Critique of Ozark Trails 40 degree bag (Wally World)

[Likeapuma]

This is the one I'm looking for! They're $10 more in RI/MA, and apparently no longer available in the stores.

Look online for sales that have other items included (I've heard of cots, pads, flashlights, etc.) & bring back whatever you don't want... They'll give you money back lol.

[Bronk]

I hiked 850 miles with a $10 fifty degree bag I got at Walmart. And I've used the $29.99 two man tent they sell at Walmart for years now. I'm on my 3rd one. They usually last me 2 or 3 years doing about 20 camping trips a year.

[bobp]

Yeah, i think its better to start cheap ($30 bag or less) and then find out what you like/dislike.

You may decide you want a mummy bag, decide to hammock etc instead.

Start cheap.
Find out what you like/dislike.
etc.

Much better than springing for a $200 bag before your first overnight.

I disagree slightly. If you don't know what you like or need and then you dislike the cheap mummy bag, how do you know whether it is the "mummy" or the "cheap" that disagrees with you? You can spend a lot of money on cheap stuff, trying to find the right stuff.

I wholeheartedly agree that you shouldn't drop a ton of money up front. Find a place that rents gear, join a club with a loan program, borrow from a friend, or just go to a store and try out the nicest (which may not be the most expensive, but will certainly be costly) items you can, and try out a number of them. Get a feel for what fit and features a big budget can buy, and see which ones matter to you. Armed with this knowledge, you can then go out and buy something within your budget that satisfies the most important of your criteria. In my case, I tried out a bunch of $300-$500 sleeping bags, and ended up with a $100 bag (heck of a deal 7 years ago) that I really like. I did the same thing with boots and tried on a bunch of expensive, highly-rated models to figure out what made them worth the money, then I bought a much cheaper pair that had the features important to me.

Don't throw money away on low quality gear, because lousy gear can really ruin an outing. Beg, borrow, or rent it to acquire experience. Then, when you are ready to buy, purchase wisely.

[Grinder]

I have one of the 32 degree bags. Apparently there are early and late manufacture to consider. Mine is an early. The workmanship is first class. the top of the bag has very little down content, thus causing the bag to be on the cool side. Many have verified this. See the Hammock forum thread, (they really beat a subject to death)

Apparently, later bags , or some of the bags, have more down. Thrifty shoppers have reported opening up every bag in the store to find those with more down. Talk about a Walmart clerks nightmare!!!

Some have added down. some have cut them up and converted into top quilts. (There is lots of down in the hood section of my bag. This could be transferred to the scanty parts of the bag. I'm thinking of going this route.

For the 80 buck list price, I would buy a used Kelty or similar. They go for around $50 if you shop.

[MacCherokee]

I think the OP was asking about the "40 degree" rectangle I have been eying with curiosity for months. Seems like a decent bag for the $. I managed to snatch a 32 down mummy on clearance for $60. Made it a top quilt. Gets a little chilly below 35, but I am very satisfied for the price. It is very compact and light.


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[Offshore]

Starting cheap is better than not starting at all....sometimes that IS the budget

Very true. If a piece of equipment meets one's needs, then its a reasonable choice. I'm all for buying top quality when I can, but not if saving up for it is going to keep me sitting inside. It's more important to know how to buy rather than what to buy. Learn what to look for and buy the best you can and still stay within budget.

Its like the old photographer's saying - The best camera is the one you have with you. I'm a happy Western Mountaineering owner, but A WM (WalMart) bag on the trail beats a WM (Western Mountaineering) bag sitting on the "some day..." wish list while you're sitting on the couch.

[misterfloyd]

before I left I ordered a Ozark 32 degree down filled bag. I do most AT hiking in the summer in GA, NC, Tenn. so I figure this bag should be fine. Plus liked the price. Recieved the bag, and in the baffles you could see how little down there was. There is no way, I felt good about this. Plus I realized that I would not go down to 32. There are you tube videos of people adding more down to it. I figured by the time I did this I could get a better 40 degree bag. I returned it, and bought a Marmot that was on sale. It will be a good summer bag.

That being said,I do have a lot of basics from walmart, and have problem with that. I hiked with a group last year, and a person had a 3 pound dome tent from there. She seam sealed it very well and served her very well. No problems.

Always looking fora deal, and I never buy at list. However somethings are worth the money. IMHO

All the best,

Floyd

[misterfloyd]

I'm sorry I need to do a better job of proofing my posts.

I ment to say " I have no problem with that"

Sorry,
Floyd

[AO2134]

Hello fellow hikers. I'm going to be doing some summer camping this year-and passed by this Ozark Trails 40 degree sleeping bag in Wal Mart. Does anyone have the skinny on it? Used it before? Is the dang thing any good, or perhaps its a Marmot with another sales name? Was just wondering if I could get your input. And no,for the record, not much of my stuff comes from Wal Mart
Thanks!

I recently bought a marmot tresles 30 from REI for $99. It is 3 lbs 3 oz. The ozark looks lighter. Did I just make a mistake? I had no clue marmot sleeping bags had a bad reputation

[Teacher & Snacktime]

I recently bought a marmot tresles 30 from REI for $99. It is 3 lbs 3 oz. The ozark looks lighter. Did I just make a mistake? I had no clue marmot sleeping bags had a bad reputation

I've never heard that Marmot had a bad rep....quite the contrary. My was for the idea that you had to buy something because of a name. If you're happy with your new bag, then it's the bag for you! I have a North Face raincoat I bought years ago (on sale) before I ever knew what North Face was. I just liked the coat. Still do, in fact.....6 years later. Quality at a good price IS pretty cool, when you can get it.

[permagrin]

Hello Hikers. OP here, reporting that I just went ahead and bought that 40 degree Walmart Ozark Trails bag we've all been posting about. I didn't mean to say that Wal Mart has cheap stuff, but sometimes its on the heavy side....ie their metal tent stakes weigh a TON and are better suited to car camping ( or using your burro ) that sticking those stakes in yer backpack. The Ozark Trails 40 degree bag weighs in at just under 2 pounds on my scale-so opting for WM's bag saved me 2 pounds, 2 oz. over my Sierra Designs mummy bag. I'm a gonna be doing summer camping, so I think it will work fine-if it starts threatening to snow, I am gonna get off the trail and do some Motel 6 camping. I really appreciate all the comments and helpful info on this thread..... an' yea- Over on the hammock site, they have something like 10 pages of opinions on this bag-they really know how to discuss a topic!

[Teacher & Snacktime]

I didn't mean to say that Wal Mart has cheap stuff, but sometimes its on the heavy side....ie their metal tent stakes weigh a TON and are better suited to car camping

Just too heavy? Not embarrassed? Well, THAT'S entirely different..........nevermind