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2005 Lightweight Down Jackets Review Summary and Gear Guide Overview

We rate and compare the lightest down jackets on the market based on our measurements and their performance in the field.

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GoLite Cumulus Jacket REVIEW

A comfortable and lofty 14-ounce jacket with some nice features, but missing ultralight appeal.

Introduction

The GoLite Cumulus Down Jacket weighs 14.1 ounces in a size L, has loft competitive with the best jackets on the market, and a few nice features for additional comfort; fuzzy hand warmer pockets and a warm, 2-inch high down filled collar. Other features include an elastic hem and cuffs, zippers on the pockets, and a full zipper in front.

What’s Good

Good loft and warmth
DWR treated shell fabric
Long sleeves help keep wrists and hands warm
Warm, down filled collar
Comfortable, zippered hand warmer pockets

What’s Not So Good

At 14 ounces, a bit heavier than some of the competition
Pockets are a little small

Specifications

Model Year	2005
Style	Full zipper jacket
Weight	Size men’s L tested. 14.1 oz (400 g) measured weight, manufacturer’s specification 14 oz (397 g)
Shell Fabric	15d micropolyester shell with DWR finish
Loft*	3.6 in (9.1 cm) double layer, measured
Fill	800 fill power goose down
Features	Single-quilt construction, full zipper, zippered hand warmer pockets, elastic cuffs, elastic hem, 2 in (5 cm) down filled collar
MSRP	$200

* Loft is a weighted average of maximum, double-layer torso and sleeve lofts. Torso loft is double weighted.

Performance

The GoLite Cumulus Down Jacket has easily handled the testing I have done this fall in the Arizona mountains. At temperatures down into the 30s, it was cozy in camp, and very warm as part of my sleep system, even with a wimpy sleeping bag that by itself was not comfortable below 50 degrees. With 3.6 inches of double layer loft, the Cumulus can comfortably be used at temperatures well below freezing – either as part of a sleep system, or layered with other clothing during the day. I found the relatively high (2 inches plus), well insulated collar to be a good addition to the warmth of the jacket, but with plenty of room to avoid feeling choked.

A couple of features on the Cumulus caught my attention; the elastic hem and the lined, hand warmer pockets. I was concerned that the elastic in the hem would be too constricting, providing less control than a drawcord hem. The hem was comfortable, but it did interfere with other layers; forcing other layers to be shorter than the Cumulus or to be tucked inside the jacket. One benefit of the elastic hem is that the jacket is less likely to ride up on you – the hem helps to keep the jacket in place if you lift your arms or otherwise move around. I am a fan of pockets on down jackets. Even though they add a bit of weight, I find the comfort and convenience of pockets well worth it in cold camps. The pockets on the Cumulus are very functional – insulated, lined with a thin but warm fleece and zippered to keep out the snow when necessary. I use them constantly, but would prefer pockets a little bit larger so they can be used more easily with lightweight gloves.

The shell fabric is 15 denier micro polyester with a DWR treatment. I had no problems with down leakage during the course of my testing. I encountered only light rains, which the DWR finish easily repelled. The full length front zipper is backed by a 1-inch down filled draft tube with a grosgrain stiffener to reduce zipper snags. I had no problems with the zipper, or with the draft flap during my testing. Although the shell fabric is light, it stood up well to off trail hiking. I took the Cumulus on a long, off-trail, early morning bushwhack up a streambed choked with willow and sycamore branches. The shell had no problems with snags even when I boldly pushed into thickets with the intention of stressing the fabric.

GoLite Cumulus Down Jacket REVIEW
The GoLite Cumulus Down jacket has a warm collar and pockets to complement the 3.6 inches of double layer loft.

The size large test sample Cumulus weighs 14.1 ounces, just above the manufacturer’s specification of 14 ounces. This is a couple of ounces heavier than the leading competition, but the Cumulus does offer a few features not seen on those lighter jackets, such as zippered, lined pockets and an elastic hem. If you are looking for those features and are willing to trade a couple of ounces, the Cumulus may be a good choice. It is a well made and reasonably durable jacket and at $200 it is priced fairly.

What’s Unique

Good combination of loft and features for a 14 ounce down jacket.

Recommendations for Improvement

Of course I would like to see the Cumulus come in a little lighter and still keep its best features. Of the features on the Cumulus, I might give up the zippers on the pockets, and reduce the weight of the elastic hem – this might save an ounce or so – with only limited reduction in functionality.

2005 Backpacking Light Staff Picks

Staff Favorites – Our gear picks from the 2005 hiking and backpacking season.

The sweat, the furrowed brows, the blank stares of concentration – all from our staff trying to narrow their “favorite” gear choices for the year down to just three. But, we forced ourselves, and list just three items of gear each that we’ve most enjoyed and/or depended on in 2005.

This isn’t an “Editor’s Choice” or a formal endorsement, just a list of gear we like.

Enjoy – and don’t forget to add your own 2005 favorites in the forum below! – Your BPL Eds

Backpacking Light Staff Member	Favorite Pieces of Gear
Ryan Jordan	Backpacking Meal Gear: Backpacking Light Long Handled Titanium Spoon & 9×7 Aloksak	Bozeman Mountain Works TorsoLite	McHale Summit Pack
Carol Crooker	CW-X Sport Support Bra	Gossamer Gear pack Liner	Hennessy Hammock Adventure Racer
Vic Lipsey	Ibex Outback L/S Jersey	Inov-8 Terroc 330	Long-Handled Titanium Spoon
Andrew Skurka	GoLite Jam	Montrail Masai	RBH Vapor Mitts
Ken Knight	Ibex Outback L/S Jersey	Nalgene Canteens	Spark-Lite Firestarting Kit
Jay Swan	Injinji Tetrasoks	Railriders Rampage Shorts	Montane Aero Windshirt
Jay Ham	BMW Stix Pro Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles	BMW Stealth 1 NANO (7×9) Catenary Ridgeline Ultralight Backpacking Tarp	Lite My Fire Spork
Will Rietveld	SummitShelters Evolution 2P Tent	Gossamer Gear Mariposa Pack	GoLite Feather-Lite Sleeping Bag
Don Wilson	Black Diamond Ion Headlamp	Montrail Hardrocks	Nunatak SkahaPlus
Doug Johnson	Tarptent Squall 2	Bozeman Mountain Works Spin Poncho T-Lite	“Doug Ritter Special Edition” Photon Freedom Micro LED Flashlight
Stuart Bilby	Oware 11×11 Silnylon Pyramid Tarp	Pentax Optio WP camera	OR Zealot Jacket
Roger Caffin	Trangia Kettle	KT-26 shoes	Décor
Rick Dreher	REI-Komperdell Peak UL carbon fiber trekking poles	Princeton Tec Eos+Pilot	AquaStar Plus! UV water treatment

Ryan Jordan, Publisher – Bozeman, Montana

	Backcountry Meal Gear: Backpacking Light Long Handled Titanium Spoon & 9×7 Aloksak Backpacking Light Store	In my quest to design the lightest titanium spork around, which is my first choice for my “SuperUltraLight” kits and when I’m on a backcountry fishing trek, I almost forgot what it was like to enjoy the 0.2 ounce penalty – and luxury – of a highly functional spoon. Being able to dig down into the bottom of a 9×7 Aloksak and extract the last bits of precious food without greasing the knuckles of my Possumdown gloves offers a great morale boost on the trail. The 9×7 Aloksak holds enough food for a hearty dinner and its odor-proof plastic and light weight means that it fits right in with my “simple, light, functional” philosophy of backcountry cooking.
	Bozeman Mountain Works TorsoLite Backpacking Light Store	Breaking my lower back this summer in a skateboarding accident has meant that I’ve been avoiding my normal SUL 1.4 ounce torso sized closed cell foamie for ground sleeping and replacing it with the 10 ounce TorsoLite during the rehab period. This is not going to be an easy luxury to give up! The TorsoLite is still my first choice when reducing volume is more important than reducing weight. And for sleeping on snow, I don’t think twice: the TorsoLite is my primary pad for three-season alpine climbing bivies and when combined with a 60″ x 1/4” closed cell foam pad, the core component of my winter pad system.
	McHale Summit Pack www.mchalepacks.com	I’ve never used another pack that has come close to the comfort of a custom-fit McHale. My 2400 cubic inch, 2-pound McHale Summit Pack has a packbag based loosely on the Subpop design, retains ultrathin 7000-series aluminum frame stays, and a wide hip belt. If uncompromising comfort, and not ounce-counting, is your gig, then give the McHale Summit a look.

Carol Crooker, Editor-in-Chief – Phoenix, Arizona

	CW-X Sport Support Bra www.cw-x.com	A lot of research and engineering went into the design of this bra including the 5-point inner cup Soft Support Web, which supports breasts during upward movement (most bras only provide support for downward movement). That’s all fine and good, but the reason I love this top is because it is so comfortable that I can wear it for four days and nights in a row and still not be itching to take it off, unlike any other bra or sport top I’ve ever worn.
	Gossamer Gear pack Liner www.gossamergear.com	Takes a lickin’ and keeps on tickin’ and only weighs 1.2 ounces. Far outlasts compactor trash bags, and the medium size is just right for SuperUltraLight and ultralight packs.
	Hennessy Hammock Adventure Racer www.hennessyhammock.com	You can’t beat the comfort of a hammock for sleeping (at least not without carrying a 2-pound sleeping pad) and no other commercially available hammock system beats the weight of the Adventure Racer.

Vic Lipsey, Managing Editor – Seattle, Washington

	Ibex Outback L/S Jersey www.ibex.com	Merino wool is the next best thing to growing my own fur. And it’s much easier to clean. This shirt stays cool for summer hiking, and is a perfect base layer for the other three seasons. Plus, low stink, high comfort, and only 6.9 ounces.
	Inov-8 Terroc 330 www.inov-8.com	They just fit my feet well. At about 10 ounces, they feel as groovy as hiking naked . . . so I’ve heard. Love the light swing weight, plenty of traction, and the stock insoles actually feel great. With a sub-10 pack, these are just fun. I plan to try their Mudrocs next.
	Long-Handled Titanium Spoon Backpacking Light Store	No more licking my hand after dinner! The extended reach makes digging rehydrated goop out of a Ziploc a joy. And I haven’t missed the fork points either. About half an ounce.

