Articles (2020)

Introduction

The Mountain Laurel Designs Prophet 25 backpack has a volume of 1525 cubic inches and weighs just 4.4 ounces. We tested an early version of the Prophet 25. Since our testing the volume of the Prophet 25 has been increased slightly and it has been renamed the Prophet 30. Materials and features on the Prophet 30 are the same as discussed in this review with upgrades to the production model Prophet 30 as noted.

What’s Good

• Very light at 4.4 ounces without options
• Versatile with removable waistbelt and bungee system, and optional chest pack and shoulder strap water bottle mounts
• Top Y-cinch strap is secure and compresses loads well
• Front pocket is useful and holds items securely
• Good size for SuperUltraLight backpacking or dayhikes

What’s Not So Good

• The sternum strap is too short (but this is fixed in production models)
• The outer pocket mesh is fragile (changed in production models)
• Shoulder straps are lightly padded and narrow, making the pack uncomfortable for “heavier” loads

Specifications

Performance

The Mountain Laurel Designs Prophet 25 is a frameless pack that can be used as a lightweight daypack or as a compact overnight pack for SuperUltraLighters. Without a frame, it relies on a “virtual frame” achieved by using a stiff sleeping pad as a frame inside the pack or filling the pack to capacity (easily done for an overnight trip). The suspension consists of lightly padded shoulder straps, a sternum strap, and an optional ¾-inch unpadded nylon waistbelt.

With a volume of just 1525 cubic inches (25 liters), the Prophet 25 is a small pack. However, the extension collar can provide up to 11 inches of extra capacity, and the outside pocket provides additional capacity. The bungee system can be configured in a variety of ways, to create more load carrying options. The optional chest pocket provides additional space, if needed. I loved the size, finding it perfect for SuperUltraLight (SUL) weekend summer trips; however, the Prophet 25 is strictly for minimalist backpackers and day hikers.

With padded shoulder straps only 2 inches wide and thin 3/8-inch Evazote padding, the Prophet 25 is not comfortable for many hikers with loads above 12 pounds. However, I found it capable of carrying loads up to 15 pounds for brief periods, such as when carrying extra water into camp. For SUL trips, where a full pack can easily weigh less than 10 pounds at the beginning of a trip and less than 5 at the end, the Mountain Laurel Designs pack is really in its niche.

The Mountain Laurel Designs Prophet 25 is a simple but well thought out pack. The main body is narrow, adding agility on the trail, and expands and compacts to load size easily with the extended collar. The Y-compression strap is secure and compresses loads evenly. It snaps to the outside pocket to secure the pocket, and easily unsnaps to provide access.

The outside pocket is low for better weight distribution, and gives plenty of room for fuel, two small water bottles, lunch food, and a wind shirt. Elastic is sewn into the top hem for additional security. Even when holding the pack upside down and shaking it, I was unable to make items fall out, adding to peace of mind on the trail.

The pack’s fabrics are highly water resistant. Combined with the roll-top closure, the pack kept contents dry during several 30-minute sprinkles. Heavier and more water resistant fabric against the back kept contents dry from my sweat, despite 14 hours of hiking on warm summer days.

The sternum strap is not adjustable horizontally and is not removable. The strap hit me too low and I rarely used it. A single ice axe loop is included.

A simple ¾-inch waistbelt is included with the pack and is removable. It helps with heavier loads or to control pack movement when running. A bungee system is also included and can be set up in a variety of configurations (or removed). Along with the top strap, this system effectively reduces pack volume. It also provides a good place to carry gear outside the pack, for example a larger foam pad. An optional chest pocket was included with our pack but it seemed a little large for the attachment points and didn’t fit snugly. However, it did offer easy access to small items and sat away from the chest, which helped with ventilation on hot summer days.

