Cheap zero degree sleeping bags: ALPS Mountaineering Crater Lake 0 Degree Sleeping Bag

ALPS Mountaineering Crater Lake 0 Degree Sleeping Bag Review

See more picture

ALPS Mountaineering Crater Lake 0 Degree Sleeping Bag Feature

TechLoft polyester fiber insulation
Two-layer offset construction
Full-length draft tube
210T rip-stop nylon shell
Polyester/cotton lining & a large #10 zipper

Comfort and warmth meld with this cold-weather rectangular sleeping bag from ALPS Mountaineering. Made for winter and high altitude camping to zero degrees Fahrenheit, this Crater Lake bag is filled with over 4.5 pounds of resilient, thick and moisture wicking TechLoft insulation made of multi-holed polyester fibers with a silicon finish designed to keep you snug and dry even when the weather turns. Combined with a cold air stopping full-length draft tube and heat conserving two-layer offset "bag within a bag" construction, you'll get consistent warmth, with no cold spots, from top to bottom. The comfy polyester/cotton lining will make you feel right at home and the big #10 zipper can be used to join bags together. The 210T rip-stop nylon shell is durable and strong, and the 66-inch shoulder girth offers ease of movement within the bag. A stuff sack is included and the bag packs down to 11 by 17 inches.

Amazon.com Sleeping Bag Guide
Sleep Well: Finding the Right Sleeping Bag
Sleeping bag technology has come a long way from the days of cowboy bedrolls. These days, there are a number of high-tech materials and designs available to keep you warm during the coldest outings. Here's a short list of things to keep in mind when you're shopping for a bag:

Buy for Cold
It's a safe bet that on at least one of your adventures, the nighttime temperature will drop unexpectedly. That's why it's smart to buy a bag that's rated for the lowest possible temperature you expect to face on your camping and backpacking trips. For summer trips, a bag rated at +35 degrees or higher will likely do the trick. If you like to camp in higher elevations in the summer, or if spring and fall outings are in your future, consider bags rated from +10 to +35. Winter adventurers should look for bags in the -10 to +10 range, while those on serious winter alpine climbs and expeditions will want a bag rated lower than -10.

Keep in mind that sleeping bag manufacturers' temperature ratings only estimate the minimum temperature at which the bag will provide warmth. Take these numbers with a grain of salt, as different folks generate different amounts of heat when they sleep. If you're the type who likes to pile on the covers even on warmer nights, go for a bag that's rated ten degrees colder. The opposite is true for "warm" sleepers--a 35-degree bag will probably work for you on a 25-degree night.

Goose or No Goose?
The most important component of any sleeping bag is its insulating material. Modern sleeping bags offer two choices: goose down or synthetic. While both materials have advantages and disadvantages, down bags are considered superior because of their phenomenal warmth-to-weight and warmth-to-bulk ratios. While providing great insulation, down is extremely compressible and light. There's a reason why geese can fly and stay warm through the winter! Down also boasts great long-term durability and will typically retain its insulating properties after years of use.

All of that said, there are many high-quality synthetic bags on the market and synthetic materials are getting better all the time. While a synthetic bag will weigh somewhat more than a down bag at an equivalent temperature rating, synthetic bags perform better when wet. (Yes, the Achilles heel of down is that it loses all insulating properties when wet.) If your trips take you to wet climates, you may want to consider a synthetic bag for this reason alone. Keep in mind, too, that many people are allergic to down--synthetic bags are non-allergenic. Finally, down is considerably more expensive than synthetic, which might tip the balance for adventurers on a budget.

Bags for All Shapes
Sleeping bags come in two basic shapes that reflect their intended use. Mummy-shaped bags offer the best warmth because they conform to the body's contours. This minimizes the amount of body heat the body must put out to maintain a constant temperature. Many mummy bags are offered in women-specific shapes and sizes, as well. Rectangular bags, while they do offer more room to toss and turn, are less thermally efficient because they contain more open air space. Also, they are typically heavier than mummy bags, and are generally not offered with down insulation, making them best suited for car camping or short backpacking trips.

Pad Yourself
No matter what kind of bag you choose, a sleeping pad is a required accessory. Not only do they provide much-needed comfort when sleeping on the ground, pads also offer crucial warmth for your backside, as the weight of your body compresses--and renders virtually useless--the sleeping bag insulation that lies beneath you.

The Crater Lake uses TechLoft insulation, a polyester multi-holed fiber with a siliconized finish that gives you great loft, warmth, and compactability. The 2-layer offset construction (sometimes called a "bag within a bag") gives you a warm and comfortable bag rated at 0 degrees. The soft poly-cotton liner and spacious 33" x 80" size will let you feel like you are sleeping in your own bed at home. A large self repairing #10 separating zipper, a 210T nylon ripstop outer, and a full-length draft tube give you the features you need in a good rectangle bag. The sleeping bag weight is 6 lb. 6 oz., and a stuff sack is included.