[pct-l] Quilts vs bags

[Paul Mitchell]

Hey Matt, thanks for the comparisons!

I'm actually looking for a two person solution.  The RayWay dual quilt was
under $100, the nunatak dual aplinist is $552.  Two nunatak back country
blankets (seen together here)
http://www.nunatakusa.com/sleeping_bag_info.htm would be a cool option too.
Even though the loft underneath gets compressed, it's not compressed to the
left and right of where you're on it and I can't believe that wouldn't
actually make a difference, but of course, that solution is over $720.

So, at more than five times the price, is the nunatak going to be that much
better than the rayway?


  -----Original Message-----
  From: Matt Bradley [mailto:mattbradley1 at gmail.com]
  Sent: Monday, March 05, 2007 3:50 PM
  To: paul at bluebrain.ca; PCT-L
  Subject: Re: [pct-l] Quilts vs bags


  As a comparison the Western Mountaineering Ultralite Super retails for
around $330 and weighs 26 oz.  The Feathered Friends Hummingbird is about
$315 and weighs in at about the same depending on fabric choice.  The
Nunatak Alpinist (not the arc) is $384 and weighs 21 oz with the lightest
fabric available.  The Arc Alpinist quilt is $362 and weighs a scant 18 oz.
with the .85 fabric.  All of these are excellent quality bags.  I guess you
pay more for the oz savings with the Nunatak.  I have sent and email to
Nunatak requesting info about the availability of Eiderdown and I will post
that info here when I receive a reply.
  Peace and Love,
  Matt


  On 3/5/07, Paul Mitchell <paul at bluebrain.ca> wrote:
    Well, if all goes well then it's or bed for six months, so if there's an
actuall quality difference related to the price, than I guess a higher price
is a small price to pay for a good bed.
      -----Original Message-----
      From: Matt Bradley [mailto:mattbradley1 at gmail.com]
      Sent: Monday, March 05, 2007 3:31 PM
      To: paul at bluebrain.ca; PCT-L
      Subject: Re: [pct-l] Quilts vs bags


      Paul,
           Yes, the Nunatak stuff is expensive although not too much more
than a lot of other high-end bags such as Western Mountianeering.  I know
that you have already probably ordered your Ray-Way quilt but (for the
benefit of the rest of the list) one option for down that is cruelty free is
Eider Down.  It comes from Eider ducks and is hand harvested from the nests
after breeding season.  It is usually around 900 of 950 fill power which is
the best available , it is hypo-allergenic and it is significantly more
expensive than the more common Goose down.  Last time I checked Nunatak was
able to make Eider down bags but that was a while ago and it would likely
make the production and delivery time longer since everything is custom made
to order.  I highly reccommend that anyone looking for a high end sleeping
bag talk to the folks at Nunatak.  Their stuff is top quality and their
service is the same.
      Peace and Love,
      Matt


      On 3/5/07, Paul Mitchell <paul at bluebrain.ca> wrote:
        Thanks Matt

        Wow, the nunatak stuff is expensive!

        Another consideration is the cruelty factor related to goose down.
I've got
        three goose down bags, but recently I've found out that the process
by which
        this down is harvested subjects the geese to a lifetime of
suffering, so I'd
        like to buy synthetic from now on, whether it's the best option or
not.

        So, I've ordered the rayway couple quilt kit.  Now, what you say
about the
        sizing is very interesting!  Thanks for the tip, I would have just
made it
        to spec otherwise, but now I'll take care to experiment before
cutting and
        assembling.

        Cheers,
        Paul



        -----Original Message-----
        From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net
        [mailto: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]On Behalf Of Matt Bradley
        Sent: Monday, March 05, 2007 8:34 AM
        To: pct-l at backcountry.net
        Subject: [pct-l] Quilts vs bags


        Paul,
             I have been using quilts for my backpacking for years now and I
have
        been very pleased.  I have an old Golite Fur quilt, a Ray-Way
homemade quilt
        and a Nunatak Arc Alpinist.  The Nunatak is far-and-away the winner
in
        performance with a 20* rating for 18 oz.  My quilt is actaully 20
oz. with 2
        oz of overfill and I have slept under it in temps near 20*
reasonably
        comfortably.  If you go for the Ray-Way kit make sure to cut it
wider than
        you think you need it.  Even following Ray's instructions mine is
only wide
        enough to sleep on my back under and if I roll on my side it doesn't
quite
        reach the ground.
            For my anticipated 2008 PCT hike I am probably going to use some
sort of
        two-person quilt for me and my partner but I haven't quite decided
what the
        best option will be.  I really like the Dual Arc Alpinist but for
nearly 600
        dollars is is a hard pill to swallow.  Let us all know what you
decide to do
        and how it works out for you.
        Peace and love,
        Matt
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      --
      Matt Bradley
      mattbradley1 at gmail.com
      http://www.trailjournals.com/peaceandlove



  --
  Matt Bradley
  mattbradley1 at gmail.com
  http://www.trailjournals.com/peaceandlove