A trick that works for me when compressing a bag with a thick, impermeable shell is to turn it inside out first. Air passes through the lining much more easily, allowing it to deflate and compress with a lot less effort.
Aaron, thanks for these comparison videos. You said GWS is the only choice for expeditions like Denali. Why is this, when super cold-rated bags will generally only be used in temps far below liquid precip/condensation occuring? Is this because tents get above freezing during the day due to sun, such as 14k camp on Denali's WB? I'm curious, because I noticed that some companies (like Exped) are making their -20F and -40F bags with a non-waterproof fabric, and don't offer a laminated option. The more breathable fabric would certainly be easier to dry, but if you used such a bag on an expedition like that would you use it alone, or add a WP/B bivy over top? What is your experience with vapor barrier clothing or synthetic overbags (like ClimaShield or polartec alpha--see Nunatak or Enlightened Equipment) for managing moisture in your sleep system on expedition-length trips, and would that impact your willingness to go with a non-WP face fabric on your sleeping bag?
Thank you for all your videos, I’m interested in finally getting a WM bag so have been pouring through them. I’m curious your thoughts as I’m looking for a winter/late fall bag for the sierras so 6-9,000 ft avg temp range of 15-35F, some nights dip into single digits but typically not below 0. Rain and snow is common. I was mainly looking at the Kodiak 0 bag due to its wider construction and continuous baffle, but am torn between MF shell and GWS. My thought was the gws would allow me to leave a bivvy at home to save weight/bulk, but the MF would be more versatile in that i could still add a bivvy as needed yet get the extra breathability if in a tent or wanting to dry wet clothes etc. or should i just get a synthetic bag.. any favorite synthetics? decisions decisions!
I use my MF Antelope in dry winter, but anything else, it's GWS. It's much bulkier but a tougher fabric that can hold up better. Just when you think the forecast says 0ºF and it drops to -15ºF with a -25ºF windchill, which I've been through, you'll wish you had a warmer bag. I've been through it. I had nerve damage (no skin frostbite) to my feet. It took a month before the feeling came back.
Hi Aaron, thank you for all the great information and videos regarding WM! I was really intrigued by the WM Megalite, however i'm now having a hard time deciding between the Ultralite (20F 59″Girth) and Megalite (same price). Any thoughts on the Ultralite (I'm similar to your build)? I plan on using it for Scandinavian 3-season, but perhaps I can push the Megalite further down the temperatures as you said. Any thought would be very much appreciated.
Given the choice, I'd get the warmer bag. The few ounces won't matter when you're freezing. I didn't plan on pushing it that far. I'm an ultra-light backpacker but freezing at night with bad sleep to save a few grams isn't worth it IMHO.
If you were to pick one bag and fabric combo for Kilimanjaro, Aconcagua, and deep winter camping and backpacking where it routinely is 0 degrees at night, and throw in Denali as a far off dream, what bag would you get?
Hi Aaron, I have a western mountaineering summerlight. I really like it; and it’s fantastic for bike touring. But in some weather conditions I get quite a lot of condensation within my small one person tent. And it happened that I woke up and the bottom part of my sleeping bag had rubbed against the ceiling of the tent and was quite moist. It seems, when the bag is exposed to water over a period of time, the down does get wet. The problem is, in the morning I can’t pack a wet down bag without ruining it, so I can’t move on. Do you have any ideas how to handle that? The gore wind stopper bags would probably get rid of that problem, but I heard, that condensation can form even inside the bag, because of its impermeability; especially in moist above-freezing conditions. Also I do most of my traveling in my best conditions - spring through autumn; so a wind stopper bag would be overkill. Thanks a lot!
The best way is to open the windows and open the outer door. This will prevent moisture buildup inside from your body. I talk about it in my book, Keeping Your Feet Warm in the Cold: amzn.to/2JdJ8GO
Thank you for all these bag videos! Getting into the nitty gritty details is extremely helpful!
Glad you like them!
@ Western Mountaineering: This guy motivated me to get the Antelope GWS!
@ ALinsdau: Keep it going, good content!
Thanks, will do!
