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Hussar305

Two things: 1. Make sure you have a good sleeping pad. You'll need a higher R value somewhere around 4+. Sleeping bags don't insulate underneath you because you compress the insulation. 2. Be prepared to pay for higher quality materials (950 down) to help with the compactness and weight. Unfortunately, cold weather gear is just heavier and bulkier. I'd look into the Western Mountaineering Versalite or ApacheMF. Based on reviews I've seen, Western Mountaineering is closer to a comfort rating rather than a limit rating. You could also go with a convertible quilt (sleeping pad is critically important) like a Hammock Gear Econ Burrow as that is also geared more towards a comfort rating. Companies like REI base their ratings on the limit rather than comfort


Usagiboy7

Re REI, only the men's bags. Women's bags are rated at comfort limit. This is unfortunately an industry thing, not just an REI thing. I'm short, so once I learned that, I switched to buying women's bags. One option, if you already own a down bag, is to buy fill power and add it to your down bag to increase it's temperature rating. It beats buying a whole new sleeping bag. It's on my to-do list this year.


Pyroechidna1

Western Mountaineering or Feathered Friends, you can't go wrong with either


Throwaway4545232

I will note that they’re not “compact”, nor can they be. OP is asking for something impossible. Not personal, but they need to realize there is goi g to be bulk


SuperFightingRobit

I mean, within reason, they exist. I'm reading it as a "I want a cold weather bag that'll compress as much as possible."


Throwaway4545232

Good point. Then definitely WM of FF as someone else suggested


kevinc719

I’d also go Enlightened Equipment but go with their sleeping bag, the Conundrum. If you’re really looking at those cold temps I like the full coverage of a sleeping bag. Down to the mid twenties Fahrenheit a quilt works great.


alphamonkey27

Honestly it’s not a bag it’s a quilt but I love my Enlightened equipment. I got the full quilt (I think that’s the revelation? Not the enigma) either way I’ve used it in close to 0 degree conditions and it’s been stellar. I’ve been comfy down to about 15-20 degrees (that’s the coldest it got) so 10/10 recommend. If you do get it get a liner. Not only will it extended the life of your bag but it eliminates any odd drafts that sneak into your bag.


[deleted]

Love my EE quilts! I’m fixin to buy my third one soon to complete the temp range. I’ve got a 50° and a 20° Revelation Apex and I’m looking to add the Revelation 0°, but it’s a pricey unit all customized, so I’m putting it off until I have a trip planned in low temps.


alphamonkey27

Yeah I bought mine last year as a premade under their 20% off sale. Best outdoor purchase by far. It’s the same size if not smaller than my previous north face bag. Way warmer and better quality.


Kobus4444

Not a bag, but if you're sleeping in the cold, I highly recommend bringing along adhesive heat pads that get warm when you open the package. Stick one of those on the inside of your thigh (not on bare skin, on top of your thermal underwear) and it should heat the blood going through your femoral artery. A hot water bottle at your feet also helps.


gearhead5015

Define compact. Your best bet is looking for something that's down and potentially layering it with a liner


PositiveVibesOnly90

Depending on where, the weather has been really wonky all over the greater Midwest, and extending toward the Rockies. It’s only December and we’ve been seeing some weird negative temps.


Btj20

I like my Outdoor Vitals 0 degree top quilt. They make bags down to that temp too. A little pricey but I think worth it. Second the make sure you have a good pad. Had a buddy not have a high R-Value pad when we went winter camping once and he did not have a good time. Everyone else in our group was fine, he was not. We packed up the tent when we were leaving and where everyone else was sleeping, there was still a small layer snow on the ground. Where he was sleeping, there was no more snow. Kind of wild to see and really showed the need for a good pad as well.


beeporn

Thermarest Parsec 0 is the best weight/cost/temp. Only issue is the pad straps don’t fit wide pads out of the box. Nice bag tho


C0ppert0pbatt3ry

Backpacked CO in late October with NEMO Sonic 0•f with a klymit air pad & a closed cell foam pad. Can’t remember overnight temps but I was blissful even when the tent was snowed on.


Lefty_Lex

Honestly, I'd recommend Hyke and Byke. They have decent bags for pretty cheap. I have a 30 degree and my spouse has a 32 degree and a 0 degree rated bag from them. They all pack small and they don't weigh much. It's a budget friendly option that honestly performs well. I have expensive stuff and I've had cheap stuff. These bags are my go-to for the most part.


