My gear/pack layout from base layers to binos

[HighUintas]

Zenbivy Lite 10° XL. I have done the full evolution of rectangular, mummy, quilts, etc. used heavily to way below 0° F. The Zenbivy lite system in 10° and XL is the best sleep system on the market.

In what way? Longevity? Warmth perforance/comfort against their claims? Warmth to weight ratio?

 

[Formidilosus]

In what way? Longevity? Warmth perforance/comfort against their claims? Warmth to weight ratio?

All?

It’s the most comfortable sleep system on the market. I don’t say that lightly. It is every single good thing about a quilt, with absolutely none of the drawbacks. Extremely warm, you stay on top of the pad at all times, zero drafts; your head has a head box for your pillow so it doesn’t move around, and it keeps your head warm. Can vent and use like a common quilt, or strap it in and it’s like a comforter at home- there is a massive amount of room in it; you do not get tangled up.


The only thing that is a drawback is if you get one too small. If you are over 5’6” or more than a string bean- get the XL.

 

[atmat]

All?

It’s the most comfortable sleep system on the market. I don’t say that lightly. It is every single good thing about a quilt, with absolutely none of the drawbacks. Extremely warm, you stay on top of the pad at all times, zero drafts; your head has a head box for your pillow so it doesn’t move around, and it keeps your head warm. Can vent and use like a common quilt, or strap it in and it’s like a comforter at home- there is a massive amount of room in it; you do not get tangled up.


The only thing that is a drawback is if you get one too small. If you are over 5’6” or more than a string bean- get the XL.

I echo all of this. I sleep way better than my heathen hunting buddies who don’t use the Zenbivy Lite 10* XL he’s describing.

 

[grahambiel]

I echo all of this. I sleep way better than my heathen hunting buddies who don’t use the Zenbivy Lite 10* XL he’s describing.

Form has also clearly taken this into cold enough temps to vouch for the 10* but for anyone who is concerned about the temp rating or is a cold sleeper I noticed they recently released a -5* system. And for those more concerned about weight, they have an ultralight system now too

 

[atmat]

Form has also clearly taken this into cold enough temps to vouch for the 10* but for anyone who is concerned about the temp rating or is a cold sleeper I noticed they recently released a -5* system. And for those more concerned about weight, they have an ultralight system now too

I’ve slept in the 10* down to zero without a heated bottle and been plenty fine. I pair it with an Exped U7 and it’s toasty.

 

[HighUintas]

After looking, the lite version runs close to my chilkoot 0 in weight and I think well over when paired with the sheet bed part. So, I'm probably just sticking with the chilkoot. I don't see a reason to change. My thought on going to a quilt was to save weight.

 

[atmat]

After looking, the lite version runs close to my chilkoot 0 in weight and I think well over when paired with the sheet bed part. So, I'm probably just sticking with the chilkoot. I don't see a reason to change. My thought on going to a quilt was to save weight.

The biggest benefit of quilts, in my experience, is comfort not weight.

My current setup weighs more than my last but I just sleep soooo much better.

 

[HighUintas]

The biggest benefit of quilts, in my experience, is comfort not weight.

My current setup weighs more than my last but I just sleep soooo much better.

Yes, the zenbi y sounds super comfy. My chilkoot is big enough that I'm very comfortable in it. I'm 5-10' 160lbs with the regular length and I feel like I'm swimming in it

 

[ekupp]

All?

It’s the most comfortable sleep system on the market. I don’t say that lightly. It is every single good thing about a quilt, with absolutely none of the drawbacks. Extremely warm, you stay on top of the pad at all times, zero drafts; your head has a head box for your pillow so it doesn’t move around, and it keeps your head warm. Can vent and use like a common quilt, or strap it in and it’s like a comforter at home- there is a massive amount of room in it; you do not get tangled up.


The only thing that is a drawback is if you get one too small. If you are over 5’6” or more than a string bean- get the XL.

Thoughts on the new -5 option, is that too much fill for 48 state winter camping for fit adult male or is the 10 degree the sweet spot for snow camping at high elevation?

 

[Formidilosus]

Thoughts on the new -5 option, is that too much fill for 48 state winter camping for fit adult male or is the 10 degree the sweet spot for snow camping at high elevation?

The 10° F model has as much or
more loft than all the 0° F down bags that I have. The -5° F is great I’m sure, but I’m not sure it will be needed by most unless you are constantly sleeping at -0°F temps and below. I, and everyone else I am around that uses them- stay way warmer in below 0°F temps with the current 10° model, than anyone that we are with that are using regular 0° F sleeping bags. I and a couple have used them below -20° F.

 

[Bama67]

This thread led me back to Varusteleka's website and reminded me that it might be my favorite website to buy stuff.
They have all types of interesting wool clothes (including the strange mesh underwear), military surplus, and their ads are usually very witty.
I have two of their wool hoodies. Would recommend.

 

[grahambiel]

The 10° F model has as much or
more loft than all the 0° F down bags that I have. The -5° F is great I’m sure, but I’m not sure it will be needed by most unless you are constantly sleeping at -0°F temps and below. I, and everyone else I am around that uses them- stay way warmer in below 0°F temps with the current 10° model, than anyone that we are with that are using regular 0° F sleeping bags. I and a couple have used them below -20° F.

It seems like a lot of hardcore winter camping guys run a synthetic quilt on top of a down one in really cold temps. I think the idea is that it moves your dew point further out so any moisture collects and freezes in the synthetic bag. Curious if you’re used this method or why you don’t think it’s necessary?

