Northface Cats Meow opinions?

MEJ

MEJ

Joined
Jul 24, 2011
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Im looking for a good affordable sleeping abg and from what i have read this one is great.

http://www.thenorthface.com/catalog/sc-gear/equipment-sleeping-bags/cats-meow_2.html

It says it can go as low as 20, and what i am wondering is if that means that i can sleep naked (not that i would sleep naked while im camping) and still not freeze to death. So i i double up on clothes such as a fleece jacket, wool socks, etc i will be just fine even if it goes below that?

Anyone advice is very helpful.
 
I have one and I like it. Order the larger size though if you tend to move around at night. I like the fact that it compacts so well and, if given a bit of time to fluff before bedtime, decompresses well. It does tend to slide around on my Big Agnes pad. I intend to fix that with a few dots of silicone on the pad top.

Temp ratings are very subjective. I think the NF rating assumes you will wear long johns and socks. 20 might be pushing it for comfort in this bag. If you expect temps around 20, opt for a 0 degree bag, IMHO. And you can always get silk, cotton or fleece bag liners for a few degrees added warmth. It can be vented easily enough for temps up to the mid 70's, or used as a quilt. IMHO, it gives as good a bang-for-the-buck as my Kelty Mistral. It also comes with a large mesh storage bag and a compression sack.

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Thanks for the info. It looks like a great bag and i can always put on extra clothes if it gets too chilly.

Seems to be a great bag for the money.
 
MEJ said:
Thanks for the info. It looks like a great bag and i can always put on extra clothes if it gets too chilly.

Seems to be a great bag for the money.
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For the money, it is. I got mine for just over $100 on end of the year closeout at a big sporting goods store. It is also a left zip (less popular), but works fine with my right hand. I have to use my left hand in a right zip anyway. You can find them lightly used on that auction site, but check the insulation material. TNF changed it several times over the years. Polarguard was an earlier one, climashield the latest. IMHO, climashield is better both in compression and refluffing. I am 6'1, 185# and the regular bag was a tight fit on a cold night with the hood snugged - I couldn't stretch out full length. The long fits me better. And allows room for me to turn at night. For very little weight penalty. I think current MSRP is around $200 now, but with a bit of shopping and patience, you can get that discounted like I did. Or if you are a shrewd auction buyer, you can luck into one like I got my Kelty Mistral... $35 plus shipping. It was lightly used and in near perfect condition. (Oops! I forgot.. it is a Marmot Mistral).

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Consider also the Kelty Lightyear. Also climashield-Xp, they are currently on sale at near half price (the long size) and weigh in at 3# 2 oz.

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On most bags, the lowest temp. rating usually means thats the lowest temp. you can survive in that bag over night. Basically, It will be very cold, and uncomfortable, but you wont freeze to death (there are always exceptions to this rule)... I always try to look for a bag thats 20-30deg. lower than what I plan to sleep at. Or just look for "EN" ratings as they are far more accurate, and honest.. I was going to buy a cats meow bag last winter after 2 months of research. Its the best bag for the money according to just about every review I've read, and every bag I've compared it to. Deffinitely getting one this winter! :thumbup:
1badcj_7
 
All of these bags are in the "inexpensive" range, thus my disclaimer... "for the money". I am in SW Tennessee and seldom camp in the coldest weather any more. When I did, I used a very heavy military down bag with fur ruff around the face. A similar new "lightweight" civilian bag would cost up to $400-600. It is easy to overspend your actual needs for a bag unless you are really dedicated to camping out in extreme cold. Then, no $ is too much. On the other end of the scale, my Marmot is a good moderate weather bag. And I have a pair of really inexpensive, heavy, bulky (but well made) Hillary bags from Sears. I don't know what they sold for new last century, but I gave $10 each for them at a second hand store here. I keep one on my bed for a comforter and use them for guests when summer car-camping. They have polyester batting insulation and are sewn through, rather than the offset baffles stuffed with loose fibers like the TNF and Kelty Lightyear.
 
