So I'm considering getting an REI Magma bag during their sale. They're out of men's regulars (everywhere), so I was looking at my options online and it looks like the women's long is the same dimensions as the men's regular except *slightly* tighter in the shoulders and I have narrowish shoulders anyway. The women's bag is rated substantially warmer than the men's bag and only weighs a few ounces more, and appears to be a better value. The bag doesn't look overly feminine or anything. So my question is, is there any reason not to get the women's bag, assuming I don't find it too tight in the shoulders?

The name and classification of a piece of gear is immaterial to me. If it fit's and does the job intended, who cares!

butthead

Before I bought my EE quilt last year, I used my wife's Big Agnes Lulu (women's version of the encampment) on 2 trips (early May and Oct) because it was warmer than my old Slumberjack bag. It worked well for me. If it fits I see no reason why a women's bag wouldn't work.

If it works who cares. Try it out in store if you can for fit.

If it does fit
you must use it!

<:-o

Thanks all. In practice the bag was perfect for length but the shoulder was just a bit tighter than I wanted. I tried out an Igneo 17 and while it's not as warm, it meets my needs and is über comfortable so I went with that. But I think from now on I'll shop both sides, as the women's long and men's regular seem to be very similar.

My wife and I are roughly the same height and weight, and I don't hesitate to borrow her ski outerwear, even if it is "women's." Some of her gear is newer/better than mine, and I care a lot more about function than fashion. My ski buddies have never noticed, much less cared or commented.