Montbell’s new U.L. Synthetic Burrow Bag – Any info?

The super stretch system is awesome. Montbell has the world patent. Get the long bag for even more room/stretch; you will never go back to a non-stretch bag.. Unless you dont mind constricting bags, some don't!

Edit, the Alpine versions do have the internal stretch baffles, not the outer ones.

This is not the super stretch synthetic burrow, but an ultralight version of that. Any info?

Edwin, I wish this bag had been available a couple of years ago when I was looking for a 2 lb. synthetic bag with a true 30F rating. When the #4 Super Stretch Burrow Bag showed up on the Montbell Web Specials section for $80, I snagged it. Basically, I compromised on both of my parameters. The #4 weighs 2lb., 6oz. on my scale. Montbell gives it a comfort rating of 37F and I agree. If the temps drop below the mid-thirties I need to add a puffy jacket to stay warm.

My experience and that of others with Montbell bags is that you can trust the temperature ratings. They are not overly optimistic as is the case with some American brands. And my experience with the #4 and other Montbell products tells me that the published weights are accurate. So I don't think you'll be taking much of a chance with this bag.

I'm in Boulder fairly often and will stop by the Montbell store next time I can. If the UL Burrow #3 is in stock I'll try it on and post back on this thread.

Many thanks. I have confidence in Montbell's temp ratings. One of the things I am concerned about is that it is not the super stretch. Although I have never tried the SS bags, I have read so many good things about them that you begin to wonder whether you make a mistake by not getting the SS. However, looking at other synthetic bags in the same temp/weight range, it looks like you don't get much stretch or room unless you go all the way up to something like TNF Cat's Meow which is heavier. I am looking at this bag vs. a Marmot pounder plus, TNF Orion or CM, Integral Designs and other similar synthetics. The Marmot seems out b/c the temp rating appears to overly optimistic. I don't really need much room (not a big guy), but I want to be able to move a little inside the bag and have a little room to wear a jacket if necessary.

The SS in my Burrow Bag IS really nice. I guess the question is whether it's worth the 11 extra ounces you'll be carrying with the SS #3 over the UL version. OF course, it's a very personal decision. It's funny, before I bought the SS #4, I tried on a TNF Fission at REI and convinced myself that it was too snug for comfort.(I'm 5'9"and 150 lbs.) Since then, though, I've bought it's close cousin, the Orion, and have happily used it on a number of trips. With a 60" girth, there's enough room to wear a jacket inside, but not a lot of extra wiggle room. In my experience, the Orion is definitely warmer than the Montbell SS #4,even though both are about the same weight. So it seems that for a given temperature rating, the choice is between wiggle room and lighter weight. It's not an easy decision. Good luck with it.

Edwin:

Dondo and I are exactly the same size (5'9" / 150 lbs). Space and comfort are definitely personal, and size aside, much also depends on how much space you need to move around.

For me, I find the non-stretch versions comfy enough. I spent a comfortable 17-18F night using the Thermal Sheet (basically a hoodless and slimmer version of the No. 7) as a liner inside my non-stretch, regular size No. 3.

IMO, if the non-stretch version is enough for you, then you should go for it. Why not save a few ounces and avoid the potential of broken-down elastics in the future? Of course, I am not saying that the stretchy versions are fragile, but as the saying goes, the more features, the higher the chance of things going wrong…