Western Mountaineering - Kodiak MF

There isn’t really an absolute best, but I like Katabatic for a quilt and western mountaineering or feathered friends for a bag. I prefer quilts down to around the low 20s, bags below that. Having a pocket in your quilt for a sleeping pad seems silly to me.

Western Mountaineering is the benchmark. Their bags really are great. In addition to WM, I also own a Gryphon Gear quilt and can say that their quality is top notch as well and they make both bags and quilts. For a few hundred less than a WM bag, you can get a Gryphon Gear Taurus bag. They are a small cottage shop so you get to deal directly with the owner and he'll make it custom to your liking if you want it a little more roomy. I think there are so many better choices than the EE quilts.

Western mountaineering… cry once, but once

WM bags are expensive and absolutely worth it. I'll never buy anything else!

Late to the Party, but the Mountain Hardwear Phantom bags are no longer a good value proposition (not to imply that they were before), but you can get a Western Mountaineering Kodiak MF (Microfiber) for $850 or the Storm Shield Version for $985. The Phantom Windstopper 0 degree starts at $1,100. Western Mountaineering is made in the US and so some of the tariff-related inflation is not hitting them as hard, making them a better value proposition. Not to mention Western Mountaineering makes the best down products in the world. Other folks have mentioned Gryphon Gear. Another awesome option. You may need to wait a while to get one though. Feathered friends is great too but I think Western Mountaineering is amazing. My recommendation, Get a Kodiak MF. The Microfiber fabric may look unassuming at first, but it is incredibly durable, tightly-woven fabric with excellent weather/water resistance and it breathes super well, critical for multi-day winter outings. I have a Puma Storm Shield and while I love the fabric and the fortress feel, a laminate fabric like that takes a long time to pack into a stuff sack. It just traps air like a balloon. The microfiber is a dream fabric. A proper microfiber fabric where the filament count is equal to or higher than the denier of the fabric.

Late to the Party, but the Mountain Hardwear Phantom bags are no longer a good value proposition (not to imply that they were before), but you can get a Western Mountaineering Kodiak MF (Microfiber) for $850 or the Storm Shield Version for $985. The Phantom Windstopper 0 degree starts at $1,100. Western Mountaineering is made in the US and so some of the tariff-related inflation is not hitting them as hard, making them a better value proposition. Not to mention Western Mountaineering makes the best down products in the world. Other folks have mentioned Gryphon Gear. Another awesome option. You may need to wait a while to get one though. Feathered friends is great too but I think Western Mountaineering is amazing. My recommendation, Get a Kodiak MF. The Microfiber fabric may look unassuming at first, but it is incredibly durable, tightly-woven fabric with excellent weather/water resistance and it breathes super well, critical for multi-day winter outings. I have a Puma Storm Shield and while I love the fabric and the fortress feel, a laminate fabric like that takes a long time to pack into a stuff sack. It just traps air like a balloon. The microfiber is a dream fabric. A proper microfiber fabric where the filament count is equal to or higher than the denier of the fabric.

Numeri 1 - Western mountaineering - Feathered friends Li tocchi con mano e capisci subito di che pasta son fatti. Subito dopo metterei Katabatic, pieno di accessori e features utili. Poi ce ne sono tanti altri sotto molto buoni. In EU trovi piu facilmente Cumulus, fatti veramente bene. E poi ci alcuni piu piccoli che fanno roba custom made molto buoni. Ma c'è un abisso tra tutti questi e i classici commerciali e costano giusto qualche euro in piu o a volte in meno. 100-150€ per una roba che ti deve tenere caldo, essere leggero, compatto e deve durarti anni e anni, mi sembra un investimento molto piccolo. Ci prendi giusto qualche taroccata decathlon o ferrino. Io mi farei regalare lo zaino, il sacco a pelo è molto personale. Se poi dormi a pancia in giù o laterale devi prendere un quilt, col sacco non dormi.

I own two sleeping bags: one from Western Mountaineering (superb quality, but very expensive) and one from Cumulus (high quality at a fairly reasonable price). After a lot of comparison, I personally think both brands provide reliable comfort temperature ratings and are absolutely worth the money. Just remember: if you're physically worn out, the lower limit of the comfort range might not be enough-so it's smart to give yourself a little warmth buffer.

Good suggestion! I love my western mountaineering. But Radiant 20 is legit for under $200.

I am a cold sleeper too. And I’m embarrassed to admit, I could afford a western mountaineering bag. It was 0°. And I’m 59 and I got the 6 foot six version. Giving me tons of down to snuggle into. I actually use this bag way more than just the winter and I’m always toasty warm.

I have exactly the same combination and one is great in the mountains in the summer and the other is great during shoulder season when it is colder and tends to be windier.