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Question:

Thanks Matt. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I said that is was gear snobbery first!!! Why didn’t you thank me?<VBG Matt Blickensderfer * A Grouchy German is a Sour Kraut! *

Response:

Of course we have to rule out down when under $100, so don’t compare what I’m going to say to down. MEC has their Wilderness series of bags that are filled with Thermolite Extreme for very good prices.  Since I’m buying from the US, the exchange rate lowers the dollar amount to $74 for a 20 degree bag (-7 Celsius). Thermolite Extreme is "supposedly" more durable than many synthetics, but I don’t know about the durability of Polarguard 3D.  Most Polarguard 3D bags that I’ve seen are well above $100.  Since I just recently got my Wilderness -7 bag, I cannot comment on its durability or warmth.  It is made well, but I have a quibble with the zipper being right at or on my face when the hood is drawn up tight. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Can anyone recommend a half way decent, 3 season sleeping bag that costs less than $100.00? Is it possible to get one for backpacking at this price? Thanks, Ed

Response:

Just a couple of coments  from a different point of view.  first of all words like "good" are meaningless, or to be more accurate, the meaning varies so much from person to person that it conveys no useful information.   : Dont mess around with a sub $100 backpacking bag (unless a $200 one is : on sale).  Save your pennies if necessary for a good bag for the cooler : temps. and two bags (summer and a three season) if you can.  I believe : the bag is your MOST important piece of equipment. A comfortable : night(s) makes for a great trip in any weather. : I know that my wife is really happy with her Sierra Designs Polarguard : 3D bad — on sale for around $150 last year.

 zero deg bag, doesn’t matter much what it’s made out of. night, a2 not hiking.  I mentioned lightness first because that is the most important consideration for me. (old age and various infirmities). Unfortunately light weight in sleeping bags generaly means expensive.  although some of the lower grade down bags are not to pricey I agree with others that this is gear-snob advice.  I bought a used Sierra Designs Qualofil bag about ten years ago for $50, and that was my one bag until last year.  It weighs 5 pounds, and was originally rated to 0 degrees, though I think it is more of a 10 degree bag now.

I used to carry a 5 lb bag, never again!.  I finaly saved my pennies and bought a 3 lb 0 deg. bag.  best money i ever spent.   It’s a bit big, but it still squeezed into the sleeping bag pocket of my backpack, and got plenty of use across all sorts of conditions, ranging from summer desert trips to a few winter trips.  This year, I bought an inexpensive down bag (on sale at REI, a 20 degree bag), but I would not call it one of my more cost effective gear purchases, despite the fact that it is maybe two pounds lighter and half the packed size of my old bag.  It’s a frill, and I know it.

If cutting 2 lbs off your pack weight is a frill, you are a lot younger and stronger than i am I’d also strongly disagree with the claim that a "good" bag is critical to having a good trip.  As far as I can tell, as long as the bag can keep you warm, the details don’t matter much.  I don’t see any big variation in *comfort* between different mummy bags.

agree, once you are in a zero deg bag, doesn’t matter much what it’s made out of. I’d save pennies on the bag and spend them on a comfortable pack and boots, since those seem much more likely to make your trip miserable than a heavy/bulky sleeping bag.

Disagree, The comfort of your pack and boots is to a great extent determined by how many lbs you have on your back.  cut that weight down to 25 lbs +/- and pretty much any pack that has some sembelance of a frame will do just fine.   Get it down to 15 lbs and you can skip the frame.   running shoes or light low cut hiking shoes are generaly fine with this kind of pack weight. Spend your money on lighter weight gear and buy your pack last.   In general, you can get perfectly functional gear of all types for reasonable prices.  On a recent trip, I (ugh) forgot my boots at home, and ended up buying a pair at Walmart for $28.  After a week in the Sierras, out of nine people, I think only two had no blisters, and several had problems serious enough to impact their enjoyment of the trip.  Guess which group I was in.  I’d still take my regular boots over the Walmart ones on future long trips (they weren’t quite as stiff as I like), but I was impressed with how they performed on a fairly tough trip.