Andrew Skurka, Business Development – Seekonk, Massachusetts

	GoLite Jam www.golite.com	500 miles on the Colorado Trail and 6000 miles on the Sea-to-Sea Route, plus a few hundred miles more on a few shorter excursions. Who said lightweight packs aren’t durable? I had trimmed it down to about 15 ounces, and recently retired it for no other reason than the feeling that it should be retired after such a stellar performance.
	Montrail Masai www.montrail.com	7800 miles of cushioned, blister-less walking. Highly breathable and quick-drying; external mesh is surprisingly durable. Will be replaced in ’06 by a better model.
	RBH Vapor Mitts Backpacking Light Store	I can still count to 10 with my hands even after snowshoeing 1400 miles through Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota during the first three months of 2005. Saved my hands; they are absolutely spectacular. And the new version is even lighter.

Ken Knight, Production Editor – Ann Arbor, Michigan

	Ibex Outback L/S Jersey www.ibex.com	This 18.5 micron wool long sleeve shirt takes a licking and keeps on wicking. It provides comfort, warmth, protection, and stays stink free for days on end. It continues to remain exceptionally comfortable even when the weather gets quite warm. An all around fine performer that looks good and weighs 6.2 ounces (size S).
	Nalgene Canteens Backpacking Light Store	I have found the versatility of the Nalgene wide-mouth canteens makes them exceedingly useful in all sorts of conditions from fast and light day hiking to extended backpacking treks. They provide a level of flexibility and security that I’ve never quite achieved even with Big Zip Platypus bladders though they do harken back to an earlier age before hydration systems became so popular.
	Spark-Lite Firestarting Kit Backpacking Light Store	This fire starting kit can be used to ignite flames in emergency situations as well as normal conditions. I use the firestarter to ignite canister and alcohol stoves and can count on it working under a broad range of weather conditions that would challenge a regular match or lighter. In a time where traveling with really robust fire starters like REI Storm Matches can be problematic (e.g. flying) the Spark-Lite comes into its own.

Jay Swan, Copy Editor – Durango, Colorado

	Injinji Tetrasoks www.injinji.com	These socks have an individual pocket for each toe. While this looks like some kind of 70s-throwback product, the result is no blisters! I used to have a lot of trouble with blisters between my toes, and had to use BodyGlide or other inconvenient lubricants. With Injinji socks, these problems are a thing of the past. My first couple of pairs wore out really fast, but the ones I’ve bought recently have been quite durable.
	Railriders Rampage Shorts www.railriders.com	The signature feature of these shorts is the four huge pockets. I use them for carrying gloves, a Buff, and windshirt. They work well as swim trunks too.
	Montane Aero Windshirt www.montane.co.uk	The Aero weighs in under 3 ounces but provides a lot of functionality. Moving quickly, I’m reasonably comfortable down to fairly cold temps wearing just the Aero and a merino wool top.

Jay Ham, Make Your Own Gear Section Editor – Flagstaff, Arizona

	BMW Stix Pro Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles Backpacking Light store	Super light and super stiff. While there are lighter trekking poles available, none give the same confidence when negotiating rough terrain. The carbon fiber shafts feel stiffer than my aluminum Komperdells, thanks partly to their one piece shaft design. They weigh a mere 5.4 ounces per pair, and the grips are super comfy. Don’t leave them lying around in the high country though. I left the poles behind while fishing a remote lake in the Weminuche Wilderness, CO only to find the soft grips reworked by some salt-crazed rodent. It didn’t ruin the poles, and they now carry the memories of that trip and a story whenever I use them, but it really soured my day when it happened.
	BMW Stealth 1 NANO (7×9) Catenary Ridgeline Ultralight Backpacking Tarp Backpacking Light Store	I love sleeping under the stars, and the drier climate of the southwest lets me do it often. What I hate is carrying a tent or tarp that I never set up, especially if it adds much weight to my pack. I was given an opportunity to try out a prototype BMW Stealth 0 NANO tarp (6×8) and really loved the minimal weight and ease of set-up (great line tensioners). The fiber-reinforced Mylar film is incredibly lightweight (beating the weight of spinnaker by 40 percent) with little loss in strength. Abrasion resistance is not as good, but if set up and taken down carefully abrasion shouldn’t be an issue. After trying it out, I decided to go with the larger Stealth 1 because our infrequent rains can be quite ferocious when they come, and the extra protection is worth the ounce.
	Light My Fire Spork Backpacking Light Store	This is not a spork! And that’s why I like them so much. My hat’s off to Joachim Nordwall who created a one piece eating utensil with fork, knife, and spoon that could replace the Lexan spoon I have carried for over 15 years (yes, the same spoon). What makes the Light My Fire Spork so great? The spoon and fork are on separate ends. Unlike a spork, you can eat soup or cereal without leaking liquid though the tines; or stab a particularly thick piece of rehydrated jerky using the longer tines of the fork without it slipping off. Great innovation.

Will Rietveld, Packing Systems Section Editor – Durango, Colorado

	SummitShelters Evolution 2P Tent www.bigskyproducts.com	At a fraction over 3 pounds, the SummitShelters Evolution 2P Tent is a roomy double wall two-person tent that provides two doors and two vestibules. Sure, there are lighter shelters available for two people, but when my wife and I go backpacking together, we want to share a fun experience. I’m the pack mule, and we bring a few luxuries, like the Evolution 2P. It’s easy to pitch, has large entry doors, has plenty of headroom and stowage options, ventilates well, and is storm worthy. It’s basically the same design as their single-wall Revolution tents, but is more stable in the wind because of its double wall structure. The Evolution 2P ($345 with carbon fiber poles, $260 with aluminum poles) is a great way to get extra protection and features for two without a serious weight penalty.
	Gossamer Gear Mariposa Pack www.gossamergear.com	I’m the Packing Systems editor for Backpacking Light, so I have tested a lot of backpacks. Choosing my favorite is like deciding which one of my kids I love the most. There are several packs I really like, but if I had to choose one I would pick the Gossamer Gear Mariposa Pack ($130). Its carbon fiber stays weigh only 0.4 ounce each, and are removable. So is the sternum strap, and the padding in the shoulder straps and hipbelt. But the bottom line is that the pack weighs only 17.2 ounces with everything in, so there’s little incentive for me to lighten it down to bare bones. The Mariposa is just the right size for multi-day ultralight trips, and will comfortably carry a sizable load. It’s made of silnylon, so it is also a little more durable than the SuperUltraLight spinnaker fabric packs. The only drawback is the carbon stays can’t be bent to the curvature of your back, so the top of the pack hangs back. The solution I found is to fold my TorsoLite pad into fourths and slip it into the bottom part of the sleeping pad sleeve. This gives a thick lumbar pad that levers the top of the pack against my back. Gossamer Gear never loses sight of light, and the Mariposa Pack is a perfect example.
	GoLite Feather-Lite Sleeping Bag www.golite.com	I discovered the GoLite Feather-Lite Sleeping Bag ($250) this summer while gearing up for SuperUltraLight backpacking. This bag is a “sleeper.” Its Pertex Quantum shell and 800 fill-power down are state-of-the-art. In my size, I found it to be 1.5 inches loftier than the manufacturer specifications (almost unheard of!). GoLite conservatively rates it at 40 °F, but by wearing my camp clothes inside I easily stayed warm down to freezing on mountain summer nights. There’s no hood or zipper, which suits me just fine. It comes in six sizes, so you can save some weight by choosing just the right size (length and girth). Shorter folks take note – getting the Feather-Lite in a size short is a great way to save weight and sleep warmer.

Don Wilson, Clothing Systems Section Editor – Tucson, Arizona

	Black Diamond Ion Headlamp www.bdel.com	Even in summer, I’m awake in the dark; rising before dawn to get an early start, or reading maps and writing while lying in my bag at night. The Black Diamond Ion is a great combination of a wearable headlamp, light weight and reasonably good light – plenty good for camp use, but not as much light as you want for late night alpine descents. The Ion weighs 1.0 ounce with the battery. It uses a 6 volt battery that can last you weeks of summer use, but will not last nearly so long on cold winter nights. My Ion has never failed me and I suspect it will be with me for a long time to come.
	Montrail Hardrocks www.montrail.com	Last spring I hiked the Southern California section of the Pacific Crest Trail. I wore Montrail Hardrocks for the entire trip and was very pleased with their performance. The Southern California section of the PCT is a long, hot hike. Footwear is crucial to every hiker; footwear and foot care were the most common topics of conversation while hiking through the mountains and deserts. The Hardrocks were just right for me – they kept my feet dry and cool but have enough support to protect my feet over many days of long, rocky hiking. I did develop a couple of blisters one day when I dropped over 8000 vertical feet over the course of 20 miles. But my blisters healed quickly and I had far fewer problems than most other hikers. Hardrocks were quite popular on the trail this year, and nearly everyone I talked to was pleased with their performance. Mine are still in good shape after at least 900 trail miles. It is likely that I will wear another pair on the PCT in 2006.
	Nunatak SkahaPlus www.nunatakusa.com	For pure warmth per weight the Nunatak SkahaPlus is unrivaled as a jacket, in my opinion. At 10.6 ounces for a size large, the SkahaPlus provides an amazing 4 plus inches of two layer loft, plus a very warm, comfortable hood. It is devoid of features for convenience – no pockets, partial zipper, only the necessary drawcords. The baffled construction, light fabric and high quality down are totally focused on keeping you warm for the fewest grams possible. Its light weight and hood make it the perfect jacket for a sleep system, allowing you to downgrade to a lighter bag in cool or cold weather. I used a SkahaPlus while trekking and climbing in Peru this summer and just loved it – pricey at $325, but a great example of a jacket using the best and lightest materials available with no compromise in giving you the best performance for every ounce.

