Hey guys,
I'm looking to buy a nice sleeping bag and plan on using it in the BWCA in late September or October. Looking for a rectangular style as I am a bigger guy and can't stand the mummy style bags.

What are some good brands and what kind of temp rating should I be looking for?

Any info or suggestions is appreciated.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record...

I'm also a bigger guy. Well over #300, and 6"1. I had the same lament - mummy bags were cramping my sleeping style. I needed something with more room.

The Big Agnes Lost Ranger was the answer. It's not quite a mummy... it still has a trapezoidal shape, but it's very wide at the torso, and allowed me ample room without being constricting, and the "long" is plenty long for me, in fact, I probably would be fine in the regular.

I'm also a side sleeper, but there is plenty of room to roll around without getting twisted up. Which leads me to part 2:

There is no insulation on the bottom (wasted insulation as you mash it down when you sleep) but there is a sleeve where you can insert most standard size sleeping pads. Therefore, the sleeve and bag stay together, and this prevents the bag from twisting up when you roll over. It also saves space and weight in the pack. All around winner for me. I got the down version and between down fill and the tapered shape of the sack, it packs down smaller than a volleyball with a proper compression sack, and weighs half what my old cold weather bag did.

A lot of people here don't care for the Big Agnes style... and you may find their suggestions more suitable. That's fair. Just wanted to throw out an option that has worked for a big dude, and worked well.

Sleeping bags are such a personal thing. Big people, small people, tall people, short people, chubby people, skinny people... some prefer mummy bags, some prefer rectangular bags... everyone has their preferences.

I'm a bigger guy, too... 6'3" 250#... and I have a Marmot Sawtooth Tall 15 degree down mummy bag and love it. My son is 6'5" 200# and has a North Face Blue Kazoo Tall 15 degree down mummy bag and he loves his, too. The key to both of them is the spacious foot box. I don't like being all hemmed in either, but we didn't want the extra weight/bulk of the rectangular bags so they ended up being perfect for us. We've had them for years. We found several good rectangular bags, but just decided that the mummy would fit our needs better.

I would recommend taking the suggestions from the members here, doing your research online for size, style, temp rating and price, then going to a store where you can physically crawl in each one of them. As a last resort, you could order any (or all) online and keep the one you liked best.

Great points... footbox space is important.

Also great point: definitely go to a store that lets you get in the sleeping bags to try them out. This is why I love REI. There's not a thing in their store they won't let you try out - and they make it especially easy to try sleeping bags, pads, packs, everything. Even if you don't buy from them, go and check out bags and pads there, then look online for the best deal. Assuming there is an REI near you.

Hate to throw anything else into the mix but I recommend considering a quilt.

Exactly what I was thinking. I could never find a bag I liked until I bought my Enlightened Equipment quilt. Probably one of my favorite pieces of equipment.

As far as temp rating, based on record lows in Sept/Oct. you'll want at least a 20-degree or 15-degree bag, depending on how late in Oct. you might go. You can check historic averages and record lows at Intellicast.

I'll third a quilt, 20 degrees or lower depending on if you're a cold or warm sleeper. I have an EE Revelation and think it's awesome.

The BA bags with the integrated pad sleeve as recommended by BuckFlicks is also worth consideration. I especially like the sound of being able to move around and not shift off the pad. I have a 20 degree synthetic Kelty mummy and I didn't care for how constrictive it felt.
Also worth consideration might be the Nemo spoon-shaped bags.

I have a Nemo bag in the long version, probably longer than I need but I like the room. The bag has a sleeve in the bottom side where you slide in your sleeping pad. This keeps you from sliding off the pad.

In any event the bag is roomy and comfortable.

Love the pad sleeve integrated into the bag...love the top quilt idea...but if I'm not in a hammock, I love my Big Agnes Summit Park. Best of both worlds, in my opinion, and they're sized right for when you don't want to feel constricted. They zip up like a bag, and keep you one with your pad, but because they zip on both sides, they vent and cover like a top quilt. For the 15* rating, I believe they're much more versatile--warmer when you need it, cooler when you don't, and roomier--than other options. I'm a total believer in the quilt movement, but If I'm going to ground, I'm going with my BA Summit Park.

Othello: "Love the pad sleeve integrated into the bag...love the top quilt idea...but if I'm not in a hammock, I love my Big Agnes Summit Park. Best of both worlds, in my opinion, and they're sized right for when you don't want to feel constricted. They zip up like a bag, and keep you one with your pad, but because they zip on both sides, they vent and cover like a top quilt. For the 15* rating, I believe they're much more versatile--warmer when you need it, cooler when you don't, and roomier--than other options. I'm a total believer in the quilt movement, but If I'm going to ground, I'm going with my BA Summit Park."

I like the sound of this... if I ever have to get a new sleeping bag, this is where I will start looking.

boonie: "As far as temp rating, based on record lows in Sept/Oct. you'll want at least a 20-degree or 15-degree bag, depending on how late in Oct. you might go. You can check historic averages and record lows at Intellicast. "

As Boone said you need a 15 to 20 degree bag for cool Fall temperatures. I have a 20 degree quilt and bring it with a liner for extra protection in the shoulder months. To each his own so if you can try out a bag first at say REI that’s a really good idea. Don’t be afraid to visit the store more than once to be sure of your decision. Go down it’s the best insulation out there.

I sleep warm and use a 30 degree Kelty down bag with a thin coolmax liner. I think I paid $100 for it 10-12 years ago. I still see them close to that price on Sierra trading post. I have used it on many fall trips up to late October. If I were to get cold(hasn't happened yet), just put your long johns on. You will have a pair with you anyway, I hope. I think mine was the Kelty Cormorant, though I don't know if they make the exact model anymore.

Bass Pro Shops also has a nice display of bags you can try on and check out every detail.

Definitely consider a quilt. I also like the LL bean rectangular down bags as they are very roomy and light for their size. They are a little overrated for warmth but not by a lot.