WTB: 20 Degree Sleeping Bag

[taylorshiver]

Ok guys and gals,

Looking to get into some section hiking soon, and have zero hiking/camping equipment yet. Will be on a pretty strict budget, and figured buying a good used bag could be a better option than buying a cheap new bag.

Let me know what you have.

Thanks!

[Venchka]

What size? Zip side? It matters. Weight?
Wayne


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[scrabbler]

Watch clearance sales on REI and Sierra Trading Post. You dont know how used bags were handled. A 20 degree clearance bag is under $100, brand new.

[taylorshiver]

What size? Zip side? It matters. Weight?
Wayne


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I am 5'9 195lbs, so I assume most regulars would work. I am not sure what dictates which side the zipper should be on, but I am right handed. Would like to keep it under 4lbs.

[taylorshiver]

Watch clearance sales on REI and Sierra Trading Post. You dont know how used bags were handled. A 20 degree clearance bag is under $100, brand new.

True, and if it is a good bag, I am sure most people wouldn't want to part ways, but I figure it couldn't hurt to see what is out there.

[Venchka]

I am 5'9 195lbs, so I assume most regulars would work. I am not sure what dictates which side the zipper should be on, but I am right handed. Would like to keep it under 4lbs.

Internal girth is probably the most important dimensions for a bag after the loft. Loft keeps you warm. Internal volume keeps you comfy. All bags are not created equal.
Wayne


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[taylorshiver]

Internal girth is probably the most important dimensions for a bag after the loft. Loft keeps you warm. Internal volume keeps you comfy. All bags are not created equal.
Wayne


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Does internal girth from bag to bag differ that much?

[AllDownhillFromHere]

Does internal girth from bag to bag differ that much?

"All bags are not created equal"... well I've read my profound wisdom for the day.

It does vary, for instance a woman's long bag might be the same length as a men's regular, but the shoulder area will be tighter. Or some bags are just tighter, or looser. It's like shoes, you really need to try it out to get a feel for it.

[Venchka]

Does internal girth from bag to bag differ that much?

Absolutely. Look at the Western Mountaineering catalog online. They build several bags with equal or similar temperature ratings and very different internal dimensions.
Feathered Friends also has a good online explanation of various sizes for a given temperature rating.
Some people can live with a 58"-59" girth. My first bag had 58" girth. I lived with it because I didn't know better. Then I bought a bag with 62" girth. What a difference. I was in heaven. My latest bag has 65" girth. Sinfully roomy.
For my narrow frame and side sleeping habit 62" is perfect.
Wayne


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[Time Zone]

IMO it's also worth noting that the roomier the bag is inside, the less warm it will be, all other things being equal. A bag that is too roomy for you will have excess dead space that your body will need to warm up. So generally, mummy bags will be warmer than rectangular ones, all else equal.

In fact, I have a synthetic mummy from Snugpak that has two girth options for one zipper (two tracks on one side of the zipper, one on the other - you choose which one to connect). The one that gives you less girth is warmer. Whether it's more comfortable or not is a matter of personal taste. It was interesting to me that the snugger girth option really kept me from rotating inside the bag (I'm a rotisserie sleeper). Instead, the bag moved with me, and that was kind of convenient, because too often I otherwise end up with the bag all twisted around me, the zipper under me, the pillow and/or hood out of reach, etc. So in my case, a roomy girth is not, on balance, a good thing (though it's not without its advantages).

[TwoSpirits]

I have a couple of semi-rectangular bags from Western Mountaineering (a Sycamore and a Sequoia), and yes they can feel "too" roomy in that there is a lot of extra space that your body has to heat...but I make good use of that space by keeping my clothes, canister, headlamp & phone inside with me, which not only keeps them warm, but reduces that extra space. I can move those clothes, jacket, etc. in whatever way I need so that I still enjoy the roomy comfort of a larger girth bag.

[Venchka]

Another option coming to a store near you soon,
https://andrewskurka.com/2017/review...perless-mummy/
Wayne


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[SoCal Mike]

PM was sent.

-Michael