There’s actually a type of cotton that becomes waterproof when it gets wet. The British used it in WWII for Anoraks. The cotton fibers are so fine and woven in such a way that when it gets wet it expands and becomes waterproof.
I'm not going to flat out call BS on that oft-repeated theory, but I'm still waiting for someone to try it and report back. Put another way, if we were on a backpack trip with synthetic sleeping bags, and one of us took a fall into a stream soaking everything, we would do all we could to get back to the trailhead as quickly as possible. Perhaps if the stream were the Gila River in Arizona it might dry out okay...
I like the “cheap vs expensive” format, but how about adding a “best of the middle of the road price point” option? Thanks again for making your videos fun, entertaining and informative!
last time i used this i managed to keep warm with my 45 euros sleeping bag at like -7 degrees celsius....synthetic...basically i was wrapped in aluminium layer like a potato..but it did its job
I live in Colorado and sleep cold. I was looking at negative 10° and negative 20° bags from Feathered Friends and Western Mountaineering. Thankfully someone suggested I try stacking bags I already have. I spent multiple nights in my backyard trying various combinations. Every combination I tried worked well. But my favorite was pairing a 25° bag with a 10° quilt. Combined, they weigh 5oz less than the “winter bags” I was looking at and compress down pretty well. I was able to fit both bags and my gear in a Gossimer Gear Mariposa. Slept cozy all night with just merino base layers and a beanie.
I totally do this. I have a Western Mountaineering down sleeping bag liner (that I got on clearance for $120 in like 2009) that I use as a stand-alone sleeping bag in the summer for temps down to about 45 degrees -I have used in a couple of times in colder temps but I have to utilize my insulating layer (a puffy down vest) to augment it to keep comfortable. I also have a Moonstone 30 degree down bag (this one is at least 20 years old) that I use on chillier nights for three-season camping. I put them together for winter camping. I recently used them together on a night where it was 6 degrees F and I was very toasty (I actually had to vent a bit to keep from overheating) while sleeping in just my base layers.
@@jeffreycarman2185 when I used to live in NC, I would summer camp with only a liner. Mostly because I wanted a thin layer between me and any bugs that snuck into the tent. But in CO, I've woke up with frost on my tent in July. It's crazy the lows we have even in the summer.
I've heard it's not good to stack bags especially if they're down, unless you're doing it with a quilt. Sounds like that's where you had the most success though.
@@sleeves252000 it’s okay as long as the top bag isn’t compressing the down loft of the bottom bag. The lightest goes on top. With my gear, my 10° quilt weighs less than my 25° bag because of the outer denier of each. My quilt is light enough not to compress the loft of my bag. When I stack them I have a mountain of loft! About 10-11” of loft! It’s crazy how tall it is. A synthetic quilt on top of a down bag can be more idea because of condensation. But I only own down, so I used what I had. I did experience condensation on my quilt from my breath, but it dried very quickly in our dry, CO air. And the condensation on my tent was frozen, so it never dripped on my quilt. A bag could be left unzipped and draped over another bag like a quilt. But I would not zip a bag inside another bag because that would compress a lot of the down loft. Backyard experiments helped me so much. I’ve been out twice since those experiments and was comfy each time.
30 years ago, I learned the hard way that if there is ONE single thing in your entire loadout that you DO NOT want to skimp on, it's your sleeping insulation. You can manage a cheap tent. You can manage a cheap backpack. Your kitchen, water purification, food, clothes, all the rest, can be dirt cheap, and you can still have a lot of fun. But spend one night with no sleep shivering violently so you don't die in the woods from hypothermia, and you will realize that a premium sleeping bag is where you want to put your money FIRST and a high quality sleeping pad is second. Then go for the tent. After that it's dealer's choice, because all the rest is fluff compared to those.
I half agree. A tent with a tore out wall from high winds blowing in is going to make you very cold even in your high end bag unless the shell is fully taped at every stitch line and completely wind resistant. For that capability in a bag you can expect to pay huge premium which from my experience is more $ than just buying a more durable tent. That is because the detailing required for that capability in a sleeping bag is often more labor intensive than in a tent. So in my opinion dollar for dollar both are equals.
@@SnowAngelfish I would agree, except cold nights are a helluva lot more common than wind so bad it will make a tent fail. And you can repair a tent in the field. You can't make your sleeping bag warmer in the field. Also, the price differential between low and high end tents is WAY larger than sleeping bags. You can get a top performing bag for around $400 and cheap bags will still run you $50-100 unless you are getting the stuff so cheap the manufacturer warns you against using it outdoors. Lowest reasonable end on tents is around the same $50-100, but top performing tents START at $400-500 and can easily run nearly a grand. Unless you were talking about the stuff so cheap everyone should know better than to rely on it. Which maybe you were - wind blowouts in a tent is generally something you find in Walmart crap, and there are plenty of tents you can buy for only $20 more that will survive all but the worst kind of wind - but that's not what I'd call "upgrading gear" so much as correcting the mistake of buy stuff so low quality it should not be used on trail - in the days of internet reviews, there's no excuse for that when reliable cheap gear is out there if you look. I'm mainly talking about upgrading from lower end to the kind of high performing stuff that the real enthusiasts use because it makes things so much better (and generally so much lighter). My priority upgrade list would probably run like this: Bag Rain gear/base layer (tie) Tent backpack puffy pad mid layers and socks then literally everything else But it's all just opinion. And all of that is out the window if any of your gear is so cheap/low quality that it is likely to fail if you use it outdoors. Then OF COURSE replace that first.
I was pretty blown away at how good the Teton performed while filming this. When I left Miranda out there to sleep in it in 30 degrees I was sure she'd freeze out there. When she said it was actually fine I was very impressed with that little $120 bag! Something to consider if you're looking at the Teton now - Teton has a 1 year warranty kinda similar to REI's return policy, whereas Nemo has a lifetime warranty on all their products. Definitely $600 to spend all at once is good chunk of change, but if it is something reasonable to do for you that does buy you a lifetime of repairs or replacement for that bag. But if that upfront cost barrier of entry exists the Teton is a stellar bag for $120. I might borrow it from Miranda sometimes to use, honestly. Also a great beater bag or loaner bag as well for friends who want to join you backpacking to try it out but don't have a sleeping bag yet! I'd still go for the Nemo personally, but well done Teton. Good bag at a very good price!
Thank you for these compare vids. Wait till you're older, you'll burn through the permafrost at menopause. When I was young and had low body fat, the Army stuck me in the coldest places with gear rated only to 32 degs. Gorgeous places, but it's so nice to get to pick my own gear now, with your help. Thank you!
Can also confirm there are so many differences between camping during menopause and before menopause. Basically I need a 20° variance in temp in the middle of the night without waking me up too much. 😂🤦♀️
As always, another GREAT video! Thank you! I love the pure joy that you and Rainer share together--it is infectious! My thoughts, while the video was rolling was, "You could double the Teton bags, and still come out a lot cheaper in the end." As I read the other comments, I noticed others sharing their stories of doubling up on bags. It may not be right for backpacking, but it would work well for car camping (I have done it, as well). My other thought is, let's do a test with sleeping bag liners! Are they worth it, or not? Thanks Miranda and Rainer and Crew for all you do to make our lives better and happier! Big hugs! ❤, Russ
Justin often uses a synthetic quilt over his Polar Ranger while backpacking. Of course, you’re not likely to notice an extra few pounds in a pack full of gear for -30C temps.
I had a Teton agree with your issues around the hood. I bought a small cheap sherpa blanket I would use to wrap around my head and shoulder area using the excess as a pillow. Unintentionally used it on a -5 night and was surprisingly comfortable. On the flipside if it was even slightly warm it would get uncomfortably warm. Not great temp regulation but still a good deal.
I love how we went from "neck hole" and "face part" to "chevron shaped baffles" in less than 5 seconds. I love when Miranda hits both ends of the knowledge spectrum 🙂
Every person i know with a nemo tensor has had it fail(seam leak) within 20 times of use.. light weight and warm is top teir but the build quality is shit.
