35* neighborhood sleeping bags

[GreatDivide14]

I'm looking into a new sleeping bag, one in the 32/35* range. I strongly prefer down, and I definitely want something pretty slim that I can stuff inside my 15* Marmot Sawtooth for deep cold. I've largely ruled out the MH Phantom 32 because it's more expensive than the competition and I don't think it would fit well as a liner. You'll all be surprised, I'm sure, to find that the WM Highlite is a front runner; anyone care to comment on the durability or water resistance of its shell? The FF Rock Wren is the wildcard; naturally, I like the idea of being able to wear it outside for midnight bathroom breaks, especially when I'm in a hammock and can't put on warm clothes inside before slipping out. It's also available with a lovely Pertex shell, unlike the WM. I'm just worried that the relatively wide foot wouldn't cram neatly into the foot on my Marmot. If anyone knows anything about any of these, I'm all ears...thanks.

[Greyhound]

Well, I spent a long time looking for a bag along the same criteria as you, and I actually got the MH phantom 32. I love it, its not too wide (i can get it in my 15 degree synth bag easy), comfortable, and weighs and packs down to next to nothing. I think it would be worth re-considering.

I have a friend who does cycle-touring and has the ff rock wren, and he likes that one two, but its kinda bulky(almost a rectangle cut) as a inner bag unless you have something like the great auk or a big agnes.

Obviously, you can't go wrong with WM for quality, except for the sewn-threw construction depending on what you are using it for. Because of that issue, most people consider it a 40 degree bag.

I would also consider the Marmot bags, like the atom, which is reputedly warmer than its 40 degree rating, and Montbell bags, which have a great reputation.

-Greyhound

[GreatDivide14]

Thanks for the suggestions. What gave me pause about the MH Phantom was the claim at REI that it's cut relatively wide in a few key areas, which suggested that it's not so great as a liner. What brand is your 15*?

I'm a pretty warm sleeper, so I figure the Highlite should be adequate for anything too warm for my Sawtooth. Plus, I can tell people I have a WM, and I can get 15% off at the local shop.

The reason I ruled out the Atom (and its sleazier cousin the Never Winter, and options from Moonstone, TNF, GoLite, etc.) is that the specs at the Marmot website say it's cut the same as my Sawtooth, which, if anyone from Marmot is reading this, THEY NEED TO CHANGE RIGHT AWAY. I probaby would have pounced on the Never Winter if it was cut thinner, but apparently, there's no market for a cheapish bag with an efficient cut.

I hadn't looked at M-B...thanks for the heads up. For my money, I think I can get more bag and less weight with the WM, though those stretchy baffles are a strong selling point. The specs at the site say their 37* models are 71" wide at the shoulder compared with 62 for my Sawtooth; I assume the second figure (53") is the result of the stretch baffling. Anyone know how they fit inside other things? Also, $165 for their cheesier model is tempting.

More data is good...everyone help...thanks.

[Greyhound]

My 15 degree bag is a Mountain Hardwear 2nd dimension (no, I'm not a mh *****, in fact i sent the 2nd dimension back because I wasn't happy with the insulation) and I put the phantom in with the quantom expander expanded, thinking I would need the extra room. I then zipped up the expander, and it still worked.
Most people who consider the MH actually reject it because it is skinnier than the Marmot equivalent, so I would say its skinny, but being a human bean pole, everything is roomy to me.
The WM would be awsome, and probably would have been more strongly considered if I had a local dealer where I could play with one first.
-Greyhound

[Greyhound]

REI has the marmot atom on sale from 249 to 189, might be worth checking out.