Why does nobody talk about how heavy those budget sleeping bags are

I picked up a $30 sleeping bag at a big box store thinking I got a steal. Carried it 4 miles into a site near Lake Tahoe and my back was KILLING me the whole way. Has anyone else dealt with a cheap bag that weighs like 8 pounds?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_piper6d agoMost Upvoted

Wait, did you say 4 miles with an 8 pound bag? That's actually not that bad weight-wise for a cheap bag, but 4 miles is a pretty decent hike to haul one. I think the real problem is how they pack down, not just the weight. Those cheap bags don't compress for squat, so they take up way too much room in your pack and throw off your balance. Plus they're usually made with that stiff, crinkly nylon that feels like sleeping in a trash bag. You kind of get what you pay for with those things, they're basically for car camping or emergencies, not for hiking in like you did. For short trips near the car they're fine, but yeah, for backpacking you want something that actually compresses and isn't made of tarp material.

thomas.tyler5d ago

Fair point. The pack down issue is the real killer. Strapping a trash bag to your pack sucks.