Requesting Sleeping Bag/Pad Recommendations Please

[brymoore]

I have Western Mountaineering Versatile 10 degree bag. I use it four seasons. I add clothing if it gets real cold. The difference I see in it and my former zero degree bag for warmth are minimal.

@Birdbander My bag is 2 pounds. 850 fill. A lesser fill bag is going to be close to four pounds. You can pay more money to save weight.

 

[Birdbander]

I have Western Mountaineering Versatile 10 degree bag. I use it four seasons. I add clothing if it gets real cold. The difference I see in it and my former zero degree bag for warmth are minimal.

@Birdbander My bag is 2 pounds. 850 fill. A lesser fill bag is going to be close to four pounds. You can pay more money to save weight.

That sounds good to me.

 

[Treeshark]

Some pads come with an inflation bag that works well too.

This is the way.

My first pad (BA Q-Core) doesn’t not have this, the XTherm does. I will never buy a pad without an inflation bag again, I was really surprised at how well they work.

Coming from sea level to 10k, I just about see Jesus blowing that damn thing up on my own.

 

[Birdbander]

Great visual description!

 

[El Jason]

I thought the inflation bag was hokey at first but now I love it.

 

[crock239]

+1 on the xtherm for backpacking, and inflation bag. Really like mine. Im a side sleeper so I do use a wide pad for a bit extra room. Havent tried a pump but I might look into it.

for backpacking 10k+ feet in CO Sep-Oct I have an REI 850 fill down bag rated 15F. But I dont like being cold.

 

[Birdbander]

I'm not wanting to be cold either. Good information

 

[WVmike]

I use an exped dura 8R which is a standard size pad and isn't a wide pad by any means and I also use a Viam Outdoors 0 degree quilt with pad straps that works pretty well. I've been looking into getting a zenbivy quilt but I haven't pulled the trigger on it yet.

 

[Cornell Cowboy]

My setup is an Exped Megamat Lite 12 sleeping pad coupled with an Enlightened Equipment 10-degree Enigma Quilt. Absolutely love it!

 

[It’s Bucky]

Thermarest Neoair XLite

Snugpack Jungle Blanket if lows are above 42 degrees at night.

Warbonnet Outdoors 10 degree quilt if it’s colder than 42 at night.

Borah Bivy to keep it all contained, dry, and to keep the bugs off under a tarp or in a floorless.

 

[Birdbander]

You have all been kind enough to offer advice on what has worked for and while I am still working through the list I would like your opinion on a couple that I came across also.

Pad: Big Agnes Campmeister Deluxe Insulated

Bag: Mountain Hardware Specter 15F

Not being cold is high on my list!

 

[Diablo]

I do a lot of backpack hunts here in Colorado (including a ptarmigan hunt every year or two) and other western states. I like a very light base weight (10 lbs if possible). I have 8 or 10 various pads - mostly Therm a Rest and Big Agnes. The pads I most often grab are my XLites and XTherms. Great pads. I have REI Magma 15 and 30 bags that I mostly use for summer and fall hunts. Add a beanie, puffy coat and puffy pants (which I always have with me) when needed.

A few pics for inspiration. I love ptarmigan. Such cool birds.

 

[Birdbander]

Thanks for sharing @Diablo

 

[It’s Bucky]

I do a lot of backpack hunts here in Colorado (including a ptarmigan hunt every year or two) and other western states. I like a very light base weight (10 lbs if possible). I have 8 or 10 various pads - mostly Therm a Rest and Big Agnes. The pads I most often grab are my XLites and XTherms. Great pads. I have REI Magma 15 and 30 bags that I mostly use for summer and fall hunts. Add a beanie, puffy coat and puffy pants (which I always have with me) when needed.

A few pics for inspiration. I love ptarmigan. Such cool birds.

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Send me some feathers! Lol never tied flies with ptarmigan but I can see they’d spin up a cool bug.

 

[Diablo]

Send me some feathers! Lol never tied flies with ptarmigan but I can see they’d spin up a cool bug.

I generally save some just for that purpose.

 

[abarn]

I have a sea to summit pad and a Western Mountaineering VersaLite 10 that keeps me plenty warm for September through early November.

 

[TheNorthStar]

I've used a Thermorest Neoair Xlite pad for many years. It's a little loud using foiled mylar as part of the insulation, but by all accounts the newer ones (post 24') are quieter. Add a Z-fold for another 2R during the Winter. Paired with a Rab Nutrino 400 20 degree bag for cool temps and an overstuffed Western mountaineering Antelope from mid October on.

Never experienced Colorado's Septembers, but with a double walled tent and a dog, I'd try the 20 degree bag and have my puffy pants/jacket on hand.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[winmag]

I agree that you won’t regret buying a high end brand like Western Mountaineering. The challenge is that you don’t know what kind of September you’re going to get. I’ve had 40 degree nights mid-September and I’ve had 25 degree nights with 18” of snow mid-September. So buying a bag now for the weather a month from now will be challenging.

I’d recommend a Thermarest Neoair for warmth, light weight, and comfort, but it won’t withstand a dog walking on it for very long at all. Maybe a Thermarest Trail Prolite or find a used Prolite Plus would be better since they’re more durable.

 

[WesternRookie]

I have been in the last week of September in Colorado camping at 11,000 ft, and was laying there in my underwear, on top of my sleeping bag, tent wide open except for screens, so hot....was miserable. Then a night or two later at 8,000 ft in a canvas tent, sleeping next to a creek was downright cold and needed to use the space heater when going to sleep.

Not knowing if you have any other sleeping bags in your quiver, this looks like a good deal and would be very versatile:

Western Mountaineering Versalite 10 Degree Down Sleeping Bag

This Versalite is the warmest in our ExtremeLite™series! A solid 3-seasons of bike touring or kayaking is at your fingertips with this bag.

www.blackovis.com

 

[brymoore]

I have been in the last week of September in Colorado camping at 11,000 ft, and was laying there in my underwear, on top of my sleeping bag, tent wide open except for screens, so hot....was miserable. Then a night or two later at 8,000 ft in a canvas tent, sleeping next to a creek was downright cold and needed to use the space heater when going to sleep.

Not knowing if you have any other sleeping bags in your quiver, this looks like a good deal and would be very versatile:

Western Mountaineering Versalite 10 Degree Down Sleeping Bag

This Versalite is the warmest in our ExtremeLite™series! A solid 3-seasons of bike touring or kayaking is at your fingertips with this bag.

www.blackovis.com

Love my WM Versalite.