Agreed, but you have to be careful.  If you buy TNF or REI you will get quality functional equipment (frequently overpriced and overweight but always functional), at WalMart you will find some light functional cheap gear mixed in with stuff that is overweight non functional and inappropriate for backpacking. (much of it labeled "lightweight" or "for backpacking") With the partial exception of sleeping bags, most lightweight gear is fairly cheap.  If you can ignore the brand names and price tags, and just look for functional equipment that will last a year or two, you will find that most stuff is cheaper, some comes from Academy, or WalMart, some from the "brand names". Most will last a lot longer than a year or two with reasonable care. I also have a gearhead streak in me, and I’m not immune to lusting after the latest and greatest stuff.  But I’m also a cheapskate and nothing irritates me more than spending a lot of money on something only to find out that it isn’t quite as great as I thought.

Wanna compare gear closets? I just sold a $400 mountainsmith pack (I currently use a 1 lb homemade weekend pack and a 4 lb peak one $139 big pack) I have a 5 1/2 lb TNF bigfoot bag gathering dust, a 2 lb Apex stove,  a 6 lb eureka tent, several 5 or 6 oz flashlights, 2 candle lanterns, etc.  none of which i will ever carry again.   — Dave

Dick         _       _                   /                   /                 /                      |                  |  /                 | /

Response:

Is it just me, or does it strike anyone else as remarkably stupid to tell the world you’ve stolen a sleeping bag?  I’m not even going to comment on the morality of it…

Well, let’s just say the Internet offers interesting opportunities to collect information.  You just have to know how to solicit/collect it and use it. It this stage, I’d rather not have to deal with courts and crimes. Several co-workers amused themselves being called in at witnesses to crimes. I’m just an observer. Well, I do a little net administration.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Estate sales.  Dead people can be profitable (sure used, you didn’t ask new). Seconds. Grants. You left one important idea out, steal one. That’s what I ended up doing. Thanks, Ed Is it just me, or does it strike anyone else as remarkably stupid to tell the world you’ve stolen a sleeping bag?  I’m not even going to comment on the morality of it…

Sorry Dave, friends tell me I have a pretty decent sense of humor. Did anyone else take me seriously? I sure hope not. Has anyone ever looked for a sleeping bag at an estate sale? How’s this, I pledge not to steal anymore gear if someone will help me write a grant proposal that will get me a bag. Ed

Response:

EDGO897 bestowed upon us knowledge: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Estate sales.  Dead people can be profitable (sure used, you didn’t ask new). Seconds. Grants. You left one important idea out, steal one. That’s what I ended up doing. Thanks, Ed Is it just me, or does it strike anyone else as remarkably stupid to tell the world you’ve stolen a sleeping bag?  I’m not even going to comment on the morality of it… Sorry Dave, friends tell me I have a pretty decent sense of humor. Did anyone else take me seriously? I sure hope not. Has anyone ever looked for a sleeping bag at an estate sale? How’s this, I pledge not to steal anymore gear if someone will help me write a grant proposal that will get me a bag.

Sorry Ed, I didn’t realize you were kidding.  Considering some of the things people say on Usenet though, it didn’t seem far fetched to think someone would openly advocate theft. That damn ASCII character set never conveys sarcasm very well. — dave (at) climber.net

Response:

David,  That was a great post.  Well said, Thanks. SPK – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – : Dont mess around with a sub $100 backpacking bag (unless a $200 one is : on sale).  Save your pennies if necessary for a good bag for the cooler : temps. and two bags (summer and a three season) if you can.  I believe : the bag is your MOST important piece of equipment. A comfortable : night(s) makes for a great trip in any weather. : I know that my wife is really happy with her Sierra Designs Polarguard : 3D bad — on sale for around $150 last year. I agree with others that this is gear-snob advice.  I bought a used Sierra Designs Qualofil bag about ten years ago for $50, and that was my one bag until last year.  It weighs 5 pounds, and was originally rated to 0 degrees, though I think it is more of a 10 degree bag now. It’s a bit big, but it still squeezed into the sleeping bag pocket of my backpack, and got plenty of use across all sorts of conditions, ranging from summer desert trips to a few winter trips.  This year, I bought an inexpensive down bag (on sale at REI, a 20 degree bag), but I would not call it one of my more cost effective gear purchases, despite the fact that it is maybe two pounds lighter and half the packed size of my old bag.  It’s a frill, and I know it. I’d also strongly disagree with the claim that a "good" bag is critical to having a good trip.  As far as I can tell, as long as the bag can keep you warm, the details don’t matter much.  I don’t see any big variation in *comfort* between different mummy bags.  I’d save pennies on the bag and spend them on a comfortable pack and boots, since those seem much more likely to make your trip miserable than a heavy/bulky sleeping bag. In general, you can get perfectly functional gear of all types for reasonable prices.  On a recent trip, I (ugh) forgot my boots at home, and ended up buying a pair at Walmart for $28.  After a week in the Sierras, out of nine people, I think only two had no blisters, and several had problems serious enough to impact their enjoyment of the trip.  Guess which group I was in.  I’d still take my regular boots over the Walmart ones on future long trips (they weren’t quite as stiff as I like), but I was impressed with how they performed on a fairly tough trip. I also have a gearhead streak in me, and I’m not immune to lusting after the latest and greatest stuff.  But I’m also a cheapskate and nothing irritates me more than spending a lot of money on something only to find out that it isn’t quite as great as I thought. — Dave

