Feathered Friends Rock Wren II (P-BPHAL shell, no longer made)

[b d]

I got this bag through a referral here on the member forums to someone who wanted to sell a Rock Wren by Feathered Friends. I was looking for one in the used gear market because it is a kind of 'eccentric' item (with the arm holes, foot & leg hole at the bottom, and the center topside zipper) and I didn't want to buy the new, full price item — but I had to try it out. Thus, I bought it and it got here in the mail and I have checked it out.

Here are info, the web page, and photos of the new Rock Wren 35 F and Winter Wren 25 F bags:

http://www.featheredfriends.com/ProductDetails.aspx?productId=82&CatId=1&ProductName=Rock%20Wren

The Winter Wren, present model:

Loft: 4.5"
Girth: 60/56/50
Stuff Size: 8" X 14"
Fill Weight: 18.4 (oz)
Average Weight: 35 (oz)

Here is a picture of my Rock Wren II inside an old OR bivy:

This Rock Wren is the "II" version, which is now the Winter Rock Wren. It was way too heavy to be just a 35 F bag, even though the person I purchased it from had ordered it from Feathered Friends and had two extra ounces of down added and thought it was a 35 F long bag. The original purchaser said the reason he was selling it was that it was too hot for him — that explains it — it was a winter bag rated by Feathered Friends at 25 F. Feathered Friends, according to their staff person I talked to, is very conservative in their temperature ratings. So this is a 25 F bag, with 2 oz. of extra down, taking it down IMO to 15 or less F, with warm sleeping gear. It is lofty beyond belief, at least 4.5".

Unfortunately, because of the old shell technology and the heavy amount of stuffing (800 fill down) it weighs a bit over three pounds, so I would go for the newer models if I was going to use it a lot in the winter. The new bags are much lighter.

The real reason it is a plus and great bag for me is that it is not only comfortable, but I love the topside center zip and the arm holes, which with the draw cord opening at the bottom means I can walk around in it and cook or do other things while wearing it like a down clothing article.

Here is the web page for a BPL/RJ review of the bag:

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/feathered_friends_rock_wren_sleeping_bag_spotlite_review.html

And a BPL article on "unconventional" sleep systems:

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/2006_unconventional_sleep_systems_review_summary.html

Finally, the older shell (no longer used and similar to a GoreTex or pre-eVENT fabric like EPIC) is fairly waterproof or, according to the Feathered Friends staff person actually waterproof, which is great for me because I am not that concerned about brethability and would rather have the down protected from tent or tarp condensation, ground snow or water, and other external moisture damaging the fill. bd

[Richard Nelridge]

I have a Feathered Friends Lark with P-BHAL shell. I have liked the bag very much. When I called Feathered Friends and discussed the bag with them years later(and possibly when I ordered my Feathered Friends Vireo) I believe that I was told that P-BHAL laminate membrane fabric is in fact eVENT. P-BHAL was made by BHA Technologies (inventer/maker of eVENT) and was what the PTFE membrane laminate was termed before the eVENT trademark. My P-BHAL Lark and the eVENT Feathered Friends Vireo Sleeing Bag, eVENT Featherd Friends Hyperion Jacket, and eVENT Feathered Friends Volant Hood have a similar feel and sound. I am very pleased with all 3 of the eVENT Feathered Friends products. The newer items are a little noisier and have a little more "brittle" feel to them. But, I believe the differences in the material and properties may be due to the ripstop nylon that is laminatated to the P-BHAL and eVENT membrane.

Rich

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