Two person bags

Looking for some suggestions on two person synthetic sleeping bags. Ive heard of some people who have found a bag that has no bottom insulation and weighs under 4lbs. Does anyone know any bags that are are similar to that? 

Most 4# 2 person bags are down, not synthetic, I am not sure there are any synthetic that are that light.

I know Big Agnes makes a double bag that's not too heavy. I personally have the Sierra Designs Backcountry Duo 20 and my wife and I love it. Light, compresses well, very comfy and a really nice design without zippers. We've taken it down to about 20f with no wind and been quite happy.

https://nunatakusa.com/2-person-down-quilts/122-dual-arc-ul-couples-quilt.html?live_configurator_token=1794a557ef94bcb9c7565ed9e403f8c5&id_shop=1&id_employee=1#/new_arc_length-66_small/stuff_sack-no_stuff_sack/mix_shells-moroccan_blue_ripstop_10d_lightest_most_breathable/liner_fabric-10d_black_taffeta_lightest_most_breathable/anti_draft_pillow-no_anti_draft_pillow/new_arc_temp_range-30f_0c_includes_differential_cut/new_down_type-untreated/new_quilt_bag_down_overfill-no_thanks/gamut_dual_overall_width-shoulder_78_wide_foot_20_wide

That's a long link! These down quilts are 2-3 pounds.

Not synthetic but the FF spoonbill is very nice. FF is spendy but great quality.
https://featheredfriends.com/products/spoonbill-ul-2-person-sleeping-bag

Edit: it is sub 3 lb and super warm, maybe too warm depending what you are after. Also looking at the prices on quilts maybe it isn’t all that spendy for what you get. 

The brand of bags without the bottoms youre likely referring to are Big Agnes. They are designed to have the sleeping pad underneath instead as they say the down under you gets compressed and doesnt insulate anyway. Dont know how true that is from personal experience. 

Kabir T wrote:

The brand of bags without the bottoms youre likely referring to are Big Agnes. They are designed to have the sleeping pad underneath instead as they say the down under you gets compressed and doesnt insulate anyway. Dont know how true that is from personal experience. 

Most lighter 2 person bags don't have bottoms. My SD doesn't, the Feathered Friends doesn't either. Seems to be a common weight saving method, and I certainly haven't noticed a lack of warmth in my bag.

How do you folks find the warmth of a 2 person bag vs 2 individual mummy bags for the weight? I ask because I originally thought it would be lighter for the warmth, but when my wife and I have attempted zipping our two single bags together, we actually found it to be colder.

Also, anybody know what the FF Spoonbill temp rating is? I’m guessing either 20 or 30..? 

Chris C wrote:

Also, anybody know what the FF Spoonbill temp rating is? I’m guessing either 20 or 30..? 

With two people and good pads it functions to around 10 to 0 degrees Fahrenheit . With layers it can be used well below that. It's been used in the Karakorum, on Denali and many other cold places.

I bought a pair of the 0 degree Big Agnes Anvil Horn to mate but have only used them solo to date. I suspect heat loss around the collar could be an issue when mated but don't know. They are the bottomless design.

Michael T wrote:

With two people and good pads it functions to around 10 to 0 degrees Fahrenheit . With layers it can be used well below that. It's been used in the Karakorum, on Denali and many other cold places.

Wow, very good info. I may need to get one...

Spoonbill doesn’t have a rating officially. I don’t think any of the bottomless bags do. For the weight it is crazy warm. Used it in the Ruth in 10 degree range with good pads and some layers. Could go lower with more layers. Was using it with Trest neo air pads. Now that I think back we might have actually been using the short yellow summer ones with a rope at our feet. We also had xtherm pads on the trip but I think left them at the base. Not positive.

In terms of comparison against separate bags for the weight. I think it is 2lb 10oz. So you are comparing it to 2 bags which are 1lb 5oz. each I don’t think my 35 deg summer bag is even that light. Maybe with the spoonbill you carry a bit warmer pad than you might otherwise? But in deep cold you’re going to have a good pad regardless probably. So there really is not a comparison  

With 2 bags zipped together I would say that doesn’t do well sometimes b/c the volume is too big and you end up with a lot of unheated space. The spoonbill is small and tapers pretty well. So you are close in there... Which helps it work very well. In reality it is like 1.5 bags, not really double. I use it with my wife too so it’s all good.

Tip for anyone looking at a bottomless double bag - rig up some kind of straps or something to hold your pads together as a unit. This is key. 

Forgot about the collar issue. 2 bags zipped together can’t seal at your heads and this loses a ton of efficiency. This is also where a plain quilt can only take you so far. The spoonbill allows both people to seal it up individually. This is a huge factor. 

Yeah, that all makes a ton of sense. The zipped together bags make way too much volume and also don’t seal shut. 

I’ll have to pick one of these up once they get back in stock! 

Honestly if you want one just call them. I feel like the specialty and expedition bags are made semi on demand anyway. I’ll bet they will put one in the queue for you if you order it. Always have done my FF orders direct and they have been great to work with. 

diepj wrote:

Honestly if you want one just call them. I feel like the specialty and expedition bags are made semi on demand anyway. I’ll bet they will put one in the queue for you if you order it. Always have done my FF orders direct and they have been great to work with. 

Agreed, I’m lucky enough to live about 5 minutes walking away from their shop. They’ve been able to consistently get me stuff pretty quick. 

For those who don’t mind down, here is a review of the FF Spoonbill:

http://maxneale.blogspot.com/2016/08/best-ultralight-four-season-sleeping-bag-feathered-friends-spoonbill-review.html

My wife and I have had great luck with BigAgnes double bags. We upgraded to a down bag this year. 

Here are some things to consider before getting a double bag. What routes are you trying to do? Most technical alpine climbs do not have ledges big enough to fully fit a tent. You’ll be sitting up inside and having to share a double bag will be limiting. If you don’t have a tent, you’re not going to have a spot to fit two guys lying down side by side.

How will you carry it? A spoonbill in a compression sack is fairly bulky. It can’t be divided up between two people. One person has to fit another bulky larger than a puffy compression sack in their pack.

You really need two pads and a way to strap and hold them together, on the tiny ledge that doesn’t fit two people, that’s another bulky item to be considered.

Personally I think the elephants foot system combined with a big puffy and potentially puffy pants, ends up being lighter, more flexible in variable situations, easier to pack, and more comfortable than a double bag. You can share half a pad to sit on with your partner, if there are two separate ledges, no problem.

Full disclosure, I sold a spoonbill on here a few years back for these reasons. Your experience may vary.