This is cool, my style! My family has Nemo bags and Teton bags, love them both. We tend to use the Nemo’s backpacking, and Teton’s for car camping or boat
Seriously, your videos kill it. Such an incredible blend of honesty and vulnerability alongside dedicated gear reviews. I love watching your videos. Your work vs the gear bros with an insatiable approach had no small part in getting my wife into the woods this weekend, and now she’s hooked. Thank you so much 🙏
As a NewZealander who goes hiking late 3 seasons early 4 my sleeping bag is a macpac sleeping bag limit rated to 15 farenheight. Had it down to about 20 and been super comfortable I am a warm sleeper and if i was going to do winter camping I would probably get a sea to summit bag liner that adds warmth and call it a day
I have had the Altos for a few years and have used it in both Michigan and Colorado winters. I have found that adding a cheap $10 fleece blanket on the inside really bumps up the performance of this bag. Great video!
Would you ever consider doing a comparison of the various Stand To Pee devices for females available out there? Specifically; 1. Shewee Extreme 2. Pstyle 3. Tinklebelle 4. Any silicone pee funnel 5. Any disposable (cardboard) pee funnel 6. Portable pee pouch (aka gel pouch) I personally like the Shewee but it took me awhile practicing before I was confidant. I am wondering if the Tinklebelle (it comes in glow in the dark!) would be easier.
This is an excellent idea. I gave in a bought one. But I'm not sold on it. I'm thinking about trying different types. But I don't really have the money to do so. I would definitely enjoy watching a comparison such as this.
I had to pause the video while you’re sleeping in your yard to tell everyone the funniest story of winter camping. I am a retired teacher. A fellow teacher built a teepee with his class in the area behind our school and then had a series of overnights with students and parents winter camping in the teepee, as well as a night for any teachers that wanted to stay. The night myself, a sixth grade teacher, and the dance teacher stayed out it ended up being-8 degrees! The sixth grade teacher got super sick, fever around 103, and ended up going into his classroom to sleep. The dance teacher and I stuck it out, and honestly it was a blast. I had a 30 degree bag at the time, and a standard thermarest. I added an extra closed cell foam pad under, and slid my entire sleep system inside a flannel rectangular bag. With a down vest, down booties, I survived. The teacher who built the teepee stoked the fire and brought us coffee in our bags, then we got up, went into school and showered in the gym changing rooms and taught! Wild times.
This sounds like a great story. When I winter camp I don't do much except freeze in my tent, but when I look back on it I think of how awesome and fun it was.
I absolutely LOVE my Nemo Disco 15-it was worth every penny! 🙌 I tend to be a very hot sleeper, but I tend to camp quite a bit in the winter. If anything, I have been *too* warm in my Nemo Disco 😅 Oftentimes it really is worth saving up for the higher quality product. And you seriously can’t ever go wrong with Nemo-it’s one of my favorite brands for outdoor gear!
@@norklin5 Being a big guy I use a Klymit Insulated Static V Luxe plenty of real estate and rolls down a little wider than a Nalgene bottle. It's a good pad, little weird as it will bottom out with sharp point of your body, elbows and knees it's meant to disperse the air within the pad evenly when your flat body weight is on it. The material they use is a little slick, and I move around a bit at night. An odd sounding trick I thought of using silicone window adhesive, put little dots of it at least five inches apart all across my sleeping surface from shoulder section down a little past the hip of the pad, the places of your body you move the most. When your sleeping bag material is in contact with the dried glue dabs it acts like an anti skid material.. Looks funky but actual worked better than I expected. I don't like their valves, but apparently they re designed them. Around about a hundred nights of use my Insulated Static V Luxe heat sealed seam had a small leak that the repair kit couldn't fix. I called Klymit and the sent me a new pad free and kept the old one and found using B6000 clear craft glue sealed it tight and has never leaked since. I bought mine when they first came out, they were practically giving them away at promotion prices.Been using a Mountain hardware Mammoth down bag for years, recently switched to a Wiggy's zero degree Hunter bag for car and motorcycle camping, the Wiggy's does keep you warm enough at zero but not for back packers, it's bulky military grade.
Well, Iâve always been scratching my head about kislux obsession with school bags and their practicality, but this video is adorable! Congratulations.
I have 2 used ones, a 0F Ibis and a -10F Eider w/6oz overstuff. About a year ago I slept out at -15F in the Eider and was almost uncomfortably warm. I haven’t used the Ibis yet.
And it will continue to be amazing for the next 20 years, provided it's properly stored and cleaned correctly. High-quality down garments and bags have more upfront costs, but their quality, durability, longevity, and warmth-to-weight can't be beat.
@@listofromantics My Eider was manufactured around 2000 according to FF. You’d think it just left the warehouse today by its looks. No smells, no stains, no tears or pulled threads - the former owner took care of it as though his life might depend on it.
Nemo and Zenbivy are the two biggest brands for the quarter of 2024. Justin, Eric, Deven, Dan and many others are all about reviewing all both new products from them. And I agree, both have made some crazy new innovations for the next chapter in hiking and backpacking.
I think the best comparison videos have 3 tiers: 1) expensive/best, 2) best bang for the buck/medium, and 3) on a budget but from a trustworthy company
I would not cheap out on a sleeping bag in the winter. Many nights spent freezing in crappy Coleman flannel bags growing up taught me that--and that was in the summer! If you know for certain you're not gonna be out in temps below freezing, then maybe the Teton would be a solid bag. But I wouldn't count on that. One thing that Winter weather is really good at is drastic changes in the middle of the night. And when that happens, you don't wanna be in a bag that's already at its warmth limit.
This has hopefully already been mentioned, but there are 135 comments, and I'm bound to miss one. The BEST winter tip I ever got was to fill up a water bottle with boiling water before going to bed. Even better, put it in a wool sock. Toss that sucker into the footbox and hop in. Warms up the bag when you first hop in, plus your water isn't frozen. Tested this in the Whites on the winter solstice in 199something.
I use a Teton 20f bag. I sleep hot and it keeps me warm down to mid 30s. I slept in it one time in the high 20s and it wasn’t quite enough. I was still fine, but I could feel the cold creeping in in different places and so I didn’t sleep as well. It’s a no frills bag but does okay if you understand it’s limitations.
Love your videos always! The gear comparisons are always very helpful and I especially appreciate your reviews. What about gloves/mittens? Especially considering Raynauds?
One place where Teton SHINES (and where I no longer accept any substitutions) is their car camping bags. I vanlife, and I appreciate being able to basically use their rectangular car camping bags as a quilt with a footbox most of the time, but when it gets cold down to the comfort rating or below (at which point I've got a liner and other blankets in play), unlike most rectangular bags, I can sinch the top of A RECTANGULAR BAG into a hood, which is also a good way to create a pillow barn if I'm tent camping and don't want to lose my pillow. Teton makes quality products that I would put as mid-range "good enough" for most folks who do not do this as their job but maybe go out in optimal conditions a few times a year. That bag you tested would be an excellent choice for cooler shoulder seasons where it was going to get down into the 30s, but the weather was otherwise fine. If you're building out your kit, it would be an excellent way to cut price in a "this is fine" direction that would serve you well if you wanted to direct more money toward a pack or a shelter or a sleeping pad. The Nemo bag is great, but the Teton will serve well in most instances for most folks who are starting or only camp occasionally. The Teton bag would be a great choice to take on the kind of trip where you're sleeping on the folded down seats of a vehicle. They are both great bags, just know what you're going to need in performance before you go (always) and whichever you choose should serve you well as long as you choose appropriately to conditions and pair it with an appropriate pad. Thanks for the video.❤
A trick with keeping your water in your bag. If you have a Nalgene or a bottle that can take hot or boiled water you fill it with said water and then toss it in your bag. Gives that extra boost of warmth for when you're first getting in the bag.
I LOVE the Nalgene hot water bottle trick!! It does make a huge difference. I like to tuck it near my femoral artery to provide that full body warming 🔥
Not sure a 30 degree comfort rated bag is such a good idea for winter especially since you need to spend $200 on your insulated air mattress to make it work. Seems like this is a great option for getting into summer at high altitude or shoulder. And love that you tried it!
I’d rather a $120 bag that’s lighter and wet proof and carry a quilt just in case. I don’t like mummy bags or hoods so the loose hood is a selling point for me lol. I’d rather wear a fleece balaclava to keep me warm. Thank you for the reviews.
