Add pad strap to zpacks classic sleeping bag?

[Dan]

This seems like a no-brainer, but I was hoping to get confirmation from someone with firsthand experience.

It’s about time for me to get a new quilt and I was considering a zpacks classic sleeping bag instead. It basically looks like a quilt but with a zipper underneath instead of a couple of clips. The incremental  weight is minimal and most of the time I would use it as a quilt, but I feel the zipper would reduce drafts on occasional colder nights as I toss and turn.

My only reservation is that I like to clip my quilt to an elastic strap that goes around my pad. My thought is to add a couple of small center release buckles to the bag, just outside the zipper, like one has on a quilt. This would allow attachment to an elastic strap with mating buckles.

It seems straightforward, but I would love some validation for the idea, especially from someone who has seen this bag firsthand.

[SIMULACRA]

Neat idea. I’ve been using this bag since 2018 and have had no complaints. Many occasions I’ve used as a quilt fully/partially unzipped. Is much in concept like the Hammock Gear Burrow I used previously. More often than not, the minimal draft that comes through the sides when opened is appreciated. I’m usually unzipping it when it’s hotter out. Side clips/straps have never been a thought of mine for this reason. I like the modular versatility of it. I’ll even sleep with the zipper on top verses bottom and unzip partially or fully depending on amount of ventilation I’m going for. I initially thought the zipper on the bottom would be an annoyance. This is not the case. Don’t even notice it. With the footbox fully enclosed, feets are always cozy warm. Maybe one complaint. If it cinched off at the footbox, you could customize the ventilation even more there, opening and closing this as needed. You could always go with the Solo Quilt they offer. Probably more of what you’re looking for with the straps?

[Dan]

Many thanks for you comment @SIMULACRA, it’s good to hear your experience with the bag. I am accustomed to using a quilt, having used a EE Revelation for many years. Under the conditions that I use it (typically 11,000-12,000 ft in the Colorado mountains), I’m never in a position to open the footbox of that quilt, so the closed footbox is right for me. Another standard quilt would probably work for me, but I’d like to improve the cold-weather experience just a little bit, if possible. In the unlikely situation that I will be camping in warm weather, I can still use the Revelation, but it has lost a lot of loft over the years and I also seem to be sleeping colder as I age.

BTW, I contacted the manufacturer about this idea, and the person initially responding to email was very responsive, but just said there was no way to attach the bag to a pad. When I persisted, she passed my second email along to the owner, Joe, who was very helpful. He gave me a link to the plastic snaps that they use to attach their strap to their quilt, and even a link to a cheap snap-installation tool on Amazon. He also answered my follow-up question about the best way to install the snaps.

I’ve ordered the bag and strap, and I’m going to experiment with this idea. At first, I won’t modify the bag itself, instead I’ll just attach some snaps with small mitten clips. If I’m happy with it, I will add a couple of snaps outside the zipper. Joe suggested that I might be able to attach the snaps directly to the bag material or zipper fabric. I will take a look at that, but I’m a little worried that the snap might pull through the delicate fabric or interfere with the zipper. So if that approach doesn’t look plausible, I will sew tabs of grosgrain ribbon outside the zipper (maybe through the thick zipper fabric), and put the snaps into those. That would also give me something to hold onto to undo the snaps.

[Matthew / BPL]

Just stopping by to say that I like the idea of snaps on grosgrain sewn to the zipper. I think it will be much easier to snap/unsnap and more durable.

[Dan]

Thanks, Matthew. I will update the thread if I manage to accomplish anything. I know this is a really small modification compared to the things that the MYOG folks do, but at first glance, it seems like an obvious upgrade, and something I can do even with my minimal skills.

[SIMULACRA]

Yeah for sure Dan. Hope this all works to your liking. I think the grosgrain idea is the most solid. I feel the bag fabric is too delicate for that type of use. What about clips instead of snaps? Not the mitten clips, but the same push flat type that is used to clip/secure the head end of the bag. As far as improving the cold weather experience, I’ve taken mine down to 7deg. They don’t offer it anymore, but it’s a 5deg rating. I felt the rating was roughly accurate. I could have used more insulation, but I survived and I do sleep cold. Nice that Joe chimed in on this for you!

 

[Dan]

You’re right, I think I could use those clips and pair it with one of the older pad straps that I think uses matching clips. I was planning to use snaps for compatibility with their current pad strap, which also uses snaps. I’m just trying to use an existing strap to save myself the trouble of making one. It’s probably six of one and half a dozen of the other, although TBH, I find those mini center release clips to be a bit finicky. Sometimes they open easily and sometimes they can be frustrating. My EE Revelation strap has them.

[Dan]

Well, I thought I would close the loop on this. I did attach snaps to small loops of grosgrain ribbon and sewed them to the zipper. The snaps can connect to each other to hold the bag closed in that spot, or snap to a strap of shock cord that is wrapped around my sleeping pad. I purchased the strap from Zpacks, but it was absurdly short, so I replace the shock cord with a longer piece and reused the hardware they provided. Hopefully these photos give you the idea, please don’t mock my sewing skills. I think that with this small modification, the Zpacks sleeping bag has the full functionality of a quilt but can zip closed on an unusually cold night. According to their website, there is essentially no weight penalty (23.2 oz vs 23.1 oz for the 10 degree standard size), which seems strange TBH, but that’s what it says. I will say that there is an impressive amount of down in the bag, it is definitely overfilled.

I had to buy a huge number of snaps and much more grosgrain than I need, so feel free to send a PM if you want some. Note that you do need a simple hand tool to attach the snaps. I also made a second strap using a 1/2″ wide elastic band and added sliding loops of grosgrain with snaps. I will try out both straps and see which I prefer.

[SIMULACRA]

I like it! Can see now why you preferred the idea of snaps verses the clips. Much cleaner, less fuss. You’re right about the amount of down in the bag. According to Joe when I asked, they account for any possible down loss through the life of the bag.

[Dan]

I probably over-thought it. In the end it was pretty straightforward to do, and very little downside.

[Author]

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