Response:

The best deal I ever saw was a friend who got a 0F bag from REI as a returned second for $25.  She got there because (we slept next to the front door, once to be able to say we did [Carson]).  She clearly worked at it. It is possible to find abandoned gear for nothing except travel costs in some locations (Denali is one common place).  It depends on lots of circumstances (like stormes).

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -A creative financing question. How would you get anything less $100? Ask for X as a gift. Rent. Borrow. Estate sales.  Dead people can be profitable (sure used, you didn’t ask new). Seconds. Grants.

You left one important idea out, steal one. That’s what I ended up doing. Thanks, Ed

Response:

Is there any good lightweight sleeping bag that is still made square for zipping together – after all sharing body heat is still very efficient!  . . . .Ma Burke Art Kills! Join the War on Art: http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Trailer/8989  . . or read my column: PostModernBlues http://www.angelfire.com/ca2/pmblues

Response:

EDGO897 bestowed upon us knowledge: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – A creative financing question. How would you get anything less $100? Ask for X as a gift. Rent. Borrow. Estate sales.  Dead people can be profitable (sure used, you didn’t ask new). Seconds. Grants. You left one important idea out, steal one. That’s what I ended up doing. Thanks, Ed

Is it just me, or does it strike anyone else as remarkably stupid to tell the world you’ve stolen a sleeping bag?  I’m not even going to comment on the morality of it… — dave (at) climber.net

Response:

: Dont mess around with a sub $100 backpacking bag (unless a $200 one is : on sale).  Save your pennies if necessary for a good bag for the cooler : temps. and two bags (summer and a three season) if you can.  I believe : the bag is your MOST important piece of equipment. A comfortable : night(s) makes for a great trip in any weather. : I know that my wife is really happy with her Sierra Designs Polarguard : 3D bad — on sale for around $150 last year. I agree with others that this is gear-snob advice.  I bought a used Sierra Designs Qualofil bag about ten years ago for $50, and that was my one bag until last year.  It weighs 5 pounds, and was originally rated to 0 degrees, though I think it is more of a 10 degree bag now. It’s a bit big, but it still squeezed into the sleeping bag pocket of my backpack, and got plenty of use across all sorts of conditions, ranging from summer desert trips to a few winter trips.  This year, I bought an inexpensive down bag (on sale at REI, a 20 degree bag), but I would not call it one of my more cost effective gear purchases, despite the fact that it is maybe two pounds lighter and half the packed size of my old bag.  It’s a frill, and I know it. I’d also strongly disagree with the claim that a "good" bag is critical to having a good trip.  As far as I can tell, as long as the bag can keep you warm, the details don’t matter much.  I don’t see any big variation in *comfort* between different mummy bags.  I’d save pennies on the bag and spend them on a comfortable pack and boots, since those seem much more likely to make your trip miserable than a heavy/bulky sleeping bag. In general, you can get perfectly functional gear of all types for reasonable prices.  On a recent trip, I (ugh) forgot my boots at home, and ended up buying a pair at Walmart for $28.  After a week in the Sierras, out of nine people, I think only two had no blisters, and several had problems serious enough to impact their enjoyment of the trip.  Guess which group I was in.  I’d still take my regular boots over the Walmart ones on future long trips (they weren’t quite as stiff as I like), but I was impressed with how they performed on a fairly tough trip. I also have a gearhead streak in me, and I’m not immune to lusting after the latest and greatest stuff.  But I’m also a cheapskate and nothing irritates me more than spending a lot of money on something only to find out that it isn’t quite as great as I thought. — Dave

