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Question about “true rating” of MontBell SS UL #1
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Home › Forums › Gear Forums › Gear (General) › Question about “true rating” of MontBell SS UL #1
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Dec 26, 2012 at 11:00 am #1297372
They market it as a "15deg F" bag.
[EN TESTED]26˚F/ -3˚C(Comfort)、15˚F/ -9˚C(Lower Limit)、-19˚F/ -28˚C(Extreme*)
Given that they call it "comfort female / comfort male / extreme female" all in base-layers, on their description page, would you (personally) use it at -11F in the (non-severe alpine) snow? Is it realistic to get another 25deg while sleeping out of more layers or would you opt to go ahead an rent a warmer bag? (I'm guessing the latter, but I am curious how far the general consensus is on pushing a bag's rating. )
And at that point, do you forgo the tent and just use a snow cave to keep the ambient up? :P
Thanks!
-mox
Dec 26, 2012 at 11:43 am #1938327add another overbag to get another 15-20F … then add vbl and clothing
trying to get -11F out of a 15F bag is quite a stretch … at those temps you have no margin for error
Dec 26, 2012 at 11:59 am #1938332I have always found MB bags optimistic with respect to their warmth rating, despite the restrictions of EN testing. Having said that, Eric is right. Personally, in winter conditions I want a bag that is rated to the expected temps, lest you get into a situation that causes hypothermia or worse. Extreme cold is not an environment to try out some UL tactics that may or may not work for you.
Dec 26, 2012 at 4:41 pm #1938395Ure: I have always found MB bags optimistic with respect to their warmth rating, despite the restrictions of EN testing.
+1
Dec 26, 2012 at 5:32 pm #1938409"I have always found MB bags optimistic with respect to their warmth rating, despite the restrictions of EN testing."
Also agree. I am a Montbell retailer, (and Valandre) and have tested several of their bags and jackets. While I like their design, I have been disappointed in their warmth ratings as David stated.
I suspect that it could be due to the use of immature down, but that is only a guess.
Valandre', by comparison, uses mature goose down, and I have found their ratings to be spot on.
Dec 26, 2012 at 5:44 pm #1938411del
Dec 26, 2012 at 6:22 pm #1938427SS UL #1, I don't know, but I have two MB bags — UL down #3 and the Thermal Sheet — and I find them spot on at 30 and 50F respectively. I always sleep wearing long silk base layer plus liner socks — for comfort and to keep body oil / grime away from the bags.
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