Originally Posted by
veganbikes
Welcome, welcome welcome!!!!!!!!!! If the name doesn't give it away, I am vegan and always happy to see others especially asking about more than just food : )
As far as bag I am quite happy with my Mountain Hardwear UltraLumina. I have the 45 degree version but they get warmer and I believe they now have the HyperLamina which is way lighter but eliminates a full zip and instead has a half zip in the middle. Their 20˚ version is a touch over 2lbs but is within price and certainly a nice one. I might end up with one of the Hypers at some point because I could use something a little warmer for some trips.
Make sure you have a good sleeping pad as that is crucial to staying warm. You could have a -25˚ bag in 45˚ weather and still be cold if you don't have something insulating you from below. Most of your heat is going to be lost through the ground. Plus a pad will add some comfort depending on the pad. My choice would be one of the new Sea To Summit pads they are pretty light (depending on model), really top notch in comfort, easy/quick to inflate and deflate and won't get moldy inside. They aren't the cheapest pads but probably the best I have seen or used and after a long day in the saddle or hiking around price can drown in a lake, comfort is key!
Feel free to PM me if you have any other vegan questions, I love it when I get a chance to help a fellow vegan out!
xVx
Thank you! Nice to meet you! I'll check out that sleeping bag. We live next to Mountain Hardware with access to the company store so we can probably save a bundle! As for the sleeping pad... We don't use one! Neither of us gets cold enough and haven't found them necessary.
Love meeting a fellow vegan!
Originally Posted by
andrewclaus
I'll reiterate what's been said, a pad is not only for comfort, it's for insulation. Look at getting a long Z-rest pad and cutting it in half for just your torso, and you and your friend can share the low cost, about $25 and a half pound each. The extra insulation will make your nights much warmer. It's amazing how much heat can be conducted out of your body into the earth.
Then seriously reconsider your aversion to quilts. The enLightened Equipment quilt I bought for my last long bike tour was the best piece of outdoor gear I've ever invested in. I resisted a quilt for decades--bad move.
We've looked at one from REI. We camped this weekend in single digit/low teens temps. Using our REI Mojave +15 bag (we share it). One night on a borrowed pad. One night without. We both slept better without the pad. The hard surface, while a little colder, was much more comfortable to us!
Originally Posted by
NoControl
Don't be sad about that! Lol, I looked like I was twelve until I was mid-40's. I had a whole military career and was retired and STILL got no respect or credibility because of how young I looked.
Lol Good to know!
Originally Posted by
Darth Lefty
I'm sort of curious how you ensure that a synthetic bag is also vegan. Chemicals used to make plastics come from a lot of places, not just oil wells. Does anyone certify these things? If Mountain Hard Wear also makes down bags, is that a moral problem for buying their synthetic model? Given the kind of people who backpack, it seems like there would definitely be a market for high performance gear that was certified somehow. Or are you better off looking for something made of plant fabric even if it's heavier and absorbent?
I didn't know they were owned by Columbia, either
sustainability
They're certified, yes! As Ty mentioned, Columbia owns a lot of other companies!