Finally upgraded my sleeping bag after 8 years of cheap ones

Honestly I never got why people spend over $100 on a sleeping bag until last month. I was out at Lake Tahoe in 35 degree weather and my old Coleman bag just couldn't keep me warm no matter how many layers I wore. After borrowing a friend's REI Magma 15 for one night I totally get it now. The draft collar and hood design make such a bigger difference than I expected. Anyone else have a piece of gear they ignored forever before finally trying?

2 comments

2 Comments

nancy3913d ago

That bag only matters if you've got a decent pad underneath.

sethtorres3d ago

Actually the Magma 15 is a down bag so it's 850 fill power not the synthetic stuff you probably had before. That's a big reason why it packs so small and keeps you warmer for the weight. I made the same mistake thinking all $300+ bags were just hype. The draft collar thing is real though, I had the same moment when I finally tried a proper mummy bag with a hood. Once you feel how tight that neck seal keeps the heat in, it's hard to go back to a rectangular bag that lets all your warmth leak out the top.