$450 sleeping bag or $70 sleeping bag??? - Same Rating

[PhilBiker]

A -20 bag will have you sweating in misery in anything but the arctic or the top of Everest.

I just went backpacking this weekend with temps into the single digits at night with a -15 bag and I completely disagree with this statement.

[license2ill]

I just went backpacking this weekend with temps into the single digits at night with a -15 bag and I completely disagree with this statement.

So what happened? What bag was it?

[torags v2]

What about these non porous plastic liners that are supposed take a 40 degree rated bag down to a 20 degree bag.

I bought into the concept and have one, but don't have experience with it. does anybody?

[badger]

What about these non porous plastic liners that are supposed take a 40 degree rated bag down to a 20 degree bag.

I bought into the concept and have one, but don't have experience with it. does anybody?

My liner isn't plastic (it's a lycra sorta material).  Yes.  They add 5-10 F of warmth.  What many folks don't realize is a hat (and mittens/socks) will add a lot of extra warmth by limiting heat loss.

[5OUTTA6]

Badger:  did you prefer S&H green stamps to Blue Chip stamps?  Are they still around?

[Dichotomous]

depends, when you want a burger, do you head to burger king or do you head to the best steakhouse in town?  do you drive a civic or a mercedes benz sl600?  do you live by the lake or by the airport?  the nice bag is really nice, and there are great things about it.  but I have gotten by with my EMS down under 20deg bag for over a decade, cost $100 new.  basically, what I am saying is try the bags out, find out the features you will be missing on the cheeper bag, and decide what things you are willing to pay for.  by try them out I mean lay down in them, especially if you are anywhere near the 6' mark.  mine is technically too small, but like I said, I got it when I was about 14 or so, and my height exploded when I was about 16.  make sure you have enough room for your arms, knees.  case in point, I like to sleep on my belly or side, and my knees and elbows dont have enough room in my bag zipped up (I can use it as a quilt till it gets REALLY cold though) so check that the bag will fit and be comfortable for you in your normal sleeping position(s).  finding a well fitting bag is WAY more important than it being a pound or two lighter.  especially if you are on a motorcycle where weight doesnt REALLY matter (sorry, I'm a backpacker, weight doesnt just mess with my handeling, it is on my bad knees the whole time).  also where are you hiking, if you are in the NE or PNW down might be hard to keep dry, I have done it like I said for over a decade but YMMV.  do you have kids that might be in there with you at some point or a SO that you will be entertaining in there?  if so go synthetic.... you can wash sythetic, down's not so washable.
if you like the bag you have right now, how about a heavy wool blanket that is big enough to go over it like a comfortor or wrap around it?  I know this increased the temperature HIGHLY on my bag when it was about -10 out (remember this is a 20 bag and I am a warm guy) and didnt take up much space.  also consider a thicker sleeping pad as well, thats where a lot of heat is lost because you compress all that nice insulation.  throw another 1lb closed cell foam pad on the bike and you will likely incread your bags temp rating by 5 or more degrees.....
in a tent you will be 10-20 degrees nicer than outside, usually cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, if there is someone else in there then 20-30 degrees warmer in the winter, no joke.

just some tips from someone who evaluates every single ounce of camping gear and has done so and tested for most of his life....

[Squiggy]

Thanks guys and gals for your info. I'll do some more research and pondering of my options with the links and information given here.