Great video! Always love your videos! I also have seen that there is a new sleep system from ZenBivy that is not only ultralight, but that also mimics the way your bed at home feels like. They do this by using a sheet that straps onto your air mattress, and then having the quilt snap onto that bottom sheet with toggles. I have the old version which truly feels like you are sleeping in your own bed, but if this new ultralight version hits the mark, it could be a serious revolution in the industry.
Man I wish I could justify the price. I need to convince myself I would use it a bunch before investing. A good reason to get out and do a lot of backpacking. 😅
I have the older version of the teton bag for my kids for Cub scouts and it works well for us, and is budget friendly. I think adding a liner could boost the warmth if needed, and still be much more cost efficient for casual campers
I always love your gear reviews. I'm very glad you didn't freeze in either bag. Did the Nemo or Teton build up any condensation in the bags? I can't use down anything, medical reasons. I know of other companies that have bags rated to -60F for survival that are synethic bags but don't have an ISO rating. Most synethic bags are still made with a cheap insulation. You have to know how to find the good ones. Unlike down, the good synethic bags can be stored compressed for long periods with no loft destruction. Take Care and Stay Safe.
HELP! As just a big of gear head and camper as you are, in my 30+ years I've been told that the temp rating is the survival rating- meaning a 0⁰ bag will keep you alive at 0⁰ (not comfortable but not hyperthermia) the comfort rating is what I feel your mixing up. I've always told others to buy 15-20⁰ warmer than the bag rating just as teton states. ** I of course did not work at rei, thus I will defer to your thoughts as that's where I get my gear knowledge.
I hear you!! Okay, so I still think it’s a good idea to recommend buying a bag that’s 15 - 20 degrees warmer than the low temps, *but* the “lower limit” rating, according to ISO, is specifically the lowest temperature at which a warm sleeper will be fighting against cold, but not shivering, and in “thermal equilibrium.” For most cold sleepers, like myself, the comfort rating is where we should be able to be relaxed and cozy; so if you sleep warm, then you’ll want to gauge somewhere between lower limit and the comfort rating. The lower limit, however, is NOT the survival rating. In reality, the temperature at which the bag will keep you alive (though at risk) is lower. Now that only covers ISO-rated bags, which is why it’s so important to read the fine print and figure out if the company that makes your bag uses ISO ratings! TL;DR - lower limit and survival ratings are different, but also all bodies are different, so recommending buying a bag that’s warmer than the low temperature is always a good call just so you’ll be extra cozy. You can always take a layer off or unzip if it you get hot!
Climashield Apex and Lamilite insulation are synthetic fills that are coated in silicone. They regularly reliably spring back to their original loft after being compressed and they are impervious to moisture. Wiggys uses Lamilite. Tons of companies use Climashield Apex.
Wiggy's bags are the bomb and are as big as a Bomber when you pack them. 🤣 But man they do what the say, Jerry is a cranky bit of a guy but his stuff works. It's definitely a Car, over-lander or snow sledding bag. I use mine for motorcycle camping late spring early fall. They have a massive sale going on till the end of the year, just picked up a Super light zero degree mummy XL bag for $130.00 with Free sleeping Booties and rain parka.. Those sleeping booties work great.
Love you kiddo still the best comedian review specialist on the planet 😅. Thanks for the info on the bags. I have the teton bag and in usage with a woobie blanket can handle temps to near 0 degree. I got this from the ideal of some nut determined to make me teach him how to survive that crap. Told home to find an ultralight sleeping bag capable of 0 degree synthetic materials. But you did the work for me. I uploaded the link to my Facebook wall. I fell in love with your content the first time I viewed you. Had me cracking up with laughter but very informative. Thank you for that. SEMPER FI
Great video! I have the Teton and it is perfect for camping in north Florida in January (can get in the 20s), this year I added a fleece liner for $20 and slept like a baby in the cold, damp tent. :)
Florida Cold fronts SUCKKKKKK!! People don't realize the moisture content AKA Humidity is a heat sucking vampire. I remember them years when it got like 20 with high winds cold factor of lower teens. Good God rip right through you. I live in Norther New Mexico now and people would say during the winter wearing a wind breaker when I first moved here "how can you not be cold, you're from Florida"?
I have Nemo bags. I also have a Teton zero degree synthetic. I think you're right about Nemo designs being smarter, even though the cheaper Teton is still pretty good.
Nemo definitely puts thoght into the design of their gear. The CEO is a top graduate of the Rhode Island School of design. He is very knowledgable of design and materials and he is an outdoors person.
I have the Teton leef 0. It's a good bag, but the measurements are off. Still worth the $70 price point. I upgraded to a down thermarest. Definitely better for near $250. If you're looking to gear up on a budget the leef synthetic is it.
Teton makes some pretty good gear. I've taken one of their -7C bags and a sleeping bag liner out to a couple -25C nights and been perfectly fine. Definitely recommend for someone looking for something budget friendly
Love your review! Would you still recommend de Nemo Sonic 0? Have you considered the -20 degrees model? What about it's durability? Is the fabrics and construction holding up to the environments?
Ok. I just ordered some LMT. I have the migraine problem so I hope that I I like this stuff! I HATE stevia and kinda wish they had a cane sugar option. Hopefully I won’t notice the stevia and I love it as much as y’all do.
I loved this video! It was super helpful. I’m a huge NEMO girl but sometimes paying their prices is a little painful. as a video, I would love to see you do the same type of comparison for sleep mats.
Hi Miranda and Rainer! Cool video, thanks! Have you heard about a Polish sleeping bags and down gear "Cumulus"? You should check them out! I like Nemo, but I see that Cumulus makes the same results while lighter and less expensive (Cumulus Teneqa 700 has comfort temp -10C / 14F at 1150g / 2.53lbs for $515).
I also have the nemo sonic 0, I've taken mine down to -18F testing. Last trip lows were 20-30, that was alittle bit of a struggle being hot... Have a 0 degree Colman mummy bag for truck camping, it's good till 32F. 32-0F it's goes inside a regular Colman heavy bag. 0 to -30F add clothing layers then add blankets 😂 lowest I've gone truck camping so far, lower than that and would have to start worrying about the truck...
As primarily a kayak camper in Minnesota, and not really a winter camper, the $120 Teton sounds like a great product to extend my season for overnight camping from early spring through late fall. Better than my current system of multiple, bulky layers that devolve into a twisted nest by morning.
Plus, when dealing with water environment with the risk of getting the bag wet if, say, a dry bag fails, synthetics fill is a good idea. And with canoes or kayak, weight and bulk are much less an issue than when you have to carry the bag on your back or on a bike!
Always be cautious in showing your neighborhood. It's usually a good idea to blur. You'd be surprised how little information is required to figure out where someone lives.
Thanks for reviewing the Teton bag. It's one more option for me as I'm allergic to down. I could easily pair it with my EE apex quilt for a nice winter car camping setup. Synthetic is so much heavier. Massive bummer.
Teton makes some really high value bags. We bought two -35 bags each for around 80$ for emergency prep gear. Now these are not for backpacking they are too bulky but amazing bags! For backpacking you need to spend more for better quality insulation and less weight.
love the video! been watching you for awhile and surprised you haven’t tried the zenbivy! I used the light bed and my big Agnes sleeping pad for two months in the desert and I’m never going to another sleep system or quilt again. would love to hear your opinions on the zenbivy!
Cheap versus steep lanterns/lights! I find some of the cheap ones are EXCELLENT compared to my black diamond headlamp (though lack some features the black diamond has), while others are pretty awful all around. It'd be interesting to see your perspective (and probably shadow puppets)
I have been using a -20 extreme -5 comfort, bag from Columbia for years. Only ever tested that extreme once. Then my summer bag is something from Amazon cause I don’t play well with sweating. I’ve got a stove it doesn’t make sense to worry during summer.
Great video! I use the Teton as it was my entry level to cold camping bag and it does great to about 30 degrees. I picked up a fleece liner for it on Amazon and it’s WAY better then. I ended up going with this and a down blanket and it’s been good till about 17 then it’s time for the diesel heater 😂
I'm 6'6 on tinder. I'm dying over here haha. I'm blessed with the finances to buy the more expensive bag, but I I've never been winter camping so I wouldn't spring for something like that just to try it out. I have a 20° Teton bag and actually really like it, so I might give the cheaper one a shot if I do decide to go on a winter trip.
