Discussion:
OWNER REVIEW - Roman Ultra Lite Trek Advance Sleeping Bag
Wayne Merry
2006-03-28 07:01:55 UTC
Permalink
*Owner Review: Roman Ultra Lite Trek Advance Sleeping Bag*
Date: <not yet known>

*Biography:*
Name: Wayne Merry
Age: 33
Gender: Male
Height: 1.8 m (5' 10")
Weight: 90 kg (200 lb)
Email address: wayne_merry-ASQrhD/38666c6uEtOJ/***@public.gmane.org (replace user with yahoo)
City, State, Country: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Date: March 2005

Backpacking Background: I started backpacking four years ago, although I
did day walks in childhood. I hike in various terrain from moderate/hard
track walks to some off track walking. I generally like the temperature
to stay above freezing, and have not camped above the snow line. I enjoy
going on multi day walks up to about a week. I carry a moderate weight
pack to enjoy a few creature comforts at camp.

*Product information: *
Manufacturer: Roman
Year of manufacture: 2000
URL manufacturer's web site: www.roman.com,au
Listed weight: 1.2 kg (2.65 lb)
Weight as delivered with Stuff Bag: 1.19 kg (2.62 lb)
Weight as delivered without Stuff Bag: 1.08 kg (2.38 lb)
Advertised Dimensions: 180 cm (71") height + hood by 70 cm (27.5") at head
Measured Dimensions: 180 cm (71") height + hood at 33 cm (13") by 70cm
(27.5") at head and 53cm (20.9") at foot.
Price: RRP Unknown

The Roman UltraLite Trek Advance is a DuPont constructed sleeping bag
featuring YKK zips on the side and bottom, DuPont Tactel Diamond RipStop
Nylon outer layer, DuPont Tactel Nylon inner layer, DuPont Thermolite
Extra filling, a pillow pocket and a neck collar. The manufacturer
claims a +3 C (37.4F) temperature rating. The current model has
increases the width by 5 cm, the length by 10cm and added a foot pocket.

*Review:*
I bought the Roman Sleeping Bag in early 2001 and have used it in many
varied locations throughout Victoria and Tasmania in Australia, and New
Zealand including near beaches, on exposed alpine ridges (but not during
the snow season), forested areas and on open grasslands within a tent
shelter, as well as in huts in New Zealand. Temperatures encountered
during use have varied from 0 C (32 F) to 35 C (95 F). The humidity
encountered ranged from 10% to 90%. I have used the sleeping bag at
elevations varying from sea level to 1800 m (5900 ft).

I initially purchased the Roman sleeping bag to replace an old bag I had
since childhood at a time when I was not yet walking regularly. I first
used the bag, without using a liner, in car camping situations. I have
continued to use the bag since I began to walk more regularly, and have
found it warm enough for all conditions in which I have used it. In warm
conditions I have used the bag with the zip partially or fully open,
particularly in high humidity. In cold conditions, the hood of the bag
can be closed through an elastic band sown into the neck. At 0C (32F)
which is the coldest I have used the bag, I was still in undies and
socks and was sufficiently warm enough. I am a cold sleeper relative to
most people I know, especially my wife, so my experience using the bag
in temperatures below its rating of 3C (37F) may not translate to other
people. In all situations in the last few years, I have used the bag
with a thermal self inflating mattress, both for comfort and for warmth.
This is the manufacturer's recommended usage in cold temperatures. I
also use a silk liner in order to help keep the bag clean. This does
tend to help keep me warm in low temperatures.

The bag is supplied with two zips, one for the bottom, and one for the
side. I would prefer if the bag was supplied without a bottom zip to
save some weight, but at this stage this is not possible. The side zip
can get caught on the bag material, especially the tag showing cleaning
instructions. This is in spite of claimed technology used in the bag to
prevent snags from occurring. These snags, when they do occur, have
been easy to fix.

The sown in pillow pocket is too small to fit any real pillow inside, or
even most articles of clothing. I tend to place clothing underneath the
bag at the top of the liner. A small LED torch is supplied with the bag.
This is on a keyring attached to the side zip. As the torch is small, it
does not give a great amount of light, but it has been enough for the
times when I have forgotten where I put my main torch. I have used it
(the bag torch) intermittently since acquiring the bag, and the battery
has not expired yet.

Built around the opening of the bag is additional internal padding. When
the elastic neck collar is used to close the hood, this padding helps to
keep heat in by surrounding the chin, cheeks and forehead with extra
fill material. The only down side to this is waking up at three in the
morning with a claustrophobic fit, which I have done once, but that is
not the fault of the bag. The bag can close over the head entirely, but
I simply don't feel comfortable sleeping this way.

The sleeping bag is supplied with a compression stuff bag. This bag is
large enough to fit the sleeping bag + a liner, which is handy in saving
space in my backpack.

I have now had the Roman sleeping bag for nearly 5 years. In that time
there have been no signs of wear and tear on the bag, even though I
would have used it for more than 150 nights, and it has been on every
overnight or longer walk I have ever been on. The bag still looks as
good as the day I bought it. I think it is a very durable and well made bag.

*Summary:*
The Roman Ultra Lite Trek Advance is a DuPont based sleeping bag which
is rated to 3C (37F). In the nearly 5 years I have had the bag, I have
been comfortable in it in temperatures down to 0C (32F). The bag is well
made, comfortable, and does not show any wear and tear after all the
time that I have used it.

Things I like:
1. Warm enough for me down to 0C (32F).
2. Lightweight and reasonably compact.
3. Reasonably easy to get into the stuff bag.
4. The torch is cool - particularly when I've lost my main torch in the
tent somewhere!


Things I don't like:
1. The zip can get stuck on bag material.

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chcoa
2006-03-28 23:33:09 UTC
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PLEASE READ THIS EMAIL IN FULL. IT IS MOST IMPORTANT!

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