Sleeping Bag Search - Cheap but Decent

**cybrus** · 11-13-2007, 09:50

New to hammock camping - hoping to get a started hammock for Christmas before I venture into the DIY area.

I'm looking for a cheap but decent sleeping bag for backpacking/camping. I'm on an extremely limited budget and I won't be going for extreme temps - figure early spring through late fall in PA.

Looking on the campmor site, I found these two bags and I was wondering if anyone has any knowledge of the specific bags or similar bags by the same company.

1. Kelty Cosmic 35° Thermolite® Quallo Mummy Sleeping Bag

2. Coleman Exponent Grey Fox 20° Quallofil Mummy Sleeping Bag

**headchange4u** · 11-13-2007, 09:58

I'm a big fan of down so I'm gonna suggest the Campmor 20* down bag. Yes, costs more than the ones you are looking at but I have heard nothing but good things about it. It's also lighter than the bags you are looking at. You see the Campmor bag for sale used occasionally.

just my .02

**Rapt** · 11-13-2007, 10:18

Also if you plan to camp for a long time the down will last you MUCH longer like many times longer...

Being cheaper per year...

**nogods** · 11-13-2007, 10:20

You can't beat down - it packs smaller and is lighter for more loft and insulation than synthetic...but it cost more and if it gets wet it is useless. but if you can afford the down get it, overall you'll be happier.

In the case of any sleeping bag, you want to avoid the ones with sewn through baffles. Most quality bags, down or sythetic, will be made with offset baffles so that there are no sewn through seams that would allow air to penatrate. But be sure to check it becasue I've seen some pricy down vests that have sewn through seams making them virtually worthless

**Rapt** · 11-13-2007, 10:25

IF synthetic gets wet its still practically useless. Any bag that's wet is is cold, it doesn't matter what its made of, because you're trying to dry the bag by evaporating the water with your body heat... trust me I've been there... Don't kid yourself that you can stay warm in a wet synthetic bag, you can't.

Besides down is much harder to wet than most realize. Even when put in a tub full of water for washing...

Will second not getting a sewn through bag though.

**cybrus** · 11-13-2007, 10:29

I had looked at (and really liked) the Campmor down bag you guys mentioned. Unfortunately, my budget really won't allow for that right now. With a new baby and the resultant loss of my wife's paycheck, even $50 for a bag is a lot. I know neither bag I listed would be considered good quality, but it would let me get out and about sooner, rather than waiting until a better $100+ bag is an option.

**Rapt** · 11-13-2007, 10:31

Fair enough sometimes its just not feasible...

I spent less than $150, 12 years ago on a down bag and its still going strong...

**Cannibal** · 11-13-2007, 10:39

Congrats on the new baby!!!!!!!!!!!

Time to DIY a hammock crib.

**nogods** · 11-13-2007, 10:49

Originally Posted by cybrus

I had looked at (and really liked) the Campmor down bag you guys mentioned. Unfortunately, my budget really won't allow for that right now. With a new baby and the resultant loss of my wife's paycheck, even $50 for a bag is a lot. I know neither bag I listed would be considered good quality, but it would let me get out and about sooner, rather than waiting until a better $100+ bag is an option.

kmart and walmart have inexpensive synthetic bags. I bought one for $17 at walmart a few years ago because it was wider than most bags and I needed the width. a $10 fleece insert can be used for more warmth in early spring or late fall, otherwise it works great by itself.

**cybrus** · 11-13-2007, 11:35

Originally Posted by Cannibal

Congrats on the new baby!!!!!!!!!!!

Time to DIY a hammock crib.

Thanks! He's just about 4 months old and is doing his best to see how little sleep I can function with.

DIY crib hammock - interesting concept. Would think one of the little gear hammocks would work, or something that could hang off of the ridgeline inside my own hammock...

Originally Posted by nogods

kmart and walmart have inexpensive synthetic bags. I bought one for $17 at walmart a few years ago because it was wider than most bags and I needed the width. a $10 fleece insert can be used for more warmth in early spring or late fall, otherwise it works great by itself.

Maybe I'll give those a shot. I have a few fleece liners already so that definitely fits the budget requirement!

I can't wait until I can actually afford a quality down mummy bag for me and for my wife. But for now, at least I'll be able to get out and about!