Warning: My old sleeping bag nearly ruined a trip to the White Mountains

I was at a trailhead in New Hampshire about a month ago, getting ready for a two-night trip. An older guy saw me wrestling with my bulky, 10-year-old bag to fit it in my pack. He just said, 'You know, a good bag is like a good night's sleep... you don't know what you're missing until you have one.' That stuck with me. I froze that first night and finally bought a 20-degree down bag on sale for $150 when I got home. The difference on my next trip was crazy. Has anyone else had a piece of gear they didn't realize was holding them back for years?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_hugo1mo agoMost Upvoted

Honestly, that's a great story, but I have to push back a little on the price. A decent 20-degree down bag for $150 is a crazy good deal, almost too good. Most quality ones start way higher (like, double that). I'd be a little worried about the fill power or the brand's real testing standards at that price point. You might have just gotten the sale of the century, but for anyone reading this, that's not a normal budget number to expect.

loganthompson1mo ago

Yeah, @the_hugo has a point... that price is wild. I'd be checking the tag real close.

uma6851mo ago

I mean, he's not wrong though. That price does seem kinda sus. Maybe it was a crazy clearance find or something.