The video you made a while back, showcasing all the different options, and how each bag fit into your paneers or side bags, I found really useful. Being able to compare all the sizes, paired with this information helps a lot. The same kind of video with tents and sleeping pads would also be useful. Thanks.
Nice video, and here are some things to consider: Temp Ratings: Some folks use the comfort rating but a lot (mostly cheaper ones) use limit ratings (which are also sometimes called survival ratings, though sometimes are 'comfort limit' ratings). That data will generally be listed on the manufacturer's website so you can tell what you're getting. If not, assume that is the Survival Limit rating, at which point you should add a MINIMUM of 10°F if you're an average sleeper or even more if you're a cold sleeper. Quilts: They're better than sleeping bags, period. Unless you're truly an immobile on-your-back sleeper, you'll do WAY better in a quilt. A convertible quilt is often more versatile (you can open the footbox into a full blanket). IMO it doesn't matter who makes the quilt, but get a Zenbivy Sheet and attach a quilt to it (there are pretty easy ways to do this) particularly if you like a sleeping bag and especially if you get a chilly noggin or sleep with your hands over your head or up by your face. It'll keep a warm pocket there which won't compromise the heat in your quilt with condensation from your breath, and it'll keep your pillow from sliding off the pad (the newest ones have clips and you can buy a pillow cover that you can stuff any pillow into which will keep everything together). I don't care who you are, always at least get a wide version of whatever you buy. The idea behind a mummy bag is flawed, and that's you have less space to insulate, thus more effective thermal efficiencies. The trouble is that if you move, you'll expose crushed insulation, and that's cold, so your body has to work harder to maintain that heat. You also have a much greater risk of not having enough space around you and spots will tend to compress the insulation causing constant cold spots. By using a wide quilt (and long if you happen to be 6' or taller) you can actually use a lower temp rating quilt but as you pull the quilt onto yourself it actually increases the insulation, and if you spread it out more you get a lower rating for warmer climates. This is more pronounced in single person shelters where you can trap a portion of the quilt between the pad and bathtub floor if desired. Because a quilt stays put as you roll around inside, you maintain a much more constant temperature pocket than you do in a bag. Even a wide quilt will typically pack smaller than a regular sized bag.
Good info and valid points reinforcing what I mentioned in the video. Very few brands cheap or expensive advertise their comfort rating. Sea to Summit, NEMO, Big Agnes, Enlightened Equipment, Kelty, Snugpak, all cheap and expensive advertise their lower limit. Sea to Summit does a really good job of showing the Comfort rating on the packaging, but in the smaller text. Watch my videos with Sea to Summit bags and you can see the bold lower limit and the smaller comfort beside it. Generally they are 8-10 degrees more. I'm going to disagree that quilts are not better than any other option and that really depends on the end user and what works best for them. Quilts are amazing and pack small, but I have several customers that come in for a quilt but leave with something else. Big Agnes has the most sleep systems that attach to the pad and is probably one of our best sellers. The Diamond Park and Echo Park are similar to the Zenbivy but they are a little more refined. Really it comes down to personal preference with features and how big of a footbox you want. Mummy bags are still a good option for some. Smaller framed people who fit in a mummy bag with room to spare, and are comfortable, are better off than getting a super wide bag with too much room and cold spots. There really isn't one better than the other, it just depends on each individuals situation. That's why we stock a variety to work with almost every persons situation and we work with each person to make sure they get the best sleep system for them.
Thanks Ben for that awesome, thanks for letting us know what is lighter what is heavier? What is warmer? What is not as warm really appreciate the time put into this video. Thank you.
Hi Ben ... would you have any suggestion for a 2 person quilt that has a comfort rating to say 0 degrees C ... also using a big agnes rapide SL insulated double mattress. This is for motorcycle camping with my partner. Thanks Steve
@sritter Hey Steve, the two that come to mind are the Big Agnes King Solomon in 20F which means the comfort would be around 30F so right at your 0C needs. The other would be the Enlightened Equipment Accomplice 2 person quilt. You can order it in temps from their site from 0F up to 50F in either 850 or 950 fill down. I haven't used the EE one yet personally but I know of couples who absolutely love it.
Need help finding out what bag works best for you? Reach out via email, phone, or DM! All info at MotoCampNerd.com
The video you made a while back, showcasing all the different options, and how each bag fit into your paneers or side bags, I found really useful. Being able to compare all the sizes, paired with this information helps a lot. The same kind of video with tents and sleeping pads would also be useful. Thanks.
