looking for a new sleeping bag

[irrationalsolutions]

i have am liking my hh a lot its not heavy enough to worry about it does take up a little room in the pack but no where near the same as my tent did. now i'm looking into new bags. right now i'm using a alps mountineering 20F synthetic bag the cresent ridge(?) or something like that. its not that heavy either and keeps me warm enough but it takes up way too much room. the problem i have run into looking around is the price. right now i'm on a gear budget for a little while. the wife found out about a few extra things i bought. any ideas guys?

[Cannibal]

Compressibility and warmth is gonna most likely mean down. Unfortunately, down means expense. Save your pennies, watch Steep and Cheap, and good luck.

[irrationalsolutions]

thats not what i was wanting to hear. i have a new pack that i'm picking up tomorrow... well later on today. its a kelty red cloud and i think it has the compartment on the bottom to hold the sleeping bag but i was really wanting a smaller bag anyway so the hh would fit in there with it. i know there are cheaper down bags on steepandcheap that should be good but living in sc its wet here a lot so i was trying to avoid down.

if down is the way i have to go i dont know much about it. are there any brands to stay away from? or anything else i need to know about them besides they compress on the bottom?

[Schneiderlein]

If your main concern is pack space, down is definitely the way to go. You can save even more space and weight by going with a top quilt. Would you consider that option? I'm just up the road from you and have a synthetic DIY quilt that you are welcome to borrow if you want to try one out.

[WrongTurn]

If your wanting something that will last and take up very little space, save your pennies over the spring and summer and try to get a Western Mountaineering or Feathered Friends Bag. I especially like the caribou from WM. I am currently using their summerlite which is rated at 32 degrees which is generous because I stayed warm last night hanging, with this and a 20 degree synthetic as a underquilt/ bag sleeve, and it was a toe freezing 5 degrees here and is still dropping. Only reason I came in was my tarp SUCKS and the wind was whipping my face. Stay away from ENO tarps. Keep your eyes open on here and WB because the WM summerbags many people hold on to forever, but the winter bags show up alot more often as people decide they need warmer bags or colder bags.

[tomsawyer222]

I am selling a feathered friends bag 30 degree its in the for sale forum

[Hooch]

the wife found out about a few extra things i bought. any ideas guys?

Yes. Tell the wife that you earn the money, you work hard and she should mind her own business.

[Hooch]

i have a new pack that i'm picking up tomorrow... well later on today. its a kelty red cloud......

Return the pack. Ketly packs generally bite, they're heavy and cheap. Take the money from the pack and put it towards a good down bag. Problem solved.

[WrongTurn]

x2 on forget about the Redcloud. My old one is sitting in a closet collecting dust.

A ULA Catalyst/Circuit and WM or FF Bag is about the best investments you can make in backpacking IMHO.

Other than a WB hammock.

[Cannibal]

A ULA Catalyst/Circuit and WM or FF Bag is about the best investments you can make in backpacking IMHO.

Other than a WB hammock.

I agree! Great packs, super bags, and the almighty Warbonnet. I still prefer quilts over bags, but you certainly can't go wrong with those two bags.