Doug Johnson, Trekking Systems Section Editor – Redmond, Washington

	Tarptent Squall 2 www.tarptent.com	An update of an old favorite, the Squall 2 improves on the original in several areas. Headroom is MUCH better, a bathtub floor and extended beak keeps things drier in heavy rains and wind, and the option of using two poles in the front increases wind stability and makes entrances easier. Add these qualities to what I loved about my old Tarptent – full bug protection, stable catenary-cut design, excellent space to weight ratio, good ventilation, and ease of pitching – and you’ve got my new favorite tent. I’ve used mine from Washington to Newfoundland and it’s just fantastic.
	Bozeman Mountain Works Spin Poncho T-Lite Backpacking Light Store	This poncho made its way into my sub-4-pound base pack this summer because of its amazing 6.2 ounce weight. However, I ended up loving the versatile design. The adjustable neck and side buttons keep the rain out and an elastic belt keeps it from flapping in the wind. When worn with a wide-brim rain hat, it is comfortable and offers full rain protection to the knees. When I was slammed with a crazy storm on an exposed ridge on the Long Trail in Vermont, the Spin Poncho kept me dry all day. I’ve found that I like it better than a rain jacket most of the time. When combined with an ultralight bivy, it becomes a well-rounded three-season shelter too!
	“Doug Ritter Special Edition” Photon Freedom Micro LED Flashlight www.equipped.org	I love the Photon Freedom Micro. It’s brighter than a Black Diamond Ion, weighs only 0.22 ounce, runs over 10 hours on the battery, and has adjustable brightness levels (including four different flashers!). The Doug Ritter Special Edition ups the ante with a hard-to-lose yellow color and an LED tube that eliminates side scatter, helping to preserve night vision. The included clip adds a small bit of weight but allows you to clip the flashlight to a hat, shoulder strap, or belt loop for night hiking or organizing in a tent and it has proven to be very durable. This tiny wonder has made many of my other LED flashlights obsolete.

Stuart Bilby, Sleeping Systems Section Editor – Auckland, New Zealand

	Oware 11×11 Silnylon Pyramid Tarp www.owareusa.com	Shelter for five with room to spare at only 3 pounds (1360 g) including pegs. The pyramid tarp was a pleasure to use in the Himalayas – fast setup, minimalist shelter that keeps snow and rain off without trouble. This is accommodation at under 10 ounces each that comes with standing room.
	Pentax Optio WP camera www.pentax.com	I love this – a tiny digital camera, light and easy to handle, that I don’t have to worry about getting wet. It takes photos up to 1.5 meter underwater, so it can sit in my pocket on a rainy day without me worrying about it. Because it fits in any small pocket I catch those surprise shots that I would otherwise miss out on. The easy access means I take those glorious bad weather epic shots that prove it is not always sunny and warm on my trips.
	OR Zealot Jacket www.orgear.com	A simple, no fuss Gore-Tex jacket. Only 8.3 ounces (236 g) for XL. A nice cut, I went one size larger than usual to fit over an insulated jacket. I remember the days when my waterproof breathable jacket weighed four times as much.

Roger Caffin, Cooking & Hydration Systems Section Editor – Sydney, Australia

	Trangia Kettle www.trangia.se	Let it be cheerfully admitted, the Trangia kettle at 190 grams (6.7 oz) is nowhere near as light as a cut-down beer can. However, my wife and I do a day walk each week if we are not away on a longer trip, and a big feature of our morning in the bush is stopping somewhere with a view for morning tea. The kettle boils, the water is poured out and the tea and coffee are made: that moment is special. It wouldn’t be the same with a beer can instead of our kettle. Anyhow, for day walks the extra weight doesn’t matter: a heavier pack just keeps us in training for longer trips.
	KT-26 shoes	These iconic shoes are an Australian special. They were first sold more than 25 years ago, and haven’t changed in that time. They sell in huge quantities all around Australia, are very cheap (about US$30), and weigh only 656 grams (23 oz) a pair. They have a curious pattern on the carbon rubber sole – extremely distinctive if you are into tracking, and quite pronounced lugs around the edge that grip very well on most things. The Australian manufacturer Dunlop doesn’t bother advertising them on their web site: they don’t need to as everyone knows the shoes. Needless to say, the heavy boot brigade are usually horrified at the thought of these lightweight shoes.
	Décor Cup	Décor is an Australian plastics company, and they make a range of plastic crockery. I guess you might call it picnic-ware. They are priced at the supermarket level – cheap. Anyhow, their plastic mug is very light – only 41 grams (1.5 oz), lasts very well, holds 250 mL or a standard ‘cup,’ doesn’t burn my mouth when filled with coffee, and they stack. Mine has been in use for morning coffee on trips for about 15 years: you can see the coffee stains.

Rick Dreher, Lighting and Navigation Systems Section Editor – Sacramento, California

	REI-Komperdell Peak UL carbon fiber trekking poles www.rei.com	The wind ripped across the mountain-fringed lake straight into our Hex 2 teepee, making it flap and shudder all night. But the center pole never faltered, even though it had to be snugged upward as guylines loosened and stakes tugged in their moorings. Not bad for trekking poles. Pairing carbon fiber’s capabilities with collapsible convenience, the REI-Komperdell Peak UL poles excel on the trail and in camp. Their reduced weight compared to aluminum poles is immediately obvious, and carbon fiber’s inherent vibration damping qualities render so-called shock absorbers moot. Multi-section adjustability pays off three ways: tailoring length for steep up and downhills, stowing the poles on my pack without their jutting 2 feet above my head; providing the exact height desired when joined as a teepee center pole; as well as allowing late night adjustments without getting out of bed. The poles’ only downside is section locks that want to spin freely when tightening. Fortunately, once locked they stay that way on the trail.
	Princeton Tec Eos+Pilot www.princetontec.com	Bright light, no city. Forming a dynamic lighting duo, the Princeton Tec Eos gives dazzling 1-watt Luxeon performance that’s made even better by effective current management. To expand on the Eos’ capabilities, I’ve added a red Pilot button cell light, also from Princeton Tec, to the headband. This gives me an amiable, night-vision friendly alternative to the bright white Eos. The pair sneak in at less than 4 ounces, with batteries. Speaking of batteries, a single set keeps both lights running an entire season of normal use. The competition is nibbling at the Eos’ heels, but haven’t yet caught it.
	AquaStar Plus! UV water treatment www.uvaquastar.com	Ooooh, purdy blue glow! Not a filter and not a chemical mix, AquaStar Plus! is a high-tech water treatment alternative that inactivates biological contamination using ultraviolet light. Paired with the supplied bottle (other containers can be used as well) AquaStar treats 1 liter in about 80 seconds, so it takes all of 5 minutes to accumulate water for the evening’s camp. Because UV has proven lethal against viruses, bacteria, and protozoan cysts, AquaStar stands apart from chemical treatments and all but the rare purifier-class filters in efficacy, and it doesn’t alter taste. Debris, however, must be either prefiltered or somehow removed from the source water, and very cold water requires warming before treatment. A pair of CR123 photo batteries treats between 10 and 16 gallons of water (condition dependent). Added to the new Plus! model is an LED lantern feature, making it a pleasant bedside companion as well. AquaStar has been my surprise gear hit of the year.

Gossamer Gear Spinnshelter REVIEW

Full three-season (non-bomber) weather protection for one person for only 11.2 ounces including guylines and stakes.

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

Manufacturer	Gossamer Gear
Year/Model	2005 Spinnshelter
Style	One-person single-wall floorless shelter
What’s included	Shelter, stuff sack, 50 ft (15 m) of EZC spectra core (275 lb/125 kg tensile strength) line, four base line clips, setup instructions
Fabric	0.9 oz/yd² (31 g/m²) high thread count spinnaker cloth, 70d nylon ripstop reinforcements, grosgrain tieout loops
Weight	Measured weight of shelter 8.8 oz (249 g), manufacturer’s specification 8.9 oz (252 g); measured weight of complete setup (shelter, base lines, guylines, eight 6-in (15 cm) titanium stakes 11.2 oz (318 cm), manufacturer specification 11.3 oz (320 g)
Dimensions	Length 86 in (218 cm), front width 55 in (140 cm), rear width 38 in (97 cm), front height 40 in (102 cm), rear height 23 in (58 cm)
Area	38.3 ft² (3.6 m²) total, 27.8 ft² main shelter, 7.5 ft² front vestibule, 2.9 ft² rear vestibule (2.6 m² + 0.7 m² + 0.3 m²)
Features	Catenary ridgeline, color coded front and rear grommeted pole connections, 10 stake out loops on sides, 4 stake out loops on ends, 8 inside loops for a clothes line or tent light, or attaching the optional bug canopy
Options	Titanium stakes, aluminum pole set, carbon fiber pole set, bug canopy
MSRP	$175

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).

Gossamer Gear Spinnshelter REVIEW - 1
For a standard pitch (edges to the ground), the process is to lay out the Spinnshelter and stake the outstretched shelter (top left), then attach hiking poles (or on-site sticks) to raise the front and rear. The result is pup-tent-like shelter with minimal headroom (top right). Alternative pitches include raising the front with the rear staked down (bottom left), or raising both front and rear (bottom right). The latter pitches provide more headroom, but open the sides more like a tarp.

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.

Gossamer Gear Spinnshelter REVIEW - 2
Some pitching options for the rear doors include fully closed (top left), creating a rear vestibule; one side open (top right), both doors open (bottom left); or creating a beak (my favorite) with both doors half closed (bottom right).

Gossamer Gear Spinnshelter REVIEW - 3
Some pitching options for the front of the Spinnshelter include completely closed (top left), which creates a large vestibule; one door open (top right); or both doors open (bottom left). My favorite is staking one door beyond the centerline so that the other door is slack enough to easily fasten the Velcro closure when needed (bottom right), or open it up (top right).

Gossamer Gear Spinnshelter REVIEW - 4
Gossamer Gear provides spectra core cord for baselines and tieouts. The baselines at front and rear (top left) set the shelter width, making the standard pitch fast and easy. The front and rear of the ridgeline have grommets for attaching hiking poles (top right). The closure on each end consists of Velcro strips (bottom left). Side guyout loops are grosgrain sewn into the hem; the inside loops are attachment points for an optional bug canopy.

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.

Gossamer Gear Spinnshelter REVIEW - 5
The bug canopy accessory for the Spinnshelter clips to loops inside the shelter and creates a vestibule around your head area. It has two pockets in the front corners to put a rock (or boot) into to extend the canopy. For exit, the front rolls up and ties at the red loop shown above my head in the photo.

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.

Gossamer Gear Whisper Uberlight Backpack REVIEW

Minimal features and prone-to-abrasion-damage spinnaker fabric make this the lightest 2000-cubic inch backpack on the market.

