Sleeping Bags

[Klayton]

Hey guys. This month our survival prep item is procuring sleeping bags. However, it seems there is a dilemma. Another prepper is trying to steer me to some nice "eureka" sleeping bags (30 degree bag approx $200) but wife found "coleman" 30 degree bags at wally world for $25. So help me out here, is there really any legitimate reason in spending the big bucks for those "nicer" bags? :confused:

[EX121]

That's a hard question to answer. Probably the biggest difference is how they are constructed. Look at the cheaper one and see if the baffles or tubes are sewn clear through; from the outside all the way into the lining. Many more expensive bags are constructed so they don't allow warm air from the inside to flow out a seam line. Also the insulating material in the Coleman may be heaver in weight and bulkier than in the Eureka. Making the Coleman less able to be put into a stuff sack so it's not as convenient to backpack. What you basically pay for in the more expensive bag is lighter weight and more compressibility.
So it comes down to a question of do you pay more for a lighter in weight bag that will still keep you warm at the same temperature.
BTW the temperature rating are very liberal and arbitrary. They are rated for men so smaller women will not feel as warm in the same bag as a larger man. Some manufactures are using a newer system that shows a more accurate comfort rating of 10-20 degrees.
Hope this is helpful, check out rei.com expert advice on how to select a sleeping bag.

[Tofu]

Im sure there is some reason that the backpacking snobs will give you. Most likely the weight issue. Personally I would buy $200 worth of the coleman bags (if thats your budget). You'll have something to keep you warm and some backups to boot, while he has the one bag with a big name.

Just think in the 1800's you would have slept on the ground with a wool blanket. All old things become new...

[Matt In Oklahoma]

30 degrees aint much in real life after sleeping in it for a week or more right now. It must be real nice in Texas. It was like 20 this morning here without the wind. I would look real hard at those military bags. The older mummy bags are cheap and the newer 3 tier bags are real nice with a waterproof gortex cover. Yes the weight is heavier than the backpackers models but it depends on what you want. Ok off my ranting (sorry) and to your question.
I would check the coleman covering and make sure it won't rip out from something on the ground, mine are cheaply made, the Eureka has a ripstop covering. Other than that I don't know of anything.

[Klayton]

Thanks guys! :)

[protus]

Hey guys. This month our survival prep item is procuring sleeping bags. However, it seems there is a dilemma. Another prepper is trying to steer me to some nice "eureka" sleeping bags (30 degree bag approx $200) but wife found "coleman" 30 degree bags at wally world for $25. So help me out here, is there really any legitimate reason in spending the big bucks for those "nicer" bags? :confused:

two questions.

what do you plan to use this bag for
what is your budget.


I'll wait till then..becuase while some of us may be "backpacking snobs" i wont steer someone to a 10lb bag with false ratings all because it cost 20$ at wally mart!

[ridgerunner]

The $20 bags work fine for the trunk of your car during the winter for emergencies. At the risk of being a snob :) no way am I gonna pack one of those on a 20 mile overnight backpacking hike.

[Klayton]

Well our plan is shelter in place (home) and to keep warmer during the 2 months of winter in Texas, so thought of sleeping bags.

But I do see your guys point if we ever do have to bug-out. Lighter bags & more tear resistant, makes sense.

Our budget is retired military pay atm, read little money, lol.
But we try to buy one main item per month for our preps, as well as increasing food stocks every week when we go to the grocery.

[Tofu]

Dead on Klayton. This is not a race, do what you can as you can. Plus there is no reason that if you get everything else squared away that you don't revisit this issue.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

Then a $20 bag and maybe later a ground tarp to keep it from being torn. I have a military field strecher rolled up under my bag that is basically canvas with handles and pole loops. It makes a good ground tarp. I have 3 of the wally world ones and have used them inside tents for years.

[protus]

Well our plan is shelter in place (home) and to keep warmer during the 2 months of winter in Texas, so thought of sleeping bags.

But I do see your guys point if we ever do have to bug-out. Lighter bags & more tear resistant, makes sense.

Our budget is retired military pay atm, read little money, lol.
But we try to buy one main item per month for our preps, as well as increasing food stocks every week when we go to the grocery.

Most middle of the road bags will run 30-80$

This is how i advise people on bags-

If it is for survival- you must think of it being on your back. so weight is an issue no matter how you try and shake it.
The issue is ,for most is cost, size and ratings and how they all compare.
Cost- a name brand bag ( not name brand at china mart) will run depending on delaer/sales etc 40-100$ for a synthetic bag. Down will run 100+$. Coleman, and other brands that you will see at target,walmart,kmart,dollar tree etc while 30-40$ will no be equal(see below)
weight- The lighter you go the more you will pay. When you look at a bag look at its weight. FILL WIEGHT is not total weight. IMHO You need to stay under 4lbs If this bag is gonna be a bug in and bug out bag. A good 15-30f bag will run under 60$
qaulity- you want to look at how the bag is constructed, how the zippers are installed. Do they snag the draft tube? Does the bag have a draft tube? Is it left hand or right hand. Full zip, 1/2 zip, is it mateable ( good thing to know , so 2 bags can now become one). Can it be adjusted.
size- besides your hieght, most people will fit in mummy bags. Some run narrow, some do not. This is nothing a simple measurement can fix.Dont let folks tell you that because your 6ft and have a 50 inch chest youll never fit in a mummy bag. Mummy bags also weigh less than rectangle or hybrid bags.
down or synthetic- Down wins hands down( har har) on wieght, but cost $$$$. Sythetic bags work well. but will be builkeir. The type of fill dictates how lofty the bag will be and how well it will keep you warm

