Unfortunately due to a couple of business matters not concluding in time I am having to postpone the Australian Alps Walking trail End to End until November 2013.
Sorry Tim - Book next years holidays in asap, we will be physically fit and more prepared next year. And when we go we will succeed because we are only carrying the packs on our backs and not the weight of mental baggage with us.
To everyone who has been following, I really appreciate your support. I will continue to post any new discoveries & research on the blog.
Happy trails!
Monday 22 October 2012
Sunday 14 October 2012
ZPACK - Cuben Fibre (-12 Sleeping bag)
I want to start this post by mentioning that I don't trust buying online. The size is never what you expect it to be, with or without the size charts they provide you. The quality is rarely what you expect and returns overseas end up costing you more dollars on the dud you are trying to return.
But I gave it a crack & SCORED!
Zpack sleeping bags combine the best aspects of a down quilt and a down sleeping bag at a nearly unbeatable weight. The bags open up wide on the bottom for easy temperature control when it is warm out, and a 3/4 length zipper and neck elastic allow you to bundle up when the temperature turns cold.
About 5 weeks ago I ordered their -12 degree sleeping bag with only the 3/4 length zip and zip cover in the Extra tall 6'6" length in a regular fit.
Have a look at their site for all the options. I does take a little reading to understand al the options but well worth the read.
My first impressions of the bag was that I wasn't going to fit! It looked too short & I wondered if they received my order correct. I jumped inside. All bags I have had previously had hoods so this was already a little different without the hod but i did fit and was very surprised that the bag still could be pulled tight around most of my head. I will have a beanie with me on my trek so if i need to keep the head warmer I can just wear it to be.... easily done to keep the weight down. First test - PASS
I then thought to myself that this is a really trim bag. There is no moving around to figure out your best sleeping position, if you got in .... thats how you are sleeping. At home my wife laughs that I sleep like I'm in a coffin, well that coffin shape is the only way to sleep with this bag..... Second test - PASS
I went over every seem of the bag to make sure there was no flaws or defects. These are made to order and I wanted to make sure that every stitch was right..... its that sceptic of online purchasing coming out in me I guess..... Third test- PASS
I proceeded to pack the bag back into its cuben fibre water proof stuff sack. Pushing and shoving I was a little worried about ripping either item as they do feel thin and weightless. No problems there either. I do wonder if an additional option for the stuff sack could be a compression bag though.... this is definitely a light bag but it will take up some room in the pack. I'll probably get an after market and then put the compressed bag into the cuben fibre bag for water protection. I hate to double up but this will have to do. Another PASS
So everything looked great. So I went out with the youth group I'm involved with for our local area to Walhalla to show them around the first day or so of the Australian Alps Walking Track. We stayed out friday night in about 5 degrees. Of course at that temperature I'd expect the bag to perform, it was warm as, I had both arms out the top. the Final PASS.
I must say I'm torn. There is an option of no zipper at all for this bag, which saves weight and to be honest the first 6 or 7 times I got into the bag..... I slid in without using the zipper. I was thinking I messed up here & should have done the Sewn up no zipper option. The flip side is those warm night when I will want only part of the bag on me...... so I think that unless I buy 2 bags, one for each climate condition (hot or cold) i think I did the right thing and got the 3/4 zipper.
Great bag, great weight, great construction, looking forward to great adventures!
But I gave it a crack & SCORED!
Zpack sleeping bags combine the best aspects of a down quilt and a down sleeping bag at a nearly unbeatable weight. The bags open up wide on the bottom for easy temperature control when it is warm out, and a 3/4 length zipper and neck elastic allow you to bundle up when the temperature turns cold.
About 5 weeks ago I ordered their -12 degree sleeping bag with only the 3/4 length zip and zip cover in the Extra tall 6'6" length in a regular fit.
Have a look at their site for all the options. I does take a little reading to understand al the options but well worth the read.
My first impressions of the bag was that I wasn't going to fit! It looked too short & I wondered if they received my order correct. I jumped inside. All bags I have had previously had hoods so this was already a little different without the hod but i did fit and was very surprised that the bag still could be pulled tight around most of my head. I will have a beanie with me on my trek so if i need to keep the head warmer I can just wear it to be.... easily done to keep the weight down. First test - PASS
I then thought to myself that this is a really trim bag. There is no moving around to figure out your best sleeping position, if you got in .... thats how you are sleeping. At home my wife laughs that I sleep like I'm in a coffin, well that coffin shape is the only way to sleep with this bag..... Second test - PASS
I went over every seem of the bag to make sure there was no flaws or defects. These are made to order and I wanted to make sure that every stitch was right..... its that sceptic of online purchasing coming out in me I guess..... Third test- PASS
I proceeded to pack the bag back into its cuben fibre water proof stuff sack. Pushing and shoving I was a little worried about ripping either item as they do feel thin and weightless. No problems there either. I do wonder if an additional option for the stuff sack could be a compression bag though.... this is definitely a light bag but it will take up some room in the pack. I'll probably get an after market and then put the compressed bag into the cuben fibre bag for water protection. I hate to double up but this will have to do. Another PASS
So everything looked great. So I went out with the youth group I'm involved with for our local area to Walhalla to show them around the first day or so of the Australian Alps Walking Track. We stayed out friday night in about 5 degrees. Of course at that temperature I'd expect the bag to perform, it was warm as, I had both arms out the top. the Final PASS.
I must say I'm torn. There is an option of no zipper at all for this bag, which saves weight and to be honest the first 6 or 7 times I got into the bag..... I slid in without using the zipper. I was thinking I messed up here & should have done the Sewn up no zipper option. The flip side is those warm night when I will want only part of the bag on me...... so I think that unless I buy 2 bags, one for each climate condition (hot or cold) i think I did the right thing and got the 3/4 zipper.
Great bag, great weight, great construction, looking forward to great adventures!
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