J C
·
Mar 26, 2022
·
Unknown Hometown
· Joined May 2015
· Points: 477
Looking for a 20 deg F synthetic sleeping bag. Since this gets recommended a lot as a general alpine climbing bag, I'm curious what other climbers use? Weight/bulk is my main priority. I found one bag at 1.1 kg/2.5 lb for pretty cheap...can I do any better than that?
Please don't tell me about down, I have 2 down bags. Want something I don't have to care about.
IMHO The North Face Cat's Meow has been probably one of the better synthetic bags. The long comes in at 3lbs. I bought one in the late 70s and used it many year til going down. My folks had two as well. I used one of theirs which after thirty years was like a 40 degree bag.
I have a 20 degree Nemo Forte and it’s been great for me. It’s a little heavier at 2 lbs 14 oz but it’s fairly cheap and roomier if you move around or sleep on your side.
2.5lbs is just about as good as you'll do for a solid 20F synthetic bag. Few ounces less for models that have thinner insulation on the bottom or are particularly claustrophobic.
Mountain Hardwear usually makes a decent one. Rab just came out with some.