I have it, and it's never failed me. I've used it in the snow, although with an extra blanket tossed in, and quite a few different kinds of weather. It's well worth it.
 
The latest version is EN rated as comfortable to 23F for men. That rating includes long baselayers, a hat, and a pad(I think with a r-value of 5).
My Cat's Meow is an older one with Polarguard 3D fill from back when it was very optimistically rated as a 15F bag. More like 30F, IMO, but I've had it down to 8F cowboy camping under an overhang with a 3/4 length pad. 'Course I had on socks, expedition weight polypros, a fleece vest, and balaclava, and still did a lot of shivering. It's been a good and durable bag. It's been loaned out a few times, and I still use it on those rare occasions our interstates get shut down due to ice, and some of us stay at work for a couple days without leaving.
The Cat's Meow is a TNF staple, and they've continued to improve it over the years. These newer Climashield ones are probably warmer than mine ever was, and about a pound lighter, too. Not bad at all for the price. If I wasn't traveling to places with colder temps, I probably would have gotten one for a winter bag last year.
 
I have used mine down to probably 10 degrees or so. I wore two pairs of socks, long johns, fleece pants and a sweatshirt. It's a good bag, and I've been very happy with mine.
What type of pad do you plan to use?
 
I want to mention also that using a bag liner (silk, cotton, fleece) as well as wearing fresh, dry clothes in your bag extends it's life by keeping down moisture and transfer of body oils. They are much easier to wash than a sleeping bag and cheaper to replace by far. They do weigh about 9 ounces or so, but can be used by themselves in warm weather.

Some bags have internal snaps or loops to secure liners. And some also have external straps or sleeves to secure sleeping pads. I use the Big Agnes Insulated Air Core pad (it has to be inflated through a valve... some like the Thermorest are self-inflating), but also keep a couple of the thin blue foam pads for loaners for friends and family who don't own any camping gear.
 
Where would i get a bag liner that could fit?

This bag sounds awesome... it rarely goes below 25 here so i am not all that worried about freezing (just in case though.)

Judging from its popularity it will suit me just fine.
 
Just about every outdoor store has bag liners of one brand/material or several. REI, Campmor, Dick's, Gander Mountain, Cabellas, Moosejaw, EMS, etc. Dimensions are usually given and a rectangular liner will work in a mummy bag. You actually want it larger for twisting and comfort. And as mentioned, you can use the liner alone in warm weather. Most of those suppliers also have an assortment of rigid and inflatable pads. A good pad is a must for winter use. Or if you are an old Codger like me. Seatosummit is one popular brand. I have several pieces of their get in my kit.

Oh... and a helpful hint for getting into a liner in your bag? Roll it down and put it on your feet, feet in the bag, then roll it on up like a body condom! :D It really is easier than it sounds. Much easier than trying to get inside a liner already in the bag.
 
Codger_64 said:
Just about every outdoor store has bag liners of one brand/material or several. REI, Campmor, Dick's, Gander Mountain, Cabellas, Moosejaw, EMS, etc. Dimensions are usually given and a rectangular liner will work in a mummy bag. You actually want it larger for twisting and comfort. And as mentioned, you can use the liner alone in warm weather. Most of those suppliers also have an assortment of rigid and inflatable pads. A good pad is a must for winter use. Or if you are an old Codger like me. Seatosummit is one popular brand. I have several pieces of their get in my kit.

Oh... and a helpful hint for getting into a liner in your bag? Roll it down and put it on your feet, feet in the bag, then roll it on up like a body condom! :D It really is easier than it sounds. Much easier than trying to get inside a liner already in the bag.
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I have a deflatable pad that i got... I live around a bunch of different REI's so i will definitely get a liner for my bag. And i will try the body condom technique even though it sounds strange it does make sense. Thanks for the help
 
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