Wwaaiiittt a minute... I do have the zero degree Teton bag😂. That's how often I go cold winter camping haha. I bought it last year and used it on my last trip of the season and I liked it a lot. I definitely recommend it for anyone who just wants to try out the cold weather camping but I admit it probably only got down to 25° that weekend.
If you're sleeping bag doesn't smell like farts, that means it's unloved? I have never thought of it that way but I am definitely adopting that philosophy.
I dipped my toe into winter camping with that same Teton sports bag. It got down to 25 degrees and I just couldn't get warm in it so I bailed. The bag has found new life as a loaner bag to friends I bring backpacking with me on warmer trips. It does very well for them down to 40 degrees at night.
I think that is probably the best use for the Altos 0. Loaner bag for trips where low temp is above 30. It’s a great option for that. It’s quite light with the compression sack and packs small well so I really dig that about it too.
I know this is 6 months old now, but how bout testing the Teton Altos 0 bag that is actually a down bag, against the Nemo here. Yes, it's twice the cost as the synthetic version at $250, but I have an OG in both the 0 and 20 degree versions. I almost never use the 20 bag now that I have quilt, but for winter camps, the Teton Altos 0 down bag has been plenty warm for me when using it in in teens and single digits.
Thanks so much for all the info you shared in this video. I learned a lot! I own the Altos and I haven't been cold in it yet. I didn't know the point of the little collar thing in the hood before hearing you talk about it so I can see that as a poor design feature.
I have younger kids so I am putting away all my ultralight backpacking gear in favor of some more plush comfy gear since most of my camping these days happens within sight of the minivan. I was really tempted by the Therm-a-rest MondoKing, but didn’t want to pay $240 so I got some $35 Amazon pad (Zooobelives) and figured if it was terrible at least it didn’t cost much. Anyhow, I have been super impressed with it. Solid construction, pretty easy to inflate, really comfortable… but I can’t help wondering about that MondoKing and if I’m missing out. Would you test some sleeping pads? There are countless random brands on Amazon, but also the Big Agneses, therm-a-rests and and Nemos of the world.
Looks very much like the Teton Sports bag I have. Kept me warm down to about 27 degrees on a backpacking trip, but I wore all my clothes, including a coat, as well, because I knew I was at the limit of the bag. I would agree it's a comfort rating of 30 or 35, vs the survival rating of 0.
Went winter camping in Temps less than 20°F, stayed plenty warm with 0° bag,but there is the condensation issue. Make sure to take plenty of dry clothes and separate set of dry clothes for sleeping.😊
I would love a video about bag liners- especially those thermal liners Sea to Summit makes (or similar). Do they work? Are they worth the money? So many questions.
i always use liners, either microfleece or silk -- yes, they do help add a few degrees of comfort (don't expect to turn a 32F bag into a 0F bag, but maybe a 5F improvement is what i've read -- and agree with), they help keep drafts out when my quilt shifts too far in summer, but maybe the main reason is that they keep my quilts/bags cleaner, and drier if sweating.
Hey, can you try the sleepingbag liner from Sea to Summit? The "extrem" one, which claims to add 25°F (15°C) to your sleep system, only at the weight 14oz (399g).
Interesting! I slept out of a Big Agnes Benchmark 0* from mid March to mid May in the PNW. I definitely was cold some nights! I wonder now if it was the bag's fault or if it was because I just had a closed cell foam pad with an R value of 2 or so.
I have a NEMO Sonic 0F that’s about 6 years old, and I was very underwhelmed by it at first. I was using an Exped DownMat 9LW with it and was chilly in the teens. So I used it as a 20F bag and it worked fine there. I went a few years without using it, until I went on an overnight gear test last November. Temps got down to the mid teens, but on my XTherm MAX I was nice and warm. So the problem seemed to be with the Exped pad, not the Sonic. I figured the problem with the Exped pad was the down had migrated, so I painstakingly spread the down out as best I could and will give it a Miranda test if we have any more overnight temps in the teens or lower this winter. Or maybe I’ll take it up a local mountain that’s always a lot colder. The XTherm is light enough that I could bring both pads, inflate both, and bail from the Exped to the XTherm if I get cold. I found a 0F Feathered Friends bag for a good price so that’s my 0F bag now, with the Sonic back to being my 20-30F bag. The FF is a true 0F bag, so the $750 price tag may be worth it. I’ve seen a few reviews of the Cumulus Teneqa 700 (14F comfort, 0F limit), at $405 it might be a good happy medium. Maybe I’ll order one this fall to see how it compares
@@MirandaGoesOutsideit’s always interesting to hear folks experiences. I guess a bunch of TH-cam fools might buy the type that works with YOUR feet and then complain that the shoes don’t work for their, completely different shaped feet. 😅
My $130 Kelty Cosmic 20 has served me very well. If temperatures go low I combine it with a Sea to Summit Thermolite Reactor Extreme Sleeping Bag Liner
"Synthetic insulation actually continues to keep you dry, even if it gets soaked through". Now THAT is a feature 😂
(We know you meant "warm", hahaha)
😳🫠😆 oh my gosh. We all missed this in the QC!!! AHHHHH!
OMG! Wow. I watched this video countless times during the edit and did not catch that... hilarious... 😂
Lol
There’s actually a type of cotton that becomes waterproof when it gets wet. The British used it in WWII for Anoraks. The cotton fibers are so fine and woven in such a way that when it gets wet it expands and becomes waterproof.
I'm not going to flat out call BS on that oft-repeated theory, but I'm still waiting for someone to try it and report back.
Put another way, if we were on a backpack trip with synthetic sleeping bags, and one of us took a fall into a stream soaking everything, we would do all we could to get back to the trailhead as quickly as possible. Perhaps if the stream were the Gila River in Arizona it might dry out okay...
I like the “cheap vs expensive” format, but how about adding a “best of the middle of the road price point” option?
Thanks again for making your videos fun, entertaining and informative!
Marmot!!!
@@Warrior_Resisting_ColonialismI love my Marmot 0 bag! Plus I got it on sale!
last time i used this i managed to keep warm with my 45 euros sleeping bag at like -7 degrees celsius....synthetic...basically i was wrapped in aluminium layer like a potato..but it did its job
I live in Colorado and sleep cold. I was looking at negative 10° and negative 20° bags from Feathered Friends and Western Mountaineering. Thankfully someone suggested I try stacking bags I already have. I spent multiple nights in my backyard trying various combinations. Every combination I tried worked well. But my favorite was pairing a 25° bag with a 10° quilt. Combined, they weigh 5oz less than the “winter bags” I was looking at and compress down pretty well. I was able to fit both bags and my gear in a Gossimer Gear Mariposa. Slept cozy all night with just merino base layers and a beanie.
I totally do this. I have a Western Mountaineering down sleeping bag liner (that I got on clearance for $120 in like 2009) that I use as a stand-alone sleeping bag in the summer for temps down to about 45 degrees -I have used in a couple of times in colder temps but I have to utilize my insulating layer (a puffy down vest) to augment it to keep comfortable. I also have a Moonstone 30 degree down bag (this one is at least 20 years old) that I use on chillier nights for three-season camping. I put them together for winter camping. I recently used them together on a night where it was 6 degrees F and I was very toasty (I actually had to vent a bit to keep from overheating) while sleeping in just my base layers.
@@jeffreycarman2185 when I used to live in NC, I would summer camp with only a liner. Mostly because I wanted a thin layer between me and any bugs that snuck into the tent. But in CO, I've woke up with frost on my tent in July. It's crazy the lows we have even in the summer.
I've heard it's not good to stack bags especially if they're down, unless you're doing it with a quilt. Sounds like that's where you had the most success though.
