Sea To Sumit Down Sleeping Bags

[troiks]

Hi

Have just stumbled across S2S down sleeping bags http://www.seatosummit.com.au/sleepingbags/index.php and and was wondering if anyone here has one or has an opinion.

Price & weight seem to be ok assuming you will be buying in Australia and they have a DWR finish. The Trek series caught my eye as they appear to quite roomy, I need some leg room so do not like mummy type bags.

Any thoughts / opinions on design etc will be appreciated

Cheers

[Nuts]

They look ok, 650 down is used at the bottom end of most manufacturers ranges, not especially light, built for a market, to a price.
DWR is standard to many now.
They have highlighted the Lower limit of the standard ratings,I'd expect that the comfort level would be more realistic for choice purposes (and more unfilled room = less warmth).
Good brand. I dont see a price, you would likely pay (for similarly tested models) perhaps $150-$200 for similar to (or even for?) that lightest trek model sourced overseas.
Hope this helps?

[troiks]

Thanks for that. Spotted a Trek 2 on ebay for $300 however sounds like I should keep looking around

[Nuts]

Yer, I did see the Trek 1 for $220 just now...I dont mean to have put you off troiks. At least they are from a quality manufacturer. At least they have tested the bags to standards. 90% of the others you find on ebay will have ridiculous 'in house' temperature ratings. The good thing when you are looking is that you have those S2S bags to compare. Expect that you will need to buy something of similar weight (of similar rated down) to get near the same performance (temperature rating).

Ive bought a few (Marmot bags) through: http://www.sierratradingpost.com/d/319_ ... -Bags.html pretty reliable company,
Sierra will give discounts after the first purchase, costs around $60 postage for one (or ten) bags...
At least if your buying locally that link will give you an idea of prices (at different temp ratings) for a comparison. You can then decide whether the local one is worth the extra cost.

[troiks]

No, your advice is exactly what I was looking for as I have never really owned high end down bags,my ones were cheap and usually weighed a ton. My inlaws will be visiting from the US around easter time so am considering getting a montbell super spiral downhugger for $200, my only concern is that it may be to restrictive for my legs.... certainly looks to be better value

Once again thanks for the advice

[Nuts]

montbell super spiral downhugger for $200,

Great company, I havent tried their sleeping bags (others here have..) but ive heard good things. (so long as the (leg) hugger thing works for you I guess)

[troiks]

I hope it does, if not I will get the father in law to return it....... decisions decisions hehe

[ninjapuppet]

Troiks, at trek and travel in kent street, they had some of those sea to summit bags on display. maybe you can go and check some of them out to get a good feel for their quality.

its definitly top notch

[Dale]

I have a Montbell Ultra lIght Super Spiral down hugger #5 for sale on the market square. If this is the model you're interested in shoot me a PM - I'm based in Sydney. I'm moving it on as I want a warmer bag and the #5 is good to about 8 degrees from my experience (Montbell claim 4 degrees but they don't test to EN standards). Can't complain about the quality of the bag which is excellent and it packs down to nothing.

[troiks]

thanks for that but im looking at the warmer bag as well. How much room does it have in the leg area? are you able to move around a bit?

[etrangere]

Troiks if you are looking for a semi rectangular bag similiar to the StS trek series you may want to look at the Mont Zodiac series

I'm not a fan of the restrictive mummy type bags either and have used the Mont 500 with a Trail Lite Thermarest pad quite comfortably even at -5C.
The baffles allow you to shift more down to base/canopy to adjust warmth/cooling if needed so they can be used over a wider range of temps

Mont 350 ( 3 to 8C ) - $270
Mont 500 ( 0 to 5C ) - $315
Mont 750 ( -4 to 2C ) - $360

The prices quoted are online prices from Main Peak, for an extra $20 or so they make each model in a XL size too.

[Dale]

Hi Troiks - the bag has plenty of room. Are you considering the #3 Montbell ?

[troiks]

cheers for that etrangere, definitely an option. Looks like I will be getting my girlfriend one as well so price has become more of an issue, will have to see what the budget can handle


"Hi Troiks - the bag has plenty of room. Are you considering the #3 Montbell ?"

Howdy, yes although still have more research to do. However the montbell is looking good

[Dale]

Noticed http://www.backcountry.com are selling the Montbell #1 for $219. Rated to -9 and uses the 650 down. So if you're not worried about the extra weight could be a good deal that extends the temperature. Of course its also a question of what conditions you mainly hike in ?

[HitchHiking]

Ive had a good look at the sleeping bags and they look pretty classy. The micro packs up very small and can open like a backpacking quilt. There is also a layer of primaloft (or something similar) which protects the down from getting wet from condensation that forms on the bag. Its in the red alpine bag and the green traverse bags. They are a tight squeeze(to get weight down) so bigger people wont get into the regular size.

[troiks]

Noticed http://www.backcountry.com are selling the Montbell #1 for $219. Rated to -9 and uses the 650 down. So if you're not worried about the extra weight could be a good deal that extends the temperature. Of course its also a question of what conditions you mainly hike in ?

