Fall is the perfect time to fit in a last few camping excursions under the stars—or by the glow of the big-screen TV in the family room, for the less rugged among us. Manny Polloni, owner of American Terrain Outdoors in White Plains, has worked in the outdoor gear industry for 30 years and personally gear-tested sleeping bags for The North Face and Mountain Hardwear on Mount Rainier and throughout the Pacific Northwest. An expert in outfitting his customers for all their year-round outdoor adventures, here he recommends his top five sleeping bags.
1) Lamina 0 (Mountain Hardwear) $199.95 Polloni calls this a “great all-around sleeping bag and an excellent choice for cold, damp weather.” Stuffed with Thermic Micro insulation and treated to repel moisture, it features a comfort mummy cut that maximizes room without compromising warmth or weight. Rated to keep a camper warm to 0°F, Lamina 0 has an internal zip pocket for ready access to your cell phone or headlamp. |
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2) Cat’s Meow 20 (The North Face) $189.95 |
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3) Flip 35/50 (Mountain Hardwear) $129.95 It’s two bags in one: The Flip 35/50 can be used with the 35-degree side up for more warmth on cool nights or be flipped over to the 50-degree side for use in warmer weather. Rated to 35°F, this semi-rectangular bag is insulated with synthetic Thermic MX. And not only can it be zipped together with other semi-rectangular sleeping bags, says Polloni, it can also be unzipped to use as a blanket. |
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4) Great Smoky 20 (The North Face) $79.95 |
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5) Go-N-Grow 30 (Slumberjack) $59.95 “This kid-friendly sleeping bag can grow with your child,” says Polloni, as it features an expandable foot section that lengthens by up to 10 inches. “A great starter sleeping bag for the budding outdoorsman or woman,” adds Polloni, “it even has a built-in pocket to keep a pillow in place through the night.” Available in fashionable pink or blue. |