Synthetic Sleeping Bag Question

**natxcuah** · 01-07-2013, 22:34

I am looking to get a sleeping bag to use as a top quilt because a top quilt is out of my budget. I am looking at synthetic because down aggravates my allergies. My question is how heavy of a bag I should get for camping in the low 20's?

I don't plan on going colder than that, and am a warm sleeper.

Any advice?

**breyman** · 01-07-2013, 22:39

I'd look in the 10-15 degree rang. I've had a Mountain Hardware Lamina, which treated me pretty well. Kelty also has a pretty reasonable line of synthetic (and down) bags.

**nimbus37** · 01-07-2013, 22:42

I have a Big Agnes Encampment +15, that I love. Since there is no bottom insulation it fits just like a top quilt but I can zip into it. For some reason I sleep better when enclosed. Got it for about $75. Start watching sales.

**Meerkat** · 01-07-2013, 22:55

A quality 20* bag from one of the better manufacturers should be just fine. But then a TQ from Arrowhead Equipment or Enlightened Equipment and you can get synthetic and support some great people in the cottage industry. If you have to, buy used rather than cheap. Good used gear generally lasts longer than new cheap and performs better in my experience. Did the cheap route in the past. Wasn't worth it IMO.

**natxcuah** · 01-07-2013, 23:02

Interesting... I wasn't aware that there were bags out there without bottom insulation. That is worth looking into.

With going heavier than the temperature range, is there any danger with overheating?

**natxcuah** · 01-07-2013, 23:07

Thanks for the used suggestion. Are there any good places to find it? I will look on this site, but may have to wait too long for my trip with just one avenue.

**FLRider** · 01-07-2013, 23:30

Originally Posted by natxcuah

Interesting... I wasn't aware that there were bags out there without bottom insulation. That is worth looking into.

With going heavier than the temperature range, is there any danger with overheating?

There are; Big Agnes has an whole line of 'em designed to work with their pad line, thus saving weight in the same manner as a quilt without scaring away mainstream campers who haven't run across the quilt concept yet.

Heavier than the temp range should be fine, aside from the extra weight in your pack that it entails. When you get too warm, vent it the same way you would a comforter on the bed at home.

For quilts that are reasonably priced, are you DIY-capable (in other words, can you sew a (semi-)straight line? If so, you can get Climashield and nylon from Outdoor Wilderness Fabrics.

Climashield APEX runs 0.82 CLO/oz/sq yd (a measure of warmth by weight). Per this post, each CLO nets you about 14* of warmth below 70* (the point at which most folks start to need under insulation; 84* is the point at which folks find it more comfy to sleep without clothing). So, for 15* (to give you 5-10* of buffer, just in case), that'd be (70 - 15) = 55; 55 / 14 = ~3.92; 3.92 / 0.82 = ~4.79 oz/sq yd.

I'd go with OWFinc's 6 oz APEX for those temperatures (the equation above doesn't take into account drafts, humidity, wind, etc.), just to be safe. Two yards of 6 oz APEX is 39.90; four yards of 1.1 oz nylon from them is 34.08. Add shipping (figure 10%) and you're looking at ~80 bucks or so. Note that this doesn't include thread and assumes that you'll be sewing the footbox closed. Figure ~$100 at most.

Most complicated thing on the quilt will be roll-hemming the last perimeter edge (I recommend making that the foot end); everything else is just sewing the stuff together and then turning it inside out. Easy-peasy.

Hope it helps!

**natxcuah** · 01-08-2013, 09:24

Thanks guys! This is great advice.

I'm glad I decided to come on here and ask.

**Daring Dangler** · 01-08-2013, 10:06

I just ditched three Big Agnes Pads and Bags. I go the the ground on occassion, and thought the BA system would be good. It was, however all of their bags are heavy, even without the bottom insulation. My aresenal now includes the Thermarest Haven. It is a 20 degree 700 fill down bag, no zippers, no back, that can be integrated with Thermarest pads (ground game) or used with no back in a hammock with under insulation. This thing weighs 22 ounces. It is on sale right now and very inexpensive.