"…short-sighted men who in their greed and selfishness will, if permitted, rob our country of half its charm by their reckless extermination of all useful and beautiful wild things..."
President Theodore Roosevelt
How to choose a sleeping bag
Things to look for
Temperture Ratings
Summer 35 to 50 degrees F
Spring and Fall 15 to 30 degrees F
Winter -30 to 0 degrees F
Mountaineering -60 to -10 degrees F
Insulation Materials
Down:Is the lowest weight fill and compacts incredibly well. The negatives are down loses its loft and warmth if wet and costs more then synthetic fill.
Synthetic fill: Works well in all climates and is less expensive. The negatives are it does not compact as well as down therefore takes up more space in your backpack
Size of sleeping bag
The length of a sleeping bag is calculated from the toe to the neck and does not include the hood. Be sure to add a few inches to your height in order assure enough room in the bag to be comfortable. Extra length is needed if you hike in extreme cold so you can stuff clothing in the end to keep warm. Extra room in your sleeping bag takes extra body heat to warm so consider this went deciding on a bag
Staying warm in your sleeping bag
Two things will help keep you warm in your bag. Wear a knit hat while sleeping and clean close fitting clothes i.e. long underwear this also helps keep the bag clean.
The North Face Cats Meow
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REI
This synthetic bag from The North Face meets the needs of three-season backpackers looking to save a little weight and gain a cozy night's sleep
Climashield® Prism insulation is warm, light and compressible
Top shell features extremely lightweight, wind- and water-resistant Firestorm™ fabric; taffeta bottom shell defends against grit/abrasion
Forehead comfort tube, insulated chest-level Heat Trap baffle and oversized draft tube backing the snag-free zipper minimize heat loss
Chest-level pocket keeps watch, glasses and other necessities within easy reach
Vaulted footbox offers ergonomic comfort for your feet and keeps them warm
Hood features one-handed, color-coded drawcords; glow-in-the-dark zipper pulls make adjustments easy at night
Compression stuff sack and nylon/mesh storage bag included
Best Rated Sleeping Bag of 2008
Sierra Designs Verde 20 Degree
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Altec
Climashield XP rewards you with warmth, night after night, no matter the climate. Don't fret violent thunderstorms or humid conditions, either, because Climashield keeps you warm, even in the wet. An Ergonomically Shaped Foot Box, Pad Locks, and Draft Tube deliver all the function you expect from Sierra Designs.
Best Rated Down Sleeping Bag of 2008
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Paragon Sports
The Marmot Atom's ultra-light design and highest quality down have given it cult status among extreme alpinists as a bivvy bag on extreme climbs, but its comfortable, silky fabric make it a great bag for warm-weather bivvies on casual summer road trips as well.
Backpacking Gear Sites
Eastern
Mountain Sports (EMS)
Sierra
Trading Post
Cabela's
Mountain
Equipment Co-op
REI
Altrec
Moosejaw
USOutdoorStore
Overton's
Gander Mountain
Patagonia
Paragon Sports
Orvis
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