Spinnaker cloth is not as durable as silnylon, especially when it comes to abrasion, and it needs to be treated gently. This is not a pack you sit on or throw around. That said, I did not baby this pack during multiple nights of testing. I dropped it, kicked it, overloaded it, and hiked through overgrown alder thickets to test its durability. It survived and it is still in good shape. The Spinntex Pro 0.97 oz/yd² spinnaker cloth is surprisingly durable and shows no wear. The back and bottom of the pack use a heavier 1.7 oz/yd² silicone nylon that is more abrasion resistant (for sitting with the pack on), less slippery (for sweaty backs), and more water resistant (for keeping items inside dry). Heavier pack cloth and 1.7 oz/yd² silnylon are used in stress areas like shoulder strap and waistbelt attachments. The material selection is a good compromise between light weight and durability. The pack is sewn using very few seams, minimizing seam failure and leakage and further increasing durability.

The only durability issue I found was in the 1.0 oz/yd² bug netting used in the outside pockets. While strong enough when the pocket was crammed to capacity, sharp-edged items like a full Platypus bottle easily tore the fabric when being shoved into a full pack. Mountain Laurel Designs has addressed this issue by using heavier 1.6 oz/yd² netting in production packs.

Purchase price for the production Mountain Laurel Designs Prophet 30 is $105, making it an excellent value for those looking for a high quality SUL pack. It is a well thought-out design and built to last, even with a manufacturer stated weight of 4.25 ounces (volume 2130 ci). The prototype Prophet 25 we tested held loads securely, expanded its utility with a variety of options and configurations, and was comfortable with lighter loads. If you are looking for a compact pack for SUL trips that can double as a daypack, the Prophet 30 will be hard to beat.

What’s Unique

This is the lightest pack that offers a wraparound mesh outside pocket, making it easy to retrieve small items or water bottles. It also has a host of options that add to its versatility. Further, its Y-cinch strap is easy to use and secure.

Recommendations for Improvement

The issues of a too-short sternum strap and fragile outside pocket fabric are addressed in production models. A sternum strap that could adjust horizontally or be removed would also be nice. Wider shoulder straps would distribute weight better and increase the pack’s comfortable load carrying capacity.

Introduction

At first glance the Thompson Peak Pack appears to be a clone of the (now discontinued) GoLite Breeze, but when you look more closely, there are some significant improvements. In several ways it’s a “better Breeze.” but there are a few refinements we would like to see.

What’s Good

• Balance of light weight and durability
• Side compression straps
• Dual drawcord closure
• Optional hipbelt

What’s Not So Good

• Narrow shoulder straps
• Too much extension collar
• No top compression strap
• Needs two more side compression straps
• May not be suitable for abusive bushwhacking, off trail scrambling, canyoneering, etc.

Specifications

Performance

The resemblance of the Thompson Peak pack to the GoLite Breeze pack is probably not coincidental. The two packs are very similar, as shown by comparing manufacturer’s specifications in the following table (both packs in size large and without a hipbelt) and the photos below.

Basically, Fanatic Fringe has tried to improve on the classic GoLite Breeze. Is the Thompson Peak a “better Breeze”? Well, yes and no. There are pros and cons to both packs, so read on.

Here are the main differences: the Thompson Peak is made of lighter fabrics and weighs 5 ounces less, it has a second drawcord on the extension collar, it has two side compression straps, the shoulder straps are narrower and less padded, and the pack body and outside pockets are smaller.

I definitely like the lighter weight of the Thompson Peak Pack. In my opinion, 1.9 oz/yd² nylon ripstop and 200 denier Oxford are adequately strong for a pack designed to carry less than 20 pounds. Sure, it is less durable than the Breeze, but does an ultralight pack need to be made of bombproof fabric like Spectra Gridstop? (The answer is yes if you’re into serious bushwhacking or canyoneering. Durability was one of the great strengths of the Breeze.)

The body of the Thompson Peak has a little less volume than the Breeze (3600 versus 3950 cubic inches). Frankly, I don’t like the volume proportions of either pack. Both packs have way too much volume in the extension collar. The purpose of the large extension collar is to provide extra room for food after a re-supply. With the extension collar loaded up, both packs are very top-heavy and a burden to carry. The extension collar could be reduced by a third (or more) to put it into better proportion with the rest of the pack.

