Montbell bag stretchiness

I'm a big guy. I have the ULSS#3 and find it to be very comfy and roomy.

I love my SS#2. I actually just got it out of the drier a few minutes ago:) It stretches just right for me: stays snug, not much resistance, never feel like I am fighting it. I mostly use quilts because I use hammocks whenever possible, but it is my favorite sleeping bag for cold weather. When I sleep on the ground I sleep on my side, I even have enough room to pull up my knees and sleep in a fetal position.

I have the UL Spiral Down Hugger #1 and I find it very comfy. I don't much like the hood, but that could be just me. I bought it cause I thrash and roll about and it allows me to do just that without constriction.

I have the SS #3 and won't go back to a non-stretch bag. It's stretchy enough that I can sit up cross-legged in mine without any problem. The only downside to the stretchiness is that when fully stretched out it is less warm, which makes perfect sense as the down is spread out over a larger area. On cold nights I don't sprawl.

Not sure about the spiral line but my ULSS #2 (25* comfort rating) is the best bag ever. A little heavy but good well beyond its limit and looks new after 8 years.

I have an old ULSS #0 (good to about 10F) that I use in early spring, late fall. They are quite comfortable with a good pad. (I use a NightLite and NeoAir, inside when it is that cold.) As far as I know, that the only bag big enough to handle the NeoAir inside of it. I tried the Inetria pad inside, but that was a bit too thin.

The stretch was not bad. It does not seem to restrict my tossing and turning, nor make me feel like a bug crammed in a cocoon. I got a long so I can put water, other gear in the bottom.

I have had mine for 8 years or so, too. I would note that they did not use the comfort ratings when I got mine. It was rated to 0F. But, I needed to have my puffy layer on at 10F. I don't think it would be comfortable at 0F. Later, it was comfort rated at 10F, which I agree with. I usually need about 10F more than what they rate things. Or, I would typically need a puffy jacket at their comfort rated temps. I have several bags, all the same way, so I believe it is me. Just getting old, I guess.

I had the SS#3, I loved it and regret selling. IMO montbell makes some damn comfortable bags. If I ever switch from my quilt, I will pick up another montbell bag.

Agree with everything said above.

Totally envious of anybody that scored a #2 back when they were being made!

>>> What’s the experience like?

Like any other sleeping bag, except it stretches for when you want to move around. A mummy bag that moves with you, not fights against you.

>>> Do they feel roomy, or rather form fitting?

They are not “form fitting” in the sense that a super tight mummy bag does. Take for example the WM SummerLite – one of the best sleeping bags out there, but to me it feels like being inside of a straitjacket. The MBULSS is the exact opposite of that.

>>> Does it feel like there is much resistance when you are stretching out against the bag?

For the most part no. There are a few spots where the bag feels like it has some resistance but when compared to a straitjacket type of bag, you quickly forget about this.

>>> … 0 degree bag for winter use … What say you?

The biggest thing to remember with the MBULSS series is that they have some bulk/volume to them, compared to most other sleeping bags, due to the greater volume of fabric being used. If you are looking for the most luxurious zero degree bag on the market, the MBULSS #0 is at the top of my list. And, right now, you can score the 2013 versions for a very very sweet price.

I now have over 750 days of use with my MBULSS#3. Here are my thoughts when I had just 250+ days.

(ps: agree that the hood is not the best in the industry, and I would really like to see draft collars all the entire line of ULSS bags)

(disclaimer: sponsored hiker of Montbell US)

I have an SS 3 that is extremely comfortable. It's like a comfortable jacket with some give, you just don't notice the jacket. Best piece of kit I have.

Just be aware that the "UL Spiral" vs. the "UL SUPER Spiral" are very, very different. The Spiral is MUCH less roomy and stretchy, and really isn't much different from a regular bag (that's why it's cheaper). The SUPER Spirals are the roomy, stretchy ones (and cost more).

I have the cheaper, lighter UL Spiral and find its stretchiness more than adequate. I am broad shouldered with a 43" chest for reference. I have not slept in the Super Spiral so cannot fairly comment on it. I can say that the Ul Spiral is far less restrictive than a 64 inch girth bag that I have.

And a long time ago there was the Super Stretch.

So when posting or asking, better to spell out what you mean by "SS".

I like montbells hoods they fit without a lot of space above the shoulders and beside the neck the spiral models are comfy but if your a big guy they are not near as roomy as a megalite although MB'shoulder girth spec would make you believe that it is. My first spiral ul 3 seemed much roomier than the newer en rated bag. I've got an older Ul super stretch 3 and man is that a nice bag plenty of room to sprawl out in and if you get cold pull your limbs to your body and the elastic pulls the bag gently to you. Not sure how big you are but if you remotely fit in a summer lite the spiral would have more room but if you need the space the ss bags got it. You might want to post your height and weight to better help you. Montbells fabrics are very soft and water repellant but sometimes I wonder if more breathable fabric would be better. I'm looking forward to the release of their new bags hopefully some improvement's

Thanks folks, this is exactly the type of information I was looking for. I'm 5'10", 165 lbs — and a very active side sleeper — so the bag should be plenty roomy and accommodating. Which will be a relief from the insanely constricting "straight jacket" effect I get out of most bags (nice terminology John). i've been eyeing the 0 degree bag for a while, but with the current clearance I think its finally time to pull the trigger. Thanks again.

PS: Secondary question, are the bags truer to rating now than they used to be? I'm hoping so…

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