u7ydz2eud
2005-03-09 06:03:39 UTC
REPOST OWNER REVIEW Marmot Pinnacle +15F / -9C Sleeping Bag - Regular
Biographical information:
Name: Brad Larson
Age: 45
Gender: Male
Height: 5' 10" (1.78 m)
Weight: 200 lbs (91 kg)
Email: blarson-XaFKWIIMX1VEfCMKe0UOsQC/***@public.gmane.org
Location: North Dakota, USA
Backpacking Background:
I started backpacking in the early 1970s as a Boy Scout in Minnesota
and Texas. After many years and miles I still enjoy nothing more than
getting out.
Whether it is winter North Dakota, spring in the Canyon Lands of Utah,
6 days of rain in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area of Minnesota, or
spending a weekend of casual car camping with the family nothing
really compares.
I usually try to get out for a weekend once each month with one-week
trips in the Spring and Fall. My packing tendencies lean toward the
ultralight philosophy. I prefer back country and solitude.
Product information
Manufacturer: Marmot
Year of Manufacture: purchased in 2004
Website: www.marmot.com
Listed weight: 2 lb 12 oz (1.36 kg)
Weight as delivered: 2 lb 14 oz (1.42 kg)
(including 1.9 oz (54 g) stuff sack)
Length: 6'(183 cm)
MSRP: $309 USD
Product description:
The sleeping bag is of a mummy design constructed with an outer shell
(on the bottom and sides) of Pertex-ChainLink XD NP-150R; a unique
small ripstop type nylon weave and Gossamer Rip N-130R for the top and
inner lining. To provide insulation the bag is filled with 800-fill
goose down.
There are draft tubes that follow the zipper down the length of the
bag to the foot and around the shoulders. On the draft tube protecting
the full length zipper there is a small pocket near the hood that can
be used to store small items such as a clock or watch. There are two
drawstrings made from elastic cord with friction locks to keep tension
and settings once set. One drawstring circles around the front hood of
the bag closing around the face, the other around the shoulder draft
tube. The bag is well constructed with solid seams and great loft; 10"
(25 cm) at the feet, 7" (18 cm) at the legs and 9" (23 cm) at the
shoulders.
Both draw strings are accessible from the inside of the bag near the
chin area of the hood on the side away from the zipper. The zipper
pulls contain "glow in the dark" tabs. The bag can be purchased with
left or right hand zippers and comes with a storage bag (uncompressed)
and a stuff sack (compressed).
Field information:
Locations where the test were conducted:
Boundary Waters Canoe Area (Minnesota) - Late October
night time lows: 15F (-9C)
daytime highs: 30F (-1C)
light Snow, 10 mph (16 kph) breeze
slept under nylon fly on 1" (2.5 cm) inflatable pad
The bag was laid pretty much open to the elements with only
protection from falling snow. No other clothing was worn to augment
the bag's insulating capabilities. Even though the temperature was
hovering right at the bag's rated temperature I was actually too warm.
I did not use the drawstrings this trip. Snow was blowing in under the
fly as the wind came off the lake yet I did not feel any drafts from
the zipper or any seams.
Sheyenne National Grasslands (North Dakota) - Mid January
night time lows: -15F (-26C)
daytime highs: 5F (-15C)
6" (15 cm) snow on ground and 3in (8 cm) fresh one night,
10-15 mph (16-24 kph) breeze
slept in tent on 1" (2.5 cm) inflatable pad
Due to the significant difference in temperature I inserted a
homemade fleece liner into the bag for added warmth and hoped for the
best. I also cinched the drawstrings around the hood and shoulders to
guard against the cold. In addition I wore my poly long underwear and
socks for added warmth. Much to my surprise I needed to take both
items off as my legs were sweating and my feet were warm.