@@sleeves252000 it’s okay as long as the top bag isn’t compressing the down loft of the bottom bag. The lightest goes on top. With my gear, my 10° quilt weighs less than my 25° bag because of the outer denier of each. My quilt is light enough not to compress the loft of my bag. When I stack them I have a mountain of loft! About 10-11” of loft! It’s crazy how tall it is. A synthetic quilt on top of a down bag can be more idea because of condensation. But I only own down, so I used what I had. I did experience condensation on my quilt from my breath, but it dried very quickly in our dry, CO air. And the condensation on my tent was frozen, so it never dripped on my quilt. A bag could be left unzipped and draped over another bag like a quilt. But I would not zip a bag inside another bag because that would compress a lot of the down loft. Backyard experiments helped me so much. I’ve been out twice since those experiments and was comfy each time.
@@tc2156 sorry, I was vague I was concurring with you that the quilt was the best way to go if youre stacking. My bad
I would like to apologize for my incredible Eminem impression. It's probably too good. I'm sorry.
Wait… that wasn’t actually Eminem?! I’ve been catfished.
@@MirandaGoesOutside No I’m not the real Eminem catfish that’s somebody else. Would the real Eminem catfish please stand up?
@@RainerGolden lol
@@RainerGolden no, but you are slim and shady
@@lulucolby8882 I’m Slim Shady and also I’m Spartacus!
30 years ago, I learned the hard way that if there is ONE single thing in your entire loadout that you DO NOT want to skimp on, it's your sleeping insulation. You can manage a cheap tent. You can manage a cheap backpack. Your kitchen, water purification, food, clothes, all the rest, can be dirt cheap, and you can still have a lot of fun. But spend one night with no sleep shivering violently so you don't die in the woods from hypothermia, and you will realize that a premium sleeping bag is where you want to put your money FIRST and a high quality sleeping pad is second. Then go for the tent. After that it's dealer's choice, because all the rest is fluff compared to those.
I camp in Alaska. A good quality tent is just as important as my sleep system. I don’t skimp on anything related to my comfort or safety out here. ✌🏼
I half agree. A tent with a tore out wall from high winds blowing in is going to make you very cold even in your high end bag unless the shell is fully taped at every stitch line and completely wind resistant. For that capability in a bag you can expect to pay huge premium which from my experience is more $ than just buying a more durable tent. That is because the detailing required for that capability in a sleeping bag is often more labor intensive than in a tent. So in my opinion dollar for dollar both are equals.
@@SnowAngelfish I would agree, except cold nights are a helluva lot more common than wind so bad it will make a tent fail. And you can repair a tent in the field. You can't make your sleeping bag warmer in the field.
Also, the price differential between low and high end tents is WAY larger than sleeping bags. You can get a top performing bag for around $400 and cheap bags will still run you $50-100 unless you are getting the stuff so cheap the manufacturer warns you against using it outdoors. Lowest reasonable end on tents is around the same $50-100, but top performing tents START at $400-500 and can easily run nearly a grand.
Unless you were talking about the stuff so cheap everyone should know better than to rely on it. Which maybe you were - wind blowouts in a tent is generally something you find in Walmart crap, and there are plenty of tents you can buy for only $20 more that will survive all but the worst kind of wind - but that's not what I'd call "upgrading gear" so much as correcting the mistake of buy stuff so low quality it should not be used on trail - in the days of internet reviews, there's no excuse for that when reliable cheap gear is out there if you look. I'm mainly talking about upgrading from lower end to the kind of high performing stuff that the real enthusiasts use because it makes things so much better (and generally so much lighter).
My priority upgrade list would probably run like this:
Bag
Rain gear/base layer (tie)
Tent
backpack
puffy
pad
mid layers and socks
then literally everything else
But it's all just opinion. And all of that is out the window if any of your gear is so cheap/low quality that it is likely to fail if you use it outdoors.
Then OF COURSE replace that first.
I was pretty blown away at how good the Teton performed while filming this. When I left Miranda out there to sleep in it in 30 degrees I was sure she'd freeze out there. When she said it was actually fine I was very impressed with that little $120 bag! Something to consider if you're looking at the Teton now - Teton has a 1 year warranty kinda similar to REI's return policy, whereas Nemo has a lifetime warranty on all their products. Definitely $600 to spend all at once is good chunk of change, but if it is something reasonable to do for you that does buy you a lifetime of repairs or replacement for that bag. But if that upfront cost barrier of entry exists the Teton is a stellar bag for $120. I might borrow it from Miranda sometimes to use, honestly. Also a great beater bag or loaner bag as well for friends who want to join you backpacking to try it out but don't have a sleeping bag yet! I'd still go for the Nemo personally, but well done Teton. Good bag at a very good price!
It's a warranty for defects in product, they usually don't cover wear and tear etc. The warranties are almost identical between Nemo and Teton.
Thank you for these compare vids. Wait till you're older, you'll burn through the permafrost at menopause. When I was young and had low body fat, the Army stuck me in the coldest places with gear rated only to 32 degs. Gorgeous places, but it's so nice to get to pick my own gear now, with your help. Thank you!
Can confirm. I actually bring a rechargeable fan in the summer. Yes, I backpack with a fan. It is an absolute necessity.
Can also confirm there are so many differences between camping during menopause and before menopause. Basically I need a 20° variance in temp in the middle of the night without waking me up too much. 😂🤦♀️
As always, another GREAT video! Thank you!
I love the pure joy that you and Rainer share together--it is infectious!
My thoughts, while the video was rolling was, "You could double the Teton bags, and still come out a lot cheaper in the end." As I read the other comments, I noticed others sharing their stories of doubling up on bags. It may not be right for backpacking, but it would work well for car camping (I have done it, as well). My other thought is, let's do a test with sleeping bag liners! Are they worth it, or not? Thanks Miranda and Rainer and Crew for all you do to make our lives better and happier! Big hugs! ❤, Russ
Justin often uses a synthetic quilt over his Polar Ranger while backpacking. Of course, you’re not likely to notice an extra few pounds in a pack full of gear for -30C temps.
I had a Teton agree with your issues around the hood. I bought a small cheap sherpa blanket I would use to wrap around my head and shoulder area using the excess as a pillow. Unintentionally used it on a -5 night and was surprisingly comfortable. On the flipside if it was even slightly warm it would get uncomfortably warm. Not great temp regulation but still a good deal.
I love how we went from "neck hole" and "face part" to "chevron shaped baffles" in less than 5 seconds. I love when Miranda hits both ends of the knowledge spectrum 🙂
Expensive vs budget suggestion: can you test the Nemo tensor insulated pad vs the Paria insulated sleeping pad?
Oh great idea!!
Yes! I vote for this idea
Yes! Do this please.
Agree 👍
Every person i know with a nemo tensor has had it fail(seam leak) within 20 times of use.. light weight and warm is top teir but the build quality is shit.
This is cool, my style! My family has Nemo bags and Teton bags, love them both. We tend to use the Nemo’s backpacking, and Teton’s for car camping or boat
Seriously, your videos kill it. Such an incredible blend of honesty and vulnerability alongside dedicated gear reviews.
I love watching your videos. Your work vs the gear bros with an insatiable approach had no small part in getting my wife into the woods this weekend, and now she’s hooked. Thank you so much 🙏
thanks you for roughing it so I didn't have to! you are my hero 🤗
As a NewZealander who goes hiking late 3 seasons early 4 my sleeping bag is a macpac sleeping bag limit rated to 15 farenheight. Had it down to about 20 and been super comfortable I am a warm sleeper and if i was going to do winter camping I would probably get a sea to summit bag liner that adds warmth and call it a day
I own the teton sports sleeping bag. Spent a night in a snow cave with it, pretty cozy!
That’s awesome!! Yeah I was pretty impressed with it, tbh!
I wonder how much an inexpensive liner would help in the Teton.
I have had the Altos for a few years and have used it in both Michigan and Colorado winters. I have found that adding a cheap $10 fleece blanket on the inside really bumps up the performance of this bag.
Great video!
Would you ever consider doing a comparison of the various Stand To Pee devices for females available out there?
Specifically;
1. Shewee Extreme
2. Pstyle
3. Tinklebelle
4. Any silicone pee funnel
5. Any disposable (cardboard) pee funnel
6. Portable pee pouch (aka gel pouch)
I personally like the Shewee but it took me awhile practicing before I was confidant. I am wondering if the Tinklebelle (it comes in glow in the dark!) would be easier.
