[I_See]

Mountain Hardwares new line... a bit pricey, but worth it?? Expedition series bags

[Tom]

Looks kinda heavy. For that kind of money you might as well get a quality bag, like Western Mountaineering.

[Allison]

I would add Valandre, MontBell and Feathered Friends bags to that short list. This is my opinion of the high-end down sleeping bag pecking order: Valandre FF/Western MontBell Pro Mountain has Valandre, MontBell, and Western, and FF is a local company. Sleeping bag review here, note the weight discrepancies too. All of the MH bags I have used ( not the line you ask about) were nice, but not as nice as others at the same price point.

[jenjen]

Most of the better down bags come with a water resistant outer fabric. The shell fabric on mine is epic, and it works really well. Water beads up on the surface long enough for me to shake it off or blot it up with a sock or a pack towel. For $50 more than the Mountain Hardware bags you're looking at you can buy a custom sleeping bag from Feathered Friends. Made to your specs - length, girth, shape, color, shell fabric, fill weight...

[jimmymac]

[I_See]

Water-resistance is top priority for me, as i will be spending several months in the Olympic area this Summer. I know from experience that while there, EVERYTHING eventually gets damp, so what I'm looking for in a bag is: Something that will fend off the damp for as LONG as possible Warm enough for the higher regions. and As with any long journey like this, as l i g h t as possible................. Checking on the Mountainsmith line right now.

[I_See]

Here's a Sierra Desings... ... anyone tried one of these??

[Backpacker Joe]

I think that Marmot bags should be included in the list. Ive owned many from each company, (Western, Feathered F. and Marmot) and Im my opinion Western Mountaineering makes the better bag. FF next and then Marmot. You cant really go wrong either way.

[Allison]

If you want to go synthetic, you really want to get a Primaloft bag. For a number of reasons, it's the best name-brand synthetic in town. Check this one out, a small CDN company making nice bags. Integral Designs

[Hiker Boy]

I'll give an endorsement for Integral Designs. They make really good quality down bags as well as the synthetic ones.

[marzsit]

i just picked up a mountainsmith wisp ($162, 1-1/2lbs, +30f, 750+ fill down) and am really happy with it, it uses a fabric called demention polyant airnet that is very water resistant. i tested it by spraying water on it, the drops bead up and roll off instantly. packs down to the size of a football too

[I_See]

Wow, I can't believe so many people are tossing a vote for Mountainsmith. The bag I have now is a Mountainsmith, and I always kind of thought it was kind of low on quality. I'm looking at all your recomendations, thnx for your input everyone!

[jimmymac]

Let me be clear. The MS bag I have is low quality (in relation to the manufacturers mentioned earlier in this thread.) For my typical fair weather hit-and-run trips, a $350 bag just doesn't pencil out. But if I were going to spend June in the Olympics (with a down bag) I'm not sure I'd be as cost sensitive.

[I_See]

[jimmymac]

I haven't done any homework on a bag that'll serve your purposes. The beauty is, you have lots of time to scratch out a little matrix and compare what's out there. If you'd prefer to just go with the recommendations of a trusted consultant, then I'd take a good look at what Marylou and Hiker Boy have suggested.