Obviously it adds some weight vs just running a warmer down quilt

 

[Dobermann]

This thread led me back to Varusteleka's website and reminded me that it might be my favorite website to buy stuff.
They have all types of interesting wool clothes (including the strange mesh underwear), military surplus, and their ads are usually very witty.
I have two of their wool hoodies. Would recommend.

Yes, Varusteleka are great - especially for the Sarma jacket and pants; their synthetic puffy pants, their belt-mounted first aid kit which is quick-release, and their shooter's belt, which works well.

They no longer stock Aclima - but Varuste do. Between Varusteleka and Varuste (who have great sales, and also stock Fjallraven, among many outdoor and shooting brands - and their postage is fast and cheap), you can cover a lot of ground.

And for everyone here, including @Formidilosus who has been wondering when Fjallraven's Keb Agiles will be coming to the US (at least the olive ones, not like the orange or black that most US stockists only seem to carry), Varuste has been listing the olives recently - and with a discount.

 

[Dobermann]

Finally weighed my RedKettle Light Ventile Hunting Jacket M19, medium - 1194 grams.

I'll let you imperialists do the maths (plural) on coverting that to whatever dram/hundredweight-equivalent y'all still using over there.

This has been sweated in, and washed, so I don't know if it's marginally heavier or lighter out of the box, but at least we have an indicative weight.

For context, the Stone Glacier M5 is advertised at 500 grams, and most thigh-length 3-layor Gore-Tex hiking jackets I have are in the 740-770 gram range - so the M19 is about 60% heavier than a relatively heavy Gore-Tex.

To me, this seems a little heavy for a hiking jacket. Ironlically, that's meant I now carry it as an everyday raincoat.

The hood is still clunky - I haven't worked out how to get it right in a couple of years. Thought I had it sorted perrrrfectly the other day, and thought that people were smiling at me because I was so smart to have taken a jacket out in the rain ... got back to the car only to see that the hood was halfway back from my hairline, making me look like some kind of demented bird.

But there is something to be said for the quiet fabric, the natural feel, and the disbelievers who don't think cotton could be waterproof.

 

[MEdude]

I'll let you imperialists do the maths (plural) on coverting that to whatever dram/hundredweight-equivalent y'all still using over there.

Kinda think they commonly measure stuff in “Stones”

 

[Formidilosus]

It seems like a lot of hardcore winter camping guys run a synthetic quilt on top of a down one in really cold temps. I think the idea is that it moves your dew point further out so any moisture collects and freezes in the synthetic bag. Curious if you’re used this method or why you don’t think it’s necessary?

Obviously it adds some weight vs just running a warmer down quilt

Yes that works. And that is the only “issue” with the 10° model so far- you sweat and night and the outer layer is wet or frozen the next morning. But, even at 10 days straight, it has never lost loft or had any decrease in performance that could be noticed at all; and I usually just dry it out in the morning next to the stove quickly.

I do not generally (almost ever) use a synthetic quilt over the top of the Zen Bivy because it is extra weight and has not shown to be needed.

 

[grahambiel]

Tops- this one is a bit more convoluted as I don’t generally wear what most seem to for tops, and sometimes my outside layer is others mid layers or fleece.
There are basically two methods to deal with sweat- get dry or stay dry. I tend to favor stay dry and therefor try to limit sweating. I heat up and sweat very quickly, but also cool down very quickly. Until it is below 35°F or so, my upper body has just the Woolmet top and the t-shirt on. Below that and I will sometimes put a wind shirt on over that just to block the wind- either a very thin Arctyrx synthetic wind shirt that weighs about 4oz, or a Ventile cotton Redkettle Wind shell. The Arctyrx is lighter and dries faster, but it is fragile. The Ventile cotton Red Kettle is better at every other point.
Sometimes I use the Redkettle Light Hunting Jacket which is two layers of Ventile cotton with a hood, if it will be wet weather. Both breathe very well and are very durable, while being quite water resistant.


At times I will wear a wool vest over the base layer/t-shirt combo.

Been meaning to ask about this one....why the t shirt over the woolnet? Off the cuff that seems like it would offset the benefit of the mesh. Is it simply that you need something over the mesh and a windshirt is too much?

Also why a blend for the t-shirt vs full synthetic?

 

[Formidilosus]

Been meaning to ask about this one....why the t shirt over the woolnet? Off the cuff that seems like it would offset the benefit of the mesh. Is it simply that you need something over the mesh and a windshirt is too much?

A few reasons without making a treatise of it:

1). I heat up very quickly, often even in very cold temperatures a wind shirt is too much, but my chest and stomach will be cold without a layer. The T-shirt provides just enough wind block.

2). My back seats heavily under the pack. Having a t-shirt helps move moisture that would sit in the fishnet, into the t-shirt. This helps me feel more dry when I stop.

3). Durability. I have not had an issue, however there is little doubt that the mesh will eventually wear through from pack rubbing.


4). Looks- walking around with a full fishnet is not as socially acceptable as it could be.

Also why a blend for the t-shirt vs full synthetic?

I despise synthetic clothing unless absolutely necessary. However, 100% wool takes too long to dry. So I do the best I can.

 

[DangerRanger]

In a snowy late season hunt how do you use the hestras for glassing etc where you need your fingers for longer periods of time than just a shot

 

[The Ri Guy]

@Formidilosus

With Red Kettle seemingly ceasing production and sales of their Ventile line, do you have any backup options?

I saw this release from Patagonia the other day: https://www.patagonia.com/product/lightweight-waxed-cotton-jacket/26835.html?dwvar_26835_color=WNGY

Seems interesting but not the same.