What’s the top of the line for synthetic sleeping bags???

[thinhorn_AK]

I’ve got a western mountaineering down bag but I have a few potentially wet trips coming up, what’s the high end of synthetic bags???

 

[LWkyhunter]

Kifaru's slickbags I hear are pretty solid... no personal experience... I do have an ee synthetic quilt that does the job

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[Nick Muche]

Slick bag all the way... I've used several synthetic options and I always come back to the Slick.

 

[chasewild]

https://www.salewa.com/fusion-hybrid-4-sleeping-bag-00-0000003688

Or the kifaru slick

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I had the slick bag before, wondering if I should try one again, the real rub for me with the slick is just how dang big it is when compressed.

 

[Desk Jockey]

Very happy with my Nemo forte. Plenty of leg room for a side sleeper.

 

[Gaines Evatt]

Don't know what temperature rating you are looking for but I've really liked the Marmot Ultra Elite 20 it packs down really small for a synthetic bag.

Ultra Elite 20° Sleeping Bag

Lightweight, cozy, and highly compressible, the Ultra Elite 20 is designed for comfort that stuffs down to a compact package. Made with HL-ElixR Micro—a synthetic insulation that uses a unique blend of three fibers for maximum warmth, soft feel and high loft—this bag has an appointment of...

www.marmot.com

 

[LWkyhunter]

All synthetic bags and quilts will be somewhat larger than down when compressed no way around it I dont think

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[Mudd Foot]

As I’ve stated elsewhere, my experience with Big Agnes Lost Dog 15 had been outstanding. The pad sleeve is a great idea, and was a difference maker for me, as I’m a side sleeper. Paired with the QLX long/wide its the closest thing I’ve found to sleeping in a bed.


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[sneaky]

Custom bag from Nunatak, if you can get on the list in time. They'll do whatever you want, only limited by your imagination and budget.

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[Where's Bruce?]

I’ve got a western mountaineering down bag but I have a few potentially wet trips coming up, what’s the high end of synthetic bags???

Before you completely rule out down, look at the EE Conundrum hybrid quilt. I got a -10* (overfill) with 6oz Hoodlum for Christmas and the weight savings over synthetic is significant.



I know own 5 EE quilts from -10 to 30 degrees) and three hoodlums (2,4 &6oz). Prior to switching I was a diehard synthetic guy.

 

[tdot]

Custom bag from Nunatak, if you can get on the list in time. They'll do whatever you want, only limited by your imagination and budget.

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Any experience/comments about the Nunatak gear? I've only looked at their site a few times and it looks like interesting gear, but haven't heard any comments from users.

 

[sneaky]

Any experience/comments about the Nunatak gear? I've only looked at their site a few times and it looks like interesting gear, but haven't heard any comments from users.

There's a few guys on here with their gear. I haven't been able to get my order in in time before they close down orders so I haven't looked at lead times lately. I've seen their stuff in person and checked it out, it's top shelf gear. I think @wind gypsy may have a bag from them? He'll chime in now that I tagged him at least lol

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[sneaky]

Any experience/comments about the Nunatak gear? I've only looked at their site a few times and it looks like interesting gear, but haven't heard any comments from users.

One of the members here had this done. Talk about a glassing setup.

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[oenanthe]

Any experience/comments about the Nunatak gear? I've only looked at their site a few times and it looks like interesting gear, but haven't heard any comments from users.

Nunatak is a reliable company that makes outstanding custom gear and has been around for decades (although they changed ownership some years back). But do keep in mind that Nunatak is a very small company with high standards and seemingly no desire to expand much - this means limited availability, long lead times and high prices.

I have a Nunatak quilt (Arc Specialist), and a down anorak (Skaha). Both pieces are made of top-notch materials, with excellent design and absolutely impeccable workmanship.

 

[Gaines Evatt]

Here is the Marmot Ultra Elite 20 next to a Nalgene bottle for comparison. Not quite as small as down but for synthetic and weighing 2 lbs 5 oz in the compression sack Marmot provides it is pretty solid.

 

[wind gypsy]

There's a few guys on here with their gear. I haven't been able to get my order in in time before they close down orders so I haven't looked at lead times lately. I've seen their stuff in person and checked it out, it's top shelf gear. I think @wind gypsy may have a bag from them? He'll chime in now that I tagged him at least lol

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I had an apex bag made by Nunatak last year for extended trips where my bag had potential to get wet or I may want to get into the bag with damp/wet clothes. My typical bag is a WM Alpinlite. My goal was to get similar warmth/fit to the alpinlite but in Apex and be as light as possible. I ended up with what Jan called the Apex Alpinist - you wont find it on their site. It is basically cut like the alpinist center zip down bags but with Apex insulation.

7.5 oz Apex center zip with dual draft tubes on zipper. Dimensions to mimic WM Alpinlite (roomy but not boxy/wasteful). 10D nylon ripstop shell, 10d taffeta lining. Total weight is a hair over 35 oz IIRC. I have found it to be just as warm as my Alpinlite if not warmer. I had a sleeping pad get a hole one night in the mid 20's and woke up uncomfortable but surprisingly warm. Apex doesn't compress as much as down so it provides more insulation from the to bottom than down.