OMG WAIT I HAVE THREE OF THESE! I actually love this idea!
This is an excellent idea. I gave in a bought one. But I'm not sold on it. I'm thinking about trying different types. But I don't really have the money to do so. I would definitely enjoy watching a comparison such as this.
I had to pause the video while you’re sleeping in your yard to tell everyone the funniest story of winter camping. I am a retired teacher. A fellow teacher built a teepee with his class in the area behind our school and then had a series of overnights with students and parents winter camping in the teepee, as well as a night for any teachers that wanted to stay. The night myself, a sixth grade teacher, and the dance teacher stayed out it ended up being-8 degrees! The sixth grade teacher got super sick, fever around 103, and ended up going into his classroom to sleep. The dance teacher and I stuck it out, and honestly it was a blast. I had a 30 degree bag at the time, and a standard thermarest. I added an extra closed cell foam pad under, and slid my entire sleep system inside a flannel rectangular bag. With a down vest, down booties, I survived. The teacher who built the teepee stoked the fire and brought us coffee in our bags, then we got up, went into school and showered in the gym changing rooms and taught! Wild times.
That sounds like so much ridiculous fun!
This sounds like a great story. When I winter camp I don't do much except freeze in my tent, but when I look back on it I think of how awesome and fun it was.
I absolutely LOVE my Nemo Disco 15-it was worth every penny! 🙌 I tend to be a very hot sleeper, but I tend to camp quite a bit in the winter. If anything, I have been *too* warm in my Nemo Disco 😅 Oftentimes it really is worth saving up for the higher quality product. And you seriously can’t ever go wrong with Nemo-it’s one of my favorite brands for outdoor gear!
I would like to see a comparison of the budget Klymit insulated pad to a more expensive comparable insulated pad.
Yes, I'd love to see those compared. I have the regular klymit pad and have loved it so far.
I have the insulated pad and it has been comfortable and performed well while camping in the snow.
@@norklin5 Being a big guy I use a Klymit Insulated Static V Luxe plenty of real estate and rolls down a little wider than a Nalgene bottle.
It's a good pad, little weird as it will bottom out with sharp point of your body, elbows and knees it's meant to disperse the air within the pad evenly when your flat body weight is on it.
The material they use is a little slick, and I move around a bit at night. An odd sounding trick I thought of using silicone window adhesive, put little dots of it at least five inches apart all across my sleeping surface from shoulder section down a little past the hip of the pad, the places of your body you move the most.
When your sleeping bag material is in contact with the dried glue dabs it acts like an anti skid material..
Looks funky but actual worked better than I expected.
I don't like their valves, but apparently they re designed them.
Around about a hundred nights of use my Insulated Static V Luxe heat sealed seam had a small leak that the repair kit couldn't fix.
I called Klymit and the sent me a new pad free and kept the old one and found using B6000 clear craft glue sealed it tight and has never leaked since. I bought mine when they first came out, they were practically giving them away at promotion prices.Been using a Mountain hardware Mammoth down bag for years, recently switched to a Wiggy's zero degree Hunter bag for car and motorcycle camping, the Wiggy's does keep you warm enough at zero but not for back packers, it's bulky military grade.
Paused the video halfway through to get my next order of LMNT on the way. Thanks for reminding me. I love that stuff.
Well, Iâve always been scratching my head about kislux obsession with school bags and their practicality, but this video is adorable! Congratulations.
I would love to see more videos like this. I'm particularly interested in quilts
Great video. I like the gear comparisons to help balance quality, budget and comfort.
I bought a Feathered Friends bag 9 years ago. It’s still amazing.
I have 2 used ones, a 0F Ibis and a -10F Eider w/6oz overstuff. About a year ago I slept out at -15F in the Eider and was almost uncomfortably warm. I haven’t used the Ibis yet.
And it will continue to be amazing for the next 20 years, provided it's properly stored and cleaned correctly.
High-quality down garments and bags have more upfront costs, but their quality, durability, longevity, and warmth-to-weight can't be beat.
@@listofromantics My Eider was manufactured around 2000 according to FF. You’d think it just left the warehouse today by its looks. No smells, no stains, no tears or pulled threads - the former owner took care of it as though his life might depend on it.
Nemo and Zenbivy are the two biggest brands for the quarter of 2024. Justin, Eric, Deven, Dan and many others are all about reviewing all both new products from them. And I agree, both have made some crazy new innovations for the next chapter in hiking and backpacking.
I think the best comparison videos have 3 tiers: 1) expensive/best, 2) best bang for the buck/medium, and 3) on a budget but from a trustworthy company
What I liked about this video was taking an orange to apple comparison, but doing so smartly. Teton looks like a good no-down option.
This is the video that is missing from all gear reviews! Bought a Teton bag and so pumped (and nervous) to try it out. Thanks for the video!
I would not cheap out on a sleeping bag in the winter. Many nights spent freezing in crappy Coleman flannel bags growing up taught me that--and that was in the summer! If you know for certain you're not gonna be out in temps below freezing, then maybe the Teton would be a solid bag. But I wouldn't count on that. One thing that Winter weather is really good at is drastic changes in the middle of the night. And when that happens, you don't wanna be in a bag that's already at its warmth limit.
This has hopefully already been mentioned, but there are 135 comments, and I'm bound to miss one.
The BEST winter tip I ever got was to fill up a water bottle with boiling water before going to bed. Even better, put it in a wool sock. Toss that sucker into the footbox and hop in. Warms up the bag when you first hop in, plus your water isn't frozen. Tested this in the Whites on the winter solstice in 199something.
Since the weather is bad, I’d be interested to see a livingroom camping video 🙋🏼♀️.
I use a Teton 20f bag. I sleep hot and it keeps me warm down to mid 30s. I slept in it one time in the high 20s and it wasn’t quite enough. I was still fine, but I could feel the cold creeping in in different places and so I didn’t sleep as well. It’s a no frills bag but does okay if you understand it’s limitations.
Love your videos always! The gear comparisons are always very helpful and I especially appreciate your reviews.
What about gloves/mittens? Especially considering Raynauds?
One place where Teton SHINES (and where I no longer accept any substitutions) is their car camping bags. I vanlife, and I appreciate being able to basically use their rectangular car camping bags as a quilt with a footbox most of the time, but when it gets cold down to the comfort rating or below (at which point I've got a liner and other blankets in play), unlike most rectangular bags, I can sinch the top of A RECTANGULAR BAG into a hood, which is also a good way to create a pillow barn if I'm tent camping and don't want to lose my pillow. Teton makes quality products that I would put as mid-range "good enough" for most folks who do not do this as their job but maybe go out in optimal conditions a few times a year. That bag you tested would be an excellent choice for cooler shoulder seasons where it was going to get down into the 30s, but the weather was otherwise fine. If you're building out your kit, it would be an excellent way to cut price in a "this is fine" direction that would serve you well if you wanted to direct more money toward a pack or a shelter or a sleeping pad. The Nemo bag is great, but the Teton will serve well in most instances for most folks who are starting or only camp occasionally. The Teton bag would be a great choice to take on the kind of trip where you're sleeping on the folded down seats of a vehicle. They are both great bags, just know what you're going to need in performance before you go (always) and whichever you choose should serve you well as long as you choose appropriately to conditions and pair it with an appropriate pad. Thanks for the video.❤
A trick with keeping your water in your bag. If you have a Nalgene or a bottle that can take hot or boiled water you fill it with said water and then toss it in your bag. Gives that extra boost of warmth for when you're first getting in the bag.
I LOVE the Nalgene hot water bottle trick!! It does make a huge difference. I like to tuck it near my femoral artery to provide that full body warming 🔥
I would have liked to see a pack size comparison between the two but this was a very good video!
Not sure a 30 degree comfort rated bag is such a good idea for winter especially since you need to spend $200 on your insulated air mattress to make it work. Seems like this is a great option for getting into summer at high altitude or shoulder. And love that you tried it!
Great comparison. How did they compare in compacted size to fit in a backpack?
I’d rather a $120 bag that’s lighter and wet proof and carry a quilt just in case. I don’t like mummy bags or hoods so the loose hood is a selling point for me lol. I’d rather wear a fleece balaclava to keep me warm. Thank you for the reviews.
