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Best synthetic sleeping bag out there in the 20 degree range.

Original Post
Sunny-D · · SLC, Utah · Joined Aug 2006 · Points: 700

I'm looking for opinions on the best synthetic sleeping bag out there? I am hoping for lighter weight and compression size. Don't bother telling me down is the best-I know that it is. I have several down bags. I am looking for a wet weather doesn't matter if it gets wet kind of bag. So what synthetic bags do you use and like?

EricV Volk · · Woodbury, MN · Joined Jul 2012 · Points: 20

The North Face Cat's Meow. I've used it a lot and really like it. Packs pretty small, and I've found it to be comfy. I'm a warm sleeper and can use it almost year round if needed. Pair it with a nice mattress pad and it's even warmer.

My $0.02

Tico · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 0

the ultralamina 15 is pretty nice as far as synthetic bags go.

The Call Of K2 Lou · · Squamish, BC · Joined Mar 2012 · Points: 20

+1 for Mountain Hardwear Ultralamina 15. I've got the long size in the old design (3/4 zip down one side, shorter zip on the other). It packs down to 7"x12" and weighs a shade over 3 lbs. According to MH, the current model is 4 oz lighter.

JacksonLandFill Wood · · Unknown Hometown · Joined May 2013 · Points: 40

ECWS modular sleep system. You can find them used for around 150... should come with a compression sack, inner bag, outer bag, and gore-tex bivy. Can't beat the price

Andrew L · · Austin, TX · Joined Aug 2014 · Points: 0
JacksonLandFill wrote:ECWS modular sleep system. You can find them used for around 150... should come with a compression sack, inner bag, outer bag, and gore-tex bivy. Can't beat the price
Sunny-D wrote:I am hoping for lighter weight and compression size.
It might be cheap for what you get, but it's also far from light or compressible.
Superclimber · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2009 · Points: 1,310

If you're interested I have a North Face Cat's Meow that I'm ready to sell, but haven't gotten around to posting it up yet. It's 3-4 years old, been used a lot for car camping, but only compressed and taken into the back country once. It is in overall great condition. I think the size is "regular." $50.00 with the compression sack. I'll post up some pics if you think you might want it.

Max Forbes · · Colorado · Joined Jan 2014 · Points: 108

Another vouch for the ultra-lamina

Superclimber · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2009 · Points: 1,310

Somebody PM'd me asking for pics. Here you go. I forgot to mention in my first post you pay shipping.

Cat's Meow

Cat's Meow 2

Cat's Meow 3

Cat's Meow 4

Danomcq · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2012 · Points: 95

The military system sucks donkey dick. I was issued one and a kelty military one man tent, together about 18LBS, jus a tent and sleep system. Great for car camping though

Laramide Erogenous · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2014 · Points: 235

I used an enlightened equipment prodigy all summer in WA and loved it. While I can't speak to the accuracy if the temperature rating (it never got below 35-40) but I found it so comfortable and adaptable I just ordered one of their down quilts. It is the first synthetic bag/quilt I've owned so I have nothing but my down to compare it's stuff size to, it's big but I guess that's what synthetic is.

Robbie Mackley · · Tucson, AZ · Joined May 2010 · Points: 85

DIY Rayway style quilt.

RyanO · · sunshine · Joined Jun 2009 · Points: 145

I just went through this purchase.. I ended up buying an eddie bauer 20 degree and a big agnes 15 degree synthetic. The big agnes is probably my favorite, because has all the bells and whistles, including the pillow and sleeping pad compartments. However, the eddie bauer bag is really nice, super warm and also really really wind proof. The EB bag is also the smallest, and lightest I could find in that temperature range, and sells for a comparable price. If you're looking for comfort, I would go with big agness, and if you're looking for performance, Eddie Bauer all the way.

Kyle C · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2014 · Points: 0

Western mountaineering Antelope with the waterproof exterior?

saltlick · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2009 · Points: 475

What about the WM Puma, Kyle? Wouldn't that be closer to OP's wants?

Sunny-D · · SLC, Utah · Joined Aug 2006 · Points: 700

I have really nice down bags 900+ fill etc. Sometimes I need a bag that does not matter if it gets wet. That is why I am asking about a light weight synthetic bag. A couple of weeks ago I was in the Wind Rivers. It rained for a long time. Both my partner and I were soaked when we crawled in our little single wall Mountain Hardware tent after getting off a climb. I had both a down jacket and down bag and couldn't really use either of them effectively because I was worried about getting the down wet, then being screwed. My down jacket was "waterproof" 850 fill down and my sleeping bag was a 900 fill down bag. Neither was working well at keeping me dry and/or warm. I needed gear that would not be affected as much by water on that trip. In the morning I wrung at least a quart of water off the floor. Everything was really wet from condensation and the amount of rain that we had the night before. I decided on shoulder seasons in the mountains where you might get a lot of rain --a light synthetic bag could be a life saver. I can think of several situations that I would like a good synthetic bag to compliment the down bags that I have.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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