Folks, Have mercy on me... I need your much appreciated advice on a sleeping bag again.

My New Montbell SS UL #2 came in the mail, and it is kinda short! I'm 5'10" on the money, so I ordered the regular... but, when zipped and cinched, i feel like the bag is pulling from neck to feet... and my feet are pushing right up to the end of the bag... I laid in the bag for thirty minutes and the foot box never warmed up my feet, which seemed to be compressing the down at the end of the foot box as they pushed against the bag end. Thought I could get away with the regular size. Guess not.

Don't want to return it for the long because it seems unnecessarily long(dead space) for a guy of 5'10", and the weight becomes unattractive for a 25 degree bag in my eyes at 1lb. 15 oz. ALSO... Some of the baffles on top at the chest area do not loft up as they do on the rest of the bag... as if they are under-filled.

This bag isn't cheap... and Western Mountaineering is beginning to look like a good compromise... well, no compromise at all given the glowing reviews of their products.

I had originally set out to get an UL 30 degree bag for three season California use, that I could also take on my JMT trip next summer(July/August), layering and implementing my Montbell down inner jacket when temps do dip... I guess I had wanted the WM Summerlite. I am a narrow guy... 139lbs... a total back sleeper, no tossing or turning. I believe I will fit into this bag even with layers... any nay sayers? There are no retailers near me that stock this bag, so I cannot go give it the hairy eyeball...

Again, no knock to Montbell... just thinking the #2 in long is a bit overkill for my needs... And I do like the idea of supporting a company such as Western Mountaineering. Thanks everybody!

Just like with shoes or clothing, some brands fit different people better than others. Yeah, I'd probably give WM a try, or even Nunatak or Valandre. Go with what fits you.

Aaron has given you some good advice. Find out what YOU need in a bag and look around. Each manufacturer he suggested is excellent; you might also consider Feathered Friends, which has many different styles. FF, WM, and Nunatak will customize, too. WM bags are available for inspection in retail stores. Sleeping bag is no place to compromise; do your homework and get the one that suits you.

Thank you gents!
I am very interested in the WM Summerlite

Again, I am narrow... 45 inch shoulder girth and 28-29 inch waist. I believe a narrow cut bag will be more efficient given my measurements.

Who would have thought that I would not be able to find a retailer near Los Angeles with a WM Summerlite REG in stock.

In my experience, Montbell bags are a little short for the rating. My lovely 5-foot-4-inch wife has two Montbell bags, and both are the Long size. She just did not feel comfortable in the Regular. (Same feeling of butting up against the ends.) Not sure if it has to do with the actual length, or the stretch feature, or what, but if the buyer is anywhere close to the line, I would recommend the longer bag.

I have tried her Long bags, and at 6-2 I feel they are a close fit. Not too short, but close.

I'd call whoever you bought the Montbell from, and tell them it is defective.

I thought I could fit in a MB Reg bag myself at 5'10" on the nose, but I was lucky that Santa Cruz Down Works stocks them and the guy told me that, no it was too short. Same problem you had with the feet against the bottom. I do know that in the SS series, the longs have a drawstring to shorten it a bit . . . but MB website oddly doesn't tell you by how much.

But if you can do a Summerlite, do it. Can't be beat for the weight. AT 5'10", 175 with wide shoulders, I fit into it fine, able to add my MB Alpine light jacket with no loft compression issues. I think I actually tested it with both my MB Inner Down Parks + Alpine Light on and I fit, but I can only vouch for certain with the Alpine Light.

Oh, I am certainly returning the bag, Joe.

I wanted to like it... but if it doesn't fit, it doesn't fit. The under-filled baffle thing seems weird also. I think it silly to trade up to the "long" size given the extra weight. May as well get the WM UltraLite... warmer and lighter. Besides, I really don't benefit from the Montbell super stretch system as a thin, restful back sleeper. I guess I pulled the trigger because of the sale price... mistake # 1 ;)

I am 5'10" as well, and I just bought a used MB #2 that was the older 2005 in long. I am glad that I did, and it is wother the weight penality to me. I find the rating a bit off for me, but I am a cold sleeper. I can be toasty in mid weights down to lower 40degF. I do need my primaloft field jacket liner vest and fleece pants to handle freezing temps. I tried the tucking the last baffle trick and that made the bag to short for my liking. If I was really trying to conserve heat I guess I would do it, but I would have to be in the fetal position to sleep. The main problem on the shortened length was that it made the neck collar useless for me.
Regards,
John

Edited by cabana on 10/11/2009 07:32:38 MDT.

Have you checked Adventure 16? I know they have a store somewere in LA, and they are one of the few retailers of WM bags.

adventure16.com

-CS

*no connection, other then a happy customer, and its my 2nd home*

I have used the WM Summerlite for 2-3 years now on at least 60 nights, down to 29 degrees. I have varied in weight between 210-185 in that period. I am only 5'8". The Summerlite fits me superbly. I am not adverse to putting on a down vest or down half-sleeve jacket (I bring both, total weight is 13 oz, I like to layer rather than bring a super thick down jacket) if it gets that cold, but I find it more suitable and less weight to supplement my sleeping system with my down jacket sometimes to make dual use of stuff and to keep the sleeping system weight down. I did get a MLD (MoutainLaurelDesigns) bivy to break the wind, keep me situated on my sleeping pad, and provide a little extra warmth and further protect my sleeping pad and sleeping bag and really appreciate that bivy. If it is very hot, I might start my sleep with only the bivy on top of me. I predominantly hike in the High Sierras, and the temps vary between 28 and 95 during the hike so my advice to others in that setting (mid-July to mid-August) is either have a 20 degree bag or a 32 degree bag with a bivy, for me I save 2 oz with a 32 degree bag and bivy than just having a 20 degree bag. (ps, I also use a gossamer gear squall classic tent). This last summer, temps got down to about 20-25 degrees one night.

Jace, I tried Adventure 16... I was told none left in the chain. Also called Santa Barbara Outfitters... They had a short.

Roleigh, I would be sleeping in my GG "The One"... on a NeoAir over a GG ThinLight and can also couple(triple) that with my GG NightLight torso. Pack would be under the legs with some clothing items in it. Merino layers and a Montbell UL down inner jacket.

Maybe I should be snatching one of those Marmot Hydrogens or a Helium at REI on sale... I had the Helium a few years back... it was darn warm... and I should have never sold it... a bit roomy on me, though...

So... JMT in summer with the above shelter and sleep padding... with a WM Summerlite or Marmot Hydrogen (given the sale price of $238) Crazy? or just fine... lemme have it, because I value your experience and knowledge, and want to be packin' the right bag... in a left zip, preferably ;)

Alexander, is it the fit you are concerned about? If so, the Apache and Ultralite are dimensionally the same, so if one of those is available in a nearby shop you could try one on for size, then have them order a Summerlite for you. Even in a market the size of LA, Summerlites can be hard to find. Weight-savvy hikers snap them up quick; it's an ULer's dream bag!

Scott, I am sure any of he Western Mountaineering slim bags will fit. Marmot starts looking attractive while on sale... but I have heard such great things about WM... I will prolly just order one off the net and save on tax and shipping...