Temp. rating-
Bags have two rating.
survival rating- this is the rating that the bag will keep your cold,shivering 6 alive and for how long. It is anywhere from 20-60F BELOW what the bag is listed as. example. 30f bag. rated 30f. comfort rated at 32,survival rated at -5f.
Comfort rating- This is the rating that the bag has for 4-6 hours, on a ground pad, under ideal conditions. Some list different specs per your sex( male/female). This will at times be a few degrees warmer than what the bag is rated for ( 20f rated bag..comfort rated at 25f)

Issues with this system.
The main issue is miss rated bags. A 2lb synthertic bag that is listed as a 10f bag, should make red flags go up in your head. As should a 10lb bag that rated at -40f. Confused yet. When you look at the weights, most bags will all weigh in a certain area for the temps. Of course this comes with time and it is not a perfect guess. It is more of a guidline. For example.
kelty bag- weights 3.2lbs. I'll say its a 30f bag...kelty may have it listed at 25f. If you look at other 25-30f rated bags you will see similarities in weight,size and temp ratings. This is more of a way to not fall for the
" Oh its a 1.5lb bag and its rated for 40f ,cuase the tag says so..." and on that one night you do actually take your wife on a 5 mile over night hike and its 40f out and she freezes all night long...do you think she'll go again?

sorry i rambled on. This is why you should stick with well know makes. and know how they rate bags.
The MSS for example may be rated for -30( or is it lower ...) but they fail to tell you that, thats with the goretex bivy, with all 3 bags, with a watch cap, with heavy weight poly pros and socks on.

price-
check places like campmor,,,rei etc for deals.
I know i picked up our 1st set of multi season bug in/out bags for 100$ shipped. They were both name brands and both 4lbs each.
They were slumberjack, hybrid bags ( rectangle foot, mummy head), rated for zero f, and weighed 4.2lbs with stuff sack. I got them both on sale with free shipping.

There are cheaper deals out there. so search, research and ask people that have used the bags( i mean used not in the back of the truck ,witha buddy heater kinda used)


Brands to look at

slumberjack- great bags- rated correctly,if not underated( a 30f may be a 25f). cost will run 40-100$ depending on model.
snugpak- They run narrow. And cost more than others. I dont trust the weights vs temp ratings. But thats all i know. I do not own one. So dont trust my 2 cents except for the narrow part.
kelty- like slumberjack- middle of the road priced and on sale all the time.
north face- like kelty, but more money
Marmot- my favorite brand right now. middle of the road price ( 50-100$) and a great bag. temp is rated correctly from my use of the one i have.
big agnes- great reviews, more room that others. but pricey( like north face)


You dont need to buy any of those. But you need to research the brand your looking at and how you will be using it. Ask and pay mind to those giving the advice. In other words and this will sound like im being an a$$ but....make sure if someone is telling your to get xyz bag and its ohh so awesome that they have used it. The inside of a 15x15 dome tent with a buddy heater,air bed and 3 pairs of sweat pants doesnt make the bag "awesome"........nor represent its ability.


out of the ones listed i can vouch for slumberjacks and the marmots for in field use.
coleman/exponet is cheaper, but some are as pricey as ones listed above, so look for that.
Sides that all of my old bags /car camping bags....the big blue fluffy 19$ 30f specials from china mart are all regulated for bug in duty. In fact i think i gave all of mine away after we got the zero F slumberjack bags, becuase a simple fleece and wool blanket combo worked better, than the china mart bags. ( fwiw if its for bug in only..look at a down comforter for your bed....trust me..we got a new one to replace our old one( which was awesome as it was) but man.....you get toasty in it.....) just saying as a cheaper option to look at for the bug in vs bug out ( worse case you roll the dang thing up like a bag LOL )

i rambled sorry.....

[EX121]

When considering down vs synthetic, consider how wet the environment you will be using it in is. Down is great in cold dry areas, but doesn't dry very quickly and will not keep you warm if wet. Synthetic is usually heaver, less compressable, but will resist dampness better and will keep you warmish if wet.

[Klayton]

WOW! Thanks guys!

[biathlon]

This is what I use most of the time.http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabel...der;Search-All Products
Remember though that I camp out at elevations well above 10,000 feet in weather and cold that would kill most people. I like really big bags for several reasons.
#1, I can get all my stuff in it with me at night like my pee bottle, water bottle, clothing, rifle, ski boots, or just my girlfriend.
#2, I just like lots of room and usually I have all my gear on a sled instead of on my back.

I like the loft and comfort of down but as some here have pointed out it can get wet and then it will be useless. As long as yer only tryin to stay warm in the house during a temporary emergency the Wall of China Mart baags will probably be fine. Out in the wilderness, however, I would not bet my life on anything but the best I can get. Do look at the snugpac bags. I've heard good reviews abiut them and I believe they also make a large rectangular one too.

[jloneill17]

I would say, how many bags are you needing? If only 2, I found some really good military ECWS bags on ebay for 100.00 bucks. they are a 3 bag system for different temps. I am lucky, one of my best friends works for a distributor for the army/navy stores here in GA, so I got my 0 degree and 20 degree snugpak bags for 35 and 45 dollars. come to think of it, I've bought a lot of stuff through her. Good luck.