Maplewood State Forest (Minnesota) - Mid February
night time lows: -5F (-21C)
daytime highs: 15F (-9C)
24" (.61 m) snow on ground and 4in (10 cm) fresh one night,
5-10 mph (8-16 kph) breeze
slept under nylon fly on 1" (2.5 cm) inflatable pad
Having arrived after dark I hastily set up the fly, fluffed
the bag, had supper and went to bed. gain, due to the fact that the
temperature was lower than the bag rating, I inserted the fleece
liner. Having learned my lesson I wore no additional clothing for
warmth, cinched the drawstrings and was warm all night.
Being broad in the shoulders there is not a lot of "wiggle" room in
the shoulder and chest area. With my arms at my side the bag is almost
tight. The foot box has plenty of foot room as does the leg area. I
usually sleep on my side and roll from side to side. With some bags
this has resulted in becoming "one with the bag" in a big twisted
knot. I did not have that problem with the Pinnacle. The bag "rolled"
with me without binding or twisting.
One area that I would believe similar with all down bags is the
inability to insulate you from the cold ground (or in this case snow).
Two layers of nylon and 1/8" (4 mm) of compressed down quickly informs
you that you have moved off the sleeping pad and are on snow and ice.
The "glow in the dark" zipper tabs are nice when you first
slide into the bag however require the use of a light to energize them
to make them useful. Having both drawstrings located in close
proximity on the same side is confusing in the dark as I would almost
predictably tighten or loosen the wrong drawstring the first time I
tried.
Summary:
I have used this bag in considerably colder weather than that for
which it is rated and have been very happy with its ability to keep me
warm. This is a testament to the bag's construction and attention to
detail. The small compressed size and reasonable weight fits with my
ultralight philosophy even in the winter. I would recommend this bag
to anyone of my build or smaller. Height/length was not the issue. If
you are large through the chest and arms I would look elsewhere. My
bag does not have the additional DryLoft option so I cannot speak
directly to the benefits of that feature.
It is a great bag and I look forward to wearing it out! May it take a
long time!
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Biographical information:
Name: Brad Larson
Age: 45
Gender: Male
Height: 5' 10" (1.78 m)
Weight: 200 lbs (91 kg)
Email: blarson-XaFKWIIMX1VEfCMKe0UOsQC/***@public.gmane.org
Location: North Dakota, USA
Backpacking Background:
I started backpacking in the early 1970s as a Boy Scout in Minnesota
and Texas. After many years and miles I still enjoy nothing more than
getting out.
Whether it is winter North Dakota, spring in the Canyon Lands of Utah,
6 days of rain in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area of Minnesota, or
spending a weekend of casual car camping with the family nothing
really compares.
I usually try to get out for a weekend once each month with one-week
trips in the Spring and Fall. My packing tendencies lean toward the
ultralight philosophy. I prefer back country and solitude.
Product information
Manufacturer: Marmot
Year of Manufacture: purchased in 2004
Website: www.marmot.com
Listed weight: 2 lb 12 oz (1.36 kg)
Weight as delivered: 2 lb 14 oz (1.42 kg)
(including 1.9 oz (54 g) stuff sack)
Length: 6'(183 cm)
MSRP: $309 USD
Product description:
The sleeping bag is of a mummy design constructed with an outer shell
(on the bottom and sides) of Pertex-ChainLink XD NP-150R; a unique
small ripstop type nylon weave and Gossamer Rip N-130R for the top and
inner lining. To provide insulation the bag is filled with 800-fill
goose down.
There are draft tubes that follow the zipper down the length of the
bag to the foot and around the shoulders. On the draft tube protecting
the full length zipper there is a small pocket near the hood that can
be used to store small items such as a clock or watch. There are two
drawstrings made from elastic cord with friction locks to keep tension
and settings once set. One drawstring circles around the front hood of
the bag closing around the face, the other around the shoulder draft
tube. The bag is well constructed with solid seams and great loft; 10"
(25 cm) at the feet, 7" (18 cm) at the legs and 9" (23 cm) at the
shoulders.
