In the past, I compiled data and compared the various –20F high quality down sleeping bag options. Now, I’m doing the same comparison chart of high quality down (700 fill power or greater) sleeping bags for 3 season use. These bags are rated in the 15F to 25F temperature range.
Fill Power
As I covered before, fill power is the metric for down quality. Fill power multiplied by ounces of fill gives the total volume of down fill. I cite the total volume of down fill in my chart.
Table Data
There are more sleeping bags in this list. I’ve chosen to simply highlight the three best in each category using italics. Thus, the three lightest weight bags, the three most inexpensive bags, and the three highest fill volume bags will each be in italics.
Means and standard deviations have been calculated, and are reported at the bottom of the chart.
The Table
MFG | MODEL | TOTAL WEIGHT | PRICE | FILL VOL |
Marmot | Helium | 31.83 | 369 | 16575 |
Marmot | Pinnacle | 40 | 329 | 18000 |
Western Mountaineering | Alpinlite | 31 | 425 | 16150 |
Western Mountaineering | Ultralite | 29 | 385 | 13600 |
Western Mountaineering | Apache MF | 33 | 410 | 16150 |
Western Mountaineering | Badger MF | 40 | 445 | 19550 |
Western Mountaineering | Apache GWS | 38 | 490 | 16150 |
Western Mountaineering | Badger GWS | 44 | 540 | 20400 |
Feathered Friends | Hummingbird | 27 | 334 | 11390 |
Feathered Friends | Swallow | 31 | 354 | 13855 |
Feathered Friends | Swift | 34 | 374 | 15470 |
The North Face | Nebula | 49 | 369 | 14400 |
The North Face | Hightail | 32 | 379 | 17000 |
Mountain Hardwear | Spectre SL | 44 | 430 | 12800 |
Mountain Hardwear | Phantom | 31 | 400 | 16000 |
Kelty | Foraker 15 | 45 | 299.95 | 15000 |
Mean |
36 |
396 |
15781 |
|
SD |
6.7 |
61.0 |
2342.1 |
As always, the data is compiled from the manufacturers.
Tags: Feathered Friends, Kelty, Marmot, Mountain Hardwear, sleeping bags, The North Face, three season, Western Mountaineering
Jeff,
Those are two good topics. I’ve been working on those in my spare time, particularly tent selection. In the next few weeks I should have something together. In the meantime, have you checked out my review of the Bibler Eldorado tent?
Thanks!
I would really like to hear your opinion on what to look for in a backpack, tent etc. What you find are useful features and what are needless weight. What you think will fail or have experienced fail.
Jeff,
Thanks for the kind words. Glad you like my blog. If there are any topics you’d like to see me cover, please let me know!
Fantastic post. Your blog is both informative and interesting. Really enjoy reading your articles.