2014 enlightened equipment Enigma 20* extra long/wide

[luke moffat]

Down jacket vs Bag/Quilt is different to me because its much more likely that my insulation layer jacket will get wet then my quilt/bag simply because my quilt/bag will either be in a dry bag or a tent. The same can not be said for my jacket as I will wear it under my rain gear and hike while wearing it at times and get hot in it as well.

That said I'm taking a 10 degree Enlightend Equipment down (non-down tek) quilt to Kodiak for spike camp on the mountain goat hunt I have come up in just about 10 days. However being as this is a spike camp, I'll be leaving a wiggy's at base camp as I won't be able to just hike out back to the truck or road like most in the lower 48 hunting does. The risks are much lower in that instances. If the weather turns to crap and what not and 100 mph winds kick up you can always walk back to the truck in the lower 48 (unless in the FC wilderness or something on a fly in) The same isn't true for fly outs in Alaska. If weather turns to crap you can't walk out and the air taxi can't come get you. You are on your own with the gear you brought. Thus I'll leave what I know will work at base camp (wiggy's) and take the lightweight EE quilt up the mountain.

IMO there is still a time and a place for syn bags and I will always have one in my gear closet. In fact if I could only own one bag to use it would be a syn bag, likely Kifaru though I don't own a Kifaru as I don't use syn bags enough to warrant the $$$ but if I only had one bag it would then be worth it. But for now I use down A LOT more than syn bag so the wiggy's works for me when I want/need to use it.

 

[kodiakfly]

Good info. Thank you. Typically, how high are your base and spike camps here?

 

[luke moffat]

Kodiakfly,

Base camp is always basically where the plane leaves me. Spike camp has been anything from 1000' to 3000'.

 

[Riverwalker]

We hunt much like Luke only no base camp and we are at 6K-7k. Even a Puffy will get wet under the best rain jacket from sweat on a day hiking if you don't manage how you wear it.

 

[luke moffat]

We hunt much like Luke only no base camp and we are at 6K-7k. Even a Puffy will get wet under the best rain jacket from sweat on a day hiking if you don't manage how you wear it.

You guys don't leave anything at the air strip?

 

[Nick Muche]

Are you getting excited Luke?

Any idea on how high up the goats will be this time of year?

I am jealous!

 

[AK Troutbum]

I heard Kodiak was expected to get a little dump (2' or so) with this storm that's moving in right now. Obviously don't know if it will pan out. Maybe someone with boots on the ground (kodiakfly) will fill us in.

 

[Riverwalker]

You guys don't leave anything at the air strip?

We fly in to lakes and hike up to where we set up camp (tree line so we have fuel). Then hunt above that returning to camp each night, nothing left at lake. Because of elevation weight with gear and meat is a big deal in order for plane to get off water on way out.

 

[kodiakfly]

I heard Kodiak was expected to get a little dump (2' or so) with this storm that's moving in right now. Obviously don't know if it will pan out. Maybe someone with boots on the ground (kodiakfly) will fill us in.

The snow has come and stopped...now supposed to get the rain. I'm getting ready to head up the hill behind the house tonight for a little fat jaunt. We didn't get much snow down here, I'll see what we got at 1200'.

 

[luke moffat]

I heard Kodiak was expected to get a little dump (2' or so) with this storm that's moving in right now. Obviously don't know if it will pan out. Maybe someone with boots on the ground (kodiakfly) will fill us in.

I hope not!!! Would rather not be floundering in the powder up to the goats....but if it drives the goats down I'm not above shooting a beach goat over a mountain goat.

 

[Darren Best]

I hope not!!! Would rather not be floundering in the powder up to the goats....but if it drives the goats down I'm not above shooting a beach goat over a mountain goat.

Is that a separate species?

 

[colonel00]

Is that a separate species?

I think they are just elitist goats who like to summer in the mountains and winter on the beach.

 

[Darren Best]

I think they are just elitist goats who like to summer in the mountains and winter on the beach.

We call them Snowbirds around here.

 

[Nick Muche]

I am all but ready to add one of these to my arsenal but the one thing that intrigues me the most is the price point on the 750 fill Enigma's. The weight penalty isn't all that bad considering it's only ounces. Does anyone have any experience with the 750 to say that it is not a good option or vice versa? Obviously the 850DT is the cats pajamas, but so are my WM bags. The price between the two is really holding me back on the 850DT versus the 750. The price of the 750 is unreal and I'd like to try it... Or are the advantages of the 850DT so much better that I should get that instead?

 

[eltaco]

I am all but ready to add one of these to my arsenal but the one thing that intrigues me the most is the price point on the 750 fill Enigma's. The weight penalty isn't all that bad considering it's only ounces. Does anyone have any experience with the 750 to say that it is not a good option or vice versa? Obviously the 850DT is the cats pajamas, but so are my WM bags. The price between the two is really holding me back on the 850DT versus the 750. The price of the 750 is unreal and I'd like to try it... Or are the advantages of the 850DT so much better that I should get that instead?

I had the same thoughts! Huge price difference for a couple of ounces.... the 750 still weighs substantially les than similarly rated mummy bags.

What are you guys doing to warm your head at night? Do you miss the hood?

 

[Justin Crossley]

I always get the lightest gear that I can afford. Everyone has to decide for themselves if the cost is justified.

I wear a beanie if my head starts getting cold. The Kryptek Pathfinder beanie is one of the warmest I have worn.

 

[littlebuf]

to the 750vs 850DT i would say if your looking to save a few penny's over a few ounces its a great option. i only have 850 quilts from tim in my rev x and now enigma so can only really speak to those. but the 750 is still a high rating in the down world and tims quilts will be true to temp either way. the 750 obviously just taking more down to get there thus being heavier. if your leaning that way i say go for it, i doubt you'll be disappointed. me at my size its tough to cut weight on certain gear so the 850 is worth it to me. the 850 enigma is about the only way i could get a extra long wide offering in anything down in 20 degrees at 23 ounces.

as for missing the hood, i hated hoods on bag. ill never go back. i wear a wool kifaru beanie, does the job just fine

 

[Nick Muche]

Thanks for the reply littlebuf! Makes perfect sense to me. I love lightweight gear but 2 ounces isn't enough for me to throw 200$ at it, I will just throw one extra dip in each day and the saliva I lose will more than make up the difference

 

[Nick Muche]

Have there been any tests done on the EE DT quilts in terms of exposure to moisture and their ability to retain loft/warmth? I have been on their site all day and didn't see anything... If it's 75% as effective as a good synthetic bag, the weight I'd make up from that to a DT bag would definitely be something to consider.

 

[littlebuf]

my review this year will hopefully put it to the test. ive yet to spend i night in it . works been nuts for me since i got it. it will see Idahos high country in may and maybe a quick over nighter here and there up till then schedule allowing. but the real use will start in mid summer scouting