Nunatak and Kifaru are quite a bit different in design theory. Nunatak is a company that is obsessive about the fine details and frills that add weight. Kifaru adds quite a bit of weight/bulk comparatively to achieve durability. I believe the Slick Bag uses a 30d shell which adds a significant weight and bulk that I find unnecessary. I do not use my sleeping bag in conditions where tears and abrasion are a big concern. If tears/cuts do happen the bag has continuous fiber insulation that it isn't going to lose so who cares, some tenacious tape can patch it up. Apex is more resilient than primaloft but still not great, the insulation will be degraded significantly by the time the shell is toast. The cut is also more of a typical mummy cut than Kifaru's so weight is saved there.

I chose the 10d liner because it was the lightest and most breathable. It is not the most effective at repelling moisture. The 7d robic would have given great moisture protection with similar weight but doesn't breathe as well and I wanted to "bake" moisture off of wet clothes. You could get a pertex quantum shell as a good compromise for a little more weight.

Jan recommended 7.5 apex for a 20 degree bag, it seems right on based on experience and ratings from other sources. Kifaru uses 2 layers of 3.6 apex for comparison in their 20 degree slick bag. So comparatively you get slightly more insulation from 7.5, more efficient (warmer) bag cut, but the shell I chose wont be as warm as the kifaru 30d.

My primary gripe with the bag is the centerzip that only goes down a little below my waist. On warmer nights it is difficult to vent the footbox and everything below the knees gets hot. I'm not sure if Nunatak would do a side zip but i'd get a longer zipper if doing over.

Overall, I'm not aware of a commercially available synthetic option that can compete with Nunatak if you are weight conscious. Edit: hadn't seen that Marmot elite model. Specs look good, be interested to know what the actual EN comfort limit is though. They would still be heavier than a similarly configured nunatak but there is something to be said for price, availability, and a side zipper.

 

[wind gypsy]

Any experience/comments about the Nunatak gear? I've only looked at their site a few times and it looks like interesting gear, but haven't heard any comments from users.

https://www.rokslide.com/forums/threads/finally-a-climashield-apex-jacket.64812/
https://www.rokslide.com/forums/threads/my-new-glassing-pants.108413/
https://www.rokslide.com/forums/threads/nunatak-skaha.126382/

 

[sneaky]

I had an apex bag made by Nunatak last year for extended trips where my bag had potential to get wet or I may want to get into the bag with damp/wet clothes. My typical bag is a WM Alpinlite. My goal was to get similar warmth/fit to the alpinlite but in Apex and be as light as possible. I ended up with what Jan called the Apex Alpinist - you wont find it on their site. It is basically cut like the alpinist center zip down bags but with Apex insulation.

7.5 oz Apex center zip with dual draft tubes on zipper. Dimensions to mimic WM Alpinlite (roomy but not boxy/wasteful). 10D nylon ripstop shell, 10d taffeta lining. Total weight is a hair over 35 oz IIRC. I have found it to be just as warm as my Alpinlite if not warmer. I had a sleeping pad get a hole one night in the mid 20's and woke up uncomfortable but surprisingly warm. Apex doesn't compress as much as down so it provides more insulation from the to bottom than down.

Nunatak and Kifaru are quite a bit different in design theory. Nunatak is a company that is obsessive about the fine details and frills that add weight. Kifaru adds quite a bit of weight/bulk comparatively to achieve durability. I believe the Slick Bag uses a 30d shell which adds a significant weight and bulk that I find unnecessary. I do not use my sleeping bag in conditions where tears and abrasion are a big concern. If tears/cuts do happen the bag has continuous fiber insulation that it isn't going to lose so who cares, some tenacious tape can patch it up. Apex is more resilient than primaloft but still not great, the insulation will be degraded significantly by the time the shell is toast. The cut is also more of a typical mummy cut than Kifaru's so weight is saved there.

I chose the 10d liner because it was the lightest and most breathable. It is not the most effective at repelling moisture. The 7d robic would have given great moisture protection with similar weight but doesn't breathe as well and I wanted to "bake" moisture off of wet clothes. You could get a pertex quantum shell as a good compromise for a little more weight.

Jan recommended 7.5 apex for a 20 degree bag, it seems right on based on experience and ratings from other sources. Kifaru uses 2 layers of 3.6 apex for comparison in their 20 degree slick bag. So comparatively you get slightly more insulation from 7.5, more efficient (warmer) bag cut, but the shell I chose wont be as warm as the kifaru 30d.

My primary gripe with the bag is the centerzip that only goes down a little below my waist. On warmer nights it is difficult to vent the footbox and everything below the knees gets hot. I'm not sure if Nunatak would do a side zip but i'd get a longer zipper if doing over.

Overall, I'm not aware of a commercially available synthetic option that can compete with Nunatak if you are weight conscious. Edit: hadn't seen that Marmot elite model. Specs look good, be interested to know what the actual EN comfort limit is though. They would still be heavier than a similarly configured nunatak but there is something to be said for price, availability, and a side zipper.

I wonder if you could send it in and have a longer zipper installed? Seems like a pretty easy thing for them to do

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[alexanderg23]

I love my Kifaru slick bag 0 degree. I might be over kill, but I look at it as a safety thing.