[pct-l] Break Strategies now sleeping bags

[Scott Williams]

Hey Marcia,

You're right about cleanliness, but for what it's worth, I always sleep in
the clothes I hike in and that was the same on the PCT and CDT, so why the
down hasn't held up, I'm not sure.  Maybe I was just a way dirtier dude on
the PCT.  Both are packed tight in a Sea to Summit bag when in the pack and
that really takes it out of down, but the Zpacks has more miles on it and
people still ask me if I just got a new bag because it fluffs up so well.

The lack of a hood is no problem, actually I like it better.  I bought a
Zpacks bag that was 3 inches longer than I technically needed.  I'm 5' 9''
and I got a 6' bag.  There is a draw string at the top to snug it all up,
but whereas with a hood, when I turn in my bag, I often end up breathing
right into the bag, as I end up facing a wall of down, or twisting the
whole thing in some uncomfortable way, with the Zpacks, it is just a
snuggly hole that sort of reconfigures as I turn.  I pull it right over my
head like a hood, but that hood can be formed in any direction.  I just
find it much more comfortable, and don't miss the hood in the least as the
bag still forms a hood when I want one.

Shroomer


On Sun, Nov 24, 2013 at 8:28 AM, GottaWalk <gottawalk at pacbell.net> wrote:

> Two possible factors for a bag retaining its loft would be what do you
> wear in your bag and what fabric the shell is made of. Another factor may
> be body oils.
>
> Our WM bags with DWR fabric still look new after CDT, AT, ADT, AZT, ICT
> and various hikes except Ken's beard oils make the collar soiled. We always
> wear thermals, socks and a hat to keep the bags clean.
>
> I have been thinking about the ZPPack bag for weight savings except it
> doesn't have a hood. How do you get along without one?
>
> This same thread is running on the G2G right now.
> Marcia
>
>
>
> On Nov 23, 2013, at 10:39 PM, Scott Williams <baidarker at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Isabella,
>
> I'll jump in here and say that the Zpacks 20 degree, 1lb bag is the best
> bag I've ever owned.  I used a Western Mountaineering 20 degree 2lb bag on
> the PCT and by the end of the hike, it was one very loftless looking bag.
> It is one sad bag after living in it for 4 months and a week.  On the CDT
> I used Joe's 1lb bag and at the end of 4 months and 2 weeks it still looked
> like a new bag.  I used it again this year for 3 weeks of backpacking on
> some of the best ofthe CDT and it still looks like new.  It is a much finer
> down and I've heard folks say that the finer downs don't hold their loft,
> but in the case of this bag, it is a far superior product than the WM
> similar bag.  The loft has not diminished at all.  Same price too.
>
> Now that being said, I love a number of my WM items, the Flash Jacket I
> bought for the PCT has held up fine and I used it on the CDT too and will
> be with me on the AT next year.  Also WM down pants after 5 weeks in the
> High Sierra and another 5 weeks in the San Juans, look like new.
>
> No question for me that the Zpacks bag is the best I've ever owned and has
> held up beautifully.  Joe makes good product.
>
> Shroomer
>
>
> > On Sat, Nov 23, 2013 at 9:25 PM, P Isabella <isabella at bendnet.com>
> wrote:
> >
> > Mary,  super curious about your zpack sleeping bag.  I have a marmot
> > helium and it always keeps me warm.  I tried a western mountaineering
> > summerlite (1+#) and was really cold.  Wondering if you have any input?
> > Would love to get rid of nearly 1# of weight.
> >
> > Mademoiselle
>