Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Gear Forum :: A few Gear Recommendations - PFD, Sleeping Bag
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boondock |
For bags, Big Agnes has the sleeves I have a lost ranger its rated as a 15, but to me it's closer to a 30 maybe 25 with my Sea to Summit insulated mat. I'm not sure who else makes them with sleeves. You might look at quilts, people seem to like those and they have straps to attach them to your mat. |
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WinstonRumfoord |
I have a trip upcoming and am hoping for help with a few gear recommendations. PFD: I am going to start making more of an effort to wear my PFD whenever on the water, not just "dicy" conditions. As such, it's finally time to get a nice PFD. I currently use the regular red cheapo rental kind. Any insight for a nice, affordable vest? I'm hoping for something with a few pockets for fishing and personal effects, and to keep it under $100. Sleeping Bag: I have a very heavy down bag and a very light Kelty 60 º+ bag, neither of which has ever seemed to work well for a tripping. I am hoping for a bag with a back sleeve to hold my big agnes sleep mat. I am 6'2" so small bags are out. I sleep very "hot" and don't mind bundling up to get in bed, so I'd err on the side of lighter weight than lower temp. Any recommendations? I have not bought a new bag in ages, and was a big sticker shocked when I saw how much nice bags are these days! Thanks |
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BuckFlicks |
Take a look at the Big Agnes Lost Ranger. It has a pad sleeve that will most assuredly fit your sleeping pad. It's also large enough that I can sleep in it comfortably (6'1", over 300# and sleep hot as well - I think my needs are similar to yours, so my experience might serve you well) ... plenty of room for my chest and shoulders, and I can easily turn over without getting tangled up. I'm a side sleeper and previous bags usually resulted in me being tangled up to the point that I would have to completely extricate myself from the bag at least once a night to get it all straightened out again. With the Lost Ranger, I comfortably slept through the night for what seems like the first time ever in the outdoors. I got the long version, which has plenty of room for my feets, without being too cavernous in the foot area. There is no padding on the bottom - just the bag fabric, then you're on the pad. But as you smash down any padding on the bottom to the point that it's useless anyway, you're not missing anything. Net result, you are paying for less stuffing, and your bag packs down smaller. I got the down option and I love it. I've found that it's warm to the point that I frequently open it up and kick a foot out in temps above 40. I'm not sure it would be comfortable down to 15, as others have said. I have a feeling I'd be fine down to at least 20 as long as I had some wool socks and thermals. |
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ozarkpaddler |
Nemo Tango_ NEMO Symphony As for PFD's the best advise I could give you is go to a shop that has several styles and try them on. Try it on, sit with it on, grab a paddle and "Paddle" with it on and see what feels good. I've had good luck with Stohlquist and Extrasport PFD's. Good luck! |
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OCDave |
WinstonRumfoord: "... Have you considered a top quilt rather than a sleeping bag. I switched to quilts when I switched to hammock camping but, they are popular for ground campers as well. Hammock Gear offers 2 lines, the Econ line and the Premium line I would recommend a 20* burrow for the widest range of use in Minnesota. For ground camping I suggest getting the wide option. Good Luck |
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Othello |
I would agree with boondock's Lost Ranger temp assessment, but the 15* on the Summit Park is more legit, in my opinion. Good luck! |
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Marten |
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Rs130754 |
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Othello |
Rs130754: "+1 on the Park Series Bags by Big Agnes. They are roomy and I am a big fella about your height and about a 73" over the arms/chest measurement. I side sleep and have had zero problems feeling confined. I haven't used mine Deer Park 30º in cold weather but I am a warm sleeper and will only use it from about April to September. I like how you can zip down both sides to ventilate. I just need to find a compression dry sack to stuff it into before I leave in six days." This is the one I use for my BA park bags. Granite Gear eVent® Sil Compression Dry Sack - 18L They have worked very well for past four years, and you can't beat the price for the functionality. Shipping might be tight in the window before you leave, but the Eagan, MN store had some in stock if the timing of your passing through works out. |
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mschi772 |
I have a Big Agnes bag and really like it and its integration with the pad, but if I was doing sleeping gear all over again, I'd get a quilt. Probably from Enlightened Equipment, but definitely a quilt--it can do everything a sleeping bag does and more. |
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boonie |
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butthead |
Quilts seem a great idea and I'm close to convinced to buy an Enlightened Equipment Enigma. PFD's are too personal for others recommendations. Best go to a boating/canoeing shop and try as many as you can find. Comfort and fit are the most important deciders, pockets less important. butthead |