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| Post Number: 1
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booyah 
Group: Members
Posts: 1797
Joined: Jun. 2005
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Posted on: Jan. 16 2013, 2:28 pm |
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So, its been a while since I've been around here, and i was curious...
Whats the current goto option for kids sleeping bags?
Looking for a summer (40-45 degree rating) summer bag for my oldest daughter (currently 8) as she wants to go on a "crazy camping trip" with Dad this summer.
Thinking North Manitou Island for a two night weekender.
As kid #3 is on the way, and this is the oldest, I have a feeling this will be the kids backpacking bag for more than a few years to come, so something of good quality would be preferred, but as this is kid number one of three, lowish cost is required.
Any thoughts?
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| Post Number: 2
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TigerFan
Group: Members
Posts: 1998
Joined: May 2010
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Posted on: Jan. 16 2013, 3:01 pm |
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My son used my hand-me-down at that age, so I can't speak to kid-specific bags, but I also live in Michigan and go up to Sleeping Bear often and I'd consider a warmer bag for her. Out of 4-6 trips up there May through September, I think we take 20-30 degree bags at least half the time.
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Duct tape is like the Force. It has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together.
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| Post Number: 3
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wcolucci
Group: Members
Posts: 1753
Joined: Feb. 2005
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Posted on: Jan. 16 2013, 3:35 pm |
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Kelty Extender.....it grows as the kids do....my eight yr old has been using hers for three years.
$29 at Campmor...nice little bag.
It Looks like a grown up bag too....that is going to be important..believe me
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| Post Number: 4
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paula53
Group: Members
Posts: 666
Joined: Feb. 2007
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Posted on: Jan. 16 2013, 3:47 pm |
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My oldest used a Kelty kids bag when he was younger. Then it went to his little brother. Now a second cousin has it. They are quality bags that hold up. I second the Kelty brand.
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| Post Number: 5
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rayestrella
Group: Members
Posts: 6411
Joined: Nov. 2004
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Posted on: Jan. 16 2013, 5:12 pm |
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If it is going to actually be 40-45 I would get a 20 or 30 degree bag. Mine use 20 F quilts for summer now, and had 20 F bags before that.
I have a very nice down bag if you are interested. Shoot me a pm or email.
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I measure happiness with an altimeter
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| Post Number: 6
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RebeccaD
Double Arch, Arches N.P.
Group: Members
Posts: 9855
Joined: Jul. 2004
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Posted on: Jan. 16 2013, 5:18 pm |
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We used the NF Tigger when the boys were little, but as soon as we were past danger or wet bags, moved them to adult down bags--more compact and lighter, which mattered a lot since for several years we had to carry them. If need be, tuck the extra length under or something though we never bothered.
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Bits of writerly thoughts and random short fiction found at
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| Post Number: 7
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wcolucci
Group: Members
Posts: 1753
Joined: Feb. 2005
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Posted on: Jan. 16 2013, 5:20 pm |
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but as soon as we were past danger of wet bags,
oh yeah I forgot...the Extender is easily washable 
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| Post Number: 8
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RebeccaD
Double Arch, Arches N.P.
Group: Members
Posts: 9855
Joined: Jul. 2004
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Posted on: Jan. 16 2013, 6:11 pm |
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I have to say we never had a wet bag--we used Pull-Ups until we were 100% sure there'd be no accidents.
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Bits of writerly thoughts and random short fiction found at
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| Post Number: 9
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wcolucci
Group: Members
Posts: 1753
Joined: Feb. 2005
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Posted on: Jan. 17 2013, 7:08 am |
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Good idea but w/a 34" waist I don't think I could slide into one...but I am glad they work for you
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| Post Number: 10
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leadbelly2550
Group: Members
Posts: 1042
Joined: Apr. 2009
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Posted on: Jan. 17 2013, 8:44 am |
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we have used north face and kelty synthetic bags for the kids. not much diff between them, we generally get whatever is on sale & in a color they like. kids tend to take more ownership of their bag when they like the color.
haven't moved to down with any of them. may have to - our fifteen year old is practically my height, i'm sure he has outgrown the kid bag.