Thanks for watching and the feedback! Much appreciated!
Nice video, and here are some things to consider:
Temp Ratings: Some folks use the comfort rating but a lot (mostly cheaper ones) use limit ratings (which are also sometimes called survival ratings, though sometimes are 'comfort limit' ratings). That data will generally be listed on the manufacturer's website so you can tell what you're getting. If not, assume that is the Survival Limit rating, at which point you should add a MINIMUM of 10°F if you're an average sleeper or even more if you're a cold sleeper.
Quilts: They're better than sleeping bags, period. Unless you're truly an immobile on-your-back sleeper, you'll do WAY better in a quilt. A convertible quilt is often more versatile (you can open the footbox into a full blanket). IMO it doesn't matter who makes the quilt, but get a Zenbivy Sheet and attach a quilt to it (there are pretty easy ways to do this) particularly if you like a sleeping bag and especially if you get a chilly noggin or sleep with your hands over your head or up by your face. It'll keep a warm pocket there which won't compromise the heat in your quilt with condensation from your breath, and it'll keep your pillow from sliding off the pad (the newest ones have clips and you can buy a pillow cover that you can stuff any pillow into which will keep everything together).
I don't care who you are, always at least get a wide version of whatever you buy. The idea behind a mummy bag is flawed, and that's you have less space to insulate, thus more effective thermal efficiencies. The trouble is that if you move, you'll expose crushed insulation, and that's cold, so your body has to work harder to maintain that heat. You also have a much greater risk of not having enough space around you and spots will tend to compress the insulation causing constant cold spots. By using a wide quilt (and long if you happen to be 6' or taller) you can actually use a lower temp rating quilt but as you pull the quilt onto yourself it actually increases the insulation, and if you spread it out more you get a lower rating for warmer climates. This is more pronounced in single person shelters where you can trap a portion of the quilt between the pad and bathtub floor if desired. Because a quilt stays put as you roll around inside, you maintain a much more constant temperature pocket than you do in a bag. Even a wide quilt will typically pack smaller than a regular sized bag.
Good info and valid points reinforcing what I mentioned in the video. Very few brands cheap or expensive advertise their comfort rating. Sea to Summit, NEMO, Big Agnes, Enlightened Equipment, Kelty, Snugpak, all cheap and expensive advertise their lower limit. Sea to Summit does a really good job of showing the Comfort rating on the packaging, but in the smaller text. Watch my videos with Sea to Summit bags and you can see the bold lower limit and the smaller comfort beside it. Generally they are 8-10 degrees more.
I'm going to disagree that quilts are not better than any other option and that really depends on the end user and what works best for them. Quilts are amazing and pack small, but I have several customers that come in for a quilt but leave with something else. Big Agnes has the most sleep systems that attach to the pad and is probably one of our best sellers. The Diamond Park and Echo Park are similar to the Zenbivy but they are a little more refined. Really it comes down to personal preference with features and how big of a footbox you want.
Mummy bags are still a good option for some. Smaller framed people who fit in a mummy bag with room to spare, and are comfortable, are better off than getting a super wide bag with too much room and cold spots.
There really isn't one better than the other, it just depends on each individuals situation. That's why we stock a variety to work with almost every persons situation and we work with each person to make sure they get the best sleep system for them.
Love my enlightened equipment quilt. Makes extremely small and is very versatile. Just have to throw in a nice down hood to keep my head warm.
They make great quilts! Footbox is a little small for my liking but still a premium product.
Thanks Ben for that awesome, thanks for letting us know what is lighter what is heavier? What is warmer? What is not as warm really appreciate the time put into this video. Thank you.
Hmm, good relevant info here... Really gives you a lot to think about based on the individual's camping experience/desires.
Thanks! We really focus on helping each person find what works best for them.
Hi Ben ... would you have any suggestion for a 2 person quilt that has a comfort rating to say 0 degrees C ... also using a big agnes rapide SL insulated double mattress. This is for motorcycle camping with my partner. Thanks Steve
@sritter Hey Steve, the two that come to mind are the Big Agnes King Solomon in 20F which means the comfort would be around 30F so right at your 0C needs. The other would be the Enlightened Equipment Accomplice 2 person quilt. You can order it in temps from their site from 0F up to 50F in either 850 or 950 fill down. I haven't used the EE one yet personally but I know of couples who absolutely love it.