Introduction

The 2000-cubic inch Gossamer Gear Whisper Uberlight backpack is sized to accommodate ultralight overnight or multi-day SuperUltraLight loads. It is the lightest weight 33-liter pack commercially available. It beats out its nearest competitor, the Mountain Laurel Designs Prophet 30, by a fraction of an ounce by eliminating all “luxuries” except for one – a front bellows pocket.

What’s Good

Extremely light weight
Volume right for a multi-day ultralight trip
Wide shoulder straps distribute load when carrying extra weight
Front pocket big enough for a wet tarp, TorsoLite, or 2-liter Platypus bladder
Eight grosgrain loops provide external attachment points

What’s Not So Good

Spinnaker fabric needs some babying
Oxford nylon doesn’t cover the whole bottom (rather part of the bottom and part of the back) so extra care needs to be taken when setting the pack down
Pack can slide up onto your head when bending over since there is no hipbelt to hold it in place
Water is not accessible on-the-go unless using a hydration bladder and hose
Shoulder strap webbing adjustment buckles are sized too narrow for the shoulder strap webbing, making adjustment difficult
Spinnaker fabric on backpanel encourages a sweat soaked back

Specifications

Manufacturer	Gossamer Gear
Year/Model	2005 Whisper Uberlight
Style	Frameless, top loading, roll-top closure
Volume	2000 ci (33 L)
Size	One size, fits 18 – 22 in (46 – 56 cm) torso
Weight	3.5 oz (99 g) measured weight (3.9 oz/111 g with shoulder pads inserted); manufacturer’s specification 3.7 oz (105 g), foam shoulder strap pads add 0.2 oz (6 g) each
Fabrics	0.96 oz/yd² (33 g/m²) spinnaker ripstop nylon, limited use of 210d 4 oz/yd² (136 g/m²) urethane-coated nylon double ripstop
Features	Front bellowed spinnaker fabric pocket, shoulder straps can accept unused clothing for padding, removable foam inserts for shoulder straps, roll-top closure secured by hook-and-loop tabs, four grosgrain loops along each backpanel/side seam
Volume To Weight Ratio	571 ci/oz (based on 2000 ci and a measured weight of 3.5 oz without shoulder strap pads)
Comfortable Load Carrying Capacity	15 lb (6.8 kg) estimated maximum comfortable load an average person can carry all day in this pack. Manufacturer specifies maximum load carrying capacity of 15 lb (6.8 kg)
Carry Load to Pack Weight Ratio	68.6 (based on 15 lb and Backpacking Light measured weight of 0.219 lb)
MSRP	$99.99

Performance

The Gossamer Gear Whisper Uberlight pack is designed to provide enough volume for lightweight overnight or multi-day SuperUltraLight trips (or day hikes from a base camp) at a minimum of weight. The Whisper Uberlight is the lightest weight pack for the volume you can buy, beating out the Mountain Laurel Designs Prophet 30 by a few tenths of an ounce. Gossamer Gear succeeds by using very light spinnaker fabric and leaving out most features. The pack is very simple, consisting of a packbag with roll top closure, shoulder straps that can have foam pads or unused clothing inserted, and a single front pocket. It doesn’t have a hipbelt or haul loop, but it does have eight grosgrain loops sewn into the seams where the backpanel and sides are joined. A bungee or cord can be threaded through the loops to attach something to the front or sides of the pack (like a Gossamer Gear Thinlight pad, see photo below), or to compress the pack. I didn’t miss the hipbelt most of the time – at recommended maximum loads of 15 pounds I didn’t need one. In fact, it was freeing to be able to slip the pack on and off without unbuckling anything, and my waist didn’t get sweaty as it usually does under a hipbelt. A hipbelt would have been nice when I was carrying extra water (bringing total pack weight up to 18 pounds), and when I was scrambling down a rock and deadfall choked canyon and the pack slid up onto my head when I bent double to maneuver through a tight spot.

I also tested a Gossamer Gear Whisper Uberlight pack modified with mesh side pockets on the Black Forest Trail in Pennsylvania. Note the small pieces of duct tape marking abrasion damage from a rough plane ride inside an old duffel bag.

The wide shoulder straps are the Whisper’s best feature. The shoulder straps distribute weight over a large area and make a big difference in comfort on the occasions when extra weight (e.g. water) is carried. We rated the comfortable load carrying capacity of the Uberlight at 15 pounds as compared to the 12 pound rating we gave both the Mountain Laurel Designs Prophet 25 and the Fanatic Fringe Alpine Trail. The Whisper Uberlight shoulder straps are 3.5 inches wide as compared to about 2 inches for the Mountain Laurel Designs and Alpine Trail packs. Of course “comfortable” is very subjective and many people will have a higher tolerance for carrying weight in these small packs.

The shoulder strap webbing adjustment buckles are sized too narrow for the shoulder strap webbing, making adjustment difficult. I “solved” this problem by rarely readjusting the straps after the initial fitting. Ryan Jordan solved this problem easily enough by replacing the buckles with slightly larger ones, a modification that requires no sewing and only a trip to your local Fastex supplier.

A minimum of features and very lightweight (0.96 oz/yd²) fabric keep the weight of the Whisper Uberlight under 4 ounces. The spinnaker fabric is surprisingly resistant to puncture, but prone to abrasion and is weaker where it is sewn. After testing, my sample pack has just a tiny scuff in the spinnaker fabric on the bottom, and three small spots where the fabric is ripping away from where it is sewn. One spot is where the Oxford nylon at the top of the pack is sewn to the spinnaker, but more troubling, the fabric is starting to rip away from the bar tacks on both shoulder straps. The bar tacks finish the tops of the hook-and-loop strips used to open the shoulder straps for pad insertion. A close inspection reveals that the bar tack stitches are too closely spaced and cut into the fabric. A looser grouping of stitches and/or some added fabric for reinforcement should help. (Click here for suggestions on how to increase the durability of the Uberlight where it is stitched.) Another sample pack that was modified by Gossamer Gear with side pockets is in worse shape. The rips above the bar tacking are much more pronounced. Additionally, the pack developed numerous abrasion-caused holes after I inserted the fully loaded pack into a duffel bag and carried it onto an airplane rather than checking it – all to protect it. The interior seams on the duffel are rough and rubbed through the Uberlight in various spots – see above photo

The Whisper is at the extreme low end of industry durability for packs and requires the attention and careful gear handling habits that come with experience and practice. Ryan Jordan has used the same Whisper pack for more than 120 days in the backcountry of Montana and Wyoming. He is confident that he could do a typical through hike with a Whisper, but qualifies it: ‘If you can deal with the minimal abrasion resistance of the fabric, you also need to understand the load carrying capacity of this pack and not exceed it – seam failure due to over packing will be your enemy.’

The spinnaker fabric backpanel left the back of my hiking shirt soaked with sweat, more so than a backpanel of some absorbent – and heavier – material would have. I’m not suggesting that Gossamer Gear change the fabric of the backpanel, just noting a trade off inherent in the extreme light weight of this backpack.

gossamer gear whisper uberlight pack backpanel
Uberlight pack floating in West Clear Creek, Arizona during pack liner/dry bag testing. Note the wide shoulder straps and Oxford cloth partially covering the bottom and back of the pack.

The Whisper Uberlight volume (2000 ci/33 L) is just right for ultralight and SuperUltraLight overnight or multi-day trips. It contains all the needed gear – except possibly an extra sleeping pad that can be strapped to the outside. The pack is relatively wide with a shallow depth (12″ x 5.25″ as compared to the more square shape of the Fanatic Fringe Alpine Trail, which is 9.5″ x 8.5″). The pack doesn’t extend far from your back and is narrow enough to make it fairly easy to slip between rocks and horizontal, vertical, and slanted uprooted trees during descents down debris choked canyons. The pack shape keeps gear close to your back.

I missed a side water bottle pocket – a half-height pocket that a water bladder can be plucked out of without removing the pack. If Gossamer Gear adds a half-height pocket, it is likely that another pocket will be needed on the other side to balance the load. That would bring pack weight up and probably cause the Whisper Uberlight to be de-throned as lightest 33-liter pack. Is the added weight worth it? It depends on whether you think the convenience of on-the-move hydrating is worth the weight penalty.

What’s Unique

The Gossamer Gear Whisper Uberlight is the lightest 2000-cubic inch/33-liter pack on the market. It is also the only SuperUltraLight pack with wide shoulder straps, which enable it to carry heavier loads more comfortably than SUL packs with narrow shoulder straps.

Recommendations for Improvement

This pack is stripped to the bare essentials and, other than replacing the shoulder strap webbing adjustment buckles with larger ones and making changes to the bar tacks on the shoulder straps, the only improvement I can think of that won’t affect weight, may not be possible… yet. Replace the spinnaker fabric with a fabric that is just as light but more abrasion and slip resistant, and is stronger when sewn. My other recommendations will increase the weight of the pack and I’d recommend offering them as options. Add a half-height side pocket, replace the spinnaker backpanel with an absorbent material, and offer a version constructed of more robust material.

GoLite Feather-Lite Sleeping Bag REVIEW

We found a “sleeper” – the Feather-Lite has 1.5 inches more loft than specified.

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

Year/Model	2005 GoLite Feather-Lite
Style	Hoodless, zipperless mummy bag
Fill	800-fill goose down
Loft	Measured loft 4.5 in (11.4 cm) total with about 2.5 in (5 cm) of loft on top of the sleeper; claimed loft 3 in (7.6 cm)
Manufacturer Claimed Temperature Rating	40 °F (4 °C)
Weight	Measured weight 19.8 oz (561 g); manufacturer’s specification 20 oz (567 g); stuff sack 0.6 oz (17 g)
Sizes	Medium length, regular girth tested; available in six sizes: three lengths (short, medium, long), and two girths (trim, regular)
Fabrics	Shell is 20d Pertex Quantum with Shield DWR, lining is 22d polyester (1.2 oz/yd², 41 g/m²)
Features	6 in (15 cm) baffles, elastic drawcord collar, baffled foot vent, 2 hang loops, silnylon stuff sack, cotton storage bag
MSRP	$250

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.

