Sleeping bags

[Nyte]

So I've been using the patrol bag from the USGI MSS system.  I am thinking about something down, now that hydrophobic down is more reliable, and somewhat affordable.  Thinking that way I can get something warmer and packs smaller.  I'd keep it not packed down in my vehicle, along with my GHB, and could stuff it into the bag when it's needed.

Thoughts, options, criticisms welcome.

N

[Barr]

I'd say it kind of depends on your environment, I'm in Texas and have used the complete MSS during winter and been fine with the addition of a woobie.  If I were in Alaska during December I'd be looking at something definitively better than the MSS.

[Nyte]

I'm in Ohio, hot and humid in the Summer (less of a concern), and cold in the Winter.  Not usually a lot below freezing, but I have seen it get down to 0 degrees F and just a little below that.  I sleep fairly warm (the patrol bag rated to 40 will see me down to about freezing, though I think it's loosing efficiency, another reason to consider replacing it).  So I'm looking for something rated for 32 or lower, preferably lower.  If part of the goal weren't to reduce space, and not go up much if at all in weight, I would just go for the complete MSS. 

N

[boskone]

I'd have to dig my MSS out to check myself, but how much of the weight is in the bivvie?

Might be worth checking the patrol sack + cold weather sack combined weight, and see if that's acceptable.

[Nyte]

It might be, though I don't have the cold weather bag, nor the bivvy currently.  As I recall, the cold weather bag is both heavy and bulky.  I'm also tall with wide shoulders, so I remember the cold weather bag feeling very restrictive.  I do wonder if acquiring one of the bivvies might help with the temp concern, but then that doesn't help with the space issue.

[Barr]

So the MSS in it's entirety weighs in at 9.5lbs, but I have used it in below zero temps and was warm enough (with proper clothing), however I'm 5'9 and fairly broad shouldered.

The Goretex bivvy will generally add 15 degrees F, so if what you are using is good at 40 F then adding the Bivvy should take you down to 25 F, however that's just a general rule of thumb. Although it does pack down pretty small and doesn't weigh much really.

If you are really in the market for a new Sleeping Bag I'd check https://www.rei.com/c/sleeping-bags-and-accessories?ir=category%3Asleeping-bags-and-accessories&r=c%3Btemperature-rating-f%3A30+to+39&sort=min-price to start, or I'd get a mostly good condition MSS from some online surplus store.

Also it's worth considering the Kifaru Woobie/Doobie, those are pretty awesome and did right by me for right around freezing temps.

[Nyte]

I'm wondering, instead of the heavier bag, layering two of the patrol bags and the bivvy.  Sure, it won't go as cold but it would save some weight and space, while still getting me a decent bit below freezing.  Thoughts?

[Barr]

The layering is going to be interesting simply because they are the same bag, so you will probably get better insulation out of it but, they aren't going to snap together as the regular bags will.

Definitely pick up the Bivvy, that thing is worth the extra money/weight/mass/whatever in my experience so you can't really go wrong with it.

If nothing else give it a shot, worst case you have an extra patrol bag you can loan out.

[Nyte]

Two is one, one is none...  The more I think about it, staying synthetic has value, especially if(when) the weather turns wet.  Synthetic plus gore-tex plus tarp should keep me warm and mostly dry.

N

[Lettuce Pray]

The bivy sack is 2 pounds.  It technically does not add to the temperature rating of the bag but it definitely keeps the wind out which keeps you warmer.  A poncho liner in good shape weighs 1.5 pounds and will add probably 15-20 degrees to your bag.  One combo I have wanted to try is the MSS bivy, a poncho liner, and one of the Reactor bag liners from Sea to Summit.  They advertise adding as much as 32 degrees depending on which one you get. 

By the way, be sure to sleep on a good pad.  One of the coldest nights of sleep that I have ever gotten, I was in all 3 layers of the MSS.  It only got down to probably the high 20s but I didn't use a pad and slept on short grass next to an airfield.  All of my body heat went right into the ground.  I was miserable.   

[Nyte]

The bivy sack is 2 pounds.  It technically does not add to the temperature rating of the bag but it definitely keeps the wind out which keeps you warmer.  A poncho liner in good shape weighs 1.5 pounds and will add probably 15-20 degrees to your bag.  One combo I have wanted to try is the MSS bivy, a poncho liner, and one of the Reactor bag liners from Sea to Summit.  They advertise adding as much as 32 degrees depending on which one you get. 

By the way, be sure to sleep on a good pad.  One of the coldest nights of sleep that I have ever gotten, I was in all 3 layers of the MSS.  It only got down to probably the high 20s but I didn't use a pad and slept on short grass next to an airfield.  All of my body heat went right into the ground.  I was miserable.   

Yeah, I have a nice pad that has a 6+ R rating, so yeah.  I too have had the terrible experience of the ground sucking all my heat out, and that was at temps over 70. 

[RonnyRonin]

If its just for car use, the MSS works just fine and is affordable and tough. If you plan to walk anywhere with it I think a lighter bag is a good investment.

