Im tall and i need a sleeping bag!

[Big G]

Hi everyone, as the subject line suggests im in the market for a sleeping bag. Its mainly going to be used in winter alpine conditions both here in Tas, Vic high country and NZ South Island. Im a tad over 6ft 8" or 206cm and im having trouble finding a bag long enough for me. Requirements will be a good temp. rating and a box foot design (those bad boys are size 15 and need their own *&%$#! bag!) Im currently leaning towards a Marmot Couloir long version as i know someone that has used this bag but i am open to suggestions. Im hoping to get away with spending under $450 as i also need to purchase a good quality 4 season tent but the main priority atm is the sleeping bag. I would love to hear your thoughts/suggestions and hopefully get pointed in the right direction.

Thanks in advance,

[Strider]

I think your only option will be custom, given that most "long" sleeping bags are 6'6" or close enough to it.

Also, isn't a bag rated -18C a bit extreme, even for Tassie/NZ/Vic HC? The general concensus seems be around -7C to -10C as being the most useful, but perhaps you only want something for absolute extreme conditions and have other bags already for other situations?

[wayno]

exped make bags up to 210cm long.. which is 6 feet 10 inches

http://www.exped.com/exped/web/exped_homepage_int.nsf

this lists sellers in Aus
http://www.exped.com/exped/web/exped_ho ... #Australia

[Joomy]

So do Western Mountaineering, although they aren't imported, you'd have to forward order one or get it shipped in. Check out the Badger if you want something warm enough for 4-season.

[roysta]

isn't a bag rated -18C a bit extreme, even for Tassie/NZ/Vic HC?

Get on to Western Mountaineering and see if you can order a custom Versalite.
These are an excellent bag at -12C and I think it would tick all the boxes you've suggested.

[Tropical-wanderer]

Check out zpacks bags or quilts, one of the best for light weight (900 fill power) and value for money. They make bags up to 6'6, but i know Joe will often do custom jobs as well for very little price difference. http://zpacks.com/quilts/sleepingbag.shtml

[wayno]

how do they come to a temp rating for z packs bags when they don't have hoods? if you dont have decent headware as efficient for heat retention as the bags then the rating is of limited use, if you're loosing warmth through your neck and head.... I prefer a hood in the cold weather...

[Moondog55]

To suit your height and foot size you will need a bag at least 2250mm long to allow room for your feet in the stretched position.
I'm only 1850 tall and my feet touch the end of my 2100 bag
What chest size are you? as this can have a bearing too.
Have you considered the option of a standard medium weight bag and a good quality down parka? With a quilt over the top for comfort and extra warmth in really cold conditions.You would use the standard bag as an elephants foot up to your chest and this combination would be [ I think] much cheaper than an extra large extra extra long custom bag

[Tropical-wanderer]

Hey Wayno, zpacks sell a down hood separately with their bags. I think their philosophy is that having a properly fitted down hood keeps you much more warm than a loose sleeping bag hood and you are also saving weight with the fitted hood by using less materials. You can also use the downhood anytime to keep warm if it is not attached to the bag.

[Tropical-wanderer]

link here http://zpacks.com/accessories/gooosehood.shtml

[Moondog55]

I was in England in the 1980s. Blacks used to sell a couple of down sleeping hoods, a lightweight cotton shelled stitched thru one and a box walled nylon shelled cold weather version [ the same as the Canadian Army version in design but not in construction] and they were very popular with people who could not afford a winter specific bag, the loops that fitted under the armpit kept them in place.
I never tried one but can only assume they worked

[Onestepmore]

Hey Wayno, zpacks sell a down hood separately with their bags. I think their philosophy is that having a properly fitted down hood keeps you much more warm than a loose sleeping bag hood and you are also saving weight with the fitted hood by using less materials. You can also use the downhood anytime to keep warm if it is not attached to the bag.

