Originally Posted by son of the hounds

I hunt in a fly in camp in the middle of Idaho in Oct-Nov. Cold, snow.

I switched to a modern fiber filled mummy bag several years ago from a quality down bag. It packs as small, is just a few ounces heavier and I do not have to worry about it being damp. I use a light weight fleece bag liner. It makes the coldest nights feel warm and toasty.

I also went with a thicker foam pad. At first, as being older I just need more padding, but I immediately noticed I was warmer at night when it was 20F.

Fit of a mummy bag is important. I am average and my down bag is a standard. When I went to get a new bag, and ended up with one of the new synthetics, I bought a long version. It also had a slightly larger mummy foot area. Wow, what a difference for someone who tosses and turns before falling soundly asleep.

I think rather than recommend the brand and model I purchased, research and jump into them. REI was an excellent source, but I ended up purchasing my bag elsewhere as it was a brand they did not sell. Theirs may have been as good, but it was not offered in a long. The fleece liner is tiny, yet adds so much. The zipper on the fleece feels fragile, but has lasted for years of hard sleeping. The zipper is much stronger than its small size would have you believe. The pad is not tiny, but I need 3" to keep my bones off the ground and it has made a huge difference when the ground is frozen or the tent is on top of the snow.

Originally Posted by cwsharp

How do you keep the fleece liner from bunching up when you get in and out of the bag a couple of times per night?

Originally Posted by Studlintsean

You must be a fellow backpacker. Cheers.

Originally Posted by sbarron

....when I'm on the bike camping, I take an Exped Downmat 9 along... a bit more bulky and heavy than a backpacking mat, but TOASTY AND COMFORTABLE (R value 8).

Originally Posted by Dillbilly Bone

And that's no doubt because you're from Alaska, because you might hunt, and because you understand cold. Amirite?


I too have a Downmat 9 pad and can testify it is tops in its category for warm sleeping comfort.

Originally Posted by CanadianRocky2

My sleep system. Small foldable cot, air mattress to keep the cold air coming up from the bottom, one of my sleeping bags.... very comfy and easy on the hips.

Originally Posted by glider11

Sorry not trying to hijack this thread.....How big is your cot when it is packed up?

Thanks