GoLite Feather-Lite Sleeping Bag REVIEW - 1
The Feather-Lite has an elastic drawcord closure that seals around the neck like a gasket (top photo). To reach for something, all I had to do was stretch the drawcord (second photo). The bag’s baffled foot vent (third photo) allows you to cool your feet when needed, and increase ventilation through the bag to exhaust excess heat. With six sizes available, it is easy to size the bag for a good fit and allow room to wear extra clothing inside to extend the bag’s warmth (bottom photo).

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.

Mountainsmith Fusion 35 Backpack SPOTLITE REVIEW

You won’t see this one in stores, or on the Mountainsmith website yet. We take a first look at a super comfortable and well designed alpine/snow sport backpack; a precursor to our full review.

Overview

At 54.1 ounces, the 2014 cubic inch (size Regular) Mountainsmith Fusion 35 is by no means a featherweight, unless you consider what it was designed for. The Fusion is a high-end alpine/snow sport top loading pack with design elements to comfortably and conveniently carry skis, poles, snowshoes/snowboard, ice axe, and avalanche gear. The extra weight is devoted to equipment specific attachments and appropriate reinforcements with Hypalon and heavier fabrics.

In the world of lightweight snow sport packs, the weight of the 54.1-ounce Fusion is comparable with other similar volume packs. The Osprey Switch 25+5 weighs in at 65 ounces, the Granite Gear Contrail at 58 ounces, and the GoLite Delirium at 43 ounces.

The Mountainsmith Fusion 35 is currently being reviewed, and a full report will be available as soon as we get some decent snow for final testing. I have taken it on several day hikes, one SuperUltraLight overnighter, and traipsed around the yard with skis and snowshoes attached to get a feel for how it might perform under its intended purpose. This is one of the most comfortable small volume packs I have used. The dual density shoulder straps, hip belt, and backpanel padding are very soft and supple, conforming well to my contours. Attachment options for snow sport equipment appear convenient and secure. The pack has great overall compression and a single stay to control the load. Look for our full review later this winter after we test the Mountainsmith Fusion on the slopes.

Specifications and Features

Internal frame, top-loading alpine/snow sport backpack
Competitive weight compared to other snow sport packs
Equipment specific attachment points allow fast access to snow sport gear
Super comfortable suspension and load supporting single stay
Reinforcements in key wear areas provide greater durability
Weight: 54.1 oz (1.5 kg)
Volume: 2014 ci (33 L) size Regular; 2136 ci (35 L) size Large
MSRP $159.00

2005 Backpacking Light Trip Planning Spreadsheet Contest Entries

Reader submissions of spreadsheet files used for trip planning and gear lists.

Overview

How do you use a spreadsheet program to plan for a trip?

What follows are the reader entries for the BackpackingLight.com contest to crown THE BEST GEAR LIST SPREADSHEET.

Rules are simple:

Using a spreadsheet compatible with either OpenOffice or Microsoft Excel, create a spreadsheet “template” or “application” that can be adapted for any season, any trip, that anyone can use to help plan their gear and supplies.

All submissions will be juried by their peers in the BackpackingLight.com forums (forum thread below). Winners will be selected by the BackpackingLight.com staff.

1st Prize: $100 Gift Certificate to BackpackingLight.com

2nd Prize: $50 GC

3rd Prize: $25 GC

Official Entries

Click the thumbnail screen shots to see larger versions.

