Sleeping systems and ways to lighten your/my pack

[revisualize]

So, I have a really old US Army sleeping bag. The dang thing is heavy as hell. I need to find something lighter. In fact, I need to find a way to lighten up my pack as a whole. Pushing 65lbs with just basic gear is not a good option at all. Heck I just weighed my bag + sleeping bag nothing else in it. 20lbs. :confused:
I'd really like to know what sleeping systems people use and other options for lightening my pack as a whole.

I'm going to do my best here to post links to my stuff. But, seeing as I haven't posted enough I don't have access. Good luck.

http 'colon' 'slash' 'slash' www 'dot' revisualized 'dot' com 'slash' bob 'slash' index 'dot' php
I know you are all smart and stuff.. But, this.. : is a colon, this.. / is a slash and a dot is something you have with poka's

I know I don't have a list of the items that are in my pack yet. But, yeah.. I don't know. I'm confused. I think I'm on the right track. But, I need some guidance.


Thanks in advance. Heck, thanks for even just reading.

[HileTroy]

Your within shouting distance of me for now. I will send you a private message and perhaps I can find a way to help you out personally.

[kenno]

Old sad sack

That army bag is probably filled with goose feathers and down, they are heavy.
I purchased a +20 degree bag last month for $70.00 that weighs 3 lbs. and packs into a 6"X9" bag.
Tips:
#1 Never buy down filled bags unless you are going to Mt Everest.
#2 Buy a bag with a 3/4 or full leangth zipper, 1/2 leangth zips are very slow to get in and out of!
#3 A bag that says it is rated for 40 degrees is actually good to about 50 degrees, the day it came out of the factory under perfect conditions, unless you live in a tropical area buy a 30 or 20 degree bag. Bags do break down over time and lose thier insulation value. A Gore-Tex bivy sack adds insulation value.
#4 Quality long lasting insulation costs more than cheap stuff. My $70 dollar bag was on sale and I only expect it to last one summer (I have other bags) Plan on spending $140 or more.
#5 www.campmor.com is a giant camping discout house that lists every bag made in every price range. www.REI.com used to list how they tested and rated thier bags.

[revisualize]

That army bag is probably filled with goose feathers and down, they are heavy.

Yeah, the liner inside the bag has small feathers and down in it. It is the only thing that I currently have and it was Free.95 with a 95cent discount. Hence the reason I attached it to my pack.
I used the bag when I was homeless about 9 years ago. I stayed warm every night with no issues.

I'm thinking I need to follow some of the things that Dave Canterbury shows in his videos and get a hammock and maybe a silnylon ripstop tarp.

I'm willing to spend the money because I figure not only will my pack be set and ready for emergencies. But, I can use it for camping in the spring.

Thanks for the reply and the info. I'll keep looking and hope I get more info bits here. :)

[cbprice797]

I got a nearly new 0(zero) degree 3/4 length zipper army issue sleeping bag for 40 bucks recently. Also got a bivy bag and now thet are connected(snapped) together and bagged up in my pack. Just head to nearest army surplus and you can usually find sleeping bags available, just check them carefully before buying. Mine has the new microfibre filling that is so much bettter than down we=ight wise.

[subman]

I have very good luck with going to overstock.com and going to there auction section then to sporting goods, it is all store returns and it is as is but i got two tents and a good coleman sleeping bag 2 trekking poles and 2 air matresses and various other camping stuff for 100 bucks including frieght and most of it looked like it had never been opened and worked fine

[revisualize]

Subman.. Thanks for the advice. I'll really look into it. It is tough to try and find what will work without trying things out but, I guess I gotta just keep researching and keep asking for input from others.

[Dracos]

I just spent 3 days and 2 nights camping out {hunting} in The Highlands. It got down to 6 degrees F. I had a light sleeping bag but not an adequate one. I was miserable, If you can't sleep you can't function. Remember, you are going to spend a third of your life sleeping. Do it well. The sleeping bag I had was rated for -30 degrees, thirty years ago. What ever it had then was gone. I have slept in it at -30. It lost its loft, probably from being stored packed. The second night was better. I just bought a new one. Expensive, heavy, but what would you pay for 8 hours of good sleep?

[prkchp76]

ecws all day long not to heavy but still some weight im with drak ill carry a little xtra weight to be comfortable

[revisualize]

I just spent 3 days and 2 nights camping out {hunting} in The Highlands. It got down to 6 degrees F. I had a light sleeping bag but not an adequate one. I was miserable, If you can't sleep you can't function. Remember, you are going to spend a third of your life sleeping. Do it well. The sleeping bag I had was rated for -30 degrees, thirty years ago. What ever it had then was gone. I have slept in it at -30. It lost its loft, probably from being stored packed. The second night was better. I just bought a new one. Expensive, heavy, but what would you pay for 8 hours of good sleep?

Personally, I'm willing to spend a lot on a good sleeping system.
I thank you for your information. But, I'm really looking for some good information based upon the link I semi-posted to find ways to lighten my pack. AND find a good either good reviews of sleeping systems. What has worked for people and what hasn't.

Thanks for reading. :)

[methusaleh]

My personal "packing lite but warm" bag is one of the Wiggy's ones that packs down to about the size of a loaf of bread. Well worth every penny in terms of quality, durability, and insulation.

Remember to store your sleeping bags laid out or hung up, and not stuffed into their stuff sacks!

I have been able to find outstanding deals on bags of all weights and brands at Sierra Outdoors and Altrec over the years.