In my backcountry. Experience I too have found it is so much better to be prepared for extreme cold in the winter or heat in the summer. Much of the time the bags combined with pads need to be chosen for the possible consequences of weather change. Excellent presentation.
Hello Aaron; Excellent presentation. Great information. Thank you. I have a question. If someone wanted to buy different temp rated bags, what's a better temperature spread, 15 degrees or 20 degrees? For example, a 15 degree spread would mean you have a 0 degree, 15 degree, and 30 degree bag. A 20 degree spread would be 0, 20, and 40 degree bag. A 15 degree spread would be Western Mountaineering Kodiak (0*). Western Mountaineering Badger (15*). And a Western Mountaineering Megalite (30*). A 20 degree spread would be the Kodiak (0*), Antelope (20*), Mitylite (40*). Would someone be sweating to death in a Kodiak in 15 degree temps? In a Badger in 30 degree temps? So many questions....!!! Thank you.
so say you're camping in winter in a tent so you are out of the wind. Can you at that point ignore the windchill temperature? What I'm trying to get at is often times I look at the core temp and it is well within my sleep systems range but if I consider the windchill temp my sleep system would no longer suffice so is the addition of a tent for controlling heat loss to convection going to cancel out windchill? Most of the time I know I could still make it through the night because of all the little tricks I've come to learn over the years of using inadequate sleep systems but if I have the choice I won't risk hypothermia or a miserable night just for an overnight camping trip (expedition would be different obviously cuz it is more meaningful and commiting).
Hi, very interesting video with lots of useful information! I have a comment and a question. I noticed on WM website that they have posted independent testing of the comfort range on their bags. The comfort range of the Sequoia MF (one that I'm interested in) is 18 degrees F, while the WM temp range for this bag is 5 degrees. My question is this: I have the Ponderosa, which is basically the same as the Sequoia except for the fact that the Sequoia has a collar and hood, otherwise, these bags are essentially the same. I use a down hoody with my Ponderosa but have to really layer-up to stay comfortable when the temps are in the teens (F). I would like a bag that I can be comfortable in at 0 degrees F. Based on this video it seems that I should be targeting the Bristlecone (I'm interested in the semi rect bags) as opposed to the Sequoia. I suppose an over-filled Sequoia is an option if I am prepared with extra layering. What are your thoughts?
It was -8 celsius night before and -6 celsius last I'm in a Woods 0 degree downlite bag. Let me tell you I was not comfortable at -8 but I still got all my fingers and toes. Big thanks to your videos probably having helped with that.
Sounds not too bad it was mid 80s humidity. Cheats 700 Down Jacket from Mountain Warehouse, Stanley Synthetic Long Johns and The North Face Thermoball booties. After the first night I got worried it may get worse hence the cheats, only had the jacket first night
I ended up choosing a double bag style sleep system where separate each bag is rated at 30°F for comfort and together they are rated at -10°F for comfort. I only got colds once one night at 20° because my foot box for the sleeping bag was touching the tent. After I pulled my feet back away from touching the tent body and left an air gap then I was comfortable again.
Also, the rating only applies for the first night when everything is nice and dry, but next nights you may not have been able to dry all the moisture so the insulation isn't that great anymore.
Hey Aaron! I’m trying to decide now between the Antelope MF and Kodiak MF. I want it for 3 seasons of high altitude mountaineering consisting of 14ers like Shasta and Rainier. I am 6’ and 160 pounds - slender athletic build. Would I be swimming in the Kodiak (0 degree, 66 shoulder)? Would I be warmer in the Antelope (5 degree, 62 shoulder) because there’s less air? Which would you recommend for my purpose? Thank you.
A 30 deg bag, like my WM Megalite, is all I've ever used in SoCal, even when it was 15ºF with snow. On the top of San Gorgonio/San Jacinto, I'd use my WM Antelope (0ºF/-19ºC).
Hello Aaron. I have a quick question. I have a 34°f (comfort rating) down sleeping bag from Rab. Because it's a more "roomy" sleeping bag, Im trying out adding a 30°f magma quilt from REI inside the sleeping bag. 3.5 lb all together. What would you guess for the comfort rating?