One bag of a given temp rating will be lighter than a two bag system of the same rating, all else being equal (more fabric and zipper dead weight).

bag liners have merit in keeping your bag clean, but will never add as much warmth as the same weight added to the insulation of the main bag (an 8oz liner will never be as warm as 8 MORE oz of down in the bag itself). for this reason I don't care for them.

[Nyte]

If its just for car use, the MSS works just fine and is affordable and tough. If you plan to walk anywhere with it I think a lighter bag is a good investment.

One bag of a given temp rating will be lighter than a two bag system of the same rating, all else being equal (more fabric and zipper dead weight).

bag liners have merit in keeping your bag clean, but will never add as much warmth as the same weight added to the insulation of the main bag (an 8oz liner will never be as warm as 8 MORE oz of down in the bag itself). for this reason I don't care for them.

Some really good points, thanks.  Unless there is a NEED, or tech changes some, my camping is all of the car variety, though I don't want to practice with glamping.  For now, I'm using the MSS patrol bag and the bivy, with a lightweight tarp.

[EBuff75]

I've been looking for a sleeping bag to put in my Suburban for winter emergencies.  I have a wool blanket, some of those emergency Mylar "blankets", and a waterproof blanket, but a sleeping bag is a lot easier for, you know, sleeping!  Specifically, the one I'd been looking at is the TETON Sports Celsius XXL.  I have a few older sleeping bags, but they're not great for cold weather (to be fair, they're also too hot for warm weather, so I'm not sure when they're best suited for use). I'm not too worried about size/weight, since this isn't something I'm planning to carry around in a pack.  It's really just to put into my truck as a just-in-case sort of thing.

[Nyte]

Yeah, the nice thing about a bad for vehicle use (be it car camping or just in case) is weight and space aren't concerns.  For that purpose, that looks like it might be a good choice.  I certainly wouldn't want to have to hike it anyplace though.  7 pounds!

[EBuff75]

Yeah, the nice thing about a bad for vehicle use (be it car camping or just in case) is weight and space aren't concerns.  For that purpose, that looks like it might be a good choice.  I certainly wouldn't want to have to hike it anyplace though.  7 pounds!

Could be worse - my parents had one which probably weighed in around 15 lbs!  I remember using that one as a kid when I'd camp in the back yard.  The one time I did some hiking at camp, I had to borrow a real hiking bag from someone else.

[Nyte]

Yeah, the nice thing about a bad for vehicle use (be it car camping or just in case) is weight and space aren't concerns.  For that purpose, that looks like it might be a good choice.  I certainly wouldn't want to have to hike it anyplace though.  7 pounds!

Could be worse - my parents had one which probably weighed in around 15 lbs!  I remember using that one as a kid when I'd camp in the back yard.  The one time I did some hiking at camp, I had to borrow a real hiking bag from someone else.

Oh I agree, I remember the days of super heavy sleeping bags.  Modern innovation is a very welcome thing in this case.

[Nyte]

Here is a preliminary list, the total weights are correct with what's there, I was able to weigh the total weight, the weight of the current clothes bag, and the food that's in it right now. 

https://lighterpack.com/r/ht6iph

[boskone]

Here is a preliminary list, the total weights are correct with what's there, I was able to weigh the total weight, the weight of the current clothes bag, and the food that's in it right now. 

https://lighterpack.com/r/ht6iph

Since it's a 2-3 day kit, why not just a ranger roll?  Poncho and woobie, add a--I think they're called--casualty blanket (like a heavy-duty mylar blanket glued to a tarp) when you expect cold, and further add a wool blanket if you expect it to be really cold.

Your maximum weight might not be all that low, but you could pack the casualty blanket and wool blanket by themselves and add/discard weight as-needed.  Maybe also do things like remove the poncho to use as a tarp, and the casualty blanket as a ground sheet or the outside of the roll.

[Nyte]

Here is a preliminary list, the total weights are correct with what's there, I was able to weigh the total weight, the weight of the current clothes bag, and the food that's in it right now. 

https://lighterpack.com/r/ht6iph

Since it's a 2-3 day kit, why not just a ranger roll?  Poncho and woobie, add a--I think they're called--casualty blanket (like a heavy-duty mylar blanket glued to a tarp) when you expect cold, and further add a wool blanket if you expect it to be really cold.

Your maximum weight might not be all that low, but you could pack the casualty blanket and wool blanket by themselves and add/discard weight as-needed.  Maybe also do things like remove the poncho to use as a tarp, and the casualty blanket as a ground sheet or the outside of the roll.

Some of it is using mostly what I already have, and not having a lot of space to add more stuff that isn't going to get used frequently.  Sometimes it gets a little more food and becomes a 3-5 day camper, sometimes it just sits at the ready.  It's kind of a do all bag for me right now, and funds aren't what I'd like them to be.

Those are good suggestions though.  Not sure the wool blanket I have would be much lighter than the bag/bivy.