Response:

I said that is was gear snobbery first!!! Why didn’t you thank me?<VBG Matt Blickensderfer * A Grouchy German is a Sour Kraut! * – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – David, That was a great post. Well said, Thanks. SPK I agree with others that this is gear-snob advice.  I bought a used Sierra Designs Qualofil bag about ten years ago for $50, and that was my one bag until last year.  It weighs 5 pounds, and was originally rated to 0 degrees, though I think it is more of a 10 degree bag now. It’s a bit big, but it still squeezed into the sleeping bag pocket of my backpack, and got plenty of use across all sorts of conditions, ranging from summer desert trips to a few winter trips.  This year, I bought an inexpensive down bag (on sale at REI, a 20 degree bag), but I would not call it one of my more cost effective gear purchases, despite the fact that it is maybe two pounds lighter and half the packed size of my old bag.  It’s a frill, and I know it. I’d also strongly disagree with the claim that a "good" bag is critical to having a good trip.  As far as I can tell, as long as the bag can keep you warm, the details don’t matter much.  I don’t see any big variation in *comfort* between different mummy bags.  I’d save pennies on the bag and spend them on a comfortable pack and boots, since those seem much more likely to make your trip miserable than a heavy/bulky sleeping bag. In general, you can get perfectly functional gear of all types for reasonable prices.  On a recent trip, I (ugh) forgot my boots at home, and ended up buying a pair at Walmart for $28.  After a week in the Sierras, out of nine people, I think only two had no blisters, and several had problems serious enough to impact their enjoyment of the trip.  Guess which group I was in.  I’d still take my regular boots over the Walmart ones on future long trips (they weren’t quite as stiff as I like), but I was impressed with how they performed on a fairly tough trip. I also have a gearhead streak in me, and I’m not immune to lusting after the latest and greatest stuff.  But I’m also a cheapskate and nothing irritates me more than spending a lot of money on something only to find out that it isn’t quite as great as I thought. — Dave

Response:

Can anyone recommend a half way decent, 3 season sleeping bag that costs less than $100.00? Is it possible to get one for backpacking at this price? Thanks, Ed

Hi Ed, some people in this newsgroup are real gear snobs. Unless you spend $350 on your backpack, $350 on your bag, and $450 on your tent, they consider it crap.  It upsets me that these people scoff at the notion of carrying an extra few pounds is not worth buying a bag, but instead recommend, "saving your pennies."  I would carry a five pound bag to get to go backpacking if I couldn’t afford the down bag that keeps their asses warm.  I wonder what these people’s first sleeping bag was.. You can find high quality sleeping bags that may weigh a half pound to a pound more than their fancy bags for well under $100. These bags will work fine in backpacks, and feature microdenier insulation that compresses easily and relofts for warmth.  Finding internet bargains like some other nice people suggested also helps though.. Let me point you towards a few specials I spotted today. Outdoor Outlet currently has a Slumberjack Discovery bag for $99.99 this bag is rated to 20 degrees F, has DuPont Microloft insulation, and weighs in at 3lbs., 4 oz. Their web site is  http://www.outdooroutlet.com   Look under specials, then 15th anniversary specials to find this bag. Rei Outlet has four different Kelty sleeping bags, all under $100. One that looked nice was a Kelty Bitteroot bag.  It is rated to 15 degrees F,  it has Polarguard HV insulatiuon and 2-layer offset shingle design. This bag weighs 3lbs, 12 oz. Rei Outlet’s web site is at http://www.rei-outlet.com Adventure Doodads has sub $100 bags as well (notice a pattern developing here?) They have a Carribou Comet for $78!  This is a 20 degree bag with Polarguard insulation, and weighs in at 3 pounds, 8 oz. When you go to their page, click on clearance items, and then on the first clearance items page is a heading that reads "categories for clearance stuff" click on sleeping bags in that area.  If you click on sleeping bags in the regular area, it will take you to their full price selection. You can get to Adventure Doodads at  http://www.adv-doodads.com/home.htm link straight to their sleeping bag clearance page: http://www.adv-doodads.com/cgi-local/shop.pl/page=clearance1.htm/SID=… 8510 Campmor, a very popular mail order catalog has, you guessed it, high quality backpacking sleeping bags for LESS THAN $100!! A Kelty Teton for $80.  This bag is 15 degree rated, and has Polaguard HV insulation.  Weight: 3lbs, 6 oz A Kelty Clear Creek for $60-$70 available in short, normal, and long lengths.  20 degree rated, Weight 3lb 2 oz; 3lb 14oz;  4lb respectively. A Kelty Clear Creek for $100. Long length, 0 degree rated, Weight, 4lbs, 8 oz. Holofill II insulation for this and above Clear Creek models. Go to http:// www.campmor.com then go to hot deals, and then sleeping bag hot deals Although currently they only have expensive down bags in stock, be sure to check Sierra Trading Post.  This place’s inventory changes every three weeks or so.  They have stuff for 30%-80% off retail, and carry the expensive name brands.  I got my current backpack from them for half price!  Their web page is located at http://www.sierratradingpost.com have fun shopping — Matt Blickensderfer * A Grouchy German is a Sour Kraut! *