Hey Aaron, I've got a Kodiak (0°) bag and want to pick up a final colder weather bag (to use myself below 0 or for someone else to use in winter camping while I use the Kodiak). Which would you recommend? I'm located in MN and will likely use it in the lower 48 and maybe an AK hunt someday: Lynx -10° Lynx -10° (with overfill) Puma -25° Will the Puma be overkill for anything above 0°? Thanks
Been wanting to get a colder bag, had at one time considered the Puma -25 bag but now seems to make more sense to get the Kodiak 0 GWS bag... warmth diff between MF vs GWS or just water repellent in the GWS? Also I'm 6'3 and have a 6'6" alpinelite bag but noticed in a different video you have the 6'6 bag but much shorter. Should I consider the 7' bag or stay with a 6'6" bag and thoughts on Kodiak vs say Puma MF vs GWS for Midwest winter camping (KS,CO,MO,NE,OK,AR)
Unless they make a custom 7'0" bag, it's the 6'6" bag. I like having the extra space. For winter, the GWS is much better. For light winter, a 0ºF bag is okay. But if a storm comes through and the temps drop into -20ºF, it might be a rough night.
@@ALinsdau My problem right now and for the past 1-2 years is just finding someone selling the 6'6" Puma GWS and has one in stock. Googling something recently showed them as being out of business. I hope that is not the case. I had seen a MF series bag available but this is definitely for winter time which will likely mean snow.
Aaron, it would also be handy to do a "Which down jacket?" video.
Sorry Aaron, I did not see this one: ruclips.net/video/HmGn93fB_l4/видео.html
Thanks for watching!
Perfect, glad to help.
In my backcountry. Experience I too have found it is so much better to be prepared for extreme cold in the winter or heat in the summer. Much of the time the bags combined with pads need to be chosen for the possible consequences of weather change. Excellent presentation.
Very true!
Hello Aaron;
Excellent presentation. Great information. Thank you. I have a question.
If someone wanted to buy different temp rated bags, what's a better temperature spread, 15 degrees or 20 degrees? For example, a 15 degree spread would mean you have a 0 degree, 15 degree, and 30 degree bag. A 20 degree spread would be 0, 20, and 40 degree bag.
A 15 degree spread would be Western Mountaineering Kodiak (0*). Western Mountaineering Badger (15*). And a Western Mountaineering Megalite (30*).
A 20 degree spread would be the Kodiak (0*), Antelope (20*), Mitylite (40*).
Would someone be sweating to death in a Kodiak in 15 degree temps? In a Badger in 30 degree temps?
So many questions....!!!
Thank you.
so say you're camping in winter in a tent so you are out of the wind. Can you at that point ignore the windchill temperature? What I'm trying to get at is often times I look at the core temp and it is well within my sleep systems range but if I consider the windchill temp my sleep system would no longer suffice so is the addition of a tent for controlling heat loss to convection going to cancel out windchill? Most of the time I know I could still make it through the night because of all the little tricks I've come to learn over the years of using inadequate sleep systems but if I have the choice I won't risk hypothermia or a miserable night just for an overnight camping trip (expedition would be different obviously cuz it is more meaningful and commiting).
Hi, very interesting video with lots of useful information! I have a comment and a question. I noticed on WM website that they have posted independent testing of the comfort range on their bags. The comfort range of the Sequoia MF (one that I'm interested in) is 18 degrees F, while the WM temp range for this bag is 5 degrees. My question is this: I have the Ponderosa, which is basically the same as the Sequoia except for the fact that the Sequoia has a collar and hood, otherwise, these bags are essentially the same. I use a down hoody with my Ponderosa but have to really layer-up to stay comfortable when the temps are in the teens (F). I would like a bag that I can be comfortable in at 0 degrees F. Based on this video it seems that I should be targeting the Bristlecone (I'm interested in the semi rect bags) as opposed to the Sequoia. I suppose an over-filled Sequoia is an option if I am prepared with extra layering. What are your thoughts?
Give yourself at least 10ºF overhead - I've had temperatures drop 20ºF lower than predicted.
Great advice! Then there’s the third rating the manufacturers play around with; the “limit “ rating.
Happy New Year
Thanks for watching!
Thanks for your insight. Happy New Year!
Thanks for watching!
Enjoy watching your videos.
Thanks for watching!
It was -8 celsius night before and -6 celsius last I'm in a Woods 0 degree downlite bag. Let me tell you I was not comfortable at -8 but I still got all my fingers and toes. Big thanks to your videos probably having helped with that.
Sounds not too bad it was mid 80s humidity. Cheats 700 Down Jacket from Mountain Warehouse, Stanley Synthetic Long Johns and The North Face Thermoball booties. After the first night I got worried it may get worse hence the cheats, only had the jacket first night
Stay warm out there - glad to help.
