I have started to research sleeping bags for my trip to Camp Muir on Mt Rainier. From what I have have read, I want a sleeping bag rated for 10-20 degrees. I was at Dick’s Sporting Goods at lunch. They had a few differnet brands. The couple sleeping bags that seemed to fit my needs were the Marmot Aspen 20 for $80, and The North Face Aleutian BX for $79. There is also a Marmot Aspen Down 20 that is stuff with down for $140. But I don’t need down. Synthetic fill will be fine. All of these bags are rated for 20 degrees. I read a couple good reviews for The North Face Aleutian BX, but I couldn’t find any reviews of the Marmot Aspen 20.
I still want to check out Gander Mountain to see what they have.
I am leaning to regular size. I am about 6′ tall, maybe a touch over. But I think I can get waway with the regular sized sleeping bag as opposed to the long sleeping bag.
The bag is mainly for the overnight stay at Camp Muir, but I can probably use it for regular local camping as well. Mostly we do car-camping, and have cheap Coleman sleeping bags. But maybe I can convince my wife to do some backpacking, and camping.
I will continue to research sleeping bags as I am in no big hurry.
I would suggest looking into the Big Agnes Lost Ranger, typically you can find it a good prices for what you get. It has a rating of 15 degrees and is made quite well, we have had a bunch of reviews supporting it. Another one I would recommend is the Slumberjack Odessey Go Light bag… I think the range it comes in is from +30 to -30 degrees and again is pretty affordable for what you get.
Comment by David Sturgeon — April 15, 2008 @ 5:08 pm
I would have to steer you away from the Big Agnes Lost Ranger. Although it’s rated to 15 degrees, it is far from it. I bought one at an incredible price at REI last year. I’ve taken it out several times and have woken up cold, sometimes too cold to fall back asleep, most nights. There’s been only one of those nights that it dipped near the 20’s and I had a bag liner and wore all my clothes. I just returned it to REI and am in search of a warmer bag.
Comment by BG — June 19, 2008 @ 10:36 am