Big Agnes Lost Ranger +15 Sleeping Bag

Comments about Big Agnes Lost Ranger +15 Sleeping Bag:

After my experience with my first Big Agnes Lost Ranger, getting another one to replace my stolen one was a no brainier (I already own a BA Yampa 40º because of the Lost Ranger). However when I went to buy my bag's replacement I noticed something right away- the bag had been updated.

The new Lost Ranger bag is built with Insotect Flow construction. Instead of individual baffles, it has full-length vertical baffles which have flow-gates. This is supposed to distribute the heat uniformly throughout the bag, unlike individual baffles which get heated individually by your own body heat. I was a little hesitant about getting the new bag since my bag's old construction had allow me to sleep warm and comfortably when the temperature dropped to 9º with a liner and thermals.

So far I have been in this bag down to the mid 20s, I'm sure that with thermals and a liner you can be comfortable at the bag's rated temperature. Plus every bag manufacturer expects you to be wearing appropriate sleepwear to reach their bags' rated temperature. Plus the rule of thumb is to always get a bag rated 10º lower than you expect to encounter. One thing I did notice immediately is that the foot box has more insulation and my feet are no longer easily cold.

I thought my old bag was great, but this one is even better as the bag does get warm more easily and the cold spots are basically gone.

The Lost Ranger doesn't work with a sleeping pad that is tapered at the feet or has a mummy shape. The air gets in through the nylon sleeve that isn't filled up by the pad. You need to have a true rectangular sleeping pad to fill in the whole pad sleeve or you can forget about the 15º rating. It doesn't work with a thin pad.

I consider myself a cold sleeper and I flip-flop like a fish out of the water when I sleep. I always ended up twisted in my regular mummy bags and off the pad. The Big Agnes system allows me to stay on my pad and sleep just like I would sleep at home on my bed. The bag is roomy and makes backpacking luxurious.

If there is one thing I wish I could improve on the bag is that I wish it had a bigger hood, other than that this is a great bag!

Comments about Big Agnes Lost Ranger +15 Sleeping Bag:

I'm giving this bag a low rating mainly because Big Agnes does not reveal that they designed this bag for back sleepers, while more than half of all people are side sleepers. I do think this bag would work as designed for a back sleeper, but here's what happens if you're a side sleeper.

First, the bag is pulled tight over your top shoulder, like a tent. Then, it is held rigidly in place along the sides of your mattress. You cannot draw the bag close to you because of that. The result is air spaces that you can't close.

The same thing happens at the feet. The foot of the bag is humongous. Again, the bag is held rigidly to the sides of the mattress and you can't pull it in around your feet. Same result: large air spaces.

Finally, a side sleeper can't use the hood on this bag. With a regular mummy if you're a side sleeper you turn on your side and the whole bag turns with you, including the hood. You can't do that with a Big Agnes because the bag doesn't turn, due to being held in place by the mattress. If you turn on your side the hood will be covering your face.

Can you just lay the sleeping bag on top of your mattress, without putting the mattress in the pocket in the bag? Yes, but you will lose a lot of insulating value. At some point in the night you will find your rear end exposed to the cold air due to the bottom not being insulated.

When I discussed these issues with Big Agnes, I was told that their bags are designed for back sleepers and that they don't work well for side sleepers.

Reviewers at backpacking forums say this bag is comfortable to about 30 degrees, not 15. It's heavy and pricey for a bag that can only go to 30 degrees. There are better choices that are lighter and cheaper and that provide insulation on all sides.

Comments about Big Agnes Lost Ranger +15 Sleeping Bag:

The Lost Ranger is a very good bag system. It is versatile, roomy, and warm if paired with the right pad. Of course, it was designed to be used with a pad. I have been hiking and camping over 40 years and so far the Lost Ranger turns out to be the most comfortable of my many sleeping bags. The colder it is, the thicker and longer the therma-rest pad I use. In the summer I use a very light pad. Over the past 15 years I have become a lot more comfort driven, comes with age. Being light, versatile, and toasty with the right pad is essential for me. The one weakness the Lost Ranger, and many other high-end sleeping bags, can improve on is to design a zipper system that does not snag so easily. If you use this bag in the winter and fail to use a well insulated closed air-chambered pad with lots of dead air space like a therma-rest you will get cold. Having said that, with your body weight condensing the down feathers or other kinds of expensive bottom-insulated bags, you substantially reduce dead air space so the cold works its way up to your body even at temperatures considerably above freezing. So once again, a good pad in the early spring, winter, and late fall is always recommended. One more recommendation, as in all down bags, an outer shell for the bag both breathable and waterproof is a good addition on wetter-colder nights. It adds some "R" value to the system. If the weather report is predicting colder weather than usual, add a body sock on the inside. The Lost Ranger will serve you well when used in tandem with the right components. This bag is almost 5 stars.

