What's your favorite synthetic sleeping bag?
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I've got a lot of down sleeping bags. High performance down bags are plentiful, and custom options are available. All that's required is money. I'm considering getting a synthetic bag for multi day climbing trips where the ability to dry quickly is an issue. Ideally, I'd like something in the 20 degree range that is cut large enough that I can wear my clothes and a big belay jacket inside to push the temperature rating lower if required. Any recommendations on a high quality synthetic bag that would be good for climbing? |
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Funny you should ask... I spent today on the side of El Capitan huddled in my portaledge (with rain fly) riding out a storm in my wet (well, it wasn't wet for long) North Face Cat's Meow (long). I'm 6 foot, 200 lbs, and wearing several layers since I don't think it's truly good to the rated 20 degrees anymore, given it's 20 years old with well over 100 nights use. Forecast low for the valley floor tonight is 26 degrees. I'll update you tomorrow to let you know how it goes! I love this bag, and the only thing keeping me from buying a new version of the same bag (which packs quite a bit smaller than my old one) is the sentimental attachment I have for it and all the adventures we've shared. Bonus unsolicited tip: my favorite way to boost the warmth of a bag with negligible added weight/bulk is a pair of these puppies, which live permanently in the foot of my sleeping bag. (Get the extra down option, the standard amount isn't enough) |
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For synthetic, Wiggys bags have served me very well. I've recommend them to many family/friends and they have all concurred. Slightly heavier than other options, but very durable and they don't seem to exaggerate the temp ratings like other brand can. |
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Morning update: not super comfortable, but not cold, I slept. I think I'm gonna pull the trigger and buy me a new Cat's Meow and relegate old faithful to warm weather trips. |
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I have the new cats meow, it’s sweet, more loft on top. |
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Another vote for the Cats Meow, great bag. |
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and one more for TNF kitty meow. |
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I don't know the model off the top of my head but I'd like to add a vote for The North Face. I have a ~20F synthetic women's mummy bag from them that hasn't failed to keep me warm yet and I've used it in sub 30F temps. |
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The Eddie Bauer igniter bag is great. Climashield Apex so it’ll be quite durable, 2lb 7 oz for the regular. I got a long at 6 feet tall and probably could have done a regular but have had a few short bags so didn’t want to risk it. Packs down pretty small and comes with a nice compression sack. Edit: I actually replaced my old cats meow that was no longer warm with this. The cats meow was great but synthetic broke down like most. |
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I don’t know if As Tucas is still making things…cottage manufacturer out of spain that focuses on synthetics. |
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I picked up the Sea To Summit Basecamp Sleeping Bag to complement my lighter, more compact down sleeping bag. I like it for trips where you will be leaving your sleeping bag at camp, and will not need to climb with it in your pack. Are you looking for a ultralight, minimalist bag for carryover routes? |
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Karl Henize wrote: Yes. light and minimalist as possible. |
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Friend just got a mountain hardwear lamina, they're allover the place but it was cheap and it's light for its weight, hood draw cords could be a little nicer but it's pretty decent. |
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Kai Larson wrote: PHD makes a synthetic half bag. https://www.phdesigns.co.uk/USD/zeta-primaloft-half-sleeping-bag-pied-delephant |
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Steve McGee wrote: I was actually looking at that same bag. I may end up buying their Hispar half bag with a taped wp/b shell. It's down, but with a waterproof shell, that may do the trick. |
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Lamina is very similar to wiggys, without the Qanon vibe to the old website. But wiggys works, just be prepared for controversy, conspiracy, and the like if you have questions about his bags… |
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Thumbs down from me on the MH Ultra Lamina - lost its loft very quickly despite immaculate care and storage and always a liner, never washed, less than 20 nights out - is now about a 40-50 degree bag at best while in a bivy sack or tent - labeled as a 15. I’m considering crying about it to their warranty dept. |
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Just got last years Rab Solar 20 deg on sale. My scale reads 1.5 kg with compression sack. Stuffs to about the same volume as my 15 deg down bag (1.4 kg). Tempted to buy the 30 deg on sale too, but decided to sew a synthetic quilt to round out the arsenal. Think I can trim out a lot of unnecessary weight vs a mummy bag. I'm curious, for something like the Eddie Bauer bag mentioned earlier, where is 5 oz of weight savings coming from? |
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Not sure to be honest. Speculating I know it has less insulation in the back but I know the cats meow did as well as my back would get cold when I side sleep. The outer is a type of pertex if I recall correctly. Probably lighter shell as it “feels” nicer where my cats meow get line the same shell as 30 year old sleeping bags my parents use. Speculating. Feels as warm or warmer than cats meow. That being said unless you’re seriously layered and not wet/hungry/tired. I wouldn’t want to use <30 degrees. Same with the cats meow and most 20 degree synthetic bags. |
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Enlightened Equipment makes an excellent climashield apex quilt for a good price. I prefer quilts as a stomach sleeper that rolls around and it's nice to stick a leg out when I'm hot. The temperature ratings seem to be comfort rated but I also might be a warm sleeper. I got their 20 degree 2 person quilt for me and my wife and was very surprised to wake up to it being -6 outside. Their down stuff is also surprisingly hydrophobic. |