Here's my list of great sleeping bags

[ConnieD]

* Mountain Laurel Designs: Spirit Quilts
* enLIGHTened equipment: Prodigy, Revelation, Epiphany-APEX, Epiphany-K
* Jacks 'R' Better: Down to Earth Pad Converter and JRB Quilt
* Nunatak: Gear Raku, Akula Half Bag and Torre Parka
* Exped: Dreamwalker 450, 650, Waterbloc 600
* Cumulous Sleeping Bags: Quantum, Ultralight
* Nahanny: Alpin, "Elephant Foot" Semi-Bag
* Mountain Equipment: Extreme Series Lightline, Classic 750, Dreamcatcher 750, 500, Xero 550, 360,
Helium 600, 400
* Western Mountaineering: Ultralight, AlpinLite, VersaLite, Alder MF, Apache MF
* Feathered Friends: Petrel, Lark, Egret, Swift, Swallow, Hummingbird
* MontBell: U.L.Super Stretch Down Hugger #1, 2, 3, U.L.Spiral Down Hugger #2, 3

Of course, my list is for the choice lightweight and ultralightweight gear.

I have owned a Sierra Designs "Perfect". Stolen.

I have owned one of the MontBell Super Stretch Down Hugger sleeping bags. Stolen.

I made a DIY/MYOG JRB "Rocky Mountain Snivler" imitation. I want to order a Ti-Goat 900-proof down JRB Sierra Snivler. And I have been discussing my order for an enLIGHTened equipment 15-degree F Prodigy quilt.

It depends on what kind of temperatures you might get, but I always prefer 900-proof down or the newest synthetics like Climashield Combat or Climashield Apex.

It also depends on what you are doing: mountainclimbing bivy, winter camping, emergency overnight, or backpacking.

The new Epiphany K or Revelation looks awesome. I just don't have the big $$$.

[JBRanger]

Based on your post I'd say you most definitely have atleast HAD the big $$$! Dang!

[ConnieD]

I have had a good income.

But I also went to manufacturer outlets.

Right now, enLIGHTened equipment is having a SALE.

I also get fabulous gear given to me when I go camping at the national parks. For some reason, people spend big money on gear they will never use again. Maybe they "hate" camping? I don't know. But people show up, with all new fabulous gear. When their "holiday" is over, they abandon the gear. I mean give it to me. I have had foreign tourists walk into my camp, ask me if I want the gear. I say sure, and if I don't I will find it a good home. I do have them take down their tent and bring it over to my campsite, or, put everything in my vehicle because I don't want it to "look really bad".

I have great gear. I think they are reacting to the "local" license plate on my vehicle.

I also get great gear from the exclusive shops, at the end of the season.

[Ridgerunner]

Connie, your list includes all the top line sleeping gear. I think you may have too much. You may consider putting some in the next round of the bounce box.

[ConnieD]

I put up the list, because we have a new member interested in great gear.

On more than one occasion, I have mentioned the "bounce box" for backpacking items and I do have some small camping items for the "bounce box". Alas, that does not include sleeping bags or sleep systems.

I do have a number of somewhat faded Cascade Designs Thermo-Rest matresses. I don't know how I got so many. Oh, yes, for winter camping before there was gear made for the purpose.

I do have some military cold-weather and "camping-out" gear, I hate to give away. People who have never actually served in the military have goofy ideas I do not want to encourage by giving them authentic military gear. They will just have to scrounge the surplus stores, I guess.

I do have some Mountain Rescue hardware items and a Blue Water brand double-weight rescue rope I still hang on to.

The rest of the gear, I have not given away already to "happy campers" I am using:
for winter camping, car camping, emergency kit, or backpacking.

[Ridgerunner]

I was just pulling your leg Connie . You have some great gear. I was told to buy the best you can afford and take care of it and it should last a long time.

[ConnieD]

That is my experience.

I still find "gaps" in my gear, but that is because I want to do it all any season.

I think good gear is the ticket.

I was just checking the "fit" of my older Lowe Alpine Attack 50. Some of the newer models take MSR Ascent snowshoes in the front pocket, but mine is a better fit for crampons. I am thinking to get outside early this year for some high traverse involving crossing some glaciers. I can beat the crowds on popular routes that way.

I have to brush off some fine particle sand that got on it, but it is as good as new.

I hang my sleeping bags in oversize cotton sacks that have a drawstring at the top to keep them like new.

[zelph]

I also get fabulous gear given to me when I go camping at the national parks. For some reason, people spend big money on gear they will never use again.

You and Realityguy sure do have some good luck getting good deals on gear...................I like FREE

[realityguy]

All of my bags are older ones(I think I have somewhere about 10 now)and most are probably not ultralight...(2-4lbs).

[ConnieD]

2 - 2 1/2 lbs is lightweight for 15 F to 0 F.

If you are like me, I need at least three, but I have five sleeping systems. Not counting the car.

This is Montana. We have enough in the vehicle for staying in a snowbank, or digging out, or hiking out.

I have been trying to evaluate, realistically, what I want to regularly use.

I miss "winter camping" so that is on my list. That is why I started the thread small wood stoves for "hunter's tents" in this forum.

I like camping out of my kayak. Fortunately, we have big rivers here and campsites are available. I want to do more of that. That is where I will keep my hammock especially handy.

I like lightweight backpacks trips of 4 - 5 nights in The Rocky Mountain Front, here, in Montana. It is difficult to string together 5 - 6 nights "backcountry permits" in Glacier National Park. But it can happen. I need gear that can stand up to highly changeable high mountain weather, but still be reasonably lightweight with all my good food I like.

I like to do a high traverse. I mentioned that.

I would like to try bicycle touring.

I can't think of anything else right now. But, no, I don't need 10 sleeping bags!

Hey, that Sierra Designs possibly "Perfect" sleeping bag doesn't have a "bound buttonhole" sewn into the footbox, does it?

If it does, it is mine!

I had the repair shop at Sierra Designs, Berkeley, CA do that for me for my Choinard Peapod.