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| Post Number: 11
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booyah
Group: Members
Posts: 1797
Joined: Jun. 2005
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Posted on: Jan. 17 2013, 8:58 am |
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Thanks for all the input, i expect nights to be in the 55-60 range, hence the 40-45 bag.
The Kelty bag looks like it maybe a winner, doesnt look like TNF is making the tigger anymore?
Last few times I was on North Manitou, I slept in shorts and a T shirt in my tent on top of my bag. As long as you arent on the west side of the island its pretty warm. The west side gets the winds off the lake and that cools you down much quicker, anywhere else on the island and you have tree cover to break up the winds a lot more.
Its likely to be a summer trip to make sure the weather is as good as we can get it to not sour her on the experience.
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| Post Number: 12
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| Post Number: 13
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RebeccaD
Double Arch, Arches N.P.
Group: Members
Posts: 9855
Joined: Jul. 2004
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Posted on: Jan. 17 2013, 10:57 am |
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The shift to down bags for us was purely practical--the synthetic were just too bulky. They wouldn't fit into the kids' packs, and during the years when we had to carry pretty much everything, they took up too much space in our packs. None of us is very large, and our packs aren't either.
We had an extra mummy that Eldest Son uses--it was his dad's, but a little too narrow for comfort for an adult. We bought Second Son an REI Sub Kilo 20 deg. bag (realistically, more like 32). Those fit nicely in the boys' packs, once they got the Deuter Fox 30 packs, and for a time we stuffed two bags in each stuff sack and it was like having one synthetic bag--fairly easy to pack in our packs.
We ended up spending more and buying more high-end gear for our kids than I expected, because weight and bulk are both such issues for us. Eldest Son is 15 1/2, still only about 5'3", and just broke 100 pounds this year. He got an Osprey Talon 44 last summer, and even that is almost too big.
Though given the way the boys left me behind on our trip in August, next summer they are definitely carrying more, and me less! It just has to be dense and compact, because the packs are still going to be small.
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Bits of writerly thoughts and random short fiction found at
The Ninja Librarian Blog
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| Post Number: 14
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ponderosa
Group: Members
Posts: 3986
Joined: Jul. 2003
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Posted on: Jan. 18 2013, 11:00 pm |
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I intended to buy TNF Tigger for my girls, based on many recommendations from the "with kids" forum. When I was shopping I happened upon a great sale for the Eureka Ladybug for significantly less $. The specs were comparable enough that I gave the Eureka a shot, and have been pleasantly surprised. I think it is as compressible and well made as any other kids' bag on the market (other than down). The LadyBug is pink, but they have a version in green called Grasshopper. They are on sale at Campmor for $35 right now.
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The harder the toil, the sweeter the rest.
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| Post Number: 15
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sarahspins
Group: Members
Posts: 12
Joined: Jan. 2013
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Posted on: Jan. 23 2013, 4:08 pm |
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I am super happy with my kids' mountain hardwear mountain goat 20 degree bags... they are super light (just over 2lbs, and the 40 degree bag is barely over a pound and a half) and pack compactly, and I've yet to hear any complaints from my kids about being "cold"
They are cut a little slimmer and shorter than a typical adult "short" bag is, so they're not miniature kid bags by any means - I am only a little too tall to fit in one myself.
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| Post Number: 16
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SWest
Group: Members
Posts: 79
Joined: Dec. 2010
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Posted on: Jan. 23 2013, 7:33 pm |
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My son uses a Kelty Little Dipper 40 degree bag. He only goes car camping so far, but we have had good luck with it. He also takes it to grandma's house sometimes so we didn't need it to be super warm/hot.
His is like this, but its navy blue on the outside with a blue and yellow star pattern inside. He has had it for two years so I don't think they make the blue one anymore.
http://www.campingworld.com/shoppin....dc38Alg
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