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Bombay

06/26/2012 10:02AM

Heading to the BWCA in Aug and I am wanting to get a new sleeping bag. I'd like a rectangular style bag that can zip together with another bag. Max I'd like to spend is $50 (Gonna splurge on a nice sleeping mat).

That said, I've been looking at the Kelty Callisto 35. Seems to get decent reviews and packs somewhat small. But I thought I'd check with people on the site to see if you have a recommendation of a better bag at the same price or an equal bag at a cheaper price.

Thanks for taking the time to read.

The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese...

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Beemer01

Moderator

06/26/2012 10:53AM

Tough one. $50/rectangular/zip together.

You said August - why not just use a Fleece bag? It fits all your criteria, and August is usually warm enough to make this work, if it gets chilly, you can lay your jacket over the top.

Otherwise you're talking poor quality synthetic bags, and I'd rather you not waste the money there.

The Fleece bag can also function as an outer bag if you ever invest in a summer weight quality sleeping system and go Fall or Spring camping!

"You're not serious about wearing sandals on this portage.... are you?"

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alpine525

06/26/2012 11:09AM

Lots of people on this board use mummy style bags because they save space and weight when packed. Some use down insulation, while others use sythentic insulation that packs like down. If you are interested in bags that zip together, check out rei.com - they sell bags that zip together. Finding a bag for $50 or under is going to be a challenge. My guess is bags at this price point are way too large to fit in a standard canoe pack. Good luck!

Do not let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace. Dalai Lama

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PompousPilot1

06/26/2012 11:29AM

What these guys said!
You can get a great bag liner from Piragis and it'll do you good there in August.

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Goby

06/26/2012 11:45AM

Your need for the rectangular bag to be able to zip attach to another bag is going make your search difficult. On top of this, the size of the bag when rolled will make it difficult to use in the BWCA since it is going to basically fill a pack all by itself.

That said, if you are still looking for this style of bag, check out Cabelas. I know they make a zip together bag, but I'm not sure of the price on it. The bag you found does fit your requirements,and does pack fairly small for a rectangular bag (11" diameter by 18" length isn't TERRIBLE). It could probably be made smaller with the purchase of a compression style stuff sack as well.

If you don't have to get the zip together style I'd highly recommend a mummy style bag that gets nice and small in a stuff sack. Lots of different companies make them at varying price points. August weather can dip low depending on when in august you are going, but it doesn't get THAT low (think mid to upper 40's as the absolute lowest it will get). A bag with insulation rated at that will be sufficient and you can always add some clothing layers if you need to.

good luck and have a good trip!

Tight Lines

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IBFLY

06/26/2012 11:54AM

http://www.bwca.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=forum.thread&threadId=506513&forumID=16&confID=1
gear post

You say that like it's a bad thing.

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ducks

06/26/2012 12:00PM

We have a pair of Slumberjack Talon 40 degree rectangular bags that mate. They were around $50 each, pack down small (16 x 8 and compresses to 12 x 8) in the compression sack they come with, carry weight is 3.2 lbs) and have worked well on 4 bwca trips and a few car camping trips.

ours are black and orange. the new ones i've seen are a different color and weigh a little more.

Pura Vida

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BWPaddler

06/26/2012 12:54PM

quote Bombay: "That said, I've been looking at the Kelty Callisto 35. Seems to get decent reviews and packs somewhat small. But I thought I'd check with people on the site to see if you have a recommendation of a better bag at the same price or an equal bag at a cheaper price."
The Eclipse 30 is now $6 less than the 35 on Kelty web site. FYI. Not sure the difference between them - they looked similar.

Good luck! If the good pad has decent insulation, you can get away with a less warm sleeping top... or if you trip in august, maybe use one sleeping bag on top of the two people and simply a sheet over the pads below... All kinds of options for saving $$ and space and weight.

Good luck.

Wherever there is a channel for water, there is a road for the canoe. -Thoreau

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AndySG

06/26/2012 01:29PM

If you are willing to pay $10 more for a summer bag, Here is a suggestion. It is light and packs small. I don't have one, but I have other Kelty gear and it is good stuff for the money. If you don't think the 55 degree rating is warm enough for August (I do,) take you long undies along for sleepwear. It will add another 15-20 degrees of comfort. Also, if you need other gear, Campmor has free shipping on orders of $100 and up.

I too prefer a rectangular bag. Mummy bags are way too confining for me.

Sincerely yours, Andy

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Bombay

06/26/2012 09:53PM

Thanks for all the feedback

The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese...

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OBX2Kayak

06/26/2012 10:53PM

PM sent. No need to respond if you are not interested.

"I go because it irons out the wrinkles in my soul" -- Sigurd Olson

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