[pct-l] Sleeping Bags

[pmags at yahoo.com (Paul Magnanti)]

Wrote this e-mail for AT-L. Has some info that may be
helpful. The EMS bag is no longer on sale, however.
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In recent years is possible to get fairly light
down bags that are good quality and will not break the
bank. Before the choice for a light sleeping bag was
pretty much Western Mountaineering or Feathered
Friends. Now, even the "house brand" bags (ie. EMS and
REI) make bags that are light, water resistant and are
getting good reviews. All these bags are in 20F range
unless otherwise noted.

First, the bag I've used since 1997, a Feathered
Friends Hummingbird. Originally it weighed 29 oz. With
new down  (880 fill) that I had to put in and
accumulated oils, it is now 32oz. 
Of course, I've used it on the Long Trail twice, the
Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, the
Colorado Trail and numerous trips in Colorado,
Wyoming, Utah, New Hampshire, etc... Guess what I am
trying to say is that I have received  my money's
worth. :-) 

One bag that is a good price is the Campmor down bag.
I've never used it, but has rec'd good reviews from
hikers I know. No DWR type shell, but for $110 (and a
stuff sack lined with a Hefty bag) you can't beat the
price. People have told me it is warm and reasonably
durable. Good bag for people on a budget. It is only
2# 4oz (36 oz), further making this a "good bag for
the buck" bag.
http://snipurl.com/9zsd

As mentioned, EMS and REI make house brand bags that
are light, have a DWR, are down and have rec'd good
reviews.
The sub-kilo by REI is only 2# 2oz (34 oz), costs
$210, has a DWR shell and 700 fill down. 
http://snipurl.com/9zsh
Again, I know many people who've used this bag and are
happy with it. A friend is a cold sleeper
and she found this bag to be great as well. 

EMS makes a similar bag, the EMS Mountain Light.
Slightly higher down fill (725), but otherwise it is
identical. Even the price! It is now on sale for $170.
http://snipurl.com/9zso

Of course, Western Mountaineering and Feathered
Friends makes(IMO) the best bags. They have the
highest fill of down, have impeccable quality and last
a long time.

Long story short of this e-mail?

On a budget? CAMPMOR BAG
Want a Cadillac? Get an FF or WM
Want a bag that has many of the same features of the
above but not as expensive (over $100 less!)? Get an
EMS or an REI bag.

Personally? If I was buying a bag right now, I'd get
the REI or EMS bag if they are on sale.  Both
companies have good customer service.  WM makes an
Ulralite down bag that appears to be the "king" in
lightweight down bags of 20F rating at 25oz!. $290. 
If the REI or EMS bags are not on sale, I'd get that
one. http://snipurl.com/btni  
I've never used MontBell bags, but they appear to make
good quality stuff as well. I'd put them in the same
category as Marmot or NF. For bags, I stll think WM
and FF are the best.






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The true harvest of my life is intangible.... a little stardust caught, a portion of the rainbow I have clutched
--Thoreau
http://www.magnanti.com