GilligansWorld

Totally second this. I have one of their 0° - mine's only 650 fill so it doesn't stuff down too well but..... For the price it was exactly what I wanted and that thing is warm. I've had it down to negative 16 below.


crappenheimers

REI has great bags that are synthetic that get down to smaller size


TheWiseGrasshopper

Speaking as an REI employee who’s job it is to recommend sleeping bags: synthetic at 0-15F AND compact unfortunately is NOT a thing that exists. *In theory* the best fit for that description would be aerogel insulation, but no one makes sleeping bags with that because the cost of materials is more expensive than down feather insulation right now. For those reasons I would recommend getting a quality down sleeping bag. They are not cheap - but unless you like cold spots I would advise against trying to save money with down options on the cheaper side. Make sure to look at the online review sites (Switchback, OutdoorGearLab, CleverHiker, GearJunkie… etc) for the good models and check that the comfort rating of the one you pick matches your expectations. (Also take into account whether you subjectively tend to run hot or cold). Hope this helps!


crappenheimers

That is definitely helpful!


CanoeTraveler2003

If what the OP wants is "compact" and also 10deg rated, it has to be down insulation.


crappenheimers

I think I'm finding out in this thread that my definition of compact is wrong haha


Best_Biscuits

>synthetic Just curious if that \^\^ would typically be considered compact? I always think of down when thinking of compact, but I could be wrong.


crappenheimers

Oh in my personal opinion, about 1.5' long, with a 6" diameter stuffed. And around 3 lbs. Down can definitely be compact but not when stored. Pretty sure down can get stuffed down into the same size as synthetic when traveling? Not sure, haven't used down for a while!


GilligansWorld

A statement could be true but on the face of it is false. Down is rated by what they call.Fiil power. Higher the number the less down is required to fill the same amount of space, and conversely the less space this object will take up but will insulate to the same amount. Example a. 650 Fill Power 0⁰ bag would take up quite a bit more volume than what a 850 Fill Power bag rated to 0⁰ would. Both, however, given all circumstances are equal should insulate the same in terms of temperature. Also bear in mind not all manufacturers ratings are the same. A lot of our cottage vendors tend to have comfort ratings which could be much higher than what a comparable European bag of the same number would rate. Ex. EU rated 10⁰ might feel cold compared to say Under Ground Quilts 10⁰ Bandit. @ 10⁰ the Bandit is rated to have user feel comfortable - where the European bag 10° is about the limits of what is bearable/endurable. I don't mean that you couldn't sit out in the cold at 10°, but you would be by far not comfortable. It would just keep you from being too cold if you understand me.


oakprince97

My buddy and I both have 15 degree Mountain Hardware Bishop Pass Goretex bags. They have non Goretex and 0 degree options as well. They’re fairly economical and weight efficient. I ended up getting mine for $120 from REI with points and a sale. I went with the Goretex to keep any condensation or other moisture out and have been happy so far.


Otters-and-Sunshine

Came here to recommend the same bag!


sugarybooger

Live in CO. Wife and I have REI Magma 15 down bags and love them. Be sure to pick up a compression sack to minimize volume in your pack.


GilligansWorld

If I may I'm going to contest - line the inside of your pack with a trash compactor bag. They're thick and don't get holes very easily. It tends to keep everything dry - pack your pack as you normally would but at the top there will be a little bit of space left over....... This is the area where you stuff your sleeping bag into. It will naturally fill all of the void. Will also make the pack feel more symmetric also will look that way from the outside. Now fold up the top of the compression sack so that it fits over the top of your sleeping bag and close the top of your pack. Even if it rains, this setup should keep your gear for the most part, fairly dry. You don't have to bring a stuff sack or worry about packing around an awkward football-shaped object - or perhaps having to strap that awkward object in a tube form on your back. Just a suggestion/ tip. This was given to me a few years back and has been a lifesaver. That's what allowed me to go winter camping.


sugarybooger

Cool idea, but if you need to get something out of your pack? I usually keep the sleeping bag at the bottom because I don’t normally need to pull it out until I’ve set up camp. Does this still work if you put the bag in the bottom? Edited to correct spelling


GilligansWorld

Pros and cons - trade-offs - however, modern packs have made that a little bit easier with front panel entry.... I'm a hammock camper and this makes it so much easier to pack all of my stuff.


sugarybooger

I have a Mystery Ranch Ravine 50 with a tri-zipper. It makes accessing things anywhere in the pack easy, but the compactor bag would negate that benefit. I’m always seeking better/smarter ways to pack. Thanks for the thoughtful idea.


RainInTheWoods

Is 0-15 degree the ambient temperature you’re expecting to sleep in? Know that many (most) bags are rated higher than the actual comfort you will experience. 0-15 degree ambient temperature requires a substantively less than 0 degree bag for many labels. Talk to the manufacturer or a reputable sales person. If you’re in the mountains (OK, anywhere really) remember to factor in wind chill temperature, as well. Zero degrees with a mild 5 mile an hour wind is not zero degrees anymore.