The Thompson Peak has two drawcords on the extension collar. The lower one is the main drawcord for normal loads, and has a metal grommet that allows it to be tightly closed. The upper drawcord is used when the extension collar is needed. With normal loads, it works well to fold the extension collar inside the pack and only use the lower drawcord. I sometimes found it convenient to put gear (like a jacket or rainwear) in-between the two drawcords so it was handy when I needed it.

On the exterior, the Thompson Peak has less pocket space than the Breeze. I’m disappointed with that change, and would instead prefer to see larger outside mesh pockets to provide lots of convenient storage even though that would add to the pack’s weight, since mesh is relatively heavy.

A really nice feature of the Thompson Peak is the addition of side compression straps. They help a lot to reduce pack volume as load volume diminishes on a multi-day trip. They also make the pack more usable as a daypack on a trek from camp. While two side compression straps are good, four are better. I suggest adding a second pair of compression straps below the side pockets.

One feature I would like to see on the Thompson Peak (and the Breeze) is a top compression strap, so I can roll down the top and secure it. My wife added one to my Breeze and I love it. The present Thompson Peak design allows the top of the pack to expand without constraint. I would readily trade the two drawcords for one drawcord and a top compression strap.

I carried the Thompson Peak on several trips, with loads ranging from 12 to 18 pounds. With lighter loads it rides high on the shoulders and is comfortable to carry. It becomes less comfortable at about 15 pounds because of its narrow (2 inches wide) shoulder straps with thin (3/8-inch) padding. At that weight I found it more comfortable to let it ride a little lower on my shoulders, rather than tighten the shoulder straps and put more pressure on my shoulders. Wider shoulder straps are definitely desirable on a pack without a hipbelt as they increase the comfortable load carrying capacity.

My assessment of the comfortable load carrying capacity of the Thompson Peak Pack without hipbelt is 15 pounds. Carrying loads greater than 15 pounds with this pack depends on the strength of your shoulders and ego. I recommend getting this pack with a hipbelt if you intend to carry loads heavier than 15 pounds.

What’s Unique

The Thompson Peak Pack hits a sweet spot between light weight and durability. It is a third lighter than a more durable pack like the Breeze but it is considerably more durable than spinnaker fabric packs.

Recommendations for Improvement

Overall, Fanatic Fringe designed some significant improvements into the Thompson Peak Pack over the GoLite Breeze Pack. However there are a few places where some further improvements would help its utility:

• The shoulder straps need to be wider to better distribute weight
• A top compression strap should be added to allow the top to be rolled down and secured
• Two more side compression straps should be added just below the pockets

Introduction

I love frameless backpacks, especially the really light ones. With a volume of 3800 cubic inches and weighing 8.1 ounces, the Gossamer Gear G5 Hyperlight backpack has a volume to weight ratio of 469 cubic inches/ounce. The Hyperlight achieves this remarkable statistic through the use of spinnaker fabric, which seems like tissue paper, but is surprisingly strong and durable.

What’s Good

• Very lightweight (huge volume to weight ratio)
• Spinnaker fabric is waterproof and strong for its weight
• Wide shoulder straps and hipbelt distribute weight
• Lots of outside pocket storage
• Very comfortable to carry with loads up to 20 pounds

What’s Not So Good

• Lack of compression straps makes it impossible to compress small loads
• No load control other than tight packing
• Roll top with Velcro closure does not secure well
• Too much volume for its comfortable load carrying capacity
• Inflatable sleeping pad slips out of the pad sleeve

Specifications

Performance

The Gossamer Gear G5 Hyperlight is basically the same design as their classic G4 pack, except it is smaller (3800 cubic inches versus 4600), lighter (8.3 ounces versus 17.3, manufacturer specifications), and constructed of lighter materials (0.96 oz/yd² spinnaker ripstop nylon versus 2.2 oz/yd² urethane-coated ripstop nylon). It’s a tried and proven design, with many refinements over several years.

