Sleeping bag petite women/kids

[MindfulNomad]

Hi everyone,

I've started planning a thru hike that I'm aiming to do within the next three years but I love hiking either way so I'm looking for gear that is not necessarily thru hike specific.

I'm looking for sleeping bag recommendations specifically for shorter women, although I have not ruled out quilts.

Considerations:

1) I'm 5"0' and petite. I've looked at kids/junior sleeping bags and I fit in many but they often don't go below 20 F. (So if anyone can find me some, that'd be awesome!)

2) Cold sleeper so aiming for 15 F.

3) No preference for synthetic or down. I'll happily choose a synthetic bag if cost, weight and packed size is alright.

4) I'm not aiming for ultralight but lighter is of course better + packed size. I share my tent load + cooking utensils with my partner so I can go a little heavier on other essentials if necessary.

Additional question: I was really drawn to Big Agnes because they have a lot of sleeping bags for petite women and a few for kids that I would fit in. But it seems you have to buy a big pad for them to be good because there's no insulation at the back?

Can anyone vouch for these bags if they're any good (without a big pad)?

Thank you!!

Edited November 13, 2017 by MindfulNomad
Autocorrect error

[Aaron Zagrodnick]

Hey Mindful,

Here might be a few to check out - the Western Mountaineering Apache MF is rated for 15 degrees and has a slim cut. The smallest version is the 5'6", but that's up to 5'6" so it could still work well for you if perhaps a bit roomy lengthwise, but I don't think it would be excessive:

https://www.backcountry.com/western-mountaineering-apache-mf-sleeping-bag-15-degree-down

As an example for myself at 6'2", the 6'6" size Western Mountaineering bags have fit me well.  

Feathered Friends also has a couple options, but they are both 20 degree hoodless bags so perhaps not what you're looking for, but if the sizing would work could be combined with a warm down jacket and warm sleeping pad:

http://featheredfriends.com/flicker-20-nano-kids-down-quilt-sleeping-bag.html

http://featheredfriends.com/feathered-friends-flicker-20-ul-quilt-sleeping-bag.html

Regarding the bags you mentioned without insulation on the bottom the idea there would be to save weight, as the insulation you're laying on would be compressed and not working much for you - your pad provides the most insulation. To stay warm either way, you'd need to make sure your sleeping pad has an appropriate r-value for the expected conditions.