Long Term Report: Mont Bell U.L. Alpine Down Hugger #3 Long
Date: Sept 8th, 2006 Manufacturer Name: Mont Bell Website: http://www.montbell.com	Product Information Manufacturer: Mont Bell Model: U.L. Alpine Down Hugger #3 Long Year of Manufacture: 2006 Temp Rating: 32 F (0 C) Inside Shoulder Girth: 48.2 - 64.2 in (122 - 163 cm) Inside Knee Girth: 38.4 - 51.2 in (97 - 130 cm) Max. User Height: 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) Stuffed Size: 5.3 x 10.4 in (13.5 x 26.6 cm) Insulation: 725 fill Fill Weight: 10.6 oz  (300 g) MSRP: $255.00 (US) Listed Weight: 1 lb 6 oz  (624 g) Measured Weight:    Sleeping bag: 1 lb 5.1 oz (599 g)    Stuff sack: 0.9 oz  (25 g)

Tester Information & Background

Name: Andy Rad

Gender: Male

Age: 49

Height: 6 ft (1.83 m)

Weight: 165 lb (75 kg)

Email: arad1 at yahoo dot com

I started backpacking 22 years ago, most were short three day trips, but are now generally four or five day.  I'm in the backcountry year round with early spring trips requiring snowshoes over the passes, summer, late fall into snow, and winter camping on snowshoes or skis.  About half my trips are lightweight solo and the other half are with my family and friends.  I used to own a llama, thus allowing me to continue backpacking with my small children.  In recent years I’ve substituted a collie for the llama when with the family. When I’m not with the family I tend to take less-traveled trails or bushwhack the hard mountainous terrain in and around Idaho.  The majority of my trips are in central Idaho, with a few into northern Idaho, eastern Idaho, and eastern Oregon.

Long Term Report

Over the course of 4 months I used this sleeping bag 14 times.  I would have used it a few more times, but after my first few outings I discovered that it wasn't warm enough for early spring camping in the high country where temperatures drop well below freezing.  Other than the bag being overrated on temperature, I thoroughly enjoyed this bag.  So much so, that I've ordered the 15 F (-10 C) version of the bag for this late fall.  It may not be the lightest bag on the market since it is utilizing 725 down, but with a girth of 64 in (163 cm) it certainly is a comfortable bag.

Using the bag for 14 nights in the backcountry certainly didn’t stress the longevity or durability of the bag, but I did come to some conclusions.  The zipper, zipper backing, stitching, and general construction are top notch.  Not a loose thread, flaw, or anything that would indicate substandard workmanship or materials.  The light ballistic nylon shell appears to be impregnable to down, as not a single feather has escaped through the fabric. The few that have escaped, and I stress few, have been through stitching points. 

There are few observations or comments outside what I reported 2 months ago in my Field Report.  I have used the bag 9 additional nights since then, and stand by my remark that the bag’s 32 F (0 C) temperature rating is overstated.  I still believe the rating to be closer to 40 F (4 C).  Another ounce (28 g) would equate to 10% more down and may have resolved the issue.  As per the photo at the top of this report, when the bag is held against light the down voids are apparent.  Since the chest portion is horizontally partitioned the voids are not the result of down shifting around.  Had MontBell used a black inner shell, as many of their competitors' bags, these voids would be less obvious in light.

When the temperatures approach freezing I find I have to heavily supplement the bag to remain comfortable.  I have a couple of competitors' bags with similar temperature rating.  When I use them, I don't get as cold as the temperature nears freezing, so I feel this is a fair comparison.  When using the MontBell at freezing, I require thermal tops, bottoms, socks, pants, down vest, rain jacket, and hat to remain comfortable.  I had several opportunities to experience temperatures around freezing with a variety of sleeping pads with comparable results, thus it was not the sleeping pad that was compromising the rating.

As per my field report, I find it annoying that the two hood cinch cords are both round 1/8 in (3 mm) cord and require some experimentation to determine which cord corresponds to the hood and which to the neck during the night.  The hook and loop zipper closure is not aggressive, and although it will occasionally pull loose, I have come to like the design; the hooks don’t stick to clothing or items in the tent.

I would have preferred a lighter ¾ length zipper instead of a full length, especially since they don’t manufacture a mating left zip bag.  Nevertheless, it was nice to use as a quilt on one occasion in very warm weather.

I never used the stuff sack, as it is quite small and not waterproof.  I always use a waterproof silnylon stuff sack so tent moisture doesn’t transfer to the bag when in my pack.

Now for the primary reason I like this bag and why I ordered the cooler 15 F (-10 C) version of the bag for this fall.  MontBell’s Gather Quilt™ system is a joy to sleep in.  The bag has a large girth of 64 in (163 cm), yet is pulled in against the body to increase efficiency.  I turn a lot while sleeping, and the Quilt system holds the bag to me while rolling from side to side.  There is little fuss with trying to keep a cinched hood in place when rolling over.  Additionally, the hood is a little larger than my other bags and I think this also contributes to the cinched hood opening staying positioned over my face.

Pros:

• Very roomy/comfortable

• Bag hugs and turns with me
• Hood is not a struggle to keep positioned when cinched tight

Cons:

• Light on the down fill

• Undistinguishable hood cinch cords, one round the other flat
• Would prefer a waterproof stuff sack