A trick that works for me when compressing a bag with a thick, impermeable shell is to turn it inside out first. Air passes through the lining much more easily, allowing it to deflate and compress with a lot less effort.
Thanks for the comparisons!
No worries!
Aaron, thanks for these comparison videos. You said GWS is the only choice for expeditions like Denali. Why is this, when super cold-rated bags will generally only be used in temps far below liquid precip/condensation occuring? Is this because tents get above freezing during the day due to sun, such as 14k camp on Denali's WB? I'm curious, because I noticed that some companies (like Exped) are making their -20F and -40F bags with a non-waterproof fabric, and don't offer a laminated option. The more breathable fabric would certainly be easier to dry, but if you used such a bag on an expedition like that would you use it alone, or add a WP/B bivy over top? What is your experience with vapor barrier clothing or synthetic overbags (like ClimaShield or polartec alpha--see Nunatak or Enlightened Equipment) for managing moisture in your sleep system on expedition-length trips, and would that impact your willingness to go with a non-WP face fabric on your sleeping bag?
Ok I have to ad.it the last time I used a sleeping bag I was a girl scout. But I loved your review.
Thanks!
Thank you for all your videos, I’m interested in finally getting a WM bag so have been pouring through them. I’m curious your thoughts as I’m looking for a winter/late fall bag for the sierras so 6-9,000 ft avg temp range of 15-35F, some nights dip into single digits but typically not below 0. Rain and snow is common. I was mainly looking at the Kodiak 0 bag due to its wider construction and continuous baffle, but am torn between MF shell and GWS. My thought was the gws would allow me to leave a bivvy at home to save weight/bulk, but the MF would be more versatile in that i could still add a bivvy as needed yet get the extra breathability if in a tent or wanting to dry wet clothes etc. or should i just get a synthetic bag.. any favorite synthetics? decisions decisions!
I use my MF Antelope in dry winter, but anything else, it's GWS. It's much bulkier but a tougher fabric that can hold up better. Just when you think the forecast says 0ºF and it drops to -15ºF with a -25ºF windchill, which I've been through, you'll wish you had a warmer bag. I've been through it. I had nerve damage (no skin frostbite) to my feet. It took a month before the feeling came back.
Hi Aaron, thank you for all the great information and videos regarding WM! I was really intrigued by the WM Megalite, however i'm now having a hard time deciding between the Ultralite (20F 59″Girth) and Megalite (same price). Any thoughts on the Ultralite (I'm similar to your build)? I plan on using it for Scandinavian 3-season, but perhaps I can push the Megalite further down the temperatures as you said. Any thought would be very much appreciated.
Given the choice, I'd get the warmer bag. The few ounces won't matter when you're freezing. I didn't plan on pushing it that far. I'm an ultra-light backpacker but freezing at night with bad sleep to save a few grams isn't worth it IMHO.
If you were to pick one bag and fabric combo for Kilimanjaro, Aconcagua, and deep winter camping and backpacking where it routinely is 0 degrees at night, and throw in Denali as a far off dream, what bag would you get?
Choose the Puma GWS if you need maximum versatility and one bag that can do it all.
Hi Aaron,
I have a western mountaineering summerlight. I really like it; and it’s fantastic for bike touring.
But in some weather conditions I get quite a lot of condensation within my small one person tent. And it happened that I woke up and the bottom part of my sleeping bag had rubbed against the ceiling of the tent and was quite moist. It seems, when the bag is exposed to water over a period of time, the down does get wet. The problem is, in the morning I can’t pack a wet down bag without ruining it, so I can’t move on. Do you have any ideas how to handle that?
The gore wind stopper bags would probably get rid of that problem, but I heard, that condensation can form even inside the bag, because of its impermeability; especially in moist above-freezing conditions. Also I do most of my traveling in my best conditions - spring through autumn; so a wind stopper bag would be overkill.
Thanks a lot!
The best way is to open the windows and open the outer door. This will prevent moisture buildup inside from your body.
I talk about it in my book, Keeping Your Feet Warm in the Cold: amzn.to/2JdJ8GO
@@ALinsdau Thank you!
Ok
Thanks for watching.