I ended up choosing a double bag style sleep system where separate each bag is rated at 30°F for comfort and together they are rated at -10°F for comfort. I only got colds once one night at 20° because my foot box for the sleeping bag was touching the tent. After I pulled my feet back away from touching the tent body and left an air gap then I was comfortable again.
Crazy experiences!
-55. The more I watch your videos the more you remind me of the man from Jack London’s To Build a Fire.
I just hope not to end up like Jack London's character.
Also, the rating only applies for the first night when everything is nice and dry, but next nights you may not have been able to dry all the moisture so the insulation isn't that great anymore.
Very true!
Hey! I was wondering, have you done any videos showing your sled setups from Yellowstone and Antarctica?
Hey Aaron! I’m trying to decide now between the Antelope MF and Kodiak MF. I want it for 3 seasons of high altitude mountaineering consisting of 14ers like Shasta and Rainier. I am 6’ and 160 pounds - slender athletic build. Would I be swimming in the Kodiak (0 degree, 66 shoulder)? Would I be warmer in the Antelope (5 degree, 62 shoulder) because there’s less air? Which would you recommend for my purpose? Thank you.
Kodiak - It's warmer. Get the 6'6" model. I suggest buying bigger - more room for water bottles an gear/clothing.
Stay safe!
Very nice , as usual ... Gubs
Thanks for subscribing!
What do you use in SoCal? Looking at a Nemo 15 degree, or a 30 degree. I sleep normal if not slightly warm. I just like it cooler at night
A 30 deg bag, like my WM Megalite, is all I've ever used in SoCal, even when it was 15ºF with snow. On the top of San Gorgonio/San Jacinto, I'd use my WM Antelope (0ºF/-19ºC).
Hello Aaron. I have a quick question. I have a 34°f (comfort rating) down sleeping bag from Rab. Because it's a more "roomy" sleeping bag, Im trying out adding a 30°f magma quilt from REI inside the sleeping bag. 3.5 lb all together. What would you guess for the comfort rating?
Probably 35ºF. Many manufacturers list the rating but fail to mention "survival". That's very hard info to find.
Hey Aaron, I've got a Kodiak (0°) bag and want to pick up a final colder weather bag (to use myself below 0 or for someone else to use in winter camping while I use the Kodiak). Which would you recommend? I'm located in MN and will likely use it in the lower 48 and maybe an AK hunt someday:
Lynx -10°
Lynx -10° (with overfill)
Puma -25°
Will the Puma be overkill for anything above 0°?
Thanks
Puma for sure. Give yourself 20ºF steps.
Yes, the Puma is pretty overkill above 0ºF. But you can always unzip.
@@ALinsdau You are the man, just what I needed to hear. Thank ya and keep up the WM/winter camp vids, can't get enough
How do I avoid my toe box from getting wet from the condensation on my tent?
Tent condensation:
ruclips.net/video/Akwn8fBEqJk/видео.html
Sleep diagonally, that's what I've done.
Do you have any tips for weather forecasting? Have heard those cloud caps on a mountain are an indication of a storm, winds and more moisture.
Weather Forecasting Tips Camping Climbing Backpacking
ruclips.net/video/fwpoQ2VDDqU/видео.html
Whatever the temp rating, add 10C to it
Too true.
Been wanting to get a colder bag, had at one time considered the Puma -25 bag but now seems to make more sense to get the Kodiak 0 GWS bag... warmth diff between MF vs GWS or just water repellent in the GWS? Also I'm 6'3 and have a 6'6" alpinelite bag but noticed in a different video you have the 6'6 bag but much shorter. Should I consider the 7' bag or stay with a 6'6" bag and thoughts on Kodiak vs say Puma MF vs GWS for Midwest winter camping (KS,CO,MO,NE,OK,AR)
Unless they make a custom 7'0" bag, it's the 6'6" bag. I like having the extra space. For winter, the GWS is much better. For light winter, a 0ºF bag is okay. But if a storm comes through and the temps drop into -20ºF, it might be a rough night.
@@ALinsdau My problem right now and for the past 1-2 years is just finding someone selling the 6'6" Puma GWS and has one in stock. Googling something recently showed them as being out of business. I hope that is not the case.
I had seen a MF series bag available but this is definitely for winter time which will likely mean snow.