I "need" to pick up a new sleeping bag and my local store has an upcoming sale that will include Western Mountaineering. Right now, I am leaning towards going with 2 bags, the WM Caribou MF (35degF) for my warmer weather bag and a WM Badger MF (15degMF) for my colder weather bag.

80% of my backpacking will be in Northern Minnesota, and following are the expected temps:

May - Average low temp is 38 deg F, frequent dips into the mid 20s.

July - Average low is around 50F, with a few dips into the 40s.

October - Average low around 32F, ranges from 40s to upper 20s.

January - Average Low is approx. 0 deg F with frequent dips to -20.

I sleep hot. I plan on sleeping with lightweight silks to keep the bags clean and I am okay with also wearing a balaclava and additional layers, if necessary. My winter tent would be a warmer double-walled setup.

Am I on the right track with the Caribou and Badger?

Any feedback would be appreciated!

Is Midwest Mountaineering going to have a sale that includes WM bags, or are you referring to a different store? I'd like to know. :)

To answer you question, most of my backpacking is in the same area, and my WM MegaLite has worked great - never been cold, even with dips below 30 to the mid 20's. That said, I've been thinking about parting with it and getting a Caribou to shave a few ounces. I think with base layers, and possibly a light insulated coat (Mont Bell UL Inner), I could hit the same temps. I've hear you really don't want to push the Caribou though - the slight 5 degree difference between it and a MegaLite is supposedly more than you'd think.

Regarding colder temps, I can't help you there - I don't normally venture out if I know night time temps are going to be below the 30 degree mark.

Edited by mn-backpacker on 03/22/2009 13:23:14 MDT.

I know a lot of people are really bias towards WM bags, but i cant figure out why. Ive never used one, but the numbers arent that impressive on their colder bags. Instead of the BadgerMF, maybe conside the new Spiral Down bags from Montbell. The #1 is rated to 15 degF and is a quarter pound lighter and about 150 dollars cheaper than the badger. I love a good sale too, but despite the savings, the MontBell might come out on top. Also, for an ounce more than the badger, the spiral #0 is a 0 degF bag, and still 50 dollars cheaper than the badger. The Caribou MF is badass though, that on sale would be sweet. Anyways, just a thought.

I can figure out why. They make quality bags, that over deliver, especially in colder temps. I own three and would not think of switching. I have never been cold in their bags, be it winter or shoulder seasons.

Another reason for WM bags is that they are made in San Jose, CA which is where I am from. Call me a Homer.

Heya, Dan. Yup - I called Midwest Mountaineering and they are going to have the WM bags at 10% off for the April Expo. Not as good a discount as the other stuff, but it is something I guess.

I definitely do not want to get a flame war going here, but I would prefer to go with a company that does manufacturing in their respective home country. That, the positive reviews on BPL, and my local retailer had me starting with WM. I also like the wider-shouldered mummy bags in their lineup.

I *think* I am going to start doing more winter camping, but the majority of my time out will be 3-season.

Edit: Forgot to ask if Mont-Bell was mfg. in Japan?

Edited by krugorg on 03/22/2009 15:10:33 MDT.

Also not wishing to enter a debate on "best bags", but I will say definitively that you cannot go wrong with WM. I used a Versalite for my winter bag for over a decade, and it was very conservatively rated wit a comfy 62" shoulder girth. I haven't used either of the bags on your list, but I'm sure you will be pleased with them.

Speaking for myself, I wouldn't get either of those bags, but judging from your choices, I'm guessing you want to go with a more spacious bag, so the bags I'd personally choose are probably going to be too narrow for your liking. Still, I'd point out that something like a Lynx would give you a much bigger buffer against any unexpected cold weather in a Minnesota winter (I hear it gets really cold up there).

I have a Montbell thermawrap vest that says it's made in China, but I know a lot of gear companies have factories in different countries for different lines of gear. Because this vest is made in China doesn't mean their sleeping bags couldn't be made in Japan or their tents made in Korea.

i also got a caribou and for summertime its a really good bag.
i use it from arpil to october and the 35 rating is a very good one if you also wear some underwear in it.
greetz from germany =P

I'm a big fan of WM - I own several WM bags and a Flash vest and love them.

With the Caribou I found that when I pushed the temp rating on colder nights I would wake up in the middle of the night pretty warm overall, but with an uncomfortable feeling of definite cold spots where the bag is sewn thru.

I sold the Caribou and bought the fully baffled Megalite and find it to be much warmer and versatile bag.

I hope this helps

Edited by rover on 03/22/2009 22:44:27 MDT.

Brian - when you say you pushed the rating, what do you suspect the temps were when you were getting the cold spots that woke you up?

Is pushing the Caribou down into the mid-upper 20's a bad idea?

Edited by mn-backpacker on 03/23/2009 07:13:51 MDT.

well it depends on if youre using a bivy or a tent, then you can feel warm to 25. you also should wear some warm underwear.
when ya got a good (warm) meal before going to sleep it also helps.
but for temperatures below 25 i wouldn´t use the caribou.
for me its a perfect summer bag and i use it in the german alps very often. mostly with a lightweight tent when the temperatures are about 35 degrees.
greetz from germany

No bivy - sleeping in a Lunar Duo. Sounds like it might be a little on the edge for MN's shoulder seasons. Maybe I'm best off sticking to my MegaLite and staying warm and sleeping comfortably down into the 20's.

I have the Caribou and love it. I have found it to be plenty warm to 30 degrees with only long underwear and a lightweight cap and have pushed it to the mid 20's with a Thermawrap Parka. I haven't had cold-spot problems at all. YMMV.

Also, one thing often overlooked is how well the microfiber shell of the Caribou sheds water...and in the humid Southeast US, that is a must.

Sorry, don't mean to hijack the thread, but does the hood of the Caribou have a draw cord so you can pull it tight around your face, like a standard mummy bag?

Oh, and back on the thread, it seems to me you may want a colder bag for Minnesota's winters. I'm from Michigan, and used to do a lot of winter packing, but you guys get some seriously cold winters over there.

Krugorg,

I love your avitar. I've always been afraid of bears, perhaps the fear is unwarranted.

Yes, the Caribou's hood had a draw string. I've had it down in the 20's(F) several nights and been warm with long johns inside my Contrail.

If it's colder I use my WM Alpinelite.

I too have all the bags that I need in an Alpinlite (20) and Caribou MF (35). I don't do any camping that requires <20 degree bag.

Thanks for all the great advice, guys. I stopped by Midwest Mountaineering and they had the Caribou at 20% and I snagged the last long. They decided to no longer carry the Caribou, because it doesn't quite make it as a "true" 3-season bag in Minnesota. They had nothing but praise for the bag in summer weather down to freezing. Dan - probably not helpful for you, but they do have a few short sized bags left. Long and regular are all gone, sorry.

Based on your feedback it looks like I need to get a higher loft shoulder season/winter bag than the Badger. I tried out both the VersaLite (10F) and Antelope MF (5F) and they both fit very well.

Love the weight of the VersaLite and wonder if I need the more water resistant shell (MF) if I only tent camp?

What do you guys think about using the Caribou as an overquilt on one of these bags for winter? Would it keep me comfy at 0 to -10F? Maybe add a down jacket and midweight johns to keep me somewhat comfy when it dips below that?

edit: forgot a line or two.

Edited by krugorg on 03/23/2009 14:46:06 MDT.

From my experience the answer is definitely yes, however bag + overquilt systems, or winter sleep systems that rely on wearing a full layer of puffy clothing to achieve a desired temp rating, tend to be unnecessarily heavy compared to the simplicity of a single sleeping bag with a few extra ounces of down in it.