I'm gearing up for a camping trip to Linville Gorge and need a new sleeping bag. I'd like to spend less than $80 on this. My problem is, I keep getting torn between buying a 40deg bag and a 20deg bag. I sometimes camp in cold conditions but most of it is in the spring and summer, when a 40deg bag would probably work just fine.

Specifically, I was looking at
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___47677
and
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___44259

Any thoughts on why I might pick one over the other, or more broadly a winter bag over a summer bag?

[Edited on May 22, 2010 at 11:53 PM. Reason : link fail]

5/22/2010 11:51:51 PM

message_topic.aspx?topic=588561

5/23/2010 12:15:19 AM

It's all about weight. Why bring extra you don't need?

5/23/2010 12:16:17 AM

I had the thought about weight savings as well, along with the fact that the NF bag packs smaller, but it's not a whole lot lighter; at least not enough that I would base a decision off of it. The main thing here is that I haven't slept in a 20deg bag before, so I don't know if it's going to be unbearably hot on a 55deg night.

5/23/2010 12:32:17 AM

Get the 40 degree bag. You'll get more use out of it and won't be sweating bullets in the summer. If you ever go camping where you'd need more warmth, just bring some thermals to sleep in.

5/23/2010 12:35:35 AM

^ Solid reasoning. Okay, one more question to those more experienced with sleeping bags.

Choose between
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___47677
and
http://www.moabsports.com/web-pid-SS7300-Go-Lite-Daze-40F-Sleeping-Bag-item.htm#thumb

I'm 5'10" so I'd have to get the long GoLite bag. It doesn't have a hood, but it's lighter and packs smaller, and has real down as opposed to synthetic. Any thoughts?

5/23/2010 12:50:56 AM

you plan on backpacking a lot? I'd probably agree with wolfpack with getting a 40 degree bag, but sometimes you get those nights that dip below 40 when it was 85 during the day and you'd be glad you got a 20deg bag. I used to do a lot of spring/summer camping and ran into those situations a lot, specially if you get cold feet easily. Annoying as shit.

If the weight between the 20 and 40 is not a lot and the cost is similar, I'd probably opt for the 20 and bring a thin bed sheet and just sleep on top of the bag for the warmer days. Besides, you'd be surprised how well those mummy bags actually feel in the summer time, it's not too hot.

I have an old 20 deg mummy bag that I've used for about 12 years now that I like, although the only downside to it now days is its 3lbs and the volume size is pretty hefty so kinda worthless on a backpacking trip. I think I got it for $40 on sale at a boy scout convention.

5/23/2010 1:49:45 AM

go to REI

huge sale going on right now + 20% off coupon

5/23/2010 5:09:46 AM

I got like a 18 degree mummy bag back when I was in boy scouts and it suited me well... coldest it ever was when I went camping was maybe 50 and I was fine.

5/23/2010 5:49:34 AM

The rei coupon is only for members, fyi.

This belongs in the camping/backpacking thread.

Get a 40 deg bag and a fleece liner for colder weather.

5/23/2010 7:08:11 AM

Sorry about the thread location, when I searched I searched for "sleeping bag" as opposed to other camping terms. Anyway, I went ahead and bought the GoLite bag last night. I have never had a bad experience with their products, and, both bags being $60 now, the GoLite was almost twice as much as the NF bag originally. I had to order a "Long" because they were out of anything else, but it still comes up lighter than the other bag. After this trip I'll be sure to stick a quick review in the "proper" thread.

5/23/2010 12:24:43 PM

My summer bag are

1) Snugpak Jungle Bag
2) ENO Double Nest Hammock

6/21/2010 6:30:38 AM

It also depends on if you plan to use a sleep pad and also if you are a hammock camper. I use a hammock and I was in LG in June a year or two ago and got really cold at night because of the breezes.

6/21/2010 9:39:41 AM