Page 1 of 3

Opinions on Big Agnes Sleeping Bags

Posted: Thu May 22, 2014 9:37 am
by InsaneBoost
Has anyone ever used the Big Agnes Sleeping Bags? My girlfriend doesn't like the "tight" feeling from the standard sleeping bags, and I see Big Agnes makes a "wide" version which has more room, and was thinking about getting one for both her and I.

After camping at Marmot Rock and having it drop to the 20's at night, we learned our lesson of not having good bags.

If they aren't good, are there any other bags that have the "wide" feature?

This is what I was looking at: https://www.bigagnes.com/Products/Detail/Bag/elkpark-20" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks

Re: Opinions on Big Agnes Sleeping Bags

Posted: Thu May 22, 2014 5:42 pm
by oldranger
Western Mountaineering makes a bag wide enough for markskor.

Mike

Re: Opinions on Big Agnes Sleeping Bags

Posted: Thu May 22, 2014 5:48 pm
by maverick
Mike wrote:

Western Mountaineering makes a bag wide enough for markskor.
:lol: That's a good one Mike. I thought he just zipped to bags together on
the Dinkey trip. :unibrow:

Re: Opinions on Big Agnes Sleeping Bags

Posted: Thu May 22, 2014 6:15 pm
by rlown
look at http://www.westernmountaineering.com/in ... ntentId=27" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It gives you an idea how to size based on, well, size. Us big guys like the Badger, but she might have different dimensions. You should look on where ever the big agnes bags are sold for the same chart.

I don't think Markskor has ever zipped up his bag.


The bag you pointed us to is a -20? why?

Russ

Re: Opinions on Big Agnes Sleeping Bags

Posted: Thu May 22, 2014 6:35 pm
by AlmostThere
I've heard good things about Big Agnes, and bad. A very petite person borrowed one for a trip I organized and her teeth chattered all night. The problem being - if the bag is far too large to the point that you are swimming around freely inside, there's too much airspace for you to effectively heat up with just your body.

The premise with mummy bags is that they tuck in around you, diminished wasted space, making it easier to stay warm.

I stick with quality down quilts, because they tuck in around me nicely and keep me plenty warm, but fail to be confining - easy to toss them aside.

If you get a bag, find one that fits well enough. I didn't care for the pad-in-sleeve design at all. I prefer tucking in.

Re: Opinions on Big Agnes Sleeping Bags

Posted: Thu May 22, 2014 6:41 pm
by rlown
my bag measurement will be different than others. I like my arms to be at my side in a bag when i test it out. I run hot so, a little extra space doesn't bug me.. My last REI bag got a bit tight, but still useful. As AT mentions, excessive airspace in a bag is bad.

Still, you should be looking at 10-20 degree bags in the Sierra, depending on how cold or hot one sleeps.

Re: Opinions on Big Agnes Sleeping Bags

Posted: Thu May 22, 2014 7:15 pm
by maverick
-20 degree bag, and less than $200. A down with a similar rating would start at
$600 and go up into $800 range depending on the down quality and shell material.

Re: Opinions on Big Agnes Sleeping Bags

Posted: Thu May 22, 2014 7:32 pm
by AlmostThere
They expect you to pair that bag with one of their 25" wide pads. It's no wonder they don't claim it's a backpacking bag... the bag weighs almost 7 lbs and the most comparably rated of their pads weighs another 4 lbs 4 oz!

YOICKS. Wow.

Re: Opinions on Big Agnes Sleeping Bags

Posted: Thu May 22, 2014 7:55 pm
by maverick
Did you use a tent on your trip with your girlfriend? Which matt did your use? Both
of these items have a big influence on how warm you will sleep. If the issue is
movement at night for your girlfriend then getting a wider bag is not going to address
the issue and she is going to be even colder because of what AlmostThere mention
about extra airspace your body needs to heat up.
These two bags will address the space and movement issue without adding extra
space, which would only leave the both of your shivering or worse.
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q= ... 0277,d.cGU" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q= ... 0277,d.cGU" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Re: Opinions on Big Agnes Sleeping Bags

Posted: Thu May 22, 2014 8:01 pm
by rlown
what the heck is an arm pocket? might as well just wear clothes an sleep in them.