Both draw strings are accessible from the inside of the bag near the
chin area of the hood on the side away from the zipper. The zipper
pulls contain "glow in the dark" tabs. The bag can be purchased with
left or right hand zippers and comes with a storage bag (uncompressed)
and a stuff sack (compressed).
Field information:
Locations where the test were conducted:
Boundary Waters Canoe Area (Minnesota) - Late October
night time lows: 15F (-9C)
daytime highs: 30F (-1C)
light Snow, 10 mph (16 kph) breeze
slept under nylon fly on 1" (2.5 cm) inflatable pad
The bag was laid pretty much open to the elements with only
protection from falling snow. No other clothing was worn to augment
the bag's insulating capabilities. Even though the temperature was
hovering right at the bag's rated temperature I was actually too warm.
I did not use the drawstrings this trip. Snow was blowing in under the
fly as the wind came off the lake yet I did not feel any drafts from
the zipper or any seams.
Sheyenne National Grasslands (North Dakota) - Mid January
night time lows: -15F (-26C)
daytime highs: 5F (-15C)
6" (15 cm) snow on ground and 3in (8 cm) fresh one night,
10-15 mph (16-24 kph) breeze
slept in tent on 1" (2.5 cm) inflatable pad
Due to the significant difference in temperature I inserted a
homemade fleece liner into the bag for added warmth and hoped for the
best. I also cinched the drawstrings around the hood and shoulders to
guard against the cold. In addition I wore my poly long underwear and
socks for added warmth. Much to my surprise I needed to take both
items off as my legs were sweating and my feet were warm.
Maplewood State Forest (Minnesota) - Mid February
night time lows: -5F (-21C)
daytime highs: 15F (-9C)
24" (.61 m) snow on ground and 4in (10 cm) fresh one night,
5-10 mph (8-16 kph) breeze
slept under nylon fly on 1" (2.5 cm) inflatable pad
Having arrived after dark I hastily set up the fly, fluffed
the bag, had supper and went to bed. gain, due to the fact that the
temperature was lower than the bag rating, I inserted the fleece
liner. Having learned my lesson I wore no additional clothing for
warmth, cinched the drawstrings and was warm all night.
Being broad in the shoulders there is not a lot of "wiggle" room in
the shoulder and chest area. With my arms at my side the bag is almost
tight. The foot box has plenty of foot room as does the leg area. I
usually sleep on my side and roll from side to side. With some bags
this has resulted in becoming "one with the bag" in a big twisted
knot. I did not have that problem with the Pinnacle. The bag "rolled"
with me without binding or twisting.
One area that I would believe similar with all down bags is the
inability to insulate you from the cold ground (or in this case snow).
Two layers of nylon and 1/8" (4 mm) of compressed down quickly informs
you that you have moved off the sleeping pad and are on snow and ice.
The "glow in the dark" zipper tabs are nice when you first
slide into the bag however require the use of a light to energize them
to make them useful. Having both drawstrings located in close
proximity on the same side is confusing in the dark as I would almost
predictably tighten or loosen the wrong drawstring the first time I
tried.
Summary:
I have used this bag in considerably colder weather than that for
which it is rated and have been very happy with its ability to keep me
warm. This is a testament to the bag's construction and attention to
detail. The small compressed size and reasonable weight fits with my
ultralight philosophy even in the winter. I would recommend this bag
to anyone of my build or smaller. Height/length was not the issue. If
you are large through the chest and arms I would look elsewhere. My
bag does not have the additional DryLoft option so I cannot speak
directly to the benefits of that feature.
It is a great bag and I look forward to wearing it out! May it take a
long time!
------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~-->
Give the gift of life to a sick child.
Support St. Jude Children's Research Hospital's 'Thanks & Giving.'
http://us.click.yahoo.com/5iY7fA/6WnJAA/Y3ZIAA/V4TolB/TM
--------------------------------------------------------------------~->
To read our reviews, please visit http://www.backpackgeartest.org/
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BackpackGearTest/
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
BackpackGearTest-unsubscribe-***@public.gmane.org
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/