How to Choose Sleeping Bags for Backpacking

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Condensation? Frost? Bring 'em on. The Mountain Hardwear Bishop Pass GORE-TEX 15°F long sleeping bag's highly water-resistant shell helps keep you cozy in the high alpine or under the stars.
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Best Use | Backpacking |
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Tested Lower Limit | 15 degrees (F) - ISO |
Tested Comfort | 26 degrees (F) - ISO |
Temperature Rating (F) | 15 degrees (F) |
Temperature Rating (C) | -9 degrees (C) |
Weight | 2 lbs. 13 oz. |
Shell | Nylon with GORE-TEX INFINIUM WINDSTOPPER membrane |
Zipper Location | Left |
Insulation Type | Down |
Fill | 650-fill-power goose down |
Fill Weight | 1 lb. 7 oz. |
Sleeping Capacity | 1-person |
Lining | 30-denier plain-weave nylon |
Sleeping Bag Shape | Mummy |
Fits Up To (in.) | 78 inches |
Shoulder Girth (in.) | 64 inches |
Hip Girth (in.) | 56 inches |
Stuff Sack Size | 8 x 15.5 inches |
Stuff Sack Volume | 12.25 liters |
Compressed Volume | 11.3 liters |
Gender | Unisex |
Sustainability | Down certified to the Responsible Down Standard (RDS) |
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I bought this bag 4 weeks ago and wanted to try it out. I camped at May lake "9300 feet elevation" inYosemite. It snowed a day before so the temp at night dipped down to 12 - 15F, I thought I made a mistake not bringing my 0F 800 goose filled sleeping bag, but this bag lived up to its temp rating, I was comfortable and warm all night in my shirt, no extra layer needed. My toes warmed up in 10 minutes. I was able to move from side to side easily because it is a long size and felt no draft. I am very happy with my purchase.
I own several sleeping bags, and have worked in the outdoor industry. My belief is most people shopping for a sleeping bag to be used in cold, wet weather, are likely going to be fine with the regular Bishop Pass, a terrific bag in it's own right, and not need Gore Tex. This bag is best used in very damp conditions. Be that a backpack in the Olympic Rainforest, or perhaps at altitude when the temperature hovers around freezing but there is high humidity, and dew and frost from condensation cover almost everything (this happens in mountaineering a fair amount). Or if you love sleeping cowboy style, or under a tarp. If you use a tent, that is going to do the trick for the majority of people reading this. Another factor to know is there are sleeping bags that are treated down, and/or a treated shell. In fact, one can buy a regular Bishop Pass, buy Nikwax Down Proof, and treat it yourself in a good, front-loading washing machine. This will make the bag somewhat hydrophobic, allowing moisture from condensation to bead right off the bag, or help the down keep from clumping even in high humidity situations. A few other key elements to clear up. While this is GoreTex Infinium (Windstopper) it is still 99% waterproof, almost exactly like regular GoreTex. It has a very effective membrane to keep water out. The seams are not taped, but the bag is effectively waterproof. While it is GoreTex, the fear that it will not breathe and you will overheat is mostly unfounded. Unless you are doing pushups in your sleep. It breathes plenty well. There is another misnomer that the bag is not as soft as other bags, this too is false. It actually feels quite nice, subtly brushed ripstop nylon. The cons? It's slightly more heavy than a regular Bishop Pass. In fact, you can find a quality 0 degree down bag that weighs less than this, for the same cost. It also does not compress as well, or small as a similar bag that is not GoreTex. It does however come with a compression sack.
The main reason I purchased this sleeping bag was REI's description of the product. One reason is that it is filled with goose down, and another reason is that its outer fabric is Goretex. However, I was very disappointed to find out that the sleeping bag actually uses duck down filling, which has a significant difference in warmth performance. I hope REI corrects the description of this product promptly, as it is highly misleading to consumers.
So far so good. Have only slept in the bag during 37 degree weather so not it’s limit but was toasty and dry!
The main reason I purchased this sleeping bag was REI's description of the product. One reason is that it is filled with goose down, and another reason is that its outer fabric is Goretex. However, I was very disappointed to find out that the sleeping bag actually uses duck down filling, which has a significant difference in warmth performance. I hope REI corrects the description of this product promptly, as it is highly misleading to consumers.