Another Bag thread (Big Agnes)

[Muleys 24/7]

Over the next couple weeks I'm going to reserch these Big Agnes sleeping bags and was hoping to get some feed back from the fourm members, any help would be greatly appreciated.

I narrowed down my selection to these models:

#1. Blackburn SL 0* (800 downfill)

#2. Mystic SL 15* (800 downfill)

#3. Heart Mountain SL 30* (800 downfill)

I'm not sure what degree of bag to get for 3 season hunting. I hunt here in CA where it can get in temps from the 80's in late summer to the 20's later in winter, I also hunt other western states that get to the 10 degree mark when a snowstorm rolls in. I'm mainly worried about being to cold in fridged temps. I will be useing one of these bags for back country hunting in a spike camp.So what would be the best degree bag for the discibed above?

Also can anyone help with the Big Agnes sleeping pads?

They have three different types:

#1. Non-self inflating
#2. Self- inflating
#3. Semi-self-inflating
Dose anyone have one of these or know what would be best for my needs. I also noticed they have ones with insulated cores. What would the pros or cons be?

And the final Question, the Air Core pillow, is this something I should consider? I know little to nothing about all the mentioned above, Thanks for any replies.

 

[hoshour]

The REI website reviews might be the best place to look online or stop by one of their stores. They are usually very knowledgeable about hiking and camping equipment like tents, bags and pads. Just don't mention that you're a hunter or you may find they get a little frosty.

 

[BOHNTR]

Of what you've listed, I would choose the 0' bag with the BA insulated air core pad. I own about 5 different backpacking bags and pads (multiple manufacturers) and have exclusively used my BA Pomer Hoit zero degree bag and core pad the last few years........they're that good, IMO.

 

[Fink]

Don't know much about the bags themselves, but Backcountry.com has some pretty good deals on a few of the BA bags, may want to check it out.

 

[Drhorsepower]

I spent the last couple nights in my big Agnes lost ranger, I got pretty cold here in nv, for guys that don't know, it gets pretty cold here at night due to lack of cloud cover and dry climate, the temp ranges throughout the day change here more than alot of places. Anyways I think my bag is a plus 15, I slept naked the first night, but not the nights after that. If you are sleeping in your bag in the winter time, like you said, I would get the warmest bag of the 3.

 

[Muleys 24/7]

Thanks for all the replies.

 

[Muleys 24/7]

I just got my BA Blackburn bag delivred yesterday. It's hard to belive this is a 0* bag, it's so light and compresses down very small, and even smaller with the light weight gertale. I put the insulated core pad in and inflated it just to try it out, it seems very comfy too.
I can't wait till it cools down to give it a try out in the woods on a back country hunt.

 

[Muleys 24/7]

For those of you that have this system, Do you strip down to sleep in these bags or do you wear thermals?

 

[ivorytip]

i use a plus 15 bag and sleep in thermals and when conditions call for it i throw in a few hand warmers. it works wonders. also prob the most important for keeping warm is a pad under you, makes a world of difference.

 

[Muleys 24/7]

i use a plus 15 bag and sleep in thermals and when conditions call for it i throw in a few hand warmers. it works wonders. also prob the most important for keeping warm is a pad under you, makes a world of difference.

I don't really understand the whole insuated core thing..... when all the air is out, it dosen't feel like theres any insulation in the pad? It must work because thats the pad everyone said to get for cold weather.

 

[Drhorsepower]

For those of you that have this system, Do you strip down to sleep in these bags or do you wear thermals?

Weather depending, I spent 8 nights in my bag in Oregon last week, definitely stripped down and half unzipped

Going in a few days for 3 nights in northern Nevada and will be wearing thermals.

 

[Drhorsepower]

By the way, you made a good decision on the bag. You will like it.

 

[ivorytip]

i dont like the air pads, to much can go wrong, alot of people love them though. basicaly just another layer between u and earth. thermarest makes arguably the best compact pads out there. i use to never use one until i did and im sold. even used pine needles once when i forgot my pad and froze my arse off, that worked great too.

 

[dying to kill]

i dont recommend sleepin naked in elk camp, ur pardners mite not be able to make it for some random reason the following year

 

[Muleys 24/7]

By the way, you made a good decision on the bag. You will like it.

Thanks DR, looking forward to useing it!

 

[Muleys 24/7]

i dont recommend sleepin naked in elk camp, ur pardners mite not be able to make it for some random reason the following year

What if they sleep naked too? Lol, I get what your sayin, no funny bissness in our camp, you can be sure of that.

 

[Muleys 24/7]

i dont like the air pads, to much can go wrong, alot of people love them though. basicaly just another layer between u and earth. thermarest makes arguably the best compact pads out there. i use to never use one until i did and im sold. even used pine needles once when i forgot my pad and froze my arse off, that worked great too.

Do you use termarest with BA bag, Dose their pads fit in the bags sleeve?

 

[Drhorsepower]

Do you use termarest with BA bag, Dose their pads fit in the bags sleeve?

Yes depending on the size, 20x etc...

 

[indianw]

I use a marmot 15 deg. bag worked well last year didn't have a pad but I will this year my bag weighs just over 2lbs