Like most frameless backpacks, the G5 is designed to utilize a sleeping pad to stiffen the fully expanded pack to create a “virtual frame” to transfer some pack weight to the hips. On the G5, there is a mesh sleeve to slip your sleeping pad into to create the pack’s padded backpanel, as well as a virtual frame. I found that a stiff closed-cell foam sleeping pad works best for that purpose, much better than a limp inflatable pad, which adds little rigidity to the pack. I also found that the weak thin mesh allows an inflatable pad to slip out at the top.

With a total volume of 3800 cubic inches (2800 in the main pack body), the G5 had too much volume for my ultralight gear. I tried using up the excess volume by placing a partially inflated sleeping pad (Therm-a-Rest Prolite 3 Short) inside the pack against my back. That configuration solved my excess volume problem and resulted in a tighter, stiffer pack that carried better. However it does not eliminate two other basic problems, and introduces a third issue.

First, the G5 has no side compression straps to stabilize the load and adjust volume. As the volume of pack contents diminishes during a multi-day trip, the user has no means to reduce pack volume and keep the pack rigid. A partially inflated sleeping pad inside works, but many users of this pack will use a closed cell foam pad instead of an inflatable pad, and logically it should go into the pad sleeve. Placing a partially inflated sleeping pad inside introduces another issue: it moves the pack’s center of gravity outward, which increases torsional stresses on the body.

Second, the G5 roll top/Velcro closure does not secure the top of the pack very well (see top photo). The closure has Velcro hook tabs that attach to loop patches extending down into the side pockets. Gear (in particular a self-inflating pad) inside the pack inches up, pushing it open. The pack needs a top compression strap to secure the roll down closure, and to hold a sleeping pad packed in the interior in place.

The upshot is that the G5 works better if your gear volume matches the pack volume. One solution to the issues discussed above would be for Gossamer Gear to add an intermediate sized pack between the G5 and G6 Whisper Uberlight, with a volume of approximately 3000 cubic inches. A more tightly stuffed pack would transfer weight without the need for side compression straps. For a longer trip, the pack’s extension collar can provide the extra volume needed, and as pack volume decreases, the lower pack body can be packed tight and secured with a top compression strap. This is one approach to the pack volume issue, but bottom line, there is a need for an effective way to control pack volume other than owning multiple packs, and that means compression straps.

Like the G4, the G5’s shoulder straps and hipbelt are made of pack fabric and are wide (almost 4 inches) for distributing weight. Each strap has an opening (with Velcro closure) that allows the option of either placing clothing inside the strap for padding (thereby saving weight), or inserting lightweight foam pads (weighing about 0.2 ounce each) into the strap. The weight of the four foam pads adds up to 0.77 ounces (my measurement). I found them to be very lightweight and comfortable, and a better alternative to inserting and removing clothing items into/from the strap pockets.

Voluminous outside pockets on the front and sides of the G5 provide lots of convenient storage. The front pocket is mesh and the side pockets are spinnaker fabric. All have an elasticized hem at the top and plenty of bellowing for easy entry and lots of storage space. I stuffed an entire Tarptent (sans poles) into one of the side pockets (bottom right photo above). The side pockets have a mesh panel at the bottom for drainage.

The G5 is designed to stuff your sleeping bag into the bottom of the pack. The bottom balloons out when stuffed full, creating a “compartment” for a sleeping bag and insulated jacket. Nice idea.

For bear canister users, a 9-inch x 10-inch (650 cubic inches) canister will fit into the G5 if it is dropped in lengthwise, then turned to horizontal.

In my test of the G5’s structural load capacity (see related article link in right column on Quantitative Analysis of Backpack Suspension Performance by Ryan Jordan), I found that 1 inch of pack torso collapse occurs at about 20 pounds, shifting much of the pack weight onto my shoulders. Suspension comfort is very good because of the G5’s very wide, padded shoulder straps and hipbelt, sternum strap, and the hipbelt conforming well to the hips. My assessment of the G5’s comfortable load carrying capacity is 20 pounds, which is similar to many other frameless backpacks with a hipbelt. The actual amount will vary from person to person.

