Car Camping

Sleeping bags?

What brand name of sleeping bags would you choose? North Face or Coleman thanks! (any pros and cons of the bags would be great) THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!

Public Comments

1. coleman...been around forever
2. Sierra Designs, Mountain Hardware, North Face, Marmot, Big Agnes and REI are all top brands. No one who was serious about staying warm and dry and keeping your pack light in the backcountry would purchase anything from Coleman. http://www.rei.com/Search.do?query=sleeping+bags&vcat=REI_SEARCH&y=0&x=0&cat=4500070&hist=query%2Csleeping+bags%5Ey%2C0%5Ex%2C0%5Ecat%2C4500070%3A3-Season+%28%2B15+to+%2B32%29
3. You didn’t say what temperatures you would be in so I will cover different ones. I like REI brands for back country hiking and camping. Coleman bags are ok for roadside camping or the beach in the summer, etc. I have had issues with the Zippers on some North Face and Coleman bags and when it 20 below that will tick one off. Remember down may be light and warm but when wet its almost useless. I never use down unless its below freezing temps, then it’s the way to go. . And I disagree with most sleeping bag manufactures about the temperature rating they have. This is due to the complaints from all the campers who visit Alaska that I have talked to and I agree. If its rated for +30 it will keep you warm to about +40 and maybe only to +46 if its damp and humid out. So most folks up here get a bag rated for +15 if the nights are in the upper 30’s to 40’s. And we get a winter bag rated for -60 below if we are in -30 below weather. It’s much nicer to let heat out by opening the zipper than to freeze your tail off. Of course a foam pad helps make sleeping warmer with less body heat loss to the ground and a space blanket under the pad helps even more. But I don’t take all that with me when I am running my trap line. So I have a REI mummy bag that I can sleep in under a small tarp and stay toasty warm; in case I get stranded overnight. Here is a link about choosing a bag, good info; http://www.outdooreyes.com/choosesleepingbag.php3 I have had lots of friends buy there bags from this outfit; http://www.westernmountaineering.com/index.cfm?section=Products&page=Sleeping%20Bags Here are some reviews of bags by Backpacker; http://www.backpacker.com/gear/reviews/sleepingbags/0,3427,,00.html REI Link; http://www.rei.com/rei-brand Hope this helps. Over the two; North face.
4. The second and third answerers listed great manufactures and gave good advice. I own three bags I use regularly and have an extra couple floating around. I have found (for me) that just for the ease of purchase and peice of mind for warranty issues (should they ever come up), as well as price...The assorted REI bags are a good buy. They are just an all around good choice. If there is a very specific use in mind...something that an off the shelf bag might not be cut out for and you have no margin for error, you could look into some of the more expensive and higher end brands. a nice bombproof sleeping bag is essential, so don't waste the money on a super cheap poorly made bag.