Re: [Paddlewise] Sleeping bags for kayaking

I switched to using a down bag late last spring, and have been happy so
far.  Dave Kruger's point about the frequency of soaking, esp. the hazards
of camp, is good, but was outweighed for me by the fact that I got a 
tiny down Moonstone bag used for a ludicrously low price. It is a
convertable which has a thin normal mummy with an extra down blanket that
snaps in to give a heavier layer on top.  I think the comfort ratings are
something like 45 degrees v. 35 with the blanket, maybe a bit higher. Did
several trips last summer without the blanket and was fine (Seattle/
Vancouver Island area).

I LOVE packing this bag!  Without the blanket, it takes HALF the volume of
a "small" drybag.  It looks like a rubberized package of 2 BigMacs and 2
medium fries.  It is no bigger than my head (and not quite as soft)!  I
should really try an immersion test, but haven't yet.

I love to bring junk in my boat, and this thing opens up a whole new world
of over-packing.  On a three night trip to Barkley Sound, one of our party
repeatedly said "if only we had...," to which I replied "I have one (or
two or 50 feet)."  This was the highlight of the first 2 days of the 
trip, which might suggest how much it rained...

On my first camping trip in a few years, I went car camping by Willapa Bay
in September and FORGOT my sleeping bag.  The low temp was probably about
50, and plenty of people sleep in their clothes on the streets in worse,
without tent or thermarest, so I kept my mouth shut and put on all my
layers.  It wasn't great, but I got a fair amount of sleep.  The sea may
not be forgiving, but the marine climate can be.

Mike Wagenbach


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