[pct-l] Quilts vs bags

[Matt Bradley]

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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> > pct-l at backcountry.net
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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