Wayne Merry
2006-04-09 07:15:23 UTC
Note: Uploading to the test area should take place about 20 or minutes
after I post this.
*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
<BAG IN STUFF BAG PICTURE>
The Roman UltraLite Trek Advance is a sleeping bag constructed of DuPont
materials featuring YKK zips on the side and bottom, DuPont Tactel
Diamond RipStop Nylon outer layer, DuPont Tactel Nylon inner layer,
DuPont Thermolite Extra filling, 1 cm thick (0.39") anti-snag tape, a
pillow pocket and a neck collar. The manufacturer claims a +3 C (37 F)
temperature rating. The filling is sewn-in to the outer layer on the
front and back of the bag, and to both the outer and inner layer at zip
seams, and a seam on the opposite side to the side zip. The current
model has increases in the width by 5 cm (2"), the length by 10 cm
(3.9") and has 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, Australia, as well as
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 shock cord sown into the neck (see below). At 0
C (32 F) which is the coldest I have used the bag (without a liner), I
was still in undies and socks and was sufficiently warm enough. I am a
warm sleeper relative to most people I know, especially my wife, so my
experience using the bag in temperatures below its rating of 3 C (37 F)
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. Recently, I have also begun to use a silk liner in
order to help keep the bag clean. This does tend to help keep me warm in
low temperatures.
<SHOCK CORD PICTURE>
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 Roman do not manufacture such a bag.
The side zip can get caught on the outer layer which is not protected by
the anti-snag tape. Snags can particularly occur on the tag showing
cleaning instructions. The anti-snag tape (shown below) does however
prevent snags from occurring on the inner layer.
<ANTI-SNAG TAPE PICTURE>
The sewn-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 a collar with filling. When the
neck shock cord is used to close the hood, this collar (shown below)
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.
<COLLAR PICTURE>
For the first few years of owning the bag, I used the bag without a
liner. I have found the nylon inner layer comfortable. When the bag is
clean, it feels good against the skin, but can get a sticky feel if I am
7 days into a trip. This can be solved with use of a liner, which also
helps to keep the bag clean. The filling is only sewn-in to the inner
layer at the bag side seams, allowing it some movement if I want to roll
over or adjust my sleeping position during the night. This seems to make
the bag more comfortable compared with other bags that have the filling
tightly woven into the inner layer.
The sleeping bag is supplied with a compression stuff bag. This bag is
large enough to fit the sleeping bag plus 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 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 3 C (37 F). In the nearly 5 years I have had the bag, I have
been comfortable in it in temperatures down to 0 C (32 F). 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 0 C (32 F).
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.
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/
after I post this.
*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
<BAG IN STUFF BAG PICTURE>
The Roman UltraLite Trek Advance is a sleeping bag constructed of DuPont
materials featuring YKK zips on the side and bottom, DuPont Tactel
Diamond RipStop Nylon outer layer, DuPont Tactel Nylon inner layer,
DuPont Thermolite Extra filling, 1 cm thick (0.39") anti-snag tape, a
pillow pocket and a neck collar. The manufacturer claims a +3 C (37 F)
temperature rating. The filling is sewn-in to the outer layer on the
front and back of the bag, and to both the outer and inner layer at zip
seams, and a seam on the opposite side to the side zip. The current
model has increases in the width by 5 cm (2"), the length by 10 cm
(3.9") and has 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, Australia, as well as
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 shock cord sown into the neck (see below). At 0
C (32 F) which is the coldest I have used the bag (without a liner), I
was still in undies and socks and was sufficiently warm enough. I am a
warm sleeper relative to most people I know, especially my wife, so my
experience using the bag in temperatures below its rating of 3 C (37 F)
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. Recently, I have also begun to use a silk liner in
order to help keep the bag clean. This does tend to help keep me warm in
low temperatures.
<SHOCK CORD PICTURE>
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 Roman do not manufacture such a bag.
The side zip can get caught on the outer layer which is not protected by
the anti-snag tape. Snags can particularly occur on the tag showing
cleaning instructions. The anti-snag tape (shown below) does however
prevent snags from occurring on the inner layer.
<ANTI-SNAG TAPE PICTURE>
The sewn-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 a collar with filling. When the
neck shock cord is used to close the hood, this collar (shown below)
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.
<COLLAR PICTURE>
For the first few years of owning the bag, I used the bag without a
liner. I have found the nylon inner layer comfortable. When the bag is
clean, it feels good against the skin, but can get a sticky feel if I am
7 days into a trip. This can be solved with use of a liner, which also
helps to keep the bag clean. The filling is only sewn-in to the inner
layer at the bag side seams, allowing it some movement if I want to roll
over or adjust my sleeping position during the night. This seems to make
the bag more comfortable compared with other bags that have the filling
tightly woven into the inner layer.
The sleeping bag is supplied with a compression stuff bag. This bag is
large enough to fit the sleeping bag plus 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 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 3 C (37 F). In the nearly 5 years I have had the bag, I have
been comfortable in it in temperatures down to 0 C (32 F). 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 0 C (32 F).
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.
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/