Great video! Always love your videos! I also have seen that there is a new sleep system from ZenBivy that is not only ultralight, but that also mimics the way your bed at home feels like. They do this by using a sheet that straps onto your air mattress, and then having the quilt snap onto that bottom sheet with toggles. I have the old version which truly feels like you are sleeping in your own bed, but if this new ultralight version hits the mark, it could be a serious revolution in the industry.
Man I wish I could justify the price. I need to convince myself I would use it a bunch before investing. A good reason to get out and do a lot of backpacking. 😅
@@thisbeem2714 Hell I sleep in my Down Mummy bag in my bed at home!!🤣🤣
Came here for the burp, stayed for the sleeping bag review... Loved both.
I have the older version of the teton bag for my kids for Cub scouts and it works well for us, and is budget friendly. I think adding a liner could boost the warmth if needed, and still be much more cost efficient for casual campers
I always love your gear reviews. I'm very glad you didn't freeze in either bag. Did the Nemo or Teton build up any condensation in the bags? I can't use down anything, medical reasons. I know of other companies that have bags rated to -60F for survival that are synethic bags but don't have an ISO rating. Most synethic bags are still made with a cheap insulation. You have to know how to find the good ones. Unlike down, the good synethic bags can be stored compressed for long periods with no loft destruction.
Take Care and Stay Safe.
HELP! As just a big of gear head and camper as you are, in my 30+ years I've been told that the temp rating is the survival rating- meaning a 0⁰ bag will keep you alive at 0⁰ (not comfortable but not hyperthermia) the comfort rating is what I feel your mixing up. I've always told others to buy 15-20⁰ warmer than the bag rating just as teton states. ** I of course did not work at rei, thus I will defer to your thoughts as that's where I get my gear knowledge.
I hear you!! Okay, so I still think it’s a good idea to recommend buying a bag that’s 15 - 20 degrees warmer than the low temps, *but* the “lower limit” rating, according to ISO, is specifically the lowest temperature at which a warm sleeper will be fighting against cold, but not shivering, and in “thermal equilibrium.” For most cold sleepers, like myself, the comfort rating is where we should be able to be relaxed and cozy; so if you sleep warm, then you’ll want to gauge somewhere between lower limit and the comfort rating. The lower limit, however, is NOT the survival rating. In reality, the temperature at which the bag will keep you alive (though at risk) is lower.
Now that only covers ISO-rated bags, which is why it’s so important to read the fine print and figure out if the company that makes your bag uses ISO ratings!
TL;DR - lower limit and survival ratings are different, but also all bodies are different, so recommending buying a bag that’s warmer than the low temperature is always a good call just so you’ll be extra cozy. You can always take a layer off or unzip if it you get hot!
Thanks for clearing that up! 🤙 like hammers, I've got 6 bags each serves a specific use. Lol. Thank you for your content! Keep it up!
That was fun! Thanks Miranda! I spent many nights “camping” outside with my children, brought back many memories.
Climashield Apex and Lamilite insulation are synthetic fills that are coated in silicone. They regularly reliably spring back to their original loft after being compressed and they are impervious to moisture. Wiggys uses Lamilite. Tons of companies use Climashield Apex.
Wiggy's bags are the bomb and are as big as a Bomber when you pack them. 🤣
But man they do what the say, Jerry is a cranky bit of a guy but his stuff works.
It's definitely a Car, over-lander or snow sledding bag.
I use mine for motorcycle camping late spring early fall.
They have a massive sale going on till the end of the year, just picked up a Super light zero degree mummy XL bag for $130.00 with Free sleeping Booties and rain parka..
Those sleeping booties work great.
The variety of creative content this year is amazing. I don’t know who owns the cat but it’s my new favorite repeat character this season.
Love you kiddo still the best comedian review specialist on the planet 😅. Thanks for the info on the bags. I have the teton bag and in usage with a woobie blanket can handle temps to near 0 degree. I got this from the ideal of some nut determined to make me teach him how to survive that crap. Told home to find an ultralight sleeping bag capable of 0 degree synthetic materials. But you did the work for me. I uploaded the link to my Facebook wall. I fell in love with your content the first time I viewed you. Had me cracking up with laughter but very informative. Thank you for that.
SEMPER FI
Great video! I have the Teton and it is perfect for camping in north Florida in January (can get in the 20s), this year I added a fleece liner for $20 and slept like a baby in the cold, damp tent. :)
Oh my gosh what a +1 for Teton Sports! I think it is a really great car camping bag too, as someone else mentioned!
Florida Cold fronts SUCKKKKKK!! People don't realize the moisture content AKA Humidity is a heat sucking vampire.
I remember them years when it got like 20 with high winds cold factor of lower teens.
Good God rip right through you.
I live in Norther New Mexico now and people would say during the winter wearing a wind breaker when I first moved here "how can you not be cold, you're from Florida"?
I have Nemo bags. I also have a Teton zero degree synthetic. I think you're right about Nemo designs being smarter, even though the cheaper Teton is still pretty good.
Nemo definitely puts thoght into the design of their gear. The CEO is a top graduate of the Rhode Island School of design. He is very knowledgable of design and materials and he is an outdoors person.
I have the Teton leef 0. It's a good bag, but the measurements are off. Still worth the $70 price point. I upgraded to a down thermarest. Definitely better for near $250. If you're looking to gear up on a budget the leef synthetic is it.
Teton makes some pretty good gear. I've taken one of their -7C bags and a sleeping bag liner out to a couple -25C nights and been perfectly fine. Definitely recommend for someone looking for something budget friendly
Love your review! Would you still recommend de Nemo Sonic 0? Have you considered the -20 degrees model? What about it's durability? Is the fabrics and construction holding up to the environments?
Ok. I just ordered some LMT. I have the migraine problem so I hope that I I like this stuff! I HATE stevia and kinda wish they had a cane sugar option. Hopefully I won’t notice the stevia and I love it as much as y’all do.
I loved this video! It was super helpful. I’m a huge NEMO girl but sometimes paying their prices is a little painful. as a video, I would love to see you do the same type of comparison for sleep mats.
I would love to see a trip where everything is from Decathlon. There are some great budget options there.
Decathlon 'rocks' 👍.
th-cam.com/video/ELkDUDxoWtg/w-d-xo.html
Hi Miranda and Rainer! Cool video, thanks! Have you heard about a Polish sleeping bags and down gear "Cumulus"? You should check them out! I like Nemo, but I see that Cumulus makes the same results while lighter and less expensive (Cumulus Teneqa 700 has comfort temp -10C / 14F at 1150g / 2.53lbs for $515).
I also have the nemo sonic 0, I've taken mine down to -18F testing. Last trip lows were 20-30, that was alittle bit of a struggle being hot...
Have a 0 degree Colman mummy bag for truck camping, it's good till 32F. 32-0F it's goes inside a regular Colman heavy bag. 0 to -30F add clothing layers then add blankets 😂 lowest I've gone truck camping so far, lower than that and would have to start worrying about the truck...
Such a wonderful comparison video with loads of great information AND laughs!
I love Nemo sleeping bags. Nemo Riff is what I have. Those thermogills are amazing
As primarily a kayak camper in Minnesota, and not really a winter camper, the $120 Teton sounds like a great product to extend my season for overnight camping from early spring through late fall. Better than my current system of multiple, bulky layers that devolve into a twisted nest by morning.
I bought it for the same reason and it has done just that.
Plus, when dealing with water environment with the risk of getting the bag wet if, say, a dry bag fails, synthetics fill is a good idea. And with canoes or kayak, weight and bulk are much less an issue than when you have to carry the bag on your back or on a bike!
Always be cautious in showing your neighborhood. It's usually a good idea to blur. You'd be surprised how little information is required to figure out where someone lives.
Yeah. You are so right.
Rainbolt will find you.
$120 is a lot of money to a lot of people.
Great point, and $600 is very cheap to some people as well. If you think deeply the point is one is far more expensive. Is it worth the extra?
True but many more people can afford a 120 bag than a 600 bag
Thanks for reviewing the Teton bag. It's one more option for me as I'm allergic to down. I could easily pair it with my EE apex quilt for a nice winter car camping setup. Synthetic is so much heavier. Massive bummer.
