Help! Re Montbell sleeping bags

[Lones]

Hi all, I'm really keen on the Montbell "stretchy" sleeping bags, but I'm bamboozled by all the choices - the different temps, the Downhuggers vs the Burrow Bags... I want a bag that's comfortable to at least -5 (I'm in Tassie), but I can't quite work out the relative pros and cons of the Downhugger 800 #1, and one or two of the Burrow Bags... the Burrow Bags are a bit heavier but are ok for much lower temperatures... does anyone know much about these bags?! Any info would be appreciated!! We don't have any stockists in Tassie so I can't go into a store and talk to someone about these bags.... Thanks!

[wayno]

20F is minus 6.7C
this is their range from 0 to 20F
http://www.montbell.us/products/list.php?cat_id=1006

the down hugger no 2 is rated to -5C
http://www.montbell.us/products/disp.ph ... id=2321188

burrow bags are synthetic fill and will be bulkier, given they use high loft 800 and 900 loft down in a lot of the down bags the burrow bags are likely to be a fair bit bulkier. the 650 bags will be bulkier but not has bulky as the burrow bags for comparable weight.
if you look at the specs for each bag it gives you the compressed size of the bag in its stuff sack so you can understand how the various models relate to each other

[Lones]

Thanks Wayno! The website isn't that clear - I'll have a closer look at the specs

[undercling-mike]

Just a quick note, if you want to be comfortable to -5C then the #1 Down Hugger bag is the one to look at, it has an EN test rating of -5 for comfort and -11 for limit.

The other thing is there have been some mixed reviews about the stretch aspect of the bags, if you can get through this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KBD8gKcdhs he discusses the stretch aspect and found it a little disappointing although it's a good bag overall.

[Lones]

Ta - that's the one I'm keen on

[undercling-mike]

Ah sorry, accidentally hit post before I finished and then edited while you replied. Mostly wanted to get across that if you can try one of the stretch bags out beforehand it would be a great benefit as there are mixed reviews on whether it is an advantage or more of a marketing gimmick.

[Lones]

Excellent, I haven't come across this video, have only read pretty good reviews so far - thanks so much, I'll check it out. I just need something I can move around a bit in, I'm a restless sleeper and I'm convinced that my sleep is disturbed in normal bags because I feel so restricted. I'd love one of the really good quilts but my budget doesn't stretch that far right now, worse luck...!

[wayno]

they have changed their range, they used to have a super spiral and a spiral range and the super spiral range isn't there anymore, they were more stretchy than the spiral. I don't know how the latest spiral relates to the previous two types...
I haven't used the bags so can't comment. I have various items of their clothing, very high quality IMO

[Lones]

Oh, I was sure the Super Spiral was still available? The bags on the Montbell website still seem to be the "super spiral"??

[wayno]

my bad, you're right there.. everything I look at looks like the super spiral

[Lones]

Phew, thought I might have to go back to the drawing board!

[gayet]

I have a down hugger superspiral #0 (feel the cold) and its good. Provided you have a more length in the bag than you actually need when lying perfectly straight with arms by your side, the stretch is very comfortable. If you are large /broad then consider the sizing most appropriate. I don't recall what size I got (its in storage awaiting a new abode back on the mainland) and I'm on the tall slim-ish side but I can stick elbows and knees out and not feel restricted. Always best to try one if you can but that would be difficult when ordering from OS.

[Lones]

Yeah there's no way I can try one worse luck Thanks for the tips, I'll be sure to think through the sizing.

[The ghost who walks]

Hi,
My two cents worth:
I have had a MontBell Downhugger #3 for about 5 years, it is rated to 30F(-1) and it has been a great bag, I sleep comfortably down to 0 deg. as I am a warm sleeper, my wife is not and she gets cold when it creeps below 8 - 10( but she is a bit extreme) don't tell her I said so though.
We once had them when it was -10(In QLD!), we were very friendly that night! I can't answer for if the stretch bit is a gimmick or not, but even if it is, MontBell makes very good bags. The new 900 fill Downhugger #2 would get my vote, only 680g. If you worry about really low temperatures, get a MontBell down inner vest to use as a booster when the weather forecast looks iffy, leave it at home in summer, we have them and they are fantastic.
Cheers.

[Lones]

Thankyou!

[Lones]

Hi again - next problem - how to buy! I'd seen people recommend Moontrail, but they only seem to have an older version of the bag I want, (800 #1) - I'm not convinced it's the "super spiral"... any suggestions??

[wayno]

you can email montbell in japan through their English website and order , or do an online order on the us site and use a mail forwarding company to ship to aus

theres here also, but not cheap. plus postage to aus..

http://www.iclimb.co.nz/#!sleeping-bags/cnoi

[The ghost who walks]

Some mail order companies in the U.S, such as Backcountrygear.com has got restrictions on international orders for certain brands.
However some don't, Prolitegear does not, I have used them before.
It seems they have a special on at the moment:
http://www.prolitegear.com/site/montbel ... 900-2.html
Cheers.

[johnrs]

Hi Lones
The Larry Adler stores in Sydney have become local Montbell agents.
They say they will match internet pricing.

Here is a link
http://www.larryadler.com/outdoor-store ... -bags.html

This may be easier than dealing internationally.
Good luck
John

[Lones]

Fantastic, thanks so much John!

[Lones]

Just saw the other suggestions too - thanks everyone! What a great forum