Any opinions on down vs synthetic, and a temperature rating for a thru-hike?
Sundog
Sleeping Bag - Pacific Crest Trail
system
#3
I used a Down REI Kilo Plus 0 degree bag long size. For the whole trail. Excessively warm for most nights in the first 700 miles, though not all. I liked that I could have it zipped up top but still have it unzipped by my legs for comfort when warm. If I had cash I would buy a lighter warmer rated bag for the desert, then use this from Kennedy Meadows, mile 706? to the end. I definetely appreciated the 0 degree bag every night there after.
I heard that Scott Williamson said he would never use Down on PCT since it wouldn’t insulate when wet. He is for the Synthetic. I just put mine in a stuff sack, then a garbage bag in case a water bag leaks all over it or something. I really appreciate being warm at night, and don’t like to sleep in clothes to add warmth. Granted you’ll probably carry long underwear for all the colder sections of the trail, and you could wear that while in the bag to be warmer and save weight on the bag. I however want to get out of my dirty clothes and get a little ventalation going on.
Another thought instead of buying two bags is to get the warmer rated bag for it’s lighter weight, then use a sleeping bag liner after Kennedy Meadows. I don’t know how well they keep you warm, but now might be the time of year to try it out since it’s winter. Get the bag you want at REI now, camp out for a night. If you feel super cold in a 20 degree bag and it’s only 35 out, REI will exchange it.
I know, I know. But saying it will be good at 20 when it’s not is flase advertising on their part. Plus the upgrade will cost more so REI will be happy.
See you on trail, I’ll be the guy with the pretty blonde:cheers
Guino
system
#4
Hey Guino, I will too (my wife is blonde). So I was thinking of going with the 20-degree REI sub kilo, but alas they don’t make it anymore. The '09 REI down bags are called the Halo, and they come in 10, 25, and 40. I’m thinking of going with the 25, plus a silk liner for post-Kennedy Meadows. There’s an 11-oz difference between the 10 and 25. The silk liner is 4.7 ounces. I like what you said about REI - I’ve been working for them for 4 years (first in Portland OR, now in Boston), and love the place. When are you starting your hike?
Sundog
system
#5
I’ll be out there when Hydro Heidi gets laid off from work. Half the Mammoth Mtn ski area will close April 19, She will hopefully not get laid off any earlier, but definetly then. Then just a few more days till the trail. Want to start before the next weekend. Maybe hitch back to the kick off, maybe not. Her parents are visiting just before 4-20 and will give us a ride to the trail from up at mile 906 in Mammoth Lakes.
I was supposed to get laid off then too, but you know how it goes, they cut me Jan. 29th. Guess I should have been going out drinking with the bosses every night like the rest of the crew and kissing butt. Now I can train like Sylvester Stallone in Rocky 4.
I love REI,
Guino
system
#6
I have both of the REI 20deg Sub Kilo and 0deg Kilo Plus and I will not take my 0deg Kilo Puls if it is above 15-18deg because I will sweat in it. Now my very used 20deg Sub Kilo I have used it down to 12deg without wind chill and there was 30+ mph winds on that trip. So bag ratings will give you a idea but we all sleep diffrent some cold and others hot so like what was said try it out in the backyard or go out for a night to see if it work for you in the temp range it will need to work in.
Also I have been thinking about up-grading my Sub Kilo with some new 900fp down
SSDD
system
#8
I am a slightly cold sleeper, and the REI sub-kilo 20 was more like a 35 degree bag for me. If you got, say, a 20 degree bag from Western Mountaineering, the difference in warmth would be quite substantial. Study reviews carefully before buying a new bag.
RickD
system
#9
I just looked at the REI outlet on line and saw a good bag I used to own, and had to repurchase it for the so cal section now. The REI Nooksack UL35 it’s only 1#15 ounces and more then half off. Might be an awesome desert bag. I swore I wouldnt buy anymore gear this season, but 89 bucks you cant go wrong. Check it out. This used to be my Grand Canyon bag. I can always put on a long underwear top if I’m cold before K-Meadows.:cheers
Guino
system
#10
I have also worked for REI for 3 years now. (Perimeter, and now Kennesaw, GA). The new REI bags are rated with the European Norm ratings now which means the ratings are true to the number. The sub kilo series was in fact not as warm as it said. It also wouldn’t fit a broad shoulder fellow like me in it like the new Halos do. REI made some good upgrades on their line this year.
Bravefriend