Screen shot of Thomas R. Conroy & Alice P. Neuhauser’s entry.	Alice P. Neuhauser Download spreadhseet Attached you’ll find our version of a Gear Spreadsheet. Please note that this is a modified version of work done previously by Carol Corbridge and others (our sincere thanks goes out to them for their generosity in sharing their spreadsheets…). Also note that this is in no way an ultralight list — it is a simply a template. As “newbies,” we have a loooong way to go to reach our load-reducing goals, but we realize it is both a journey and a process; we’ll make progress each & every trip. Hope that this template is of help to others, as Ms. Corbridge’s was to us. Happy trails
Screen shot of Garen Szablewski’s entry.	Garen Szablewski Download spreadhseet Attached is my submittal for ” THE BEST GEAR LIST SPREADSHEET ” contest.
Screen shot of Channing Sze’s entry.	Channing Sze Download spreadhseet The attached spreadsheet is quite rough, but I don’t have time to pretty it up. I’m not intending to win, just thought I’d share some ideas that others may not have thought of. The checklist is the sole input area. The checklist is complete, and, if prudent, broken down by discretionary/optional components (for example, tent fly, tent pegs) The checklist is broken down between what’s in the pack, what’s worn, what’s shared, etc. The checklist has a section to record reoccurring packing arrangements (for example, canoe trips, winter trips, etc.). A packing list is automatically generated from the gear selected. the packing list is ordered by packing order/section. The weight is broken down by categories. there’s a table and chart comparing these weights to other “norms” (lightweight, ultralight, etc.). (this helps locate areas for possible weight reduction.) A temperature analysis is also automatically generated from the gear selected. i’ve determined for myself what are the insulative values of my clothing and sleeping bags. (this helps me bring enough clothes!) My previous spreadsheet had a section to record the amount of use a particular piece of gear got on a particular trip. i’ve since gotten rid of this, but i think it may be useful (and enlightening) for some people to track this information. kind regards
Screen shot of Kim Clements’s entry.	Kim Clements Download spreadhseet (no text)
Screen shot of Marc Valley’s entry.	Marc Valley Download spreadhseet Attached is my submission.
Screen shot of David King’s entry.	David King Download spreadhseet #1, Download spreadhseet #2, Zip file containing David’s spreadsheets Here’s the equipment list I’ve developed for my own use. I can dump everything I own (or want) into the list and the subtotal it for specific trips and uses. I’ve included one with all my stuff in it and one with most things removed so that it can serve as a template. Weights where shown are real. It utilizes several features hardwired into Excel: AutoFilter – menu is Data/Filter/Autofilter – These are the little drop down arrows in row 7, the title column. This allows the user to restrain a multi-colum list based the contents of one column. It’s a cheap and cheerful way of making the worksheet behave as a database. You can customize the filter (select Custom) but a limitation of the autofilter function is that you can only use two values at a time. Subtotal – The subtotal formula is used in Column 5, Rows C and D to calculate weight. Subtotal works in conjunction with the Autofilter feature. It calculates only those rows that are visible. These two cells calculate the total weight of the rows below in pounds and ounces. Select “Bpl” from the drop down list in cell B7 of “BackpackList01”, for instance, and it calculates my winter weight list. Validation – Validation (Data/Validation/Allow:List is applied to all the cells in colum B. This constrains the contents of the cells in that column to the items in the list B1 – B4. It prevents the user from incorrect entries in collumn C (leading space, space at end, etc.) It supplies a drop down list of correct choices whenever you’re in a cell in the column. You can, of course, have a much longer list of allowable entries. Outlining – I use outlining to simplify navigation and to make small corrections to weight calculations. Some headings have total calculations in column F. After I weigh the individual items that go into a stuff sack, for instance I weight the total and, if there’s a difference between the total weight and the weight calculated in column F for that heading I enter a correction in Row D for that stuff sack. Got that? Outlining is not essential for this worksheet because I don’t subtotal on outlines. Freeze Panes – menu Window/FreezePanes – keeps the upper part of the worksheet visible at all times. Other notes – Some items are in the list twice on purpose. I might, for instance wear a pair of socks and take an extra pair so one is part of personal clothing and other is basic pack weight. Column E, like column B, is used to label items. But unlike column B it is not constrained to certain values. You can use any label you want. I use it to compare the weight of alternative kits – like raingear that uses a poncho compared to using a rain jacket, for instance. Users will have to know how to insert and delete rows in excel and use outlining. Don’t insert rows at the top or at the end of the list because they might end up outside the calculalation range of the subtotal function. Pretty geeky, but I use it every trip to generate a checklist. I mull over the gear I’m going to take and then use the autofilter function and print it up. I’m 56. If I don’t use it I forget stuff. I also print and fill out the worksheet entitled Meals for meal planning for the same reason.
Screen shot of David Lewis’s entry.	David Lewis Download spreadhseet #1, Download spreadhseet #2, Download spreadhseet #3, Zip file containing all David’s spreadsheets Here are my entries for the spreadsheet contest. There are 3 excel files included… Sheet 1 This one uses some Excel-specific features. There is a drop down menu which allows you to select one of four options for viewing your totals, Metric, Imperial (decimals), Imperial (pounds and ounces) and Imperial (Ounces). There is also a “list managed” sheet which allows things like filtering, sorting and hiding unchecked items. This file will mostly likely work ONLY in Excel. Sheet 2 This is a gram-based version (i.e. enter weights in grams) that doesn’t use anything Excel-specific… so hopefully it will work in other applications… although I have not tested it in anything other than Excel. This one shows all the same info as the “fancy” sheet… but it shows it all at once. Item totals are in ounces only. Sheet 3 Same as above, but ounce-based. I’m attaching both the loose files and a ZIP archive of the files in case the loose files don’t come through properly. There is more I would have liked to do, but any further improvements would have involved using macros which would have a) taken a lot of time for me to learn and b) might make users uncomfortable… i.e. afraid of malicious code. May the best list win :) Cheers
Screen shot of Dave Johnston’s entry.	Dave Johnston Download spreadhseet #1, Download spreadhseet #2, Zip file containing all David’s spreadsheets Attached is a copy of the gear list spreadsheet I have developed for my own use and as an entry in the contest. Two files are attached: one is blank (except for some sample data in the Pack tab) and ready to be downloaded and used by someone else. The other one is already populated with my own gear data and most recent selections. This should serve as a sample of how anyone can fill in the blanks with their own gear and weight data, make selections, create a printed report, etc. When the file is loaded into Excel you will proably get a warning about macros, depending on the security level you have set in Excel. Ironically, the spreadsheet doesn’t actually contain any macros, but it does contain radio buttons, which Excel apparently considers to be using code. If your security level is set at medium, you can go ahead and let it enable the “macros”. Even if the security level is set to high, which disables macros, the radio buttons still seem to work. If they don’t work, change the security level to medium. As far as I can tell, this is a classic Microsoft bug embedded in Excel. Both files include a page with instructions on using the spreadsheet. They provide a method to allow weight entry in either grams or ounces, selectable by the user. Even though this approaches the level of an “application” that you have in mind, it is still pretty easy to pick up and start getting useful results; but of course I’d appreciate any feedback on how to make it as user friendly as possible. I’m looking forward to seeing the comments and suggestions from the forum. Please let me know if anything else is needed.
Screen shot of Luke Ludwig’s entry.	Luke Ludwig Download spreadhseet Attached is my submission for the BPL Gear List Spreadsheet CONTEST. Enjoy!
Screen shot of Al Tong’s entry.	Al Tong Download spreadhseet Attached is my entry for the gear list contest. This is a simple Excel spreadsheet that utilizes the Excel pivot table function to summarize and tabulate the gear data. As sent, the spreadsheet contains 3 tabs; pack list, gear inventory and BPL data. The 3rd tab is not necessary. I only used it to populate the gear inventory tab with data from the BPL web site. This spreadsheet is designed to inventory your gear AND create pack lists. It is trip specific and allows you to select gear from your inventory. In the Gear Inventory tab, select your gear by insert a trip name next to the item. If you are not taking the item, leave it blank. Once all your gear is selected, go to the Pack List tab and generate the new pack list. Right click inside the data and choose Refresh data. Check Cell B1 and make sure your Trip is selected. If not click in the drop down arrow, select your trip and click OK. Try this out and have some fun with it. Writing instructions is not my forte, so contact me if you have any questions. Regards
Screen shot of Jim Wood’s entry.	Jim Wood Download spreadsheet Attached is an entry for your spreadsheet contest. It’s an updated version of an Excel model that I’ve used for several years. To make it easier for others to try, I’ve cleaned it up a bit and added some instructions and usage notes on the first worksheet tab. The model uses a simple flat file Excel database with each gear item recorded as a separate record (row) in the list. As you’ll note, there’s also backup data for some of the entries (those shown with blue hyperlinks). From this database list, a variety of reports can then be generated using built-in Excel’s Pivot Table functions. Aside from offering a lot of flexibility, this reporting approach also eliminates the need to manipulate live data when creating different views of the gear list. A subset of my own gear collection is included in the model to serve as sample data. The file also includes two sample Pivot Table reports-one in English units (ounces and pounds), and one in metric units. In addition, I’ve done a bit more testing with the new version of Open Office (V2.0) and have added a couple of comments on the “Instructions” page about that testing.	Screen shot of Mike Moccia’s entry.	Mike Moccia Download spreadhseet Real basic but works well for me. I just rename in for the trip and edit away. I really like the bar chart to give me a visual of were the weight is going. The password to remove protection is, what else, backpack. Cheers and thanks for the contest.
Screen shot of Dick Matthews’s entry.	Dick Matthews Download spreadhseet #1, Download spreadhseet #2, Zip file containings Dick’s spreadsheets Thank you the contest provided the incentive to update and add to my existing list. I am looking forward to seeing new ideas.
Screen shot of Vick Hines and Joshua Mitchell	Vick Hines and Joshua Mitchell Download spreadhseet We (Vick Hines and Joshua Mitchell) are submitting our “Gear Decision Matrix” spreadsheet for the spreadsheet contest. Details / Introduction have been included in the first tab of the spreadsheet Thanks!
Screen shot of Don Ackley’s entry.	Don Ackley Download spreadhseet #1, Download spreadhseet #2, Zip file containing all Don’s Spreadsheets Good afternoon. I hope I made it under the 12/1/05 wire for contest entries. Attached are two Excel documents for your consideration. (See attached file: my gear list template 120105.xls)(See attached file: my three season gear list 120105.xls) The first, labeled “my gear list template 120105” is a blank spreadsheet ready for personal gear entry. Users simply enter each item of their own gear in the appropriate category and its weight in ounces. The spreadsheet then adds up the weight of the gear in each category, converts it to pounds, and add each category total to the successive subtotals and grand total. If a user doesn’t have an entry for each type of gear, the line can be left blank or deleted. Additional lines can also be inserted. This template may provide more built-in analysis than some users will want, but I find it useful to know my base weight for a particular outing or seasonal gear collection, the weight of my consumables (which vary with the length of the trip or the distance between resupply points), and my “skin out” weight. The second, labeled “my three season gear list 120105” is a sample of the spreadsheet I prepared for a recent 9 day hike on the AT in North Carolina and Georgia, with one resupply point. If you print out either document, you will see they are formatted to print as two pages side by side on a single landscape-oriented page. If the print is too small that way; you can reformat to print on two portrait oriented pages. Hoping you find my spreadsheet interesting and that others might be able to use it.
Screen shot of Ryan Faulkner’s entry.	Ryan Faulkner Download spreadhseet I dont know if this is what you are looking for, I have never used spreadsheet software before, but here you go.
Screen shot of John Shannon’s entry.	John Shannon Download spreadsheet template #1, Download spreadsheet template #2, Zip file containing both John’s files. Attached is my submission for the contest in template files for Excel and NeoOffice (mac version of OpenOffice) [Editor’s Note: An X-Windows implementation of OpenOffice also exists for the Mac OS X if you would rather the native X application instead of the NeoOffice Java counterpart]. I have no idea how it will act in Excel, but it works great in NeoOffice. Instructions for Mac Users using NeoOffice: 1. Type in title, context of trip, items and comments. Type over the words items and comments as they are only there to remind you what those columns are for. Then save your gearlist. 2. Type in weights in red area. For example, if only grams are known, type the amount in the red area and press enter. When the ounces conversion appears in column H, type that amount in the red area of column J. This is done so the formulas of columns H and I are not deleted. 3. In the green area type a 1 for each item being taken on that particular trip. Leave the 1 for each category or they will not be seen after the filter is run. 4. Click on the drop down menu of cell A4 and click on 1 to show only the items being taken. 5. While holding down the command key, click on the A, J, and K to select those columns. Under the format menu, choose column and hide to hide those columns from final printing.
Screen shot of Meir Gottleib	Meir Gottleib Download spreadhseet, Zip file of Meir’s spreadhseet Pack List – Gear list based on the 3-season checklist at backpackinglight.com. Includes a summary for base pack weight and full skin out weight. Food weight is carried forward from the Menu. The Categories column is a droplist of available categories from the Gear Closet. The Item column is a droplist based on the Category selection. Items in the droplists can optionally be filtered to include only items specially marked in the Gear Closet. Weights are automatically populated from the weights in the Gear Closet and adjusted for Quantity. Menu – Tool to plan menu selection for backpacking trip. Includes summary of weight and nutritional information. Like in the Pack List, the Menu items are selectable based on Categories from the Pantry. Weight and nutritional information is automatically populated from the Pantry and adjusted for Servings. The Menu weight is carried onto the Pack List as a component of consumable weight. Additionally, there is an input box on the Menu for Food Days. Gear Closet – Provides an inventory of all available gear for selection in the Pack List. All item descriptions and weights are entered in the Gear Closet page. Weight can be entered in grams or ounces as specified in the Options page. Pound and kilograms will calculate based on the weight entered. The Category column is a droplist of available gear categories which is configurable in the Options page. The Gear Closet has been seeded with about 600 items. Much of this data is from the backpackinglight.com Gear Guide. The Visible column specifies whether or not items are visible in the Pack List dropdown menus when filters are turned on in the Options page. Pantry – Provides an inventory of all available food for selection in the Menu. All food descriptions, weights, and nutritional information are entered in the Pantry page. All weights entered in the Pantry are in grams regardless of the units specified in the Options page since that is the standard for Nutritional Information labels. Like in the Gear Closet, the Visible column specifies whether or not items are visible in the Menu droplists when filters are turned on in the Options page. Options – Contains various parameters for the display of information in the spreadsheet. Weight and energy units are selectable. As is the format in which pounds and kilograms are presented. Options are available to limit the food and gear choices available to those specially marked in the Pantry and Gear Closet respectively. Additionally, available food and gear categories are configured in the Options page.
Screen shot of Ben Tomsky’s entry.	Ben Tomsky Download spreadhseet Hello fellow backpacker, Attached is my planning spreadsheet. As I am in Europe for business, unfortunatly I’m not sure if this is going to make it by the deadline. I tried to calculate the time for end of day in California, but then realized that maybe that’s too late for your timezone. I hope you can accept it. Some notes to consider: Comments on cells, named cells, and named lists are used extensively. All weights are in ounces unless stated otherwise. Macro Ctrl+ D formatts cell to number with three decimal places. That is the only custom macro. Thanks for considering my submission,

Western Mountaineering Flight Down Jacket REVIEW

Lofty, light, warm, and durable for its weight – although it does lose a few feathers at the seams.

Introduction

The Western Mountaineering Flight Jacket packs a lot of loft and a few nice features into an 11.5-ounce (measured, size large) package. It hasn’t changed much since being introduced a couple of years back. Is it still among the leaders in ultralight down jackets?

What’s Good

It’s warm – 3.7 inches of double layer loft
It’s light – 11.5 ounces, size large
Cozy handwarmer pockets
Good quality construction

What’s Not So Good

Shell fabric leaks a bit of down

Specifications

Model Year	2005
Style	Full zip jacket
Weight	Size XL 13.0 oz (368 g), size L 11.5 oz (326 g), size M 9.9 oz (280 g) Backpacking Light measured; manufacturer’s specification 10.5 oz (298 g)
Shell Fabric	0.9 oz/yd² (31 g/m²) taffeta shell
Fill	850 plus fill power goose down
Loft*	3.7 in (9.4 cm) double layered, measured
Features	Sewn through construction, full front zipper, elastic cuffs, elastic drawcord hem, handwarmer pockets, down filled draft tube, down filled collar
MSRP	$225

* Loft is a weighted average of the maximum double layer loft in the torso and sleeves. Torso loft is double weighted.

Performance

The Western Mountaineering Flight jacket has been my constant companion in cold weather over the past couple of seasons. I’ve subjected it to desert sands and cactus, high mountain climbing, weeks of hiking on the Pacific Crest Trail, and a lot of cold nights in my sleeping bag. About the only thing I haven’t done to it is have it out in a lot of heavy rain. I’ve been cursed with good weather most of the time.

