December 24, 2000


What's a good multi-use sleeping bag?

I am in the market for a new sleeping bag that I can take winter camping and also use in the early spring and fall. I've been thinking -5 to -10 degrees, definitely down, and hopefully Dryloft. I've looked at L.L. Bean's Expedition Bags and at Marmot's Col and Coulier—they are all 0-degree and -20-degree bags. I've thought about using a liner with a 0-degree bag, but also want to be warm enough. Do you know of a good -5- to -10-degree bag? Also, L.L. Bean does not use a Dryloft coating. How does their DWR compare? It's a big investment and I don't want to overlook some other perfect option, nor end up too cold or so hot that I never use the thing! Thanks,

— Rebecca Warren, Ohio

First of all, relax —- it's a sleeping bag, not a commitment to marriage, a first child, or a down payment on a house. It sounds as if all the bags you've been looking at will do the job nicely.

The main question, I suppose, is what temperature rating to buy and what to use for a shell. You want at least a 0-degree rating, certainly. And I'd probably look into the -10 degree range. Alternatively, you could buy a zero-degree bag, then an aftermarket liner to make it a double bag. But that adds weight and expense. Get a bag that's rated at about what you expect to see for low temps, then perhaps purchase a vapor barrier liner (about $25) as an insurance policy for those really cold nights.

As for the shell, keep in mind that a material such as DryLoft is intended to keep light moisture out of the bag. But in most cases, when it's zero or below it's also very dry out (particularly in Montana). Certainly, it's not raining, and any snow that might blow into a tent when the door is open will be fine, powdery stuff with low moisture content. The bigger problem is moisture building up inside the bag from your own body, and water-resistant liners are more apt to trap this moisture. So I believe that a sub-zero bag works best with a breathable shell such as or nylon. Where does that leave us? The L.L. Bean bags are wonderful buys, and that company's —20-degree 775 Summit bag ($410) is just dandy. It uses a nylon shell, and has high quality down insulation and a well thought-out design. Plus it's very light at four pounds, four ounces. Marmot's Col (-20; $599) is a little lighter, but its cost reflects the added expense of the DryLoft shell. It's a fine bag, however. But for a really primo bag, take a look at Western Mountaineering's Big Horn Super MF (-20; $515). It uses a high-quality polyester microfiber shell, which in my humble opinion is the best sleeping bag shell material around. Polyester is naturally water-repellent, and the super-fine weave of this shell combined with a water-resistant coating enhances those properties. Plus, at 3 pounds, 13 ounces, it's lighter than both of the other bags I just mentioned. I think that's the bag for you.

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