Better Bags (Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2008)

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This unnamed prototype from Integral Designs is an innovative way to reduce weight for couples and very focused climbers. The wedge-shaped panel zips into any of Integral Designs' bags and allows two persons to share a footbox while each having an individual hood. The top and bottom of the panel connect at the shoulder area to reduce drafts. The concept certainly represents out-of-the-(foot)box thinking. For two people who could actually sleep in this configuration, the weight savings due to shared warmth and reduced total bag surface area could be considerable. This version made from Pertex Microlight and five-ounce Primaloft Sport weighs 20 ounces (566 grams). No MSRP or delivery date has been set. Contact Integral Designs if you'd like to see the concept developed further.

ARTICLE OUTLINE

Integral Designs Bag Coupler
Montbell U.L. Spiral Down Huggers
Exped Swift and Wallcreeper
Jacks 'R' Better Winter Nest Under Quilt and Mt. Washington Under Quilt
Mountain Hardwear UltraLamina 0°
REI Halo Bags

# WORDS: 1210
# PHOTOS: 7

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Sep 5, 2008 at 10:06 pm #1450199

Michael Martin
BPL Member

@mikemartin
Locale: North Idaho

The men's regular REI Halo bags are 59 shoulder/55 hip/36 foot girth (inches).

The regular length MH Ultralamina 15 degree bag is 60 inches shoulder girth, 38 inches foot girth. (I don't have specs on the new zero degree version)

Both these are manufacturer's claimed measurements.

-Mike

Sep 6, 2008 at 7:37 am #1450222

Dondo .
BPL Member

@dondo
Locale: Colorado Rockies

>>The Halo bags will feature 750-fill down, and will incorporate EN 13537 standards in their temperature ratings.

Kudos to REI. Hopefully, this move by a retail giant will encourage other US brands to adopt the EN 13537 standard,

Sep 13, 2008 at 9:08 pm #1451075

Miguel Arboleda
BPL Member

@butuki
Locale: Kanto Plain, Japan

Valandré is very popular here in Japan and I would long ago have bought one of their bags, due to exceptional quality (definitely on par with Western Mountaineering) and the best fitting I have ever seen in a bag. THe only thing that kept me from buying them here in Japan was pricing (japanese pricing is insane)… average $800.00 is a little out of my price range…

Sep 15, 2008 at 9:14 pm #1451242

Charles Jennings
Spectator

@vigilguy
Locale: Northern Utah

FYI, Valandre' has recently adjusted their prices (down) on their most popular bags in order to be in line with the top competitors. The retailers chose to cut their margins so that Valandre' retail prices on the products would be attractive in the U.S. market.

So that I am in compliance with the BPL guidelines, Yes, I am affiliated with Valandre' and am an authorized retailer for their gear.

Oct 19, 2008 at 1:39 pm #1455149

Jim Sweeney
BPL Member

@swimjay
Locale: Northern California

I think the Valandre bags are very well made, but tried both the Mirage and the Shocking Blue and decided not to get them, for the following reason– in the torso area it seemed that they were sized to allow one to wear a fairly thick down jacket without compressing the down in either the jacket or the bag. But without the jacket, it felt as if there were too much air in the bag, which would need to be warmed, and, as one moved during the night, would be a medium for carrying off heat whenever it puffed out of the bag.

YMMV, of course, but one should check the fit. In the same weight class as the Mirage, I prefer a NF Beeline I bought several years ago, which is cut narrower and hence warmer–and uses Pertex Quantum. It was also quite reasonable, bought in an outlet store.

Oct 22, 2008 at 2:23 am #1455665

Woubeir (from Europe)
BPL Member

@woubeir

First picture of the Bloody Mary on the Valandré website.
http://www.valandre.com/us/bags/bloodymary.htm
Not too much further details currently.

Feb 15, 2009 at 12:15 am #1477939

Stephen Klassen
Member

@steveyk

Mountain Hardware (Canadian) site has some info up.

http://www.mountainhardwear.com/en-CA/Product.aspx?top=1693&prod=3432&cat=1745&viewAll=False

Showing more like 60 oz rather than 53.

If anyone has one, can you let me know how much your's weighs, and how it has perfomed.

Thanx
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