Topic

Anyone know of a hoodless sub-14 oz, 40 degree sleeping bag with full zipper?

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Robert C BPL Member
PostedJan 10, 2008 at 4:07 pm

Looking for, but haven't found anything like this out there. I'm not interested in a quilt or top bag: the insulation has to go all the way around.

The closest I've found is the Western Mountaineering Linelite, spec'd at 45*F/14 ounces (and here I'm assuming that WM has given their usual conservative rating, which they may or may not have done), but to get it like I want it, I'd have to modify it myself. Six feet of #3 continuous coil zipper and a slider would add about an ounce, but maybe I'd be able to trim some weight off from the factory design…removing the foot bungee cord, replacing the neck drawcord with something lighter and maybe tailoring the dimensions a little more snugly…maybe the finished product would be right at 14 ounces.

Apart from that, I'm at a loss. Has anyone heard of such a thing as a sub-14 ounce hoodless 40 degree sleeping bag that has a full zipper?

Aaron Sorensen BPL Member
PostedJan 10, 2008 at 4:36 pm

That's why we now use quilts.
You take the zipper off and save another 3 ounces for a 11 ounce 40* quilt.

Robert C BPL Member
PostedJan 10, 2008 at 4:49 pm

That's just the thing… Zippers don't weigh 3 ounces. I have a 3' length of #3 continuous coil zipper tape right in front of me and it weighs 0.3 ounces. The slider weighs 0.1 ounces. So 7' of #3 continuous coil zipper with one opening would weigh approximately 0.8 ounces.

Aaron Sorensen BPL Member
PostedJan 10, 2008 at 5:00 pm

Calm down,
I was just pulling your chain.

Actually the Linelite is not even a true bag, (no hood).
I wouldn't get anything that is sewn through anyways.
Baffles add so much warmth to a bag it's well worth the weight.

PostedJan 10, 2008 at 5:00 pm

Go custom, order a Feathered Friends bag in Nano fabric. Allow plenty of time before you need it. Their retail store # is 206 292 2210.

Adam BPL Member
PostedJan 10, 2008 at 7:14 pm

Phil Hutchins Designs in the UK may be a good bet. You be able to custom a bag from them that might (just) make the specs you require.

The Mimum Ultra, which is their lightest bag rates at 46 farenheit, and weighs 365gm or 13oz. It has a hood, and doesnt have a zip, though a short or full zip is an option.
http://www.phdesigns.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=25_58&products_id=198&osCsid=3a431fbf50b6f2a7a81837519912612e

Have a play with their custom sleeping bag software-its really good. They dont have a hoodless option in there, but I'm sure they could leave the hood out if you contacted them directly.

I dream of getting many custom bags made by PHD, but can't afford them in my current position.

Adam BPL Member
PostedJan 10, 2008 at 7:36 pm

Ok, Ive been playing around with their site.

You would need 275gm of down in one of their sleeping bags, in a standard width and length, to get a 40F rating.
The minum ultra weighs 13oz, with 150gm of down. Adding 125gm takes it to about 17.5oz. If we assume that adding a zip and single draft tube (using the option in their software) adds 55g or about 2oz. This takes it to 19.5oz. Bear in mind this is with a hood. I think you could safely assume that removing the hood (which isnt a proper shaped mummy hood, but a flat open hood with drawcord to pull it tight around your face) weighs in at 3oz, then we are talking about a 16.5oz bag.

Getting a slim bag made, removes about another 1.5oz, according to their software (its probably slightly less than that if you are using the MX fabric that the minum ultra bag uses, and don't have a hood), so if you are lucky it will come to 15oz. However, this is assuming that you will fit into a slim bag, and that you also don't need a long.

If you can get them to make it without a draft tube, then you may make 14oz. However, personally I wouldn't recomend this, unless you are using a bivy bag to cut drafts. In which case, if you are seriously considering 14oz as your limits and don't want a hood, then why not use a quilt.

As its a slim bag, you would also get away with a smidgen less down for a 40F bag, which might save you another half ounce or so. But again, this is assuming you will fit a slim bag.

But I do think its possible, and the folks at PHD if you ask them can probably just pull it off. It will likely cost you a premium…the slim custom bag I created came up at 213 pounds sterling. A standard minum ultra is 149. but you are asking them to go outside of normal patterns without a hood and to do the almost impossible. I would expect an asking price about 250pounds. Thats about $550 Australian, but to me (used to Aus gear prices) that sounds like a fantastic deal for something so high class and customised.

So its not impossible at all.

I haven't checked out feathered friends, but if they are pretty open to customisation and have equally good materials (eg equivalent of MX fabric and use at least 800 loft down, and are good at reducing construction weights) then I'm sure they can do the same thing.

Adam BPL Member
PostedJan 10, 2008 at 7:55 pm

Actually, that Minum Ultra is a pretty sweet sounding bag.
If we compare it to the Nunatak Edge Quilt:

Price: Edge wins by about US$10
Weight: Edge wins by 2oz
Warmth: Edge wins by 3C or 6F.

Not bad for a full sleeping bag with hood (but no zip). If I wanted something in that ball park and I didnt want to go MYOG on a quilt, then I know which one I would pick (Id pick a similarly specced sleeping bag anyday over a quilt).

Ron D BPL Member
PostedJan 11, 2008 at 4:01 am

You may also want to check with Ron Bell at MLD. A while ago I got a prototype Devotion 40 bag from him that's rated at 40 and should go slightly lower. It's a top bag at 14 oz but I did a couple of things that increased the weight. If he is still doing that type of custom work there's a good chance he could meet your needs. The BPL site did a Spot Review on the prototype a while ago, you should check it out.
Ron

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