UL Sleeping Bags

Currently looking at options for an ultralight 20° or so bag - side sleeper for sure. I would love to hear your real world experiences. Price doesn’t totally matter as I want to invest in a good bag for the long term. Ideal use is alpine rock climbing mostly. So far I’m thinking:

• Sea to summit spark III - 15F
• RAB mythic 400 - 20F
• Thermarest Hyperion 20F
• Some Feathered friends bag as well as they are local to me. Not sure on model yet. 

Grab one of the FF zipperless bags. I have the Vireo because I always alpine climb with a belay coat, but the Tanager is great too. 

I’m sold on sleeping quilts instead of sleeping bags. UGQ Outdoor LLC custom made quilts and bags are amazing and lightweight. 

bmxanddie Wa wrote:

Currently looking at options for an ultralight 20°

If you're looking for an ultralight 20° then Western Mountaineering's UltraLite 20° should be on your shortlist! https://www.westernmountaineering.com/product/ultralite/

MH Phantom Alpine is on sale:

https://www.mountainhardwear.com/p/phantom-alpine-15f%2F-9c-1891211.html

I have this bag and spent a fair number of nights side sleeping on snow in it.

I have an Enlightened Equipment Enigma 20⁰ quilt that I've spent 180+ nights in and it's great. If you want ultralight go for a quilt instead of a bag. It's also less claustrophobic 

I have an EE quilt and I love it. The only, and major, downside is if in tight places (bivy ledge) I'd hate having to squirm in and tie it to my pad. I'd rather have a few extra ounces for simplicity. I spend 95% of my nights in my quilt, but if alpine rock is the destination I'd prob just get an actual bag.

One other thing to consider: Insulated sleeping pad = game changer! Going from a Thermarest Prolite 4 to a NeoAir Xtherm made my bag actually usable at the "comfort" temp rating. I feel that an insulated pad is almost required to unlock the potential of a down bag since the insulation is so compressible. 

FF makes excellent gear. I've had a couple different EE quilts and their ratings were always a bit optimistic. I have a FF Flicker UL 20 (hybrid quilt) and it's about as warm as the EE Convert 0.

Thanks for the recommendation everyone. I never actually took the quilt idea seriously as I typically roll around during the night and sleep on my side. But that could be a good option.

I really like the FF zipper less idea for its weight and simplicity, I just wonder how shitty it will be to take a midnight piss and squirm out it. 

I have bags from WM and FF that I had spent a lot of nights in. I’d generally say that the WM are a little lighter and snugger, while the FF ones are a little more robust and comfortable. If I were to be shooting to be as light as possible, I think the WM is the best choice. If I were shooting to own the bag for longer than I live, or if comfort was a big thing, FF would be the choice.

Ultimately both are really light and high quality, it’s just how they kinda lean.

One thing I’d throw out there because you are in WA as well (and maybe you already totally considered this) have you looked at 32F bags? The bag I have used in WA hands down the most is the WM Summerlite bag. I just wear a light jacket in it overnight if the temps are colder. I’ve never been cold in it when using it outside of obvious very cold condition way past its bounds (I’ve used this in <0F lol). The size difference between a 20F and a 32F in the pack is substantial. You mentioned alpine rock, there isn’t a single alpine rock adventure in WA that I wouldn’t take this on. It’s also great for when I’ve needed to carry my bag over a summit. 

bmxanddie Wa wrote:

Thanks for the recommendation everyone. I never actually took the quilt idea seriously as I typically roll around during the night and sleep on my side. But that could be a good option.

I really like the FF zipper less idea for its weight and simplicity, I just wonder how shitty it will be to take a midnight piss and squirm out it. 

I sleep like you do and strongly recommend a quilt. It’s a lot easier for me to manage and not get bunched up when rolling from side to side. I would also make the trade off to get it a little warmer since temp management is easier to do with a quilt. It will give you more options. I take my 15deg quilt on most of my west coast alpine trips and am happy. 

bmxanddie Wa wrote:

I really like the FF zipper less idea for its weight and simplicity, I just wonder how shitty it will be to take a midnight piss and squirm out it. 

When I set out to lead humankind along my Golden Path, I promised them a lesson their bones would remember.

bmxanddie Wa wrote:

Thanks for the recommendation everyone. I never actually took the quilt idea seriously as I typically roll around during the night and sleep on my side. But that could be a good option.

I really like the FF zipper less idea for its weight and simplicity, I just wonder how shitty it will be to take a midnight piss and squirm out it. 

For those with the necessary genitalia, you don’t actually need to get out of the bag. See tutorial.

+1 for WM and Mike V's comment about the warmer pads being a huge factor.

Martin le Roux wrote:

If you're looking for an ultralight 20° then Western Mountaineering's UltraLite 20° should be on your shortlist! https://www.westernmountaineering.com/product/ultralite/

I second Western Mountaineering.

Feathered Friends is also great.

Having owned both brands- you can’t go wrong.

Edit to add. My FF bag is 30 years old! It’s a 0 degree with a 10% overstuffed.

WM … 32 degree and it works down to 32.
I sleep in shorts and rate it by how quickly that “Im freezing felling” after you get up, for whatever reason at 2:30 am.

Good luck 

Cumulus (Poland) makes great stuff at good prices, and they have a ton of customization options if you fall in between or beyond the standard sizing.

https://cumulus.equipment/us_en/down-sleeping-bag-x-lite-400.html 

Valandre has top quality engineering, materials, and construction.  Ultra lightweight and warm.  

Mike V. wrote:

One other thing to consider: Insulated sleeping pad = game changer! Going from a Thermarest Prolite 4 to a NeoAir Xtherm made my bag actually usable at the "comfort" temp rating. I feel that an insulated pad is almost required to unlock the potential of a down bag since the insulation is so compressible. 

Not ”almost” , entirely.

The EN test of a sleeping bag temp rating includes a pad for this reason. 

Tjaard Breeuwer wrote:

Not ”almost” , entirely.

The EN test of a sleeping bag temp rating includes a pad for this reason. 

The test uses a foam pad, which is much closer in performance to the prolite than the xtherm.

Another vote for WM.  I love my Alpinlite and with the right combo of pad/liner/clothing can get by in winter conditions.