Response:

Can anyone recommend a half way decent, 3 season sleeping bag that costs less than $100.00? Is it possible to get one for backpacking at this price? Thanks, Ed

Response:

Dont mess around with a sub $100 backpacking bag (unless a $200 one is on sale).  Save your pennies if necessary for a good bag for the cooler temps. and two bags (summer and a three season) if you can.  I believe the bag is your MOST important piece of equipment. A comfortable night(s) makes for a great trip in any weather. I know that my wife is really happy with her Sierra Designs Polarguard 3D bad — on sale for around $150 last year. Regards, bgd

Response:

Dont mess around with a sub $100 backpacking bag (unless a $200 one is on sale).  Save your pennies if necessary for a good bag for the cooler temps. and two bags (summer and a three season) if you can.  I believe the bag is your MOST important piece of equipment. A comfortable night(s) makes for a great trip in any weather. I know that my wife is really happy with her Sierra Designs Polarguard 3D bad — on sale for around $150 last year.

REI has a Kelty 0 degree bag on sale for $79.99 right now.  (Jan. Clearance) It’s  a little heavy, 5lbs. 9oz – but it *is* a 0 degree bag! They also claim that it’s got extra room in the shoulders…. so we’ll see!  I ordered one on the off chance that it’s a good buy.  If not, I’ll send it back. Good luck! Lou

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Check out the army surplus stores here ( in BC Canada) you can get a – 15Celsius down bag for 100 canadian these bags are slightly heavier and used but a great deal Chris *** Posted from RemarQ – http://www.remarq.com – Discussions Start Here ™ ***

Response:

A creative financing question. How would you get anything less $100? Ask for X as a gift. Rent. Borrow. Estate sales.  Dead people can be profitable (sure used, you didn’t ask new). Seconds. Grants.

Response:

Check out REIs bags.  Look at there house brand.  They have lifetime warranties and pretty good quality.  I have one of there 15 degree down bags and I got it for about $150.  That is a little more than you are wanting but you can find cheaper ones than that. Kenny – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Can anyone recommend a half way decent, 3 season sleeping bag that costs less than $100.00? Is it possible to get one for backpacking at this price? Thanks, Ed

Response:

Can anyone recommend a half way decent, 3 season sleeping bag that costs less than $100.00? Is it possible to get one for backpacking at this price? Thanks, Ed

Absolutely!  Just wait for those great sales when last year’s colors are sold off.  Unless, of course, it bothers you to be out of date. I bought a beautiful North Face Sonora for less than $80  –  it is good into the 30’s.  I bought a fleece liner bag for the times I need a few more degrees. So far, no one has pointed out that the bag’s color is no longer current.

Response:

Your sleeping bag is one of your most important pieces of equipment. (Other than TP) However, on sale one can find deals around $100. I picked up two 3lb andora down bags at REI for $110 each on sale. They are rated to 30F. Nice bags, worth the price. The bag actually keeps my Wife warm at night. I’ve used the bag down to 10F. (That was pushing it though.) Shop around. SPK – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Dont mess around with a sub $100 backpacking bag (unless a $200 one is on sale).  Save your pennies if necessary for a good bag for the cooler temps. and two bags (summer and a three season) if you can.  I believe the bag is your MOST important piece of equipment. A comfortable night(s) makes for a great trip in any weather. I know that my wife is really happy with her Sierra Designs Polarguard 3D bad — on sale for around $150 last year. Regards, bgd

Response: