Warm weather bag rambling.

[Bronco]

I pretty much have my mind made up on a WM Hylite but, can't help but consider the pro's and con's of a 40 degree synthetic.

 

Why doesen't anyone else make a 16oz down bag?

 

So far I've found a 40 degree synthetic down to 2.2 lbs and can save a hundred and fifty bucks over the down bag, but I already have a 2.3lb down bag so I can't see why I would realistically want another bag that isn't as warm or compressable but weights the same. Most of my trips are 2-3 days so I'd be suffering in a wet bag for only a couple nights if we couldn't bail for some reason.

 

Summer bivys are ususally in a tent, out in the open or in a bivy sack so synthetic really has not big advantage there either.

 

Is there really anything different to consider warm vs cold weather down vs synthetic? Sure you get more rain in warm weather, but all of the snow you're dealing with in the cold compensates for that.

 

I know that if I do get the "right" bag, I'll be able to climb more better.

 

For argument's sake let's just say I narowed the choices down to the WM Hylite at $220 and the Big Angus at the REI outlet for $79.

 

Hylite: 19oz lighter, much smaller when compressed.

Big Angus: Cheaper, and weather resistant.

 

I'd say the down bag would have a less durrable shell but, possibly outlast the synthetic because of loft retention. Keep in mind you could buy three of these synthetic bags for the price of one Hylite.

 

Then I had to go look at sierratradingpost.com and found a 40 degree down bag for $120 but it weighs 10oz more than the Hylite and only 9oz less than the Big Angus.

 

Will I die because I moved to slow with the extra weight of hte synthetic or because of hypothermia in a wet down bag?

[chris]

Feathered Friends are happy to make their merlin bag with as little down as you want, and with the lightest fabric possible. The weight given on the website is using Epic/Pertx fabric and is rated to 30 degrees. I was told that 1 oz. of down roughly equals 2.5 degrees of warmth. This means you could get a 40 degree merlin with quantum fabric and it'll weigh less than 20 oz. If you call the company and not the store, talk to Patsy or Tony.

[tomtom]

How about this. Remove the bottom and it's essentially a Polarguard quilt.