Sexy Friends Toronto

sleeping bags

D

destillat

Well-known member
Aug 29, 2001
2,805
69
48
mississauga
I'm planning a remote hiking trip for August, and I am currently in the process of researching a new sleeping bag.
The area I will be in over the past 5 years has had average lows in August ranging mostly from 0 to 9 Celsius, though one year the low did drop to -4.
I will be sleeping in small wooden huts, or worst case scenario, a 2 person tent with another person.

A -7 Celsius bag was recommended, and that makes sense, but when it came time for me to buy it, I hesitated, because they are quite bulky.
I know I can compress it down with straps, but still, backpack space is at a premium in this case.

Any trekkers out there that can share their experience?
Should I stick with a -7 Celsius bag, or can I get away with a 0 Celsius bag if I am in shelter with a base layer on?

I will be off the grid for 9 or 10 days, so I can't just hop into my car and go get a new bag if I make a bad choice.

Thanks for any advice!
 
I have decided on synthetic, not down.
Down is warmer and a little lighter and a little more compressible, but it becomes useless if it gets wet at all and takes long to dry.
Synthetic is slightly heavier but still very compressible, and still has heat retaining properties when wet and dries much faster.
 
You will have to live with the bulkiness as warmth will always trump cold when you need to sleep.

I was out camping late September up north and one of the girls packed a thin sleeping bag and basically frooze and couldn't sleep the first night.

Lucky for me, I was the only person smart enought to suggest we share sleeping bags (zipped both together with the lighter one on the bottom, but on top of foam mat). We ended up cuddling and... the rest of the night and were the first ones to bed the next few nights...Till the group put it together LOL.

so.. get a thicker sleeping to -10C.. you can always unzipped if you get hot..or Layer up if you are bringing a light filled sleeping bag.
 
pusher69 said:
You will have to live with the bulkiness as warmth will always trump cold when you need to sleep.

I was out camping late September up north and one of the girls packed a thin sleeping bag and basically frooze and couldn't sleep the first night.

Lucky for me, I was the only person smart enought to suggest we share sleeping bags (zipped both together with the lighter one on the bottom, but on top of foam mat). We ended up cuddling and... the rest of the night and were the first ones to bed the next few nights...Till the group put it together LOL.

so.. get a thicker sleeping to -10C.. you can always unzipped if you get hot..or Layer up if you are bringing a light filled sleeping bag.
Click to expand...

lol one of my fantasies is having sex in a sleeping bag... thats hott lol
 
Go to Sail or Eddy Bower talk to them
 
fuji said:
MEC will sort you out.
Click to expand...

Yea, they suggested the -7 Celsius bag.
Like I said, I just started to get second thoughts when I saw how bulky it was and wanted to make sure it was absolutely the right choice before I bought it.
From the comments here, as well as other research I have been doing I think leads me to stick with the -7 Celsius bag, even though I will cringe at how much backpack space it will consume.
 
If you want to take your chances on a lighter bag, you can cheat by taking along a touque and woolie socks. They will keep you warm. I am speaking honestly as a guy who has spent many months in a tent in his lifetime - they work.

Timbit
 
Go for the down every time. Also, try and get your hands on a product called Down Proof manufactured by a British company called Nikwax. It gives your down clothing and sleeping bags water repellent properties, very simple to use - just run it through the washing machine with the product.
Their products really do work, I used to use them all the time to keep my gear in top condition when I was a member of mountain rescue in the UK.

http://www.nikwax.com/en-us/products/productdetail.php?productid=269&itemid=-1&fabricid=-1
 
You should be able to get ones that compress down the to the size of a cal football is that so bad.

Plus aren't there back packs thst let you squish it more?
 
destillat said:
I have decided on synthetic, not down.
Down is warmer and a little lighter and a little more compressible, but it becomes useless if it gets wet at all and takes long to dry.
Synthetic is slightly heavier but still very compressible, and still has heat retaining properties when wet and dries much faster.
Click to expand...
My experience is that a down bag and waterproof stuff sack is much lighter and WAY more compressible that a similarly rated synthetic. if you wanted to spend a bit more many manufacturers are also selling DWR treated down products where the actual feathers are treated before being put in the bag. No personal experience with effectiveness though. I've been doing down for a long time and despite countless canoe trips and backpacking in all weather a little care makes getting wet an insignificant risk. The only issues I have ever had was condensation while winter camping.

The ratings system is a far from precise, varies from company to company, and depends on personal comfort level. That said, always err on being too warm rather than too cold.

p.s. I personally find mummy bags too constricting but they are warmer for the weight.
 
Assuming that you still have your old sleeping bag. Get a thin down sleeping bag and take both along if you can. In very cold weather you can double up the bag. Two new cheap sleeping bags are better than one good bag. Or even better, a good down bag with a lower priced polyester bag. You are covered ( no pun interned ) for all eventualities. Stuffing one into the other will give you warmth, or you can use one as a cover that you can throw off if it is too hot. You can always use the extra bag under your sleeping bag as a cousin. I have seen sleeping bags go on special for $10 each at CDN Tire when they have the 75% off sales. Bring along a hot water bottle or in a pinch, you can use a 2 liter pop bottle. Fill it with hot water and wrap it in a towel to give you extra heat.

In your case, you may not have the two bag option. You might want to go with one really good bag. You can still bring the hot water bottle.
 
OP, you can tie the sleeping bag to the outside of your bag if space is your main concern.
Tie it to the bottom, top of back (front of the bag). Most weigh around 2-4 lbs so it won't be that much of a burden on your back.

pack-sleeping-pad.jpg
 
wow all of these tips are very helpful, i dont plan to go camping anytime soon, but always wanted to buy a good sleeping bag for some reason lol
 
Keep your eye out for bags on special at $10 that CDN Tire uses as lost leaders to lure customers into their store. They sell the cheap bags 2-3 times a summer, I have seen $10 bags at a sporting goods store once last summer. For warm weather use they are fine, if the temperature goes down to 10c two bags will keep you warm. Bring a bed sheet with you for use inside the bags, it makes a difference in comfort and heat retention.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Toronto Escorts
Top Bottom
Back