Question for Montbell Superstretch owners

OUU…OUU…OUU That's me, a Superstretch owner!

Oh boy!

I think that it would be possible. The stretch on my #3 makes girths as follows:
# Inside Shoulder Girth: 53.2” – 70.9”
# Inside Knee Girth: 42.8” – 57.1”

If you put a nice layer of flannel for the bottom (mmmmmm…soft!) it would work and have up to a 70.9" width of insulation. Without a bottom, there would be nothing to make it stretch out and it would remain at 53.2". I would think you would want to make the bottom a bit less that the stretched size, maybe 50" so there was insulation wrapping around the sides of the two of you.

BTW…you can get them in a left and right zip, but that will not save as much weight.

I don't know about the newer models but the 2007 manufacture SS UL bag definitely would stretch enough to be used as a quilt. My concern would be one that I have using it as a single person bag- the stretch of the bag spreads out the down, distributing it over a larger surface area and lowering the warmth of the bag.

I thought about that, but I figured it would be a wash because sleeping with another person would be warmer due to shared body heat.

as far as the method of attaching the bag to the groundsheet, I am planning on using a zipper to mate with the zipper of the bag.

Any other ideas?

If worse comes to worse I may get a synthetic version, then I won't have to worry so much about spreading the down too thin. This is mainly for car camping with the wife.

The SS can be unzipped all the way? I think not — not flat open like a quilt. There's still the footbox. And what do you do with the hood? Not showstoppers necessarily, but points to ponder…

Ah ha! I called montbell and they said the zipper ends one foot from the bottom of the bag. Hmmm…

As far as the hood is concerned, I am not too worried about it… and can just tuck it in.

"This is mainly for car camping with the wife."

Not that you asked, but Montbell bags are very expensive — and people pay in order to aggressively minimize bag weight. But for car camping? I would lay off weight a bit and focus more on comfort, luxury, and value. Isn't car camping where people can get away with buying big-ass deluxe tents, bags and pads for cheap?

I am trying to get something that would work for car camping, as well as something I could use on some of my longer trips I guess. I understand that these bags are pricey, but it seems like they are worth the price.

I like mine. Are they expensive? a 30° bag that I have used down to 22°, weighs 1lb 7oz, lets me move around, stick an elbow out, fold one knee, for under $260. Let's see…
WM Megalight – $355 @ 1lb 8oz
WM SummerLite (32°) – $315 @ 1-3 (only a 59" shoulder girth)
Marmot Hydrogen – $319 @ 1-9
FF Merlin – $314 @ 1-7 (only a 58" shoulder girth)

For a regular bag I find it hard to beat Montbell. My next bag will be the Montbell U.L. Spiral Down Hugger #1. A 15° bag weighing 2lbs for $299. $140 less that the Megalight, 2oz heaver but with 6" more shoulder girth.

Matthew,

I have done what you are suggesting before, using a sleeping bag as a quilt for two, with a ground sheet zipped in. This works relatively well. The only issue is that the zipper in the bag sometimes comes down to within 8 inches of the bottom, but not all the way. So the footbox stays small, and can be cramped with two sets of feet trying to fit in.

I recently purchased a Montbell bag as an upgrade (warmer and stretchy) to my REI sub-kilo. I am now messing with my ground sheet to fit the new bag, and the zipper doesn't work. Its the correct size (YKK #8 coil), but the zipper on the Montbell is backwards! What I mean is this: typically when you start to zip any 2-way separating zipper, the zipper pull is in your right hand, and the insertion pin is in your left. On the Montbell this is vice-versa, the zipper pull is in your left hand. Hence, incompatible with other zippers.

After some googling, it seems that USA zippers may differ from other parts of the world. Since Montbell is from Japan, this may be the issue.

I am going to call Montbell to see if they will ship me a zipper to use. If not, I need to find a place that sells international zippers….anyone have any suggestions?

I actually just used my montbell superstretch zero degree as a quilt for two people. I'm 5'3 and pretty small, the person I went with is 5'10 and about 175. It was a tight fit but doable.

If you are willing to spoon all night this will work… but the little spoon tends to get the shaft! Meaning from time to time a draft would creep in, and while it was possible to tuck both sides under, this was really only possible if you are right on top of each other, so if you shift at all during the night and move apart the cold creeps in a bit.

When you say the bag can be unzipped all the way… are you sure? By my definition of that, it does not. However it did work. We actually unzipped one bag, laid it flat (zippers weren't compatible) put our feet in that foot box, then wrapped the montbell around us and put our feet in the montbell's foot box as well.

If there was a groundsheet with a zipper it would have been perfect – no drafts from me squirming around!! It's very close quarters but it'll work. If you already own the bag I'd suggest just trying it out in your living room with the person you'd be sharing with – see how it feels before you start sewing.

After reading a few other comments: our feet were not cramped while sharing.

Weather was about low thirties (maybe colder with wind), snowed all night. We were pretty chilled from a long day. Bag was a zero degree but perfect for our use. Definitely think about the temperature you will be using this system in, and what temp rating you and your partner require.

If either of you needs a little space when sleeping rather than being right on top of each other, a groundsheet would give a bit more wiggle room. Also if you are using it in warmer temps… the ability to let in a draft is a good thing. The hood might get in your way a bit in warmer weather… but in the cold it was great because the taller person let it cover their head, and I was short enough (barely) to just be covered by the bag.

Also, I LOVE this bag. Money well spent. And prolite gear occasionally has sales on them.

I love my #2, but they have a footbox and if it is for car camping I would just get a regular cheap synthetic sleeping bag.

Funny, my MB SS #5 doesn't have a zipper. None, nada! Oh well, I guess that's why it's so light.

Really… because on Mont-bell's website the specs for the ULSS#5 and the SS#5 specify a zipper.

"Auto Locking Zipper: a locking mechanism has been integrated to limit zipper “slip” during the night. "

Also – if you magnify the picture you can see the zipper.

So either you have a defective bag or you took it off (which isn't a bad idea).

The newer Superstretch models have a zipper. The older ones didn't. I saw some of these at a discount when the Montbell store was still at the Pearl Street mall in Boulder.

it's right about 18oz

i like it

i think that model was for japan market & a few found their way here, but that was a few years ago

I had no idea. But now that I know – I think I want one.