Are top dollar sleeping bags worth it?

I bought a Marmot about 20 years ago for $400 (back when they used to call them names like Penguin). It is down with goretex and has served me very well. I spent hundreds of nights in the thing, sometimes in rainy conditions and several times waking up to being buried in wet sand (aka snow).

That was alot of money back then (no credit cards or anything) and I can bear witness that it was and is worth the money.

Marc thank you for the break down! I just checked out fethered friends... looks like something you would take if your going to mob Everest!

s.Price- WM stuff definitely looks nice. I really dont know how to compare it to Marmot that REI sells, but they both look very high quality.

Adam- Thanks for your input. Fortunately I can put this bag on my REI Visa and gain an extra 5% =)

Ryan Dodd wrote:So for my first bag would it be smartest just to get the lowest rating and sacrifice some weight or if I use a 0 bag in 60 degree weather will it be uncomfortably warm?

I have trouble staying comfortable if I use my 0 bag when it's warmer than about 20 outside. You end up trying to leave parts of you out of the bag to make up for the parts that are sweltering inside. It's just generally hard to regulate my body temp, and as the night goes on and temps drop I wake up several times and have to readjust my setup to stay comfortable. Also, as you mentioned, they take up more space/weight the lower the rating goes, and you obviously care about that since you're considering spending more $ on a nice down bag.

A couple other thoughts:
1) A sleeping pad is definitely worth it. Even a small pad makes a huge difference in comfort and warmth.
2) You mention a lot of water/steam/humidity in the places you'll be. Down loses its warmth far easier than synthetic when it gets wet, and it is harder to dry out.
3) If it's 60 at night, my 20 bag is too warm for me, for the reason explained above. You may want to consider a 30 bag, or even just a micro-fleece liner. I've done trips with just the liner where it got down to low 50s; I was fine with just the liner and a t-shirt/socks. This might not work as well for you, since not everyone sleeps comfortably at the same temp.

Carl- Very good info. For whatever reason it just clicked that I am not even sure how confortable I will be in a mummy bag.. Sleeping in my bed at home I pretty much sprawl across the whole thing.. granted its typically 70-75 in the house so I dont feel the need to stay close warm. Probably should test out how confortable I am in a mummy bag before buying!

As long as I can bring my arms up and sorta use my hands as a pillow then I will be golden. For whatever reason that's usually how I sleep while camping out.

If that's the case the montbell super spiral needs to be on your list. I think you can get the synthetic 30 degree bag for 200. It stretches to your body when you toss and turn. I love mine!

Shoot thats sweet ill look into that as well.

just got back from REI.. they didnt have the two main ones I was looking for so I figured that was a sign not to get one.

I picked up the New BD Icon and the trekker 1.75 mat..

good choices?

Im going to do some more research before being spontaneous and spending 300 on a bag.

The BD Icon is a good headlamp. Use it all the time for Search and Rescue work. I dig that the lamp can be dimmed down to find just the right bit of light just by holding the one button. I also like the lockout feature that prevents it from turning on by accident.

My buddy's got the synthetic and down version of the Montbell Super Spiral and they work very well, especially if you sprawl.

Seriously think of what you're gonna use your sleeping bag for. Be honest with yourself. If it's just for a couple of overnighters in AZ any decent down or synthetic will work fine.

When I lived in Tempe I used a TNF Trinity 20 degree synthetic bag. Bought it at REI for 80 bucks 8 years ago. Still using it though it's lost a little bit of loft. Before that I had a TNF Cat's Meow that lasted 10 yrs. When I climbed Denali and Hunter in Alaska I used a TNF -40 DarkStar synthetic.

Bum a couple of your buddies sleeping bags and see what works for ya.
I recall the climbers in Tempe were a pretty awesome bunch.

The icon is a pretty awesome headlamp. Only got to use it a couple times but it sure is bright and as you said, the dim and lockout feature is great.

I ended up using a friends 20 degree 80 dollar bag and it worked perfectly fine. Only issue with it is that it weight an easy 5lbs.

When I get my bag I will definitely try for the lowest weight at the best price. I may save the 3-500 bag for when I go somewhere with extreme conditions.

This thread is so old but a lot of people still search for best of the best hiking gear, so guys, sorry for bumping this thread but I'd like to say something about my fav sleeping bag.

Talk to anyone in the strange community that is thru-hikers (a group who knows gear as well as or better than probably any other) and you will hear a great amount of respect for Western Mountaineering.

My dad who grew up with very modest means always quoted, "Son, you will never regret buying the very best".

I saved and saved and got a WM. It hurt like hell when I bought it. After I used it for the first time, I have never regretted it.

I've been nothing but impressed with this bag and can confidently say that it will be a part of my pack for many years to come.