The Flight jacket packs 3.7 inches of loft into an 11.5 ounce package. I’ve been very comfortable wearing this jacket on many occasions with temperatures below 25 °F. Under those conditions I usually wear a light base layer and a synthetic vest, such as the Patagonia Micro Puff vest, under the Flight jacket. That’s a very warm combination for low exertion times such as early morning and late evening. The draft tube and collar on the Flight are generously stuffed with down and are significant additions to warmth under windy conditions. Like most down jackets, the shell of the Flight jacket is essentially windproof, although wind can enter through the bottom if the drawcord is not adjusted.

I’ve used the Flight jacket as part of a sleep system regularly for the past couple of years. The warmth of the Flight translates very well into a sleep system. I have used the Flight with a very low loft sleeping bag (40-50 degree bag) and ventured down well below freezing. My feet get cold, but the rest of me stays toasty. In Peru this summer, the Flight jacket performed nearly as well as the Nunatak Skaha Plus in our sleep systems, primarily losing out because it lacks a hood. Other jackets tested on that trip were not as warm or comfortable as these two jackets. The light, comfortable fabric and lightweight, low bulk zippers on the Flight add to comfort in a cramped mummy bag.

The author and his daughter, jacket testing on a cool morning at 15,600 feet in the Cordillera Vilcanota, Peruvian Andes. Ausangate (20,948 ft) in the background. The author (right) in the Flight jacket and stylish Peruvian hat.

The Flight jacket uses sewn through construction, with large, lofty down chambers sewn 4 to 5 inches apart. These large down chambers are important to the loft and warmth of the jacket. The jacket is impeccably built and has been surprisingly durable in heavy use. I took the Flight along on a 5 week trip on the Pacific Crest Trail this year, using it every night to sleep in, or as a pillow. It was subjected to a lot of sand, rock, dirt, and sweat; I took care of the jacket, but I did not baby it. It still looks as good as new. Even the 0.9 oz/yd² taffeta shell, which is not a ripstop material, has held up very well.

The fit of the Flight jacket leaves room for layering beneath the jacket, which I have done frequently, but it is not overly roomy. Sleeve length is generous and articulation is good. The Flight jacket has an angled cut on the bottom hem, covering about 5 more inches in the rear than in the front. The extra rear coverage is an important contributor to warmth in a sleep system, preventing cold lower back syndrome.

The rear coverage of the Flight jacket is good, especially for such a light jacket on a tall frame (the author is 6’4″).

Introduction

The Macpac Epic 150 SF sleeping bag has a lightweight Pertex Endurance shell and is fully seam taped. It is functionally a bivy sack and sleeping bag combined. Think of it as an insulated bivy sack. I did some controlled experiments, and also tested it stargazing in a damp meadow and sleeping under a minimal poncho-tarp on a stormy night. So, how waterproof is it?

What’s Good

Pertex Endurance outer shell is waterproof under normal use conditions
Allows you to leave the bivy sack at home
Shoulder and hip girth allow room for wearing clothing inside
Hood drawcord works smoothly
Very durable

What’s Not So Good

Shell fabric transmits water under moderate hydrostatic pressure
Zipperless design may not provide enough ventilation on warmer nights
75% of the bag’s weight is fabric, 25% is down
Inner shell fabric is not completely down-proof
Available in only one size

Specifications

Manufacturer	Macpac (New Zealand)
Year/Model	2005 Epic 150 SF
Style	Hooded, waterproof, zipperless mummy bag
Fill	750-fill (US Standard) goose down, 5 oz (150 g) of down
Loft	Measured loft is 2.25 in (6 cm) double layer; manufacturer claimed loft is 2.5 in (6 cm)
Manufacturer Claimed Temperature Rating	54 °F (12 °C)
Weight	Measured weight 20 oz (567 g); manufacturer’s specification 19 oz (540 g); weights include sewn-in stuff sack (0.6 oz / 17 g)
Sizes	One size (Standard); length 79 in, shoulder girth 61.4 in, foot girth 42 in (200 x 78 x 53 cm), fits a person up to 73 in (185 cm) tall
Fabrics	Shell is 30d (2 oz/yd², 68 g/m²) Pertex Endurance (hydrostatic head pressure 1500 mm/2.1 psi, moisture vapor transmission rate 9000 g/m²/24 h); lining is 30d VapourLite ripstop nylon taffeta with DWR. Note: the 2006 model will have a Reflex LoftPro outer shell (a proprietary PU laminate with nylon face), 2.2 oz/yd² (63 g/m²), hydrostatic head pressure 10,000 mm/14.2 psi, moisture vapor transpiration rate 15,000 g/m²/24hours
Features	Pertex Endurance outer shell, all seams taped, non-baffled construction, drawcord hood, hang loop, attached waterproof stuff sack
MSRP	$280 USD

A Note on Pertex Endurance

Pertex Endurance is 30-denier ripstop nylon with a highly water-resistant outer coating. It allows moisture to pass freely from the inside, which makes it ideal for a sleeping bag shell fabric because there is minimal moisture trapped inside the bag. Several sleeping bag manufacturers use it as an outer shell fabric because of its exceptional water resistance, but actual waterproofness depends on whether the seams are sealed and how much hydrostatic pressure is placed on the fabric. Endurance will withstand a hydrostatic head pressure of 1500 mm (about 2 psi) before leakage occurs, which is not very high. In comparison, most polyurethane coated tent floors have a rating of 5000 mm or higher. A person side sleeping in an Endurance-shelled sleeping bag would come very close to exerting a 2-psi downward force, especially at the hips, so water under the fabric could potentially come through under pressure.

Performance

My first impression upon receiving this bag for review was “this bag is 75% fabric and only 25% down”! However, if you consider the utility of its Pertex Endurance shell and do the math and testing, you’ll see the Macpac Epic 150 SF in a different light. This bag is targeted to the adventure sports niche, where the intended use is minimalism – grabbing some sleep under the stars and getting back on the trail. For us ultralight and super-ultralight backpacker types, it means we can leave the bivy sack at home, because the Epic bag is functionally a bivy sack and sleeping bag combined. (For clarification, the Macpac Epic sleeping bag only uses the name “Epic;” it does not use the water-repellent Epic fabric by Nextec.)

If you sleep under the stars or use a poncho-tarp or ultralight tarp for shelter, chances are you also take an ultralight bivy to protect your sleeping bag from dew or spindrift. Alternatively, if you use a waterproof sleeping bag you can leave the bivy at home, saving 6 ounces or more. The trade-off is that the Pertex Endurance shell material, at 2 oz/yd², is twice as heavy as Pertex Quantum (0.9 oz/yd²) used on many ultralight bags, and adds about 3.5 ounces to the weight of the bag. The extra weight is partly offset by the bag’s zipperless design.

Macpac uses a proprietary Stitch-Free construction technology to attach the bag’s outer shell to its inner lining, which avoids stitching through the Endurance shell and seals the sewn seams in the lining. It also creates chambers to control the down, which is equivalent to sewn-through construction (no baffles). This unique seam taping technology preserves the integrity of the prized Pertex Endurance shell, eliminating the possibility of leakage through stitched seams. The VapourLite lining has a DWR finish, which causes water to bead up on the surface, but it is not waterproof.

Macpac Epic 150 SF Sleeping Bag REVIEW - 1
The outer shell (left) on the Macpac Epic 150 SF is Pertex Endurance seam-taped to the VapourLite lining (ripstop nylon taffeta with DWR). There is no stitching through the outer shell. The hood (right) operates smoothly to cover your face and provide a breathing hole.

When a manufacturer claims that their sleeping bag is waterproof, it better be, because you are counting on it to keep your butt dry and warm. This is even more important for a down bag, which loses its loft when wet and can be difficult to dry in the field. I took Macpac’s claim as a challenge and put it to the test. Since leakage will most likely occur when a fabric is under pressure, I set up a simple experiment to simulate sleeping in a puddle of water all night. I poured two cups of water on a tray, laid the hip area of the sleeping bag on the tray, put two 5-pound weights on top of the bag, then poured 2 cups of water around the weights and let it stand for 8 hours.

Was the bag truly waterproof? Well, almost. There was no leakage at 4 hours, but after 8 hours one seam on the top side leaked enough to produce some noticeable wetting on the inside. I weighed the bag and found that it had gained 0.35 ounce of water. There was no evidence of leakage on the bottom side. I turned the bag inside out and it dried out quickly.

The amount of leakage was minimal, and only occurred on the top side. In a normal situation I would expect leakage to occur from below, where pressure from my weight caused the leakage, not from above. It was time to scrap weights and put myself in the puddle of water under real sleeping conditions.

Macpac Epic 150 SF Sleeping Bag REVIEW - 2
In my first waterproofness test (left) I placed the hip area of the sleeping bag over a tray of water, placed two 5-pound weights on top, and poured water around the weights. After 8 hours a small amount of water leaked through the top side and was visible on the inside (right).

I did a second test with me in the bag to determine whether leakage would occur under simulated field conditions and whether it is actually a problem. I placed an open-cell foam pad (which acted like a sponge) in a tray of water, arranged Therm-a-Rest pads on both ends of the tray, and slept in the bag with my hip area on the wet foam pad.

The result was similar to the first test, only this time the water came through from the bottom and was enough to dampen my microfleece pants and underwear. Again, it took about 4 hours for the leakage to be detectable. I stopped the experiment after 6 hours, when my butt felt thoroughly wet. I weighed the bag and clothing before and after drying and found that 0.88 ounce of water passed through. Although the actual amount of water passing through was not high, it was enough to thoroughly wet the compressed area and cause discomfort. Conclusion: concentrated body weight (such as the hips) provides enough pressure to move water through the sleeping bag’s Pertex Endurance shell, and the amount of water transmitted is enough to collapse the down and chill your tail.

Macpac Epic 150 SF Sleeping Bag REVIEW - 3
My second waterproofness test (top) simulated worst-case field conditions. I slept overnight with the hip area of the sleeping bag on top of an open-cell foam pad in a tray of water. The water started leaking through after about 4 hours, and after 6 hours (bottom) both the bottom of the sleeping bag and my butt was thoroughly wet.

The “lab” tests I performed simulated a worst case scenario – sleeping in a puddle of water, so how does that translate to using the sleeping bag in the field? On backpacking trips I slept in the Macpac Epic 150 SF under the stars in an open meadow and under a poncho-tarp on a rainy night. Under Southern Rocky Mountain conditions I had to wear a down jacket and pants inside the bag (which the bag’s girth easily accommodated) to stay warm, but the real issue was whether or not the bag would stay dry inside.