Teton makes some really high value bags. We bought two -35 bags each for around 80$ for emergency prep gear. Now these are not for backpacking they are too bulky but amazing bags! For backpacking you need to spend more for better quality insulation and less weight.
love the video! been watching you for awhile and surprised you haven’t tried the zenbivy! I used the light bed and my big Agnes sleeping pad for two months in the desert and I’m never going to another sleep system or quilt again. would love to hear your opinions on the zenbivy!
Cheap versus steep lanterns/lights! I find some of the cheap ones are EXCELLENT compared to my black diamond headlamp (though lack some features the black diamond has), while others are pretty awful all around. It'd be interesting to see your perspective (and probably shadow puppets)
I have been using a -20 extreme -5 comfort, bag from Columbia for years. Only ever tested that extreme once. Then my summer bag is something from Amazon cause I don’t play well with sweating. I’ve got a stove it doesn’t make sense to worry during summer.
Just a note, TH-cam inserted two ads in the middle of your own LMNT ad.
Great video! I use the Teton as it was my entry level to cold camping bag and it does great to about 30 degrees. I picked up a fleece liner for it on Amazon and it’s WAY better then. I ended up going with this and a down blanket and it’s been good till about 17 then it’s time for the diesel heater 😂
I'm 6'6 on tinder. I'm dying over here haha. I'm blessed with the finances to buy the more expensive bag, but I I've never been winter camping so I wouldn't spring for something like that just to try it out. I have a 20° Teton bag and actually really like it, so I might give the cheaper one a shot if I do decide to go on a winter trip.
Wwaaiiittt a minute... I do have the zero degree Teton bag😂. That's how often I go cold winter camping haha. I bought it last year and used it on my last trip of the season and I liked it a lot. I definitely recommend it for anyone who just wants to try out the cold weather camping but I admit it probably only got down to 25° that weekend.
If you're sleeping bag doesn't smell like farts, that means it's unloved? I have never thought of it that way but I am definitely adopting that philosophy.
I dipped my toe into winter camping with that same Teton sports bag. It got down to 25 degrees and I just couldn't get warm in it so I bailed. The bag has found new life as a loaner bag to friends I bring backpacking with me on warmer trips. It does very well for them down to 40 degrees at night.
I think that is probably the best use for the Altos 0. Loaner bag for trips where low temp is above 30. It’s a great option for that. It’s quite light with the compression sack and packs small well so I really dig that about it too.
Solid video. I ended up with an Echo park 20. Its a little heavier, being synthetic, but it's so warm.
I know this is 6 months old now, but how bout testing the Teton Altos 0 bag that is actually a down bag, against the Nemo here. Yes, it's twice the cost as the synthetic version at $250, but I have an OG in both the 0 and 20 degree versions. I almost never use the 20 bag now that I have quilt, but for winter camps, the Teton Altos 0 down bag has been plenty warm for me when using it in in teens and single digits.
My boy scout troop has been very happy with the performance of the Hyke & Byke Snowmass 0 degree bags, we use them for our snow cave winter camping.
i love all your videos!!! ive been looking into different sleeping bags and this def helps sm!
You’re so welcome!! I’m glad to hear that 🥰
Thanks so much for all the info you shared in this video. I learned a lot! I own the Altos and I haven't been cold in it yet. I didn't know the point of the little collar thing in the hood before hearing you talk about it so I can see that as a poor design feature.
I have younger kids so I am putting away all my ultralight backpacking gear in favor of some more plush comfy gear since most of my camping these days happens within sight of the minivan. I was really tempted by the Therm-a-rest MondoKing, but didn’t want to pay $240 so I got some $35 Amazon pad (Zooobelives) and figured if it was terrible at least it didn’t cost much. Anyhow, I have been super impressed with it. Solid construction, pretty easy to inflate, really comfortable… but I can’t help wondering about that MondoKing and if I’m missing out. Would you test some sleeping pads? There are countless random brands on Amazon, but also the Big Agneses, therm-a-rests and and Nemos of the world.
I'm a van lifer... Nothing sucks more than waking up to your contact lenses inside little chunks of salty ice. Always keep them warm with you.
Looks very much like the Teton Sports bag I have. Kept me warm down to about 27 degrees on a backpacking trip, but I wore all my clothes, including a coat, as well, because I knew I was at the limit of the bag.
I would agree it's a comfort rating of 30 or 35, vs the survival rating of 0.
Two products I'm looking into are the paria thermodown mummy bag vs thermodown quilt. I'd love to see you do a comparison of those!
Great review. But I'm more interested in that grid fleece hoody. 😃 What is it? Thanks!
Went winter camping in Temps less than 20°F, stayed plenty warm with 0° bag,but there is the condensation issue. Make sure to take plenty of dry clothes and separate set of dry clothes for sleeping.😊
I would like a Miranda video comparison between backpacking quilts and mummies. UGQ quilts are awesome.
Here's a question: would adding electrolytes to your water keep it from freezing? Down to what temp can Element water go?
I would love a video about bag liners- especially those thermal liners Sea to Summit makes (or similar). Do they work? Are they worth the money? So many questions.
i always use liners, either microfleece or silk -- yes, they do help add a few degrees of comfort (don't expect to turn a 32F bag into a 0F bag, but maybe a 5F improvement is what i've read -- and agree with), they help keep drafts out when my quilt shifts too far in summer, but maybe the main reason is that they keep my quilts/bags cleaner, and drier if sweating.
Thank you for this great information! Please do tents soon! And add the ‘middle of the road’ option as suggested by another viewer.
One other note: the Nemo bag is made for side-sleepers, a little wider around the middle. The TS bag is more of a mummy-style bag.
Hey, can you try the sleepingbag liner from Sea to Summit? The "extrem" one, which claims to add 25°F (15°C) to your sleep system, only at the weight 14oz (399g).
Nemo is nice but wow, over 3lbs seems heavy. My 20 degree quilt was much less. Great video and I like that water proof foot box
Would you consider making a camping video with only decathlon products??
Interesting! I slept out of a Big Agnes Benchmark 0* from mid March to mid May in the PNW. I definitely was cold some nights! I wonder now if it was the bag's fault or if it was because I just had a closed cell foam pad with an R value of 2 or so.
You go girl! I would never be caught dead on purpose sleeping in the cold. I do have a thermal bivy in my emergency car kit
I have a NEMO Sonic 0F that’s about 6 years old, and I was very underwhelmed by it at first. I was using an Exped DownMat 9LW with it and was chilly in the teens. So I used it as a 20F bag and it worked fine there. I went a few years without using it, until I went on an overnight gear test last November. Temps got down to the mid teens, but on my XTherm MAX I was nice and warm. So the problem seemed to be with the Exped pad, not the Sonic. I figured the problem with the Exped pad was the down had migrated, so I painstakingly spread the down out as best I could and will give it a Miranda test if we have any more overnight temps in the teens or lower this winter. Or maybe I’ll take it up a local mountain that’s always a lot colder. The XTherm is light enough that I could bring both pads, inflate both, and bail from the Exped to the XTherm if I get cold.
I found a 0F Feathered Friends bag for a good price so that’s my 0F bag now, with the Sonic back to being my 20-30F bag. The FF is a true 0F bag, so the $750 price tag may be worth it.
I’ve seen a few reviews of the Cumulus Teneqa 700 (14F comfort, 0F limit), at $405 it might be a good happy medium. Maybe I’ll order one this fall to see how it compares
That was a great comparison. I’m hopeful a synthetic Nemo would be a very doable option.
Love my Nemo dragonfly tent❣
Same 💚
Thanks for the comparison video. Can you do a video on comparison of best hiking boots? Love your content! ❤
Oh gosh footwear is so personal, but I love this idea!!
@@MirandaGoesOutsideit’s always interesting to hear folks experiences. I guess a bunch of TH-cam fools might buy the type that works with YOUR feet and then complain that the shoes don’t work for their, completely different shaped feet. 😅
My $130 Kelty Cosmic 20 has served me very well. If temperatures go low I combine it with a Sea to Summit Thermolite Reactor Extreme Sleeping Bag Liner