We just used a 20 F zpacks hoodless quilt this weekend for the first time for my son, to reduce his pack weight yet still deal with sub zero temps. The zipper is located underneath your body, to reduce the need for a baffle, as there is not the heat loss underneath your body. I chose the moisture resistant down (no extra cost). We got a matching hood made, and this is a great option that adds versatility. It can be worn at other times if need be, but best off all it doesn't come off at night like my son's regular beanie does. The whole hooded sleeping bag thing never worked for my son, (who is 12) - his hood was always off anyway. As a bonus, the bag can be used as a hammock quilt too.
They are happy to make custom sizes

[Moondog55]

http://www.oneplanet.com.au/custom-slee ... -made.html

Now available for TALL folks to 2050mm tall

[Ent]

Hi

At 6' 3.5" I can say beware of shorter people's claims on length. I am a Western Mountaineering convert and have their 6' 6" bags and find them great for length but a bit snug in the chest. In many models they make 7' ones. I have the Badger, Versalight and Megalight. One Planet make wider bags and do an expansion gusset option but I have found them too short for the reason mentioned with feet when extended adding to the needed length. Interested to read that they are making longer ones but have not seen one nor used one. I have the long mummy style from years back and probably maxes out at 6' 2" sleeper which me thinks is the height of the designer.

Cheers

[Mountain Rocket]

Personally I am a Feathered Friends convert after buying a few bags from them.
It was a toss up between Western Mountaineering but I am happy with my decision.

The NanoSphere shell they use is pretty amazing. They make 6'6' bags but can do custom lengths at 6" increments.
Might be worth a look: http://featheredfriends.com/choose-sleeping-bag/

[Nuts]

Those are great bags (Marmot Couloir) I'd suggest that the Pinnacle is enough for Oz, we sold the Couloirs as they were overkill for tassie.. but then you will be greatful for that extra down if you are prepared to carry it.. We have a Long extra wide Marmot -1c bag from Larry Addler but i'm not sure they make them (XW) any more?? Even so, the Marmot bags are generous size and length. Did you have a chance to get into your mates bag? If it works you couldn't do much better for the price imo.

[Big G]

Some good replies and suggestions there everyone, thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts! Im a pretty cold sleeper but realise the Couloir might still be overkill for the conditions i will be expecting but its in my price range so might just go for it i think. The WM bags look the goods also and i will have a friend travelling over to the states sometime this year so might save on postage and get one of those sent over instead. So many choices!

[wayno]

mate, theres few things worse than forking over good money for a bag and finding you cant get to sleep because you're too cold.....

[Moondog55]

mate, theres few things worse than forking over good money for a bag and finding you cant get to sleep because you're too cold.....

Read the thread on this subject, I am with Wayno, better a too warm bag and vent the extra heat than a cold bag that cannot be boosted with extra clothing due to a tight and restricted cut.

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=13195

[wayno]

thres various ideas around dressing up in bags, its debateable how much extra heat you can gain from wearing more clothes. some claim there isnt much gain and its best to start out with a decent bag..

[Moondog55]

thres various ideas around dressing up in bags, its debateable how much extra heat you can gain from wearing more clothes. some claim there isnt much gain and its best to start out with a decent bag..

Let's keep that debate in the other thread as it depends on a lot of variables

[Nuts]

I think the big fella has had a few helpful replies. I like down clothes rather than a big sleeping bag but yes, if you fill the bag.. so to speak.. then down clothes won't help much. Insulated clothing seems especially good for little people who find themselves smaller than standard bag size (custom build aside).

[Inktvis]

Hey Big G

I'm 113kg, 6'3" with size 15's so I find mummy and semi-rectangular style bags WAY too restrictive on my feet (and everywhere else). Although neither light or compact I purchased a Coleman c5 bigfoot a few months back and have only tested it to 10 degrees was still warm as toast and the room is amazing... It is the only sleeping bag i've ever used that had a boxed design at the feet. The foot room in these is ridiculous!

It is 230cm long (including a 30cm hood) and is 100cm wide it is very big and incredibly comfortable (2.1kg). I only mention this as they have another in the range that may be suited to what you're looking for.

At 3kg it isn't light and obviously considering its size wont pack up too a compact size but the Coleman Bigfoot C-3 is 230cm long and 100cm wide. It has a hood that zips up like a mummy style bag and a detachable fleece liner. About $150-$170 if my memory serves me correctly. Obviously not at the top end of the market but the model I own has far exceeded my expectations.

http://www.colemanaustralia.com.au/gear ... green.aspx

Having just read the question again this bag may not be warm enough for what you are after. But if you're in the market for a more basic bag I recommend these highly

Cheers
Inktvis