When I slept under the stars there was heavy dew on the bag surface in the morning, but shedding surface moisture was no problem for the Pertex Endurance shell because it was not under pressure. The fabric’s hydrophobic surface shed heavy dew literally like a duck’s back.

Sleeping under a poncho-tarp on a rainy night was basically a similar situation. Some spindrift come in under the poncho-tarp, even with mild wind gusts, and the humidity was very high, but there was not enough moisture to create a puddle of water. The sleeping pad elevated the Macpac Epic 150 SF off the ground, adding further protection from any water that might run in. The bag stayed dry inside in spite of whatever moisture my body gave off and the Macpac being quite damp on the outside. On another occasion I slept in the bag in a single wall tent during an overnight deluge (2 inches of rain overnight); conditions that produced a lot of condensation inside the tent and dampened gear. An ordinary down bag would get pretty damp and lose loft under these conditions, but the Macpac Epic didn’t gain a gram. Conclusion: the Pertex Endurance shell is effectively waterproof; it readily sheds surface moisture, and water does not come through the shell as long as it does not exceed 2 psi of pressure. Avoid sleeping directly on wet ground, in a puddle of water, or with water between your sleeping pad and bag.

The functionally waterproof Macpac Epic 150 SF sleeping bag provides an extra measure of dry butt insurance while sleeping under a minimalist spinnaker poncho tarp.

I slept in the bag under a variety of conditions and did not detect any clamminess inside from trapped perspiration. The Endurance fabric breathes very well and readily passes moisture from the inside out.

The Epic 150 SF contains 150 grams (5 ounces) of 750 fill-power goose down. As I mentioned, only 25% of the bag’s weight is down, but that may be enough. With a comfortable temperature rating of 54 °F, this bag is suitable for summertime backpacking in many locations. For me, it was a little light for summer backpacking in the Southern Rocky Mountains, where nighttime temperatures can drop a lot lower. By wearing my hiking and camp clothes inside the bag, I was able to stay warm down to about 40 °F.

Although it’s obvious that this bag is too light for mountain backpacking, that’s not really an issue. Instead of the Epic 150 SF, one can get the 300 SF with 300 grams (10.6 ounces) of down, or the 450 SF with 450 grams (16 ounces) of down. With baffled construction and half-length water-resistant zipper, the 300 SF would be a better choice for summertime backpacking in the mountains, and the 450 SF would be a good choice for spring/fall backpacking and sleeping in a snow cave or igloo.

Comparing the Macpac Epic 300 SF (with its Pertex Endurance shell) with the popular Marmot Hydrogen bag (with its Pertex Quantum shell), the Macpac bag comes out approximately 3.7 ounces heavier. Both bags have approximately the same amount of down, baffled construction, and a half zipper, so the weight difference is mostly due to the Pertex Endurance shell and slightly heavier lining material in the Macpac bag (30 denier versus 20 denier). The total weight of a waterproof/breathable bivy plus the Marmot Hydrogen easily exceeds that of the all-in-one Macpac Epic bag.

I did not find the zipperless design to be a problem for mountain backpacking, where the issue is getting enough warmth out of a bag. However, ventilation is likely to be an issue in warmer, more humid climates. One annoyance was that the bag’s nylon taffeta lining is not completely downproof, so there were always a few feathers coming through each time I examined it.

Macpac Epic 150 SF Sleeping Bag REVIEW - 5
The Macpac Epic 150 SF VapourLite lining is not completely downproof.

At $280 the Macpac Epic 150 SF is a bit pricey. The seam taped Pertex Endurance shell apparently accounts for about half of the bag’s price tag. Performance doesn’t come cheap! However purchasing a comparable sleeping bag and lightweight bivy sack separately does add up to more cost and weight.

As of this writing (December 2005), the future of Perseverance Mills and production of their Pertex Endurance fabric is uncertain. If and when the supply of Endurance runs out, Macpac plans to use their proprietary Reflex LoftPro shell fabric (a polyurethane laminate, see specifications at the top of this review) on their Epic series of sleeping bags. This fabric is slightly heavier, and I predict it will be more waterproof but less breathable than Pertex Endurance when used as a sleeping bag shell.

What’s Unique

The Macpac Epic 150 SF is a functionally waterproof sleeping bag, which gives it extra utility and saves weight for adventure racing or ultralight backpacking. It’s essentially an insulated waterproof/breathable bivy sack.

Recommendations for Improvement

I suggest that the bag’s waterproof stuff sack not be attached to the bag. Many people stuff their sleeping bag into the bottom of their pack, which eliminates the stuff sack to save a little weight and avoids over compressing the down.

The Macpac catalog shows this bag having a “two part multi-adjust closure.” My test sample had one simple drawcord, which worked fine. The two part closure sounds like overkill and would add weight.

Manufacturer	Atlas Snow-Shoe Company
Year/Model	2005-06 Model 1025 (10 Series All Mountain)
Dimensions	8.5 in wide x 25 in long (22 cm x 64 cm)
Surface area	Measured surface area 200 in² (1290 cm²), manufacturer specification 179 in² (1155 cm²)
Frame	Anodized 7075-T7 Easton aluminum, ¾-in (19 mm) tubing
Deck	Duratek, a proprietary urethane-coated fabric claimed to have three times the abrasion resistance of Hypalon and lighter weight
Binding	Arch-Flex featuring built-in arch support, padded tongue, and uniform tightening system; left and right foot specific
Crampons	Stainless steel, toe and heel, with two additional 6.5 in (17 cm) long side crampons
Weight	Measured weight 4.01 lb (1.82 kg); manufacturer specification 3.99 pounds (1.81 kg)
Load rating	120-200 lb (54-91 kg)
MSRP	$249

Year/Model	2005 Gossamer Gear NightLight Sleeping Pad (Torso Length)
Material	Evazote foam
Weight	3.4 oz (96 g) measured weight; manufacturer’s specification 3.7 oz (105 g)
Shape	Rectangular
Dimensions	Thickness: 3/4 in (1.9 cm); Length: 29 in (73.7 cm); Width: 18 in (45.7 cm)
Folded Size	10 x 18 x 2 in (25 x 46 x 5 cm)
R-Value	2.27
MSRP	$15.95

Manufacturer	Northern Lites
Year/Model	2005 Elite
Dimensions	8 in wide x 25 in long (20 cm x 64 cm)
Surface area	Measured surface area 185 in² (1194 cm²), manufacturer specification 163.5 in² (1055 cm²)
Frame	Aluminum alloy tubing, 5/8 in (16 mm) diameter, powder coated
Deck	Coolthane (polyurethane coated nylon mesh) which is claimed to be 250% tougher than Hypalon
Binding	TruTrak Binding System made of a heavier weight of Coolthane, three hook-and-hole front straps plus one webbing and buckle heel strap; pivot strap is 1.5 in (4 cm) wide Biothane (basically nylon seatbelt webbing in a water resistant, toughened polyurethane shell)
Crampons	Duraluminum toe and heel crampons, claimed to have greater strength and abrasion resistance than many titanium alloys
Weight	Measured weight 2.4 lb (1.1 kg) per pair; manufacturer specification 2.2 pounds (1.0 kg)
Load rating	Less than 175 pounds (79 kg)
MSRP	$199

Manufacturer	Crescent Moon
Year/Model	2004-2005 Gold Series 9
Dimensions	8 in wide x 27 in long (20 cm x 69 cm)
Surface area	169 in² (1090 cm²)
Frame	TIG-welded 6063 aluminum alloy tubing, 3/4 in (19 mm) diameter, powder coated
Deck	TGS, a polyester scrim core coated in a blend of PVC and neoprene able to withstand -70 °F temperatures, and more abrasion and tear resistant than Hypalon. 05-06 model will use DuPont Surlyn for the upturned front section
Binding	Foot-glove binding with two toe area straps and one ratcheting heel strap (like those found on high end ski boots)
Crampons	Stainless steel at toe, ball, and heel of the foot
Weight	Measured weight 4.3 lb (1.9 kg) per pair; manufacturer specification 3.9 pounds (1.8 kg)
Load rating	Less than 190 pounds (86 kg)
MSRP	$239

Manufacturer	Tubbs Snowshoes
Year/Model	2004-05 Elevation 25
Dimensions	8 in wide x 25 in long (20 cm x 64 cm)
Surface area	Measured surface area 205 in² (1323 cm²), manufacturer specification 188 in² (1213 cm²)
Frame	7075-T7 series aluminum alloy tubing, 5/8 in (16 mm) diameter
Deck	ArcTec (a proprietary plastic material)
Binding	Nexus step-in binding; left and right foot specific
Crampons	Stainless steel with jagged teeth, toe and heel
Weight	Measured weight 4.19 lb (1.9 kg); manufacturer specification 3.93 pounds (1.78 kg)
Load rating	120 to 200 pounds (54 to 91 kg)
MSRP	$249

Manufacturer	Osprey Packs
Model	2006 Aether 60
Style	Internal frame, top loading, drawstring closure, floating top lid
Volume	Size M tested: 3700 ci (61 L)
Weight	4 lb 0.1 oz (1.82 kg) measured weight; manufacturer’s specification 3 lb 15 oz (1.79 kg)
Fabrics	Main body is 210d double ripstop and 210d oxford, wear areas are 420d oxford and 500d Kodra, pockets are two-way stretch woven nylon with Lycra, backpanel surface is 840d power mesh
Features	Floating top lid with two connecting straps, 6-inch extension collar with drawstring closure, zippered floating top pocket with key clip, two side and three front compression straps, two stretch-woven side pockets with top and side openings, stretch-woven front pocket, two ice axe loops, two ski loops, two front accessory straps, 3-liter hydration sleeve with two ports, haul loop, load lifters, hipbelt stabilizers, sternum strap
Volume To Weight Ratio	57.7 ci/oz size L (based on 3700 ci and a measured weight of 64.1 oz)
Comfortable Load Carrying Capacity	35 lb (16 kg) estimated comfortable load for an average person carrying the pack all day
Carry Load to Pack Weight Ratio	8.73 (based on 35 lb and a measured weight of 4.01 lb)
MSRP	$199

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