| Author | Message | ||
     SSV (Susannah) Senior Member Username: Susannah Post Number: 911 Registered: 06-2002 |
I'm in the market for a new sleeping bag. I'm deciding between the North Face Polarguard Delta bags and the Marmot Down bags (or vice versa). I know synthetic is better for damp conditions and that down is lighter. I'm a cold sleeper and love down bedding.... Suggestions from people who have one or the other? Thanks | ||
| Jack Quinlan (Jsq) Senior Member Username: Jsq Post Number: 635 Registered: 10-2002 |
sus, i've got both of those bags and i only use the marmot for backpacking. it's nice and light and warm and EXPENSIVE. when i'm backpacking it's always in my bivy and stays protected. when i'm car camping things tend to get more trashed. i usually have a camp fire and i'm not in a bivy and all that so i use the polarguard NF bag then. if you're just car camping i'd go with the NF polarguard since weight and compactability aren't really issues. i got mine from sierra trading post cheap. hope that helps. | ||
| SSV (Susannah) Senior Member Username: Susannah Post Number: 913 Registered: 06-2002 |
Thanks Jack. We don't backpack much at all, and although I'd like to get back into it, I'm thinking the polarguard might be a good choice. I have heard that the loft can easily be destroyed in a synthetic bag...do you keep yours hung up all the time? Ivan has a NF down bag that he loves, and we keep it in a loose cotton bag for storage. No problems with that one, so atleast I have something to compare to. The NF showshow women's has caught my eye, and it's only $180!!! WOW. | ||
| Jack Quinlan (Jsq) Senior Member Username: Jsq Post Number: 637 Registered: 10-2002 |
sus, it's true, synthetic insulation similar to polarguard 3D will not last as long as down, and it will never loft as much even when new, but if you store it loose it will hold up well for quite a while. polarguard 3D is significantly better than earlier iterations as wells as the "classic" variant. it's not as susceptible to crushing. this is the NF bag i just picked up to share the duty with my marmot pinnacle: http://www.sierratradingpost.com/xq/asp/base_no.79388/catImage.False/dept_id.L2~ 319/qx/product.htm can't beat that deal and the bag is rock solid despite more recent complaints about NF quality control. it even came with a storage bag and a compression stuff sack. do you sleep in a tent? in the truck? on the ground? | ||
| SSV (Susannah) Senior Member Username: Susannah Post Number: 914 Registered: 06-2002 |
That looks like a pretty good deal. I always watch Sierra Trading Post (have even been to their store in Cody, Wyoming!), and they currently have a Marmot down bag that I like as well. (trinity?) I worked in an outdoor gear store in college and they complained about NF all the time, but I have been happy with their products. I think they are difficult to work with from a dealer's point of view and are slow to ship.... Almost all of the time, we are in a tent. Weather changes so fast here, it often rains at night. | ||
| SSV (Susannah) Senior Member Username: Susannah Post Number: 915 Registered: 06-2002 |
PS that should be SNOWSHOE up above...I was getting sleepy...  | ||
| Chris Nuzum (Cnuzum) Member Username: Cnuzum Post Number: 134 Registered: 02-2003 |
If you go North Face, get the Cat's Walk, its the women's version of the Cat Walk, which has Polar Guard Delta, a better synthetic version of the 3D insulation someone above mentioned. The North Face Snowshoe is a really good bag also. ANY bag from Marmot is a good choice. The Sawtooth is a really good all-around down bag from them. I have the cat's meow from TNF and the Sawtooth from Marmot and use the marmot more often. Storage for both bags should be the same. as open and fluffy as possible. Hanging bags is actually not good for them. Laying flat under your bed or something like that is a better storage alternative. Another thing to concider is the mattress you use. Different matteress's will change everything from the padding you sleep on to the insulation they provide from the ground. For this reason, Big Agnes sleeping bags are really the best design. What Temp rating are you looking for, or how cold do you expect it to be when you plan to be sleeping in this bag? | ||
| SSV (Susannah) Senior Member Username: Susannah Post Number: 926 Registered: 06-2002 |
I'm definitely looking at Polarguard Delta. I chatted with a friend of mine who owns a gear store yesterday and he suggested I get a synthetic bag. He recommended Mountain Hardwear, and while all of my outwear is MHW, I'm not sure it's worth the extra 40 bucks to get a bag that's NOT a woman's specific design. I definitely need the shorter length and I sleep REALLY cold. Most of the time, I won't be out in weather colder than ~20 and I'll be in a tent (not that THAT adds warmth!). I'm probably going to order the NF Women's Snowshoe 0 degree....after tax season! Thanks for the suggestions! | ||
| Chris Nuzum (Cnuzum) Member Username: Cnuzum Post Number: 135 Registered: 02-2003 |
a tent DOES add warmth. | ||
| SSV (Susannah) Senior Member Username: Susannah Post Number: 931 Registered: 06-2002 |
Oh Chris, don't be too technical with me. I know it DOES, but it doesn't FEEL like it. Of course, it depends on the size of the tent...we have a little backpacking tent that is so warm, but TINY for two people+dog+gear. So, we bought a larger one that is really comfortable and when we car camp, we can put a queen air mattress in it...but I still sleep cold! Even in my house! | ||
| Brian Dickens (Bri) Senior Member Username: Bri Post Number: 1090 Registered: 08-2002 |
If you are going to be in a tent why not go down? It will hold up better, take up less space and be many more times warmer. Marmot, MHW, NF and Montbell are all fine bags, you really can't go wrong. Montbell having the most reasonable prices, but much more limited distribution. My only advice really is to get in it before you take it home. I am in the market for a new bag as well. I am looking for something around 1.5 lbs. | ||
| Jack Quinlan (Jsq) Senior Member Username: Jsq Post Number: 639 Registered: 10-2002 |
brian, if you want something very high quality and ultralight you should check out western mountaneering. my dad bought one of there bags and it is pretty much as good as it gets. | ||
| SSV (Susannah) Senior Member Username: Susannah Post Number: 947 Registered: 06-2002 |
Yeah, I have heard that as well (re Western Mountaineering) they are the lightest and best available! I'm going to wait until early May and will try out a few before deciding. It's a tough decision...maybe I need two like Jack! |
