I Shall Never Be Cold (In A Sleeping Bag) Again!

[SA Bill]

Hopefully that will be true!

Just pulled the trigger and bought a Slumberjack Esplanade -20° rectangular sleeping bag. A couple of weeks ago the 0° version was on sale at Cabela's  and I almost bought one. Just saw that the -20° bag is on sale so I ordered one to try next time I camp in the "cold"...which for me is anything below 40° these days. This bag will definitely not be used for backpacking...weighs 7 lbs 9 oz. Car camping only! Should arrive just in time for my trip in two weeks! Of course it's not exactly "cold" right now and will probably be even warmer when I'm out there. Still, I'll take it along in case it gets "cold".

Will report on how it does after the trip...assuming it gets used.

Hmmm...need to try out the Aerobed PakMat that I got a couple of weeks ago and report on that. Been meaning to...just haven't made the time to test it out. Maybe this weekend.

Hopefully my sleep system is coming together with a new air bed and a new cold weather bag.
   Bill

[Al]

Hopefully that will be true!

Just pulled the trigger and bought a Slumberjack Esplanade -20° rectangular sleeping bag. A couple of weeks ago the 0° version was on sale at Cabela's  and I almost bought one. Just saw that the -20° bag is on sale so I ordered one to try next time I camp in the "cold"...which for me is anything below 40° these days. This bag will definitely not be used for backpacking...weighs 7 lbs 9 oz. Car camping only! Should arrive just in time for my trip in two weeks! Of course it's not exactly "cold" right now and will probably be even warmer when I'm out there. Still, I'll take it along in case it gets "cold".

Will report on how it does after the trip...assuming it gets used.

Hmmm...need to try out the Aerobed PakMat that I got a couple of weeks ago and report on that. Been meaning to...just haven't made the time to test it out. Maybe this weekend.

Hopefully my sleep system is coming together with a new air bed and a new cold weather bag.
   Bill

Most excellent camping bag.  Many would think it a bit much for Big Bend.  I've used my -40 Alaskan Guide bag up to 50 degrees in comfort but you have to sleep in underwear and open the zipper appropriately.  I guess in the Basin a tent is also required . . .  enjoy & you will never regret the purchase. I would bring a lighter bag or a sheet and blanket for on top this time of year just in case it doesn't cool down enough to get into.

Al

[SA Bill]

Most excellent camping bag.  Many would think it a bit much for Big Bend.  I've used my -40 Alaskan Guide bag up to 50 degrees in comfort but you have to sleep in underwear and open the zipper appropriately.  I guess in the Basin a tent is also required . . .  enjoy & you will never regret the purchase. I would bring a lighter bag or a sheet and blanket for on top this time of year just in case it doesn't cool down enough to get into.

Al

Used to be I was hardly ever cold. Now a days I seem to be more cold blooded. Age, less weight, hormones...whatever, I'm colder. Last November I was pretty uncomfortable in 30° weather. Made me determined to upgrade to a much heavier bag. This -20° should do the trick when it's cold. I'll have another, lighter bag along which will probably get the most use. But if by chance it gets a little chilly, I should be ready!
  Bill

[SA Bill]

Tracking shows the new bag should be delivered Wednesday. Hopefully it will be an improvement over the thinner bags I have now. Will report 1st impressions tomorrow.
   Bill

[SA Bill]

The mother-of-all-sleeping-bags arrived just after dinner tonight. After opening the box, and working up a sweat just getting the bag out of the stuff sack, here are some initial impressions:

ROOMY! Even bigger than I had pictured in my head.
HEAVY!  7+ pounds. Not gonna be backpacking with this bag.
Well made.  No obvious flaws.
2nd most insulated bag I've ever had.
Literally a bag within a bag. Outer layer separate from the inner layer.
Draft collar and hood for keeping heat in when it's cold outside.
Even using the stuff-one-handful-at-a-time method I'm not sure this bag will   
  go back into the stuff sack. Probably need a bigger stuff sack.

As roomy as this bag is, I can see it being a problem to heat all of that space inside. But...there's a lot of insulation so maybe it will be okay. Since I really prefer a roomy bag, hopefully the insulation will be adequate to keep me warm even with all of the space to be heated inside. Plus if it's gonna be colder than about 30°, I'm not likely to be camping in a tent. Hello someplace with a bed and a shower and a roof! 

I'll take this bag with me next week but probably won't really be able to test it since it's not supposed to be very cold at night. Maybe I'll cowboy camp under the stars in the new bag one night in the Basin just to see how it does. Not sure about the skunks coming around if I'm just out on the ground. I'll play that idea by ear and see what happens once I get there.
   Bill
   Bill

[Al]

I wouldn't worry too much about it being too big.  It will still be warm if it is as well insulated as it appears to be.  What is really great about a bag with that design is you can toss and turn in the bag while it stays put which is one of the things I love about my bag.  Also it probably isn't a bad idea to store the bag in a pretty large "stuff" bag so it isn't compressed all the time. Since you don't plan to pack it, you probably won't need to stuff it so small again. 

Al

[RichardM]

I wouldn't worry too much about it being too big.  It will still be warm if it is as well insulated as it appears to be.  What is really great about a bag with that design is you can toss and turn in the bag while it stays put which is one of the things I love about my bag.  Also it probably isn't a bad idea to store the bag in a pretty large "stuff" bag so it isn't compressed all the time. Since you don't plan to pack it, you probably won't need to stuff it so small again.

If you have the storage space, hang it up in a closet or stored loosely in a box under the bed. That way it won't lose any loft while stored away.

[perterra]

Bill, did you ever get a chance to try the bag?

[steelfrog]

As you age your skin gets thinner, literally, and you get colder.

I am hot natured to even when it's 20 degrees outside, if I am well caloried, I can be fine ina  40 degree bag.

[SA Bill]

Bill, did you ever get a chance to try the bag?

Hi perterra!
I did not. On the April trip it was warm enough that I used my lighter bag, which I also took along.

I'm thinking about going back out in December for the Geminid meteor shower so it will probably be used a lot on that trip. Nothing like laying out under a clear sky, radiating body heat into space, to make you cold. Hopefully the bag will be up to the task.
   Bill

[SA Bill]

As you age your skin gets thinner, literally, and you get colder.

I am hot natured to even when it's 20 degrees outside, if I am well caloried, I can be fine ina  40 degree bag.

I hear you steelfrog!
I used to be very warm blooded. Not so much now. Much below 40° and no matter what bag I'm in, or how many clothes I'm wearing, I'm likely to be chilled. Also, I don't weigh as much as I used to so I have less insulation.  Gotta rely on a warm bag for enough insulation now.
  Bill

[homerboy2u]

Yep, and do not forget the warm water bottle........