Probably a bit to warm as I am a hot sleeper & also sleep in my clothes. Most winter hiking is done in the Blue Mountains

That's a great price though

[langy]

The full Sea to summit range will run across 4 different series, the base "Trek" with 3 bags, the lightweight "Micro" with 2 bags, the "traverse" with 2 bags, and the "Alpine" also with 2 bags. Each series have left and right options and length options. As stated the range is EN 13537 tested with ratings ranging from 5 degrees down to -20 degrees.

Some of the features the bags have;
Differential cut - the inside is cut from a different and smaller pattern so the loft has no voids and fits the user better
offset baffles - means no direct paths for cold air to enter
tapered foot box - means the end is higher than the rest of bag allows your feet to stand up
anti- snag zips - seems to work as advised on the 2 models I have used
deep internal drawcords - means the hood contours (and a "3d cut")better than having a drawstring on the outer edge
internal pocket - for head lamp / ipod
fixed length zip - means a a short bag can be zipped to a long bag, same zip across the range different series can be zipped together
Nano shell on some series - DWR Treated and a very smart thin man made loft material on the outer side of the down, to protect the down from becoming damp due the dew point effect
storage - a 3 bag system is supplied with each sleeping bag, compression sack, a oversized mesh bag to store the bag, and cotton laundry sack to wash the bag in.

alpine series - a 850+ loft 95 % European goose down
"AP2" has 710 grams of fill (regular size) weighs 1290 grams rated -15 degrees (-35 extreme) approx $800.00
"AP3 has 930 grams of fill (regular size) weighs 1580 grams rated -20 degrees (-42 extreme) approx $900.00

Traverse - a 850+ loft 95 % European goose down
"XT1" has 400 grams of fill (regular size) weighs 1070 grams rated -5 degrees (-22 extreme) approx $580.00
"XT2 has 540 grams of fill (regular size) weighs 1210 grams rated -10 degrees (-29 extreme) approx $680.00

Micro - a 850+ loft 95 % European goose down
"MC2" has 250 grams of fill (regular size) weighs 550 grams rated 1 degrees (-14 extreme) approx $470.00
"MC3" has 350 grams of fill (regular size) weighs 680 grams rated -4 degrees (-21 extreme) approx $580.00

Trek - a 650 loft 85/12 premium duck down
"TK1" has 350 grams of fill (regular size) weighs 830 grams rated 5 degrees (-11 extreme) approx $300.00
"TK2 has 500 grams of fill (regular size) weighs 1020 grams rated 0 degrees (-15 extreme) approx $340.00
"TK3" has 700 grams of fill (regular size) weighs 1220 grams rated -5 degrees (-22 extreme) approx $400.00

I have used TK3 and my wife took a mirco MC3 to south east Asia at Christmas time these are the only series out at present, found at first look the material looks shiny and would be sickly, but it was the not the case, better than the old J&H bushlite I have used for years, the zip surprising snag free and the baffles on the side blend in nice and comfy. I know a lot of thought went to these bags and went the top end get out they will be the standard.

Trevor

[danpickard]

After having a fairly lengthy look around at various bags, I ended up settling on a couple of these S2S bags...a Micro2 for myself (bit more of a warmer sleeper), and a Traverse XT1 for my wife who feels the cold a little more. A couple of things helped me decide on these bags, but the "complete kit" was one bonus piece that I thought showed good design, as in, getting the compression bag, storage bag and wash bag. We use S2S silk liners as well. The micro is great as far as super light weight, and compressed down very small for getting in the pack. Some of the weight is probably save with only small baffles inside the zip and around the bag opening, but being hairy, I have my own "baffles"! My wifes XT1 is a bit more cosy around the neck and along the zip (I find it too hot, but she's well toasty). Slightly heavier bag, but at just over 1kg, still not particularly taxing in the backpack. Construction seems very good, zips maybe a little small and hard to grab with cold fingers, but nothing that a short cord loop can't assist with. Overall though, really happy with these bags.

I had previously borrowed a Mountain Hardwear bag for a few hikes, and while it was warm enough, wasn't as compact as what I can get the S2S bags down too.

Cheers,
Dan

[Greenie]

Troiks did you end up getting a bag and if so which one?

Dan have you had a chance to take your S2S bags out in the cold yet?

[danpickard]

G'day Greenie,
Haven't been able to give it an "authentic" test yet, since everywhere I would like to do an overnighter at, has recently been badly flood effected, so trails are closed! I have trialed the Micro in the outdoor test lab of my back yard though (to see if I thought it would be sufficient for my wife, who is the much colder sleeper). The Micro held up ok for me on the cool and breezy night I tested (fell to about 6 degree's, and it wasn't using a tent...just rigged a quick tarp shelter under the patio, so semi sheltered I guess). I certainly felt warm enough in those conditions, but perhaps found the hood of the Micro a bit restrictive. That might just be me though, and would probable feel better sleeping with a beanie if needed with this bag. Other than the smallish hood, I'm happy with the purchase. Haven't been able to field test the Traverse bag yet, but I expect it would fair even better than the Micro, and have a much larger hood section.

Cheers,
Dan Pickard

[Blister]

I bought the traverse XT1. Only had 6 nights on the Western Arthurs with it but already give it a huge thumbs up. Although overnight temps were probably only around 6-8 deg so yet to be tested properly.

[roba9988]

Always wondered about their sleeping bags, correct me if i am wrong but sea to summit is based in Perth, are the Sea to Summit Bags made in China?