Sorry such basic questions but I am new to WM and high end sleeping bags in general. I am guessing that the bright yellow bag that came with the sleeping bag is the storage bag? If so what is the best way to store the sleeping bag? Just stuff it in the storage bag? Loosely roll the sleeping bag before putting it in the storage bag? Just out of curiosity how did you determine left or right zip for yourself? Explain the situations or times where you would move the down around in the baffles. Thanks.

Edited by BigTiki on 03/17/2009 20:29:47 MDT.

Just put it loosely in the big bag, so it can fluff as much as it can. And I picked the right zip, because it was what was in stock, at a price I couldn't refuse.

I highly recommend using one of the following methods:

1 Hang it
2 lay it out totally uncompressed
3 Hang it
4 Hang it

- if all else fails - hang it

I practice exactly what I preach;


On the Zip issue - I use both, but realize if you use a bivy or a tent with single entry this may affect your preference

Edited by anywayoutside on 03/17/2009 21:10:08 MDT.

Yep you got it Jeff.

That big cotton bag is your storage bag. Just stuff it loosely in the big old sack, there's no need to roll it up beforehand. I hang my storage bags on an old coat rack.

I like LH zips simply because I'm a leftie and so it's a bit easier.

I move down to my butt because for some reason I get a cold butt when the temp is low.

I hope you enjoy your WM bag. I have three WM bags and I reckon they are superb.

Anyone get any storage problems with mould?
I've had to keep much of my stuff packed away as I found mould growing on my down jacket, and grew afeared for my beautiful bags...
(It's a sad statement on how often I touch my gear, but that's another story)

Generally folk get the zipper opposite to their favourite hand, IE left zipper if you are right handed, it's easier to undo the top bit that way.
Hanging is best, or under the bed , but if possible air them out (clothes line) every so often. Down is not afraid of the wind or the sun.
Franco

What route/cliff is that?

Cheers

"What route/cliff is that?"

Tis the Kor-Ingalls Route on Castle Tower, Utah...
http://www.supertopo.com/rockclimbing/slideshow.html?gid=6&n=10
My favorite climb, but a little irrelevant since I live in the mouldy old Blueys... I'll change it!

Jonathan,
How do you get by with so few sleeping bags? I only see nine in the picture. My pickup truck is worth less than you have in bags! :-}

Edited by malndman on 03/18/2009 06:51:37 MDT.

Thanks for all the quick responses. I appreciate it very much.

Joe,

I think you got a Megalite correct? Any reason besides temp rating why you got that bag say over the Alpinlite? Could you have gotten the Alpinlite and just vented the bag if it got to warm? Just curious.

I prefer right side zip due to the fact that I sleep mainly on my right side. I can vent without my back getting cold.I do love all my Western bags. I think at last count I have thirteen.

My primary camping pal and I both have Marmot Helium bags, which only come in left zips. When sleeping in a 2-vestibule tent, we either have to sleep in opposite directions (my head next to his feet), or else somebody has a tougher time getting out of his bag and out the vestibule for the 2 AM nature call. My WM Ponderosa solves this, since you can lay it out with the zipper on whichever side you want. It's a bit heavier than you'd like though (3# 3 oz, semi-rectangular, no hood), but the plus is that I can zip two of them together and cuddle with my lady.

My new Ultralight is right hand to fit my new Sublite.

@Jeff Moody - Could you have gotten the Alpinlite and just vented the bag if it got to warm? Just curious.

Most of my camping is done in Texas, so I need a 20 degree bag about once a year. Maybe. And I have a 20 degree bag (and a couple of zero bags, although I have no reason why). I figured a quality 30 degree bag would work for me in Spring and Fall in Texas, and summer in northern New Mexico. And I can vent it when I get hot. Problem for me most of the time is not getting too hot, I could get by with a 50 degree bag a lot of the time. Low on our canoe trip last weekend was 45.