Best place(s) for buying sleeping bags in Canada?

[dougz]

Where did you fellow Canucks buy yours?

Looking for a good quality 3 season mummy bag for not more $250..

Thanks!

[MCBushbaby]

Are you wanted to try it out first (hence the canada modifier)? Otherwise I have an ebay suggestion ;)

[dougz]

I'd rather not have to pay shipping, duties, etc. to get it across the border..

And if I'm not happy with it....

[MCBushbaby]

True that. Just FYI if you change your mind, look at the Intermediate sleeping bag from the USMC Modular Sleeping System (the black bag). Rated down to -10F by the US Army and can be had on ebay for less than $80. I think it weighs 3lbs, synthetic fill.

[DOGMAN]

Woods Canada is the classic Sleeping bag of the Canadian North Country- look into their stuff, they've been making bags in Canada for over 100 years

[DOGMAN]

Also, if you need a big, bad-to-the bone parka, look into Canadian Goose. They've been making awesome parkas for several decades

[dougz]

look at the Intermediate sleeping bag from the USMC Modular Sleeping System

Yeah, was looking at them..

We'll see what I can get in Canada first..

Heres one I found, so far:

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444261 8269&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302865703&bmUID=1229573420525

[MCBushbaby]

Now how does all that cotton in the Woods series work? Isn't rule #1 of survival clothing "Cotton kills?"

[MCBushbaby]

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444261 8269&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302865703&bmUID=1229573420525

For 3-season use that looks fine, even more so if you can try it out in a store first. But be weary of the temp rating with only a 5.4" loft... that's sketchy

[dougz]

Yeah, I can't try it out, unfortunately..

There IS a Coast Mountain Sports near me that should have a good selection..

$$$, though...

[MCBushbaby]

Don't worry about money for a 3-season. Just pick a cheap one that you like and if you find it too chilly on those spring mornings, throw in a fleece liner ($10-25) That'll add another 10F of warmth by itself. I mean, I've been camping in my folks' 25+ year old down bag with poor lofting from spring to fall in the UP of Michigan (canadian weather-relatable) just fine. But dammit all, I wanted to camp in the snow outside of primitive lean-to's so I had to move up.

[DOGMAN]

Now how does all that cotton in the Woods series work? Isn't rule #1 of survival clothing "Cotton kills?"

You use a waterproof stuff sack. Caring for a cotton sleeping bag is no different than carrying for a goose down bag- you have to keep them dry (goose down loses its loft and effectiveness when wet) These bags have been used to summit all the major Himalayn peaks, used in the Iditarod and Yukon Quest and all over the world. So, I'd say they work.

Really in extreme low temperatures you don't have to worry too much about saturation- just some moisture from condensation- which in the morning you just flash freeze the bag then beat off the ice crystals

Woods Canada also makes bags out of other more modern materials.

[dougz]

throw in a fleece liner Yeah, I saw those..

But then you have to pack THEM, too.. LOL

It says not to stuff sack down as it compresses it.... and then sell them with stuff sacks..

??? LOL

What's the difference btw. stuff sacks and compression sacks.

[flandersander]

fellow Canucks

I'm actually a leafs fan myself. I bought mine from Wholesale sports (http://www.wholesalesports.com) and it keeps me warm in -20F. I paid 165 bucks for it, but what the heck, its warm. And thats in just under wear in -20. Sleeping is easy, its getting back into -20 dagree clothes thats tough!

[dougz]

its getting back into -20 dagree clothes thats tough!

Can't you just stuff them in a cotton sack and use them as a body pillow?

That'd be my solution.. :)

[flandersander]

i'm sure you can do something with them, but with 4 big guys in a 5 man tent, its not so easy.

[MCBushbaby]

That's why you get the Long if you have the option. Turn sleeping bag stuff sack inside-out, insert boots, cinch, shove in sleeping bag foot. Same with clothes (as mentioned). You'll still have enough room to sleep plank.

[dougz]

Well, I'm 6'3 already, so..

Maybe just lie them flat and sleep on them? :)

[Riverrat]

The last winter sleeping bag I bought was army surplus, actually came from Germany. Had it for a few years and loved it, (ex wife has it now). Now I just have a bag I bought on the last trip into Maine.

[dougz]

I think I'm going to go with this one:

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444261 8269&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302865703&bmUID=1229573420525

And get the fleece liner:

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=253437430 2701579&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442420055&bmUID=1229917846091

, and this compression sack:

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444259 3533&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302701623&bmUID=1229917912837

[red lake]

I have the MEC Cygnet and I have no complaints.

Forget the cross border thing unless you absolutely have to. Then if you do figure on an extra $100-$150.

If you want a serious bag stay away from places like Coast Mountain Sports. They specialize in nothing except mass produced trendy garbage, IMHO.

You should be able to find a specialty shop and get a really good bag for less than $250. Actually if your budget is $250 then you should be able to find a decent winter bag for that. Or as I am currently set up.. Marmot fleece and nylon liner, MEC Cygnet, and a large square summer bag I paid about $60 for. I am going to try that combination for temperatures as low as -40C

One thing I found that really helps with the heat loss is a good Therma-rest. If you are traveling light on crown land take advantage of the spruce boughs as bedding.

If you do a search over at www.myccr.com in the forums there has been some great and lengthy discussions about sleeping bags and the site is primarily Canadians

[dougz]

Thanks for the link!

[outbac1]

Very difficult to go wrong with Moutian Equipment Co-op, MEC.

Can't go wrong with LL Bean either.