Comments about Big Agnes Lost Ranger +15 Sleeping Bag:

I was worried about using this bag as my sole sleeping arrangement for my 2 week camping trip. Pennsylvania spring weather can be quite variable especially in the higher hills where I was going. I thought I might be either too cold or too hot, as it turned out I tested both ends of the spectrum and the bag did just fine up until the sun started heating up the tent on the few hot days I had. temps went down to ~30F and I discovered the utility of the mummy style sleeping bag. I felt no chill at all on those cold nights although I could sense that if temps went any lower the roomyness of the bag especial the foot area would begin to become an issue, an issue best solved by doning long johns, socks etc..., but it is likely that the +15 rating is right on the mark.

The zipper did snag for sure, some of which is a given I think, some was my poor technique, but this is my first "real" sleeping bag so I cannot judge it against any other so maybe there are better designs. It was a show stopper and as long as I used a certain method it wasn't a problem. I did not like the feel of the interior against my skin (I prefer to sleep sans clothing) but a fleece liner (which I forget to bring) would of helped there although it would have worked against me on the warmer nights. However this is a matter of personal preference and not a ht on the bag itself, it never stopped me from getting to sleep and feeling warm. I used this bag for car camping and I imagine it would tend a little heavy and bulky for the ultra light backpacking types. So while not 5 stat perfect (zipper and interior fabric) this bag did great for me.

Note I did not use it with an insert since I was using a cot with its own insert and a pad of memory foam on top of that. Maybe on another trip I'll use it with an integral pad.

Comments about Big Agnes Lost Ranger +15 Sleeping Bag:

This bag is comfortable down to the mid 20's. You can be comfortable at the rated temperature but you will need long underwear, socks and other clothing inside the bag.
The large bag is roomy enough for big guys. I am 220# 6'4. The long bag is fine.

Comments about Big Agnes Lost Ranger +15 Sleeping Bag:

I've been searching for (and dreaming about) a bag with just a bit more room - something that could match up with my traditional car-camping bag that is rectangular and nice and wide. This is by far the closest/best match so far. It's weight and packability is similar to other down bags with the same temperature ratings, so it's great for backpacking. And, I get to finally stretch out and sleep on my side (I turn from one side to the other multiple times a night - it works perfect in this system)!

The icing on the cake is the quality build and the ability to support a Colorado-based company!

Comments about Big Agnes Lost Ranger +15 Sleeping Bag:

As a tall guy (6'6") I have difficulty finding a roomy and comfortable sleeping bag. The REI Salesman recommended this bag. It is the most comfortable bag I have ever had. It is roomy and keeps you warm without sweating. This has been the best camping purchase I have ever made.

Comments about Big Agnes Lost Ranger +15 Sleeping Bag:

I bought this at an REI garage sale for [$], so I am pretty happy with what I got for that price. The big draw back is that you need to use a Big Agnes sleeping pad with this thing. While REI may advertise that this bag can be used with any 20'' wide rectangular sleeping pad, however this is not the case. From Big Agnes website:Do I have to use a Big Agnes pad with my Big Agnes sleeping bag?You don't have to do anything you don't want to do. Put simply, the pad you use needs to fit snugly in the pad sleeve for the system to work best. Pads that are too short or don't fill out the pad sleeve completely can lead to cold spots and ultimately sleepless nights. If you choose to use a pad that is not rated to the same level as your bag or does not fit the pad sleeve properly, the bag will not perform fully to its potential.If you get the regular length bag, there are several pad options out there for you, however if you have the long version, the only 78'' long pad is made by big agnes and is the inflatable version. If you use a regular or short pad with this bag, there will be gaps in the bag with no insulation, this makes for an uncomfortable night in the cold. I have only found other pads up to 77''. I prefer closed cell foam pads, and there are none the correct size. I am going to have to make my own.

Comments about Big Agnes Lost Ranger +15 Sleeping Bag:

This is great bag. I have slept in it when it was 30 degrees outside and was quite comfortable. I am XXL guy and the bag had sufficent room. The air mattress pocket allows the guy that flips and flops in his sleep to do so without sliding of the pad and waking up in a wad. The hood works really well even when you flip and flop.

One thing to remember with this bag is that it MUST be used with an insulated pad, as the bag has no insulation on the bottom. I use a Big Agnes Insulated Air Core mattress with it. I can sleep in 30 degree temperatures in a stocking cap, tee shirt, thermal underwear bottoms and socks in comfort, but I would have reservations about trying 15 degrees without more clothes or an additional insulated pad ot mat.

Comments about Big Agnes Lost Ranger +15 Sleeping Bag:

Sorry guys, I bought this bag with the idea that it could sustain me down to +15 degrees. It didn't.... no way can you do this with 650 fill!!!! yes, the bag is roomy and that was a major reason that I bought it. I sleep warm, but in this bag, I slept cold in 45 degree weather...not good. I returned it and will buy a Mont-Bell bag to handle the roominess issue.My last 2 treks to the Sierras, I brought along my sub-Kilo 20 degree bag to insert into the Bid Agnes.