Kifaru Slik vs Montbell
- Thread starter Birddog
- Start date
I've used both a ton....
The Slik is going to be more durable (shell and insulation), but the Montbell is hard to beat for comfort.
If you're a cold sleeper, neither are going as warm as their posted rating. So if you get a Montbell UL Spiral Down hugger with a 15degree rating (and you sleep cold), than you'll be good to 20-25 degrees. The Slik 20 will be good down to 25-30 in comparable conditions.....both are 5-10 degrees off when you sleep cold.
The UL series from Montbell have down insulation, so you can't get them wet, and as I mentioned above, the shell on the Montbell is somewhat fragile. The Shell on the Slik is made of Rhino skin and is as tough of an outer shell as I've used.
Like anything, it's going to be personal preference, so base your decision off of the feedback that you get on this thread, for your particular/intended use (from guys that have used them).
I know Rosinbag really likes the Montbell, so he'd be a good guy to comment on that bag.
The Slik is going to be more durable (shell and insulation), but the Montbell is hard to beat for comfort.
If you're a cold sleeper, neither are going as warm as their posted rating. So if you get a Montbell UL Spiral Down hugger with a 15degree rating (and you sleep cold), than you'll be good to 20-25 degrees. The Slik 20 will be good down to 25-30 in comparable conditions.....both are 5-10 degrees off when you sleep cold.
The UL series from Montbell have down insulation, so you can't get them wet, and as I mentioned above, the shell on the Montbell is somewhat fragile. The Shell on the Slik is made of Rhino skin and is as tough of an outer shell as I've used.
Like anything, it's going to be personal preference, so base your decision off of the feedback that you get on this thread, for your particular/intended use (from guys that have used them).
I know Rosinbag really likes the Montbell, so he'd be a good guy to comment on that bag.
I agree with Aron on the differences. The temperature rating on the Montbell is 10 degrees above what they are comfortable at. I also think the Montbells insulation can pile somewhat in the bag creating cold spots , which leads to the temperature being off on the rating. Comfort can't be beat in them though in the Ultra Light Super Spiral versions
The Slik bag I ordered, but I didn't fit in it very well in the shoulder area. I never used it, but bought it because if the outer shell, insulation type and if it got a little wet would still be useable.
I still use the Montbell UL SDH #1. If it drops below 25 or so, I just wear my wool base layer to keep me comfortable or throw a couple hand Warner's in the bag to keep it warm.
The Slik bag I ordered, but I didn't fit in it very well in the shoulder area. I never used it, but bought it because if the outer shell, insulation type and if it got a little wet would still be useable.
I still use the Montbell UL SDH #1. If it drops below 25 or so, I just wear my wool base layer to keep me comfortable or throw a couple hand Warner's in the bag to keep it warm.
Darren Best
WKR
Want to know how tough a Slik bag is?
My 14 year old son has had one for three years and it doesn't have a rip, tear or hole in it anywhere and this kid could break an anvil.
We have four of the bags and not one shows any sign of wear and we use them all year round.
As a test one very rainy north Idaho May, I went to bed with soaking wet socks and woke up the next morning and they were dry. There was beads of water on the outside of the bag down by my feet, which dried out quickly after it warmed up a bit.
I've seen the bags covered in snow and drenched with condensation and still keep us warm.
Aron is right about the temp rating and also if you get close to the lower end of it's rating and it's windy out, you will feel chilled.
On a very snowy and cold trip to Montana last March, my wife got hypothermia because she didn't put on her rain gear when it started raining and later turned to snow. I stuffed her into her sleeping bag and she dried out and warmed right up.
The Slik bags continue to amaze me. I keep window shopping for a lighter more compact bag but hesitate to mess with something that already works so well.
Our 0 degree bags weigh an ounce or two under 3 pounds.
My 14 year old son has had one for three years and it doesn't have a rip, tear or hole in it anywhere and this kid could break an anvil.
We have four of the bags and not one shows any sign of wear and we use them all year round.
As a test one very rainy north Idaho May, I went to bed with soaking wet socks and woke up the next morning and they were dry. There was beads of water on the outside of the bag down by my feet, which dried out quickly after it warmed up a bit.
I've seen the bags covered in snow and drenched with condensation and still keep us warm.
Aron is right about the temp rating and also if you get close to the lower end of it's rating and it's windy out, you will feel chilled.
On a very snowy and cold trip to Montana last March, my wife got hypothermia because she didn't put on her rain gear when it started raining and later turned to snow. I stuffed her into her sleeping bag and she dried out and warmed right up.
The Slik bags continue to amaze me. I keep window shopping for a lighter more compact bag but hesitate to mess with something that already works so well.
Our 0 degree bags weigh an ounce or two under 3 pounds.
I sleep cold and agree with Aron and Doug that adding 10 degrees to the rating should put you in comfort. I ran the Slik 20* long wide all year and loved it but when temps dropped into the high teens low twenties I had to layer up pretty good to maintain comfort.
The Slik is super durable and does really well even when wet. Spent a week in Montana this year in a rain/snow storm and the outer layer of my bag was wet the whole time, it never soaked through and kept its loft.
The Slik is super durable and does really well even when wet. Spent a week in Montana this year in a rain/snow storm and the outer layer of my bag was wet the whole time, it never soaked through and kept its loft.
Thanks fellas. I'm thinking I'll probably go with the Slik for durability and moisture issues. I have a Woobie that's always in my pack so I can buffer cold weather with it if I need it. I appreciate the feedback. BTW, Aron, I got my BT1 in and have had two trips and packed two deer in the last couple of weeks. Love it. Thanks for the help. Now I just need to get back to Colorado and load it up with elk.
Similar threads
Featured Video
Latest Articles
- TT#64 Josh Boyd Elk Hunting Strategies for Every Season
- Aaron Davidson of Gunwerks
- TT#63 Dirk Durham’s Art of Elk Calling
- BIG Buck Stories with the Dirty Giants Podcast
- TT#62 Brian Barney Hunting Bulls without Calling
- Hoyt Alpha AX-2 SD Review
- Kuiu Kenai vs Outdoor Vitals Vario Hooded Jacket Review
- Hoyt RX-9 Ultra Review
- Hunting Vampire Bucks & Building an Optics Kit
- Darton Sequel ST2 35 Review