I consistently found that I could comfortably carry 15-20 pound loads in the G5 all day. With higher pack weight (and greater pack torso collapse), I tended to let the pack ride lower on my shoulders. I could have shortened the shoulder straps, but that made them tighter and increased the weight on my shoulders, which made it less comfortable to carry the pack all day. Carrying the pack lower on my back places the pack center of gravity close to my body center of gravity, which is less than ideal (its better to have the pack center of gravity a little higher), but I found that the pack was simply more comfortable to carry all day by letting it hang back some.

Many of my hiking friends referred to the G5 as my “tissue paper pack.” It may seem that way with its crinkly thin spinnaker fabric, but in fact the G5 is reasonably durable and will last a long time with prudent use and care. In several months of testing, I collected a few abrasions on the G5, mostly on the side pockets, but no serious damage.

What’s Unique

Through the use of spinnaker fabric, the Gossamer Gear G5 Hyperlight has the highest volume to weight ratio (469 ci/oz) of any commercially available frameless ultralight pack we are aware of. (This excludes the low volume SuperUltraLight packs.)

Recommendations for Improvement

My primary recommendation for the G5 is to add some type of compression system to adjust pack volume as load volume shrinks during a multi-day trip. For the top closure, I suggest adding a lightweight top compression strap (perhaps an inverted “Y” strap). For side compression, providing loops for a bungee compression system (like the loops on the Mariposa Pack) may be a solution. Sewn in foam padding in the shoulder straps and hipbelt will remove the weight reducing option of using carried clothing in place of foam pads, but will slightly reduce pack weight for those who prefer foam pads over clothing in the straps. (A weight savings of 0.77 ounce is not attractive enough to many hikers to bother stuffing and unstuffing socks into the straps.) Finally, the sleeping pad sleeve needs to be re-designed so an inflatable sleeping pad does not slip out.

Introduction

The Gossamer Gear Spinnshelter is the lightest full-protection one-person shelter on the market. Sure, a spinnaker fabric poncho/tarp is lighter, and doubles as rainwear and pack cover, but it doesn’t provide full weather protection.

What’s Good

• Ultralight shelter for one person
• Catenary ridgeline
• Quick setup
• Multiple pitching configurations
• Two vestibules

What’s Not So Good

• Limited headroom in standard configuration
• Much of the floor space is not usable
• Can be damaged in unexpected strong winds

Specifications

Performance

The Spinnshelter, as the name implies, is made of 0.9 oz/yd² high thread count spinnaker cloth. There are a lot of different spinnaker fabrics available, and the trick is to find one that has the right balance of waterproofness, strength, and weight for use in a shelter. Gossamer Gear claims that their Spinnshelter fabric is equal to silnylon in its ability to handle wind stress and rain, with a significant reduction in weight.

In the standard pitch (edges to the ground) the protected area in the Spinnshelter is 38.3 square feet including the vestibules, and 27.8 square feet in the main section. That is as big as many two-person tents. I measured it and checked the math, and the area is there, but frankly it doesn’t seem that big. The angled walls and minimal headroom (40 inches at the entrance) limit the usable space and make it seem much smaller. It feels and functions like a one-person tent. In the raised pitch (three guylines on each side, edges raised above the ground), the Spinnshelter is distinctly roomier, and can provide shelter for two, but in that configuration it functions more like a tarp.

The beauty of the Spinnshelter is its ease of setup and numerous pitching options. One very clever feature is the use of base lines (a thin cord clipped between the corners, one at the front and one at the rear) to set the width of the shelter, making it easy to pitch in the standard configuration (full protection, with edges down to the ground). To pitch, simply lay out the shelter (front and rear ends are color-coded), stake the four corners while stretching out the shelter and base lines, lift the rear peak and attach it to a pole or stick and stake it out, lift the front peak and do the same. The Spinnshelter is designed to utilize trekking poles or sticks found on-site (optional aluminum or carbon fiber poles are available).

