With so many different makes and brands out there it’s tough to figure out which sleeping bags are worth your hard earned money. Most backpack hunters demand the best of the best for their gear, and sleeping bags are crucially important, especially during some of those later season chilly mountain nights one might experience on a backpack muley, sheep or goat hunt.
Below is a list that I’ve compiled based on user reviews, mainly collected via hunting and outdoors forums as to which bags seem to be the sleeping bags of choice for backpack hunters. Be prepared to drop a little bit of cash on a good bag that will last you a lifetime of hunting trips.
These are listed in no particular order.
#1. Taiga – Thousand-in-one-nights.
#2. Integral Designs -XPD0
#3. Valandre – Bloody Mary
#4. Western Mountaineering – Antelope MF
#5. Mountain Hardware – Phantom 0 degree.
#6. Montbell super stretch hugger -10 bag
#7. Feathered Friends (manufacturer of high quality down sleeping bags)
Sleeping Bag Selection Tips:
When searching for the right sleeping bag, it’s important to take into account the different bag ratings that manufacturers put forth to consumers. Just because a bag says it’s rated for -15 doesn’t mean it’s going to be “comfortable” down to -15! When purchasing your bag, always choose the model capable of keeping you more than warm on those cold late season hunts.
Down Or Synthetic?
And it’s a good question too… And after researching forums, and asking the right questions to all of the right people I’ve come to the conclusion that a down bag is the way to go if you can afford it. They are lighter, more comfortable and keep you warmer. Yeah, they can get wet and will cease to insulate where a synthetic bag would still keep you warm, but honestly, I’ve spent quite a bit of time in the mountains and my sleeping bag rarely comes in contact with water anyways… While in my pack, it’s in a waterproof stuff sack, and if it’s not in there it’s in my Integral Designs MK III tent which keeps it bone dry as well. I am convinced that down is the way to go.
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