Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post

timmy89 · 06-07-2014, 10:44 AM

Hello all! I am an experienced hiker but new to the world of overnight backpacking (I've only done car camping with basic Canadian Tire type gear before). I'm struggling with some of my gear purchase decisions and would love some input particularly on sleeping bags as I think I have everything else figured out. I haven't bought my tent yet but I'm looking at getting a Big Agnes Copper Spur UL3. It's pricey but it is ultra light weight and has great reviews. For reference, the type of backpacking I'm looking to do at this point is fairly basic, mostly 1-2 night weekend trips in Banff, heading to locations such as Assiniboine, Egypt/Scarab lakes, Mystic Lake, etc., usually in late June, July and August.

Weight and packability is a huge concern for me; especially as I'm not a big guy (5'7", 130 pounds) so the idea of carrying 50 pounds on my back all day is a non-starter. The sleeping bag question is tough because of packability. It seems a lot of the bags I am looking at will consume an enormous amount of my pack space unless I strap it to the outside of my pack.

I was looking at using a very small lightweight bag such as the Marmot Nanowave 45 (EN men's rating of 10 C) or McKinley X-treme Light 600 (same rating, and compacts a bit smaller to the size of a 1 L nalgene bottle) and then using a Sea to Summit Reactor Extreme sleeping bag liner which claims to increase the insulating factor significantly. I have heard conflicting views on the effectiveness of these liners though, and am concerned that this won't keep me warm enough. I also don't really know what kind of overnight temps to expect in the areas I mentioned during summer nights.

Alternately, the most packable (and reasonably affordable! I'm not going to spend $500 on a sleeping bag!) option that offers good insulation that I have found so far is the North Face Furnace 20 bag (EN rated to -7). This bag is down and stuffs reasonably small, but would definetly require me to upgrade my pack to a 50 L from the 40 L pack I'm currently using.

I would love any comments or insight from experienced backpackers on expected overnight summer temps in Banff, effectiveness of these insulating liners, alternate suggestions on sleeping bags, or anything else you want to throw out there!

Thanks so much in advance!!

06-07-2014, 10:44 AM	#1
timmy89 Draft Pick Join Date: Jul 2013	Question for Banff overnight backpackers Hello all! I am an experienced hiker but new to the world of overnight backpacking (I've only done car camping with basic Canadian Tire type gear before). I'm struggling with some of my gear purchase decisions and would love some input particularly on sleeping bags as I think I have everything else figured out. I haven't bought my tent yet but I'm looking at getting a Big Agnes Copper Spur UL3. It's pricey but it is ultra light weight and has great reviews. For reference, the type of backpacking I'm looking to do at this point is fairly basic, mostly 1-2 night weekend trips in Banff, heading to locations such as Assiniboine, Egypt/Scarab lakes, Mystic Lake, etc., usually in late June, July and August. Weight and packability is a huge concern for me; especially as I'm not a big guy (5'7", 130 pounds) so the idea of carrying 50 pounds on my back all day is a non-starter. The sleeping bag question is tough because of packability. It seems a lot of the bags I am looking at will consume an enormous amount of my pack space unless I strap it to the outside of my pack. I was looking at using a very small lightweight bag such as the Marmot Nanowave 45 (EN men's rating of 10 C) or McKinley X-treme Light 600 (same rating, and compacts a bit smaller to the size of a 1 L nalgene bottle) and then using a Sea to Summit Reactor Extreme sleeping bag liner which claims to increase the insulating factor significantly. I have heard conflicting views on the effectiveness of these liners though, and am concerned that this won't keep me warm enough. I also don't really know what kind of overnight temps to expect in the areas I mentioned during summer nights. Alternately, the most packable (and reasonably affordable! I'm not going to spend $500 on a sleeping bag!) option that offers good insulation that I have found so far is the North Face Furnace 20 bag (EN rated to -7). This bag is down and stuffs reasonably small, but would definetly require me to upgrade my pack to a 50 L from the 40 L pack I'm currently using. I would love any comments or insight from experienced backpackers on expected overnight summer temps in Banff, effectiveness of these insulating liners, alternate suggestions on sleeping bags, or anything else you want to throw out there! Thanks so much in advance!!