There is a vestibule on each end of the Spinnshelter. Each has two doors with a Velcro attachment in the center. The doors can be pitched fully open, fully closed, one side open, or in a beak configuration. To minimize condensation inside the shelter, it’s best to open the doors as much as the weather and bugs will allow. My favorite configuration is the rear doors completely open (or the top closed to produce a beak), and one front door open for easy entry/exit. To get more air circulation in hot weather the Spinnshelter can be pitched so the sides are raised above the ground. This gives a larger protected area and more headroom. It requires three short guylines on each side and two additional stakes.

On cool nights during bug season, I closed the doors to keep the bugs out, and did not have any problems with mosquitoes coming in under the edges of the Spinnshelter. However, fully closing a single-wall tent is an invitation for heavy condensation. I opened the doors later in the night when it had cooled off enough to chase the skeeters away. For situations where bugs are a problem all night, Gossamer Gear has a mesh bug canopy available ($19, 3 ounces) that clips to loops inside the shelter. It drapes over the top of your sleeping bag and creates a protected vestibule around your head area. It works quite well, and can be left attached for repeated use during the bug season.

I weathered a number of Rocky Mountain thunderstorms and overnight rains in the Spinnshelter, and it faithfully kept me dry and secure. As recommended by Gossamer Gear, I seam sealed the ridgeline with silicone sealer to ensure there is no leakage through the stitching. At least eight stakes are needed for a pitch secure enough to withstand normal winds (seven if you don’t stake out the rear vestibule). I went to ten stakes during the monsoon season so I could also stake out the middle of each side.

I found the Spinnshelter to be wind stable in “normal” breezy/windy conditions. Its catenary ridgeline helps to obtain a tight pitch and reduce flapping in the wind. The pointed vestibule on each end helps to deflect the wind; it’s a good idea to point the rear of the shelter into the wind. Gossamer Gear recommends the Spinnshelter for sub-alpine use, or alpine use by experienced ultralight backpackers. Our Pacific Northwest Editor found out what that caution means. Camping at timberline, he encountered winds estimated at 45 mph, which resulted in the front pole connection being torn loose. That unfortunate experience indicated the upper limit of the Spinnshelter’s wind stability. In our estimation, the Spinnshelter is adequately strong and wind stable for normal backpacking conditions, assuming it is properly set up and secured, and used as recommended. However, don’t treat it like a bomb shelter, because it’s not.

The condensation situation in the Spinnshelter is the usual drill for a single wall tent. The warm, moist air from your breath hits a cool surface (the tent wall) and produces condensation, just like car windows on a cold day. The trick is to maximize ventilation as much as conditions permit – the more ventilation, the less condensation. It’s best to have both ends of the tent somewhat open so air can circulate throughout. Condensation is unavoidable in some situations (like a rainy night, or a calm/humid night where it cools down later), so it’s a matter of not brushing against the wet tent walls. I frequently packed up the Spinnshelter while wet on both the outside and inside, and carried it in a mesh side pocket of my pack. The following evening it dried out quickly after I set it up.

What’s Unique

The Spinnshelter provides full three-season weather protection for only 11.2 ounces complete with guylines and stakes.

Recommendations for Improvement

Offer a two-person version of the Spinnshelter, and offer more options like a sewn-in floor and no-see-um netting in both ends. This is starting to sound like a Tarptent, but why not borrow a few ideas from Tarptent? To make the Spinnshelter stronger for withstanding wind, sew a strip of grosgrain into the ridgeline seam.

Introduction

The Feather-Lite is a hoodless, zipperless, summer weight down mummy bag using state-of-the-art materials. It’s available in six different sizes, so short or thin people can save weight and stay warm.

What’s Good

• Loft is 1.5 inches more than manufacturer’s specifications
• Pertex Quantum shell is lightweight, soft, durable, and downproof
• Shoulder girth (in size tested) allows room for wearing clothing inside
• Elastic drawcord at neck opening allows you to reach out of the bag without adjusting anything
• Conservative temperature rating

What’s Not So Good

• Zipperless design may not provide enough ventilation on warmer nights

Specifications

Performance

The Feather-Lite is a no-frills, ultralight, summer-weight, mummy-style sleeping bag. It has no hood or zipper, just an elastic drawcord that snugs the bag at your neck. It requires a hat or balaclava to keep your head warm, which allows those items to do double-duty. The only extra this bag has is a baffled foot opening to stick your feet through and increase ventilation when needed.

