NAVIGATION 

JOURNALS

SHANE

HIKING INFO

BOB'S JOURNAL 

BOB'S HIKING JOURNAL
APRIL 16, 2002

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Just like with the tents, it's time to find Bob a sleeping bag. Here is a list of choices to help him pick. As before, Bob isn't small. 6'4", 240 pounds. He needs a BIG bag. I, personally, am using an army surplus synthetic model that weighs about 6 pounds, which I think is too heavy for a thru, even if it would fit him. I'm not sure of his shoulder girth, but he's big. Like slap a grizzly bear around and call it's momma names big. I'll have to find out what his actual shoulder girth is before we make a final selection.

He wants ROOM, and doesn't like tight spaces.

I've assembled a couple of selections, but unlike tents, here I have a biases: Western Mountaineering. Bob preferred the Mountain Hardware bags that we looked at over the WM bags we saw, but only because the MH bags were bigger. The correct WM bags are actually BIGGER than the MH bags, and about the same temperature rating for the price, so I haven't put any MH bags in the list. If that's an error, ya'll let me know. WM bags are, to me (a purchaser of surplus items made by the lowest bidder), expensive. I also looked at Feathered Friends bags, but didn't put any in the list because I have a bias toward WM. (FF believers feel free to tell me why I'm wrong...)

I have another bias: I like synthetics over down, but not much, and I understand that the 'technology' of down has come a long way, so I am not against down - and my first choice for Bob is a WM down bag.

The largest single person bag I could find is here - but this is offered more as a joke than anything: It's 6 pounds.

CHOICES:

(SG = Shoulder Girth)

 Western Mountaineering Choices: 

#1 Badger 

#2 Puma 

#3 Ponderosa 
This would be my first choice if it were available in microfiber...

#4 Sequoia
In the end, I think I'd like to see him in a Sequoia for my choice of a down bag.

Notes: WM line of wide cut bags are named after North American mammals (i.e, Badger, Puma, etc).

Microfiber is water resistant because of the material itself. The taffeta uses a type of DWR finish that can wear out, and then needs to be re-applied. The microfiber is a lot more wind resistant.

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#5 North Face Big Fella 

#6 North Face Goliath 

Notes: Synthetic bags. Nice things heard. Inexpensive. Light. Inexpensive is a big draw for me, should Bob happen to destroy his bag due to beginner's enthusiasm. (I couldn't begin to describe the gear I destroyed in the early years...)

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#7 Wiggy Hunter 

Notes: Lamilite insulation. Everyone has nice things to say about Wiggys. Durable, but heavy. Wiggy's Guarantee is for a lifetime of use. If a seam opens, the zipper breaks or the Lamilite insulation deteriorates (such as losing its loft or separating, clumping in one place or another), Wiggy's will repair or replace your bag at no charge to you.

The Wiggy is my choice for a synthetic filled bag. Heavy. Moderately priced. Big.

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#8 REI Fat Cat

Notes: Big.  Goose Down fill.  Someone the same size as Bob recommended this one.

***

Shane

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