What ultralight sleeping bag do you use for archery bivy-ing, and why?

[Andy Backus]

What ultralight sleeping bag do you use for archery bivy-ing, and why?

I'm in the market for one. I'm pretty sure I understand all the different categories of pro's and con's (but maybe there are some I haven't thought of).

I'm looking for opinions based on personal experience.

Weight
Ability to handle moisture
Price
Size - when packed
Min temp rating vs. actual
High price point vs. good bargains

Thanks for your input.

[ol mike]

I have two lightweight bags that work well in most any conditions -the western mountaineering mitylite and the mountain laurel designs spirit quilt.
The WM Mitylite is very lightweight and can be put in a hunting coat pocket -so light it will blow away.
The MLD Spirit Quilt is a synthetic quilt that has a strap that goes under your pad to keep you from sliding off your pad.
Either one of these can be used down to 40 * depending on the type of shelter -amount of clothes worn etc. when sleeping.
Down is impossible to beat in all but the wettest conditions and will last a lifetime where-as synthetics will lose loft over time.
A WM down vest and bag will serve you well -use the vest around camp in the AM and PM and when sleeping if needed.
Both products are MADE IN AMERICA to the highest standards -you won't go wrong with them.
In really cold and damp weather i use both bags together[ quilt on the outside ] -between them and my WM down jacket i can sleep comfortably down to 15-20* in a tarptent contrail.
I would have provided links but computer is a little slow..
Good luck -Mike

[mtnwrunner]

Hey Mike----are you pretty happy with the contrail? And have you had it in any crappy weather? I have been looking at it along with other tarps and i am trying to figure out which way to go.

And Andy, I prefer down and always will. I just use a lightweight 3 season down bag from Sierra designs and it works great. I'd rather have a 2 or 3 pound bag and sleep warm. Also, look at some of the climbing systems---a half bag and then a down coat.

Randy

[ol mike]

mtnwrunner ,

Yes i've had it in high winds 30-40mph make sure the foot is aimed towards the wind.I had it in a three day downpour on a hunt and it got a little soggy and limp but all in all still performed well.
I have a couple of tarps and never use them anymore because the tarptent is such a universal little tent.There's enough room for me -backpack -rifle etc. and can still manage to heat water for a mountain house meal in the vestibule.
I have a floor plus wind protection -very easy to ventilate as much as you want or hunker down low in cold dry conditions.--after seeing and trying a few tents and tarps this is my -go to - tent 95% of the time.
Mike

[jmden]

Here's a decent review on a few of the best bags out there. There is no magic pill. I looked at these and others and ended up going for the Marmot Hydrogen for late summer/early fall backpack hunting trips for mule deer and bear. 1 lb. 8 oz. and a 29F rating. Down is the only way to go for the reasons guys have already listed. Take care of it and it will last forever. I've grown tired of buying synthetic fill bags, store it perfectly, treat it perfectly, and watch the loft go down year by year--waste of money. Instead, by the highest down fill you can--I would suggest at least 750 fill power, if not 800. I think the Hydrogen I purchased was 850 fill power. 850 or 900 fill power is ever better. It will last longer, provide a better weight to warmth ratio, compacts far more for packing, etc., etc.

Outdoor Gear Lab review of summer weight down bags: Down Sleeping Bags - Warm Weather Reviews - OutdoorGearLab

I acquired a Tarptent Rainbow a couple of months ago and at 2 lbs. 3 oz. it has a ton of room with a 40" x 88" floor and some really cool and flexible vestibule pitching options--big enough for 2 if necessary as a typical backpacking sleeping pad it 20" wide. The Rainbow has good venting as well--many tents don't have good venting and this is absolutely essential to a well thought out tent design and will keep you much more comfortable during your time in the tent. The Rainbow does not require trekking poles to set up and this is one thing that makes it 'heavier' because the trekking pole weight is obviously not included in the weight of tents that use trekking poles for support. But, I hunt all day using my trekking poles, generally coming back to camp at night. Trekking poles, however, can be used to augment the strength of the shelter in case of snow loading, etc. I know the materials Henry uses in his tents quite well as use them in my designs as well as we buy from the same US supplier, and it is tough stuff for it's weight.

Tarptent Rainbow: Tarptent Ultralight Shelters

Big fan of the Thermarest NeoAir Trekker pad as a great compromise of weight and great comfort: http://www.rei.com/product/810375/th...r-sleeping-pad Would reccomend the 'regular' size 20" x 72" (actually measured at 75" in the 2 I own) and rolls up smaller than a 1L water bottle using the Thermarest bag: http://www.moosejaw.com/moosejaw/sho...8_10000001_-1_ Buy the 1.5L 'extra small size'. This pad fits in there just fine and it is smaller than a 1L bottle when it's in there.

[mtnwrunner]

jmden, You've got a great system going there. I've got a date on a mountain in early october with a muley and I am trying to get my system as lite as possible as I want to carry everything with me as I hunt. I've always been pretty well equipped but man, the more I look at stuff on the internet, the more I can upgrade. As the saying goes, "If you are gonna hunt Kong, you have to go where he lives." I'm pretty much sold on the tarptent contrail. I'll have my entire system down to about 30 pounds sans rifle and that is for a couple of days and that is having enough to be very comfortable. My plan is to have a base camp and then spike it from there every 2 to 3 days. Be up in the high country of central Idaho----if it hasn't all burned down..................

Randy

[Andy Backus]

That's some really great info guys!

Thanks!

Andy