrophobic (a bit of an exaggeration) for me but I use mummy bags anyway since they are lighter ones. Sigh.. You sound like a candidate for a quilt. I've been too cheap to do that (and just a little scared to give up the hood), but I mostly use my mummy as a quilt, unzipped and laid over the top, then tucked in around the edges. That makes enough room for this side-sleeper. |
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Oct 22, 2015 14:11:18 GMT -8
For backpacking? Winter hiking in doubled bags is going to be cold, there's no way to seal the top so it's inevitably drafty.... plus the additional inefficiency of a rectangular bag means carrying (?) a lot of extra bulk. This. We did a double bag for several years, but gave it up due to both the extra bulk (in part because we couldn't get a semi-rectangular down bag to use with the coupler sheet) and the chronic problem with drafts. We still use it sometimes car camping, in mild weather. But the other truth is that there is more space in two separate bags than there is with two of us in one double bag. It's nice for cuddling, but not so great for sleeping (at least not for me; I like to sleep in my own space). |
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almostthere
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Post by almostthere on Oct 22, 2015 18:29:48 GMT -8
I guess this really doesn't help the original question but I really really miss my rectangular bags of my car camping days. Not only do I sleep on my stomach but mummy bags are so confining, almost claustrophobic (a bit of an exaggeration) for me but I use mummy bags anyway since they are lighter ones. Sigh.. You sound like a candidate for a quilt. I've been too cheap to do that (and just a little scared to give up the hood), but I mostly use my mummy as a quilt, unzipped and laid over the top, then tucked in around the edges. That makes enough room for this side-sleeper. I went quilt and never looked back - my winter quilt weighs less than a summer bag, with 4" of loft and loads of lovely down. A balaclava with a wool cap, a 0 degree quilt, adequately R-valued pads (foam plus 3 season air mattress) and I'm good. Unless I'm in the hammock - then it's a 0degree underquilt, 0 degree top quilt, and I'm in heaven.... I went to quilts because of claustrophobia - I was a much more active sleeper, until I got into the quilt, and I settled down really fast because it was so much more comfortable. I still sleep on my side all night on the ground. Better in the hammock, since it's more comfortable I can even be on my stomach for a while. |
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Post by dayhiker on Oct 22, 2015 21:48:21 GMT -8
Feathered Friends has some options: featheredfriends.com/down-sleeping-bags/double-bags.htmlThe condor adds a "ground sheet" which does not have insulation but blocks drafts to make a double bag. It is 18oz but lighter than another bag. You can add hoods which add side warmth and blocks drafts, being down it does not insulate the bottom much. The Penquin is similar. The spoonbill is another option. I don't see a temp rating but FF would tell you that or at least its loft if you email them. I often wear a fair amount of warm clothes in winter so not sure how much this would work for . . . There are some double quilts out there not sure how warm, try Jack R Better to start. Of course FF are $$$ |
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almostthere
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Post by almostthere on Oct 23, 2015 8:27:52 GMT -8
Going back to double vs single....
A double quilt will be drafty - think about trying to cuddle up with an active sleeper. A gap on one edge of the quilt makes it cold. I retuck quickly and fall back to sleep quickly. With someone else sharing the quilt it'll be spooning with tucked edges, and a gap at the top around your necks, because unlike a single person in a single quilt, you can't tuck the top edge, or adjust the draw cord closed around your neck -- which is what I do with my quilt when it's cold.
I have two of the same three season quilt with full length double-velcro on one edge lengthwise, to connect them to make a larger two person quilt. It only ever gets used when night temps are warm enough. They separate and become two single person quilts when it's colder.
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Westy
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Post by Westy on Oct 23, 2015 11:29:12 GMT -8
Believe It or Not!
I have and still use a forty+ year old TNF square sleeping bag (made in USA) that was likely the predecessor of the TNF Blue Kazoo (made in China).
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