Especially for short or thin people, one way to save weight (and sleep warmer) is to get the exact size sleeping bag you need. GoLite offers the Feather-Lite bag in six different sizes: three lengths (short, medium, and long), and two girths (trim and regular). Most other manufacturers’ bags are available only in regular or long lengths, and one girth for each.

The medium length, regular girth bag that I tested had 1.5 inches more loft than the manufacturer’s specifications and the weight was right on the money (at least for current GoLite catalogs, older catalogs list the weight 4 ounces higher than actual weight). This is a bit unusual for GoLite because they are usually right on with their specifications. Loftier than the specification sounds like a “sleeper” to me!

Let me say up front that I have nothing but praise for the GoLite Feather-Lite sleeping bag. It is not the absolute lightest 40-degree rated sleeping bag to be found (sleeping quilts, top bags, and bags with ultra-thin shell fabrics get that honor), but its design and state-of-the-art materials optimize performance, weight, and durability.

The outer shell of the GoLite Feather-Lite is Pertex Quantum, considered by many to be the best shell fabric currently available. It is soft, durable, water-repellent, breathable, and downproof. I found the claims to be true, but emphasize that water-repellent means just that. With extended exposure to water, the fabric wets through and the bag gets damp. I had this happen several times while sleeping in a bivy or under a tarp in rainy weather.

For the cool night conditions under which I tested the Feather-Lite, I have no reservations about the bag’s hoodless, zipperless design. The issue for me most of the time was keeping heat in, not venting off excess heat. The bag is easy to slip into and out of, so that was not an issue. I liked not having to mess with a zipper and hood.

Most of my bag nights were below the Feather-Lite’s temperature rating. That was intentional; the bag was used as part of a SuperUltraLight backpacking system, where my base pack weight was less than 5 pounds. My technique was to use a minimal bag, and wear clothing inside as needed to extend the warmth of the bag. It worked beautifully, and I had no problem extending the Feather-Lite down to 30 °F wearing micro-fleece long johns and an insulated jacket. The 62-inch shoulder girth (in the size tested) was just right to allow room for extra clothing without being too loose or too tight.

One simple feature I really liked is the bag’s elastic drawcord closure for the top opening. It allowed me to snug the top of the bag around my neck like a gasket to seal heat inside, yet I could stretch the cord with my arm to reach outside the bag to get something (see photos above).

The bag’s foot vent is sealed with overlapping baffles. On one warmer night (55 °F) I tested the foot vent and found that it ventilated through the bag fairly well. The obvious alternative for really warm nights is to sleep partially out of the bag, then slide further in as the temperature drops. On colder nights, I did not have a need to use the foot vent for ventilation, and was happy to find that it does not create a draft or cold spot. Basically, the feature is there to use when you need it.

There are a lot of factors that affect a bag’s warmth, not the least of which is the shelter system used. For example, sleeping under a tarp with a nighttime convectional breeze is a lot different than sleeping fully enclosed in a double wall tent. I used the Feather-Lite with several different shelter systems and clothing systems, and had no problem staying warm below the bag’s rating by adjusting the amounts of clothing worn inside.

Missing from this review (and for all sleeping bag reviews published here, for that matter) will be an assessment of whether or not the sleeping bag performs adequately at temperatures near its manufacturer-reported temperature rating. Click here for the complete Backpacking Light Position Statement on Sleeping Bag Temperature Ratings.

What’s Unique

GoLite uses state-of-the-art materials and a minimalist approach to hit ultralight backpacker’s needs squarely on target with the Feather-Lite bag, and it’s available in six different sizes (three lengths x two girths) so most people will find a good fit.

Recommendations for Improvement

A 30-degree version of this bag would be really nice; just add a little more down. A nitpick: one of the hang loops could be eliminated to save a few grams.