Hiking sleeping bags

[Hayden]

Ok, gonna do a little hiking/camping this year with my 9 yr old son. I have a small two man coleman cadence backpacking tent. What im looking for is some, I dont wanna say cheap, but light mummy sleeping bags. What I would like is two that zip together. I realize you can not zip two Identical mummy bags together so does anyone know of a set that can? Now im not looking for north face -20 degree bags these will be purely for summertime use. I figure if they zip together I can steal a little of the boys room, Im not the littlest of guys lol. Any help would be appreciated.

[ImaRobot]

From just browsing in camping stores I've noticed that more and more companies are producing sleeping bag that have models with zippers on alternate sides for pairing up.

I currently have a Eureka WhiskeyJack 100 LH which comes in both left hand and right hand zip, it's a mummy sleeping bag rated 12C-25C, packs up small. I use mine in Belize and for summer camping. It's served me quite well and its use can be extended into the fall if you are willing to sleep with some clothes or long underwear on. I can't remember the price I paid for mine, pretty sure I bought for less than $70 dollars and it's lasted for 4 years with less than gentle use.

[superbleu]

Higher end bags com in left and right sides for zipping together. Down is best for lightweight and compressibility. But cost more than synthetic fill. Look at REI mamot, sierra designs for good stuff at reasonable prices. Check campmor.com and sierratradingpost.com

[DavyRay]

Higher end bags com in left and right sides for zipping together. Down is best for lightweight and compressibility. But cost more than synthetic fill. Look at REI mamot, sierra designs for good stuff at reasonable prices. Check campmor.com and sierratradingpost.com

This is the best advice you will get. Also know that the ratings on sleeping bags are highly suspect. If you actually care about weight, try North Face and Kelty. The cost of most sleeping bags goes up with light weight and colder ratings. If cost is more important than weight, slumberjack is a good brand.

[SilverKarn]

SIERRATRADINGPOST.COM

I say you sign up with their e-mail advertisements RIGHT NOW. They send out frequent 20-60% off sale e-mails, and if you find something you want, you want to have the discount.

[RockyNomad]

Zipping two bags together just for extra room could be a bit uncomfortable. You may want to consider a brand called Big Agnes which has larger bags.

[whiteweed]

What I would like is two that zip together.

From my experience, I would shy away from zipping the bags together. I have several reasons for this from setup to comfort and warmth. I have froze in August from trying to use two bags together. I am not saying it will not work, but I think the sleeping bag is a system for one. Just trying to help.


Zipping two bags together just for extra room could be a bit uncomfortable. You may want to consider a brand called Big Agnes which has larger bags.

I have the Big Agnes, get the pad with the higher temp rating and make sure the pad is for the bag (rectangle or mummy). By the way there system must use the separate inflatable pad which is darn right comfy.


I guess the biggest question in the choice is what type of hiking are you doing (miles and days).

[Hayden]

Thanks guys lots of good suggestions. Ive zipped bags together for so many years I almost cant remember when Ive slept solo in a bag. Ive never slept in a mummy bag though, the only reason I wanna try these are the fact that I wanna do some hiking/camping/backpacking with my son this year and am looking for lightweight and compact. Hes only nine and I figured I could steal some of his room and help keep him a little warmer at night if need be. I would use my normal ones but they are a little heavier and bulkier perfect for car camping but not hiking.

[Groat]

I have the Big Agnes, get the pad with the higher temp rating and make sure the pad is for the bag (rectangle or mummy). By the way there system must use the separate inflatable pad which is darn right comfy.

To piggyback on this idea, sleeping pads are quite important. They are far less for keeping you comfortable with air (like an air mattress) and more for keeping you insulated from the ground. It's not of the utmost importance in the summer, but in cooler times the ground will suck all of your heat away. That little insulation from a sleeping pad will make things a LOT better in that regard.

[Nishnabotna]

To piggyback on this idea, sleeping pads are quite important. They are far less for keeping you comfortable with air (like an air mattress) and more for keeping you insulated from the ground. It's not of the utmost importance in the summer, but in cooler times the ground will suck all of your heat away. That little insulation from a sleeping pad will make things a LOT better in that regard.


+1. This can make the difference between an enjoyable camping trip and a miserable one. I, personally, hate anything that inflates as I've always had them fail on me. I prefer something like the Therm-a-rest z-lite. Very light weight, but perhaps a bit on the bulky side compared to some.

[lr11]

+1 on the big Agnes.
Just make sure you get the correct pad. I still am trying to get use to not having a bottom to the bag but seems to work.

[azmark]

I can't do mummy sleeping bags, need the room to move around. I use to do a lot of back country fishing in the eastern sierra nevadas and learned to look for a few minor but important parts. 1. A good zipper and 2. a water proof stuff sack.

[M80]

If you do get two zip together bags, I would recommend getting a heavier one and lighter one. Say a 20 degree and a 40 degree. Then you can switch which one is on top depending on how cold it is.

[Go West Young Man]

Zipping together mummy bags defeats the purpose of a mummy bag.

[Hayden]

Zipping together mummy bags defeats the purpose of a mummy bag.

The reason I want to go with mummy bag style is I have a small two man tent and would like to keep the extra space. Also like the weight and compactness I can get from them. While I have never used a mummy bag I figured I would get a little extra foot and shoulder space, plus help with duel warmth if I could zip them together.

[Hayden]

If you do get two zip together bags, I would recommend getting a heavier one and lighter one. Say a 20 degree and a 40 degree. Then you can switch which one is on top depending on how cold it is.

Also I like this Idea thank you.

[lr11]

Hey
Az
I wouldn't give up on the big agnes. they have a couple of choices that are just shy of a rectangular bag size in the shoulder/

[Wsamsky]

I would check out backpackinglight.com, backpacking became so much more enjoyable for me when I got my pack weight down to like 25-30 lbs. I will also say + 1 on down for lightweight but it's expensive!

[my19]

I can't do mummy sleeping bags, need the room to move around. I use to do a lot of back country fishing in the eastern sierra nevadas and learned to look for a few minor but important parts. 1. A good zipper and 2. a water proof stuff sack.

I had a basic Slumberjack mummy a few years back and it felt like a straitjacket. Gave it away to a friend's kid and picked up a Big Cat model at REI -- sort of a modified mummy you can cinch up tight if needed, but that has enough shoulder and foot room so I can sleep naturally -- I tend to move around some at night.

Not sure if the Big Cat is still part of REI's lineup, but it's a nice down bag and works great on the standard size Therm-a-rest pad.