Owner Review:

Mont-Bell U.L. Super Stretch Down Hugger #2

 

BIOGRAPHICAL INFO:

 

Name: Drew Davis   

Age: 22

Gender: Male

Height: 6 Feet (1.83 Meters)

Weight: 180 lbs (82 kg)

Email address: drewnc2005@yahoo.com

City, State, Country: Pittsboro, NC, USA

Date: 11-17-05

 

Backpacking Background: I started backpacking at roughly five years old. I started with an old external framed pack, a heavy synthetic sleeping bag, and a military style pup tent. While my enthusiasm for backpacking has never changed, the old and heavy gear I took as a kid has. I now consider myself a lightweight backpacker. My base pack weight (tent/tarp, sleeping bag, and pack) is now 8 lbs. 11 oz. (4 kg) – while not ultralight, I keep my 3 day pack weight under 25 lbs (including food and 3 liters of water) – even in the winter.

 

PRODUCT INFORMATION

 

Manufacturer: Mont-Bell, Co. Ltd.

Year of Manufacture: 2005

URL: www.montbell.com

Listed Weight: 1 lb 13 oz (.82 kg)

Weight Delivered: 1 lb 13 oz (.82 kg)

Listed Fill Weight: 14.5 oz (411 g)

Fill: 725 Fill-Power Down

Shell: 15-Denier Ballistic Airlight Nylon

Inside Shoulder Girth: 53.2-70.9 in (135-180 cm)

Inside Knee Girth: 42.8-57.1 in (109-145 cm)

*Comfortable Temperature Rating: 24.5 F (-4.6 C)

*Minimum Temperature Rating: 5 F (-15 C)

*Note: Mont-Bell rates their bags differently than most manufacturers. Instead of giving a standard “minimum” rating, they give a comfortable rating and a minimum rating – taking into account that sleep comfort is based on a continuum and not on a discreet scale. Following is the manufacturer’s explanation of the rating system:

 

Comfortable Temperature

The Comfortable Temperature range* shows the temperatures in which you can restfully and pleasantly sleep 8 hours or more wearing only a thin layer. Use these ranges to select the best sleeping bag for your needs.

*These ranges were measured in laboratory tests – depending on your situation and sleeping preferences, you may be more comfortable in a warmer or colder bag.

 

Minimum Temperature

The minimum temperature range* shows the temperatures in which you can sleep in relative comfort for 6 to 8 hours.

*These ranges were measured in laboratory tests – depending on your situation and sleeping preferences, you may be more comfortable in a warmer or colder bag.

 

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

 

The Mont-Bell U.L. Super Stretch Down Hugger #2 (hereafter referred to as #2 for obvious reasons) could be classified as a new breed of sleeping bags. The super stretch system is the major feature that makes this bag a “new breed.” This system is a process of sewing the horizontal baffles with elastic instead of a typical, non-flexible synthetic thread. This gives freedom of movement inside the bag that cannot be achieved with standard sewing processes. In addition, once in the bag, the bag will draws the insulation closer to the body and greatly improves the bag’s ability to keep heat inside. As a result, cold spots and drafts are virtually non-existent and as the manufacturer’s website notes, the elastic baffle method “improves the bag's thermal efficiency by reducing the volume of air your body needs to heat.” As Mont-Bell claims, the improved efficiency means that less down is needed to fill the bag and it means a lighter bag to carry in your pack.

 

Speaking from personal experience, never have I slept in a bag that conforms to my body as I move like this one does. I did own a similarly constructed bag (elastic stitching in baffles, etc.) and it was so comfortable that part of the reason I bought the #2 was for the simple fact that it had this stretch system. To my surprise, my #2 performed even better than the other bag with respect to its ability to move and accommodate my own position changes. My #2 provided more stretch yet was more snug therefore keeping more heat in.

 

Mont-Bell offers the bag in two different lengths (both with full length zippers) – the regular fits those up to 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) and the long fits those up to 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m). My bag is the regular and it is right zip. Even though I am 6 ft (1.83 m) tall, I fit in the bag just fine. I would say that those over 6 ft (1.83 m) should opt for the long version. If I had it to do again, I would have bought the long myself. The reason is that at the footbox, there is a “foot adjuster” which can be used to either completely close off the last baffle or that can be tightened so that it is tight around your ankles – simulating a bootie. Though I’ve never done this, one could also leave the stuff sack at home, stuff the whole bag into the bottom baffle, and then cinch it up with the foot adjuster drawstring. Since I fit into my bag perfectly, I do not have the option of pulling the last baffle in and tightening it up. Doing so produces a down “pillow” at the bottom of the bag and helps to keep your feet warm. I can tighten the drawstring, but since I have no extra room at the bottom of the bag, I cannot pull in the last baffle to make this pillow if I plan on sleeping in a flat, board-like position. The pillow effect can be achieved if I sleep on my side with my legs drawn in a little (i.e., in the fetal position). If I had the long version, I could easily make the pillow at my feet providing my feet with more insulation.

 

As mentioned, my bag has a full zipper and allows me to use it as a quilt in the summer. I looked at other bags when deciding which bag to buy and found that most bags at this weight/warmth ratio do not have full zippers. For me, a full zipper is not a must but I do enjoy having one. I have had no real trouble with the zipper snagging, but that is probably only because I’m very careful. The snag guard is not as effective as those on other high-end bags I’ve used, but like I said, I’ve had no trouble with this myself.

 

The #2 is equipped with a neck baffle, shoulder collar, and draft tube along the zipper. The hood is easily pulled tight by way of the drawstring in the hood. The hood is simple and it does the trick. The hood area does appear to have less down than the rest of the bag but I’ve never noticed my head getting cold as a result.

 

PRODUCT REVIEW

 

I have used the #2 on all of my backpacking trips and other outdoor ventures over the past six months. I will elaborate on my experiences with this bag on two such trips, very different in nature to underscore the flexibility of the bag – no pun intended.

 

Trip 1: A three-day/two-night backpacking trip into the Wilson Creek Wilderness Area of NC.

 

Trip 2: A two-day/one night backpacking trip in the Craggy Gardens area of the Black Mountains.

 

Trip 1

Conditions

The Wilson Creek Wilderness Area is in the Grandfather Ranger District in Pisgah National Forest. Elevations range from roughly 3200 ft (975 m) to 1000 ft (305 m). The trip was in early June so the temperatures were mild with the lows being 60-65F (15.56-18.33 C).

 

That night, in camp, I pitched my Black Diamond Mega Light shelter over the Black Diamond MegaBug Shelter that fits inside. Basically, this setup is a mosquito net with a waterproof floor covered by a silnylon pyramid-style tarp. The pitching options allow for a cool breeze to flow through the bottom if desired and that is how we pitched being the good weather. I slept on top of an InsulMat Max Thermo sleeping pad inside with my dog and my wife.

 

Performance

Given the mild temperatures, I did not sleep completely inside my #2 that night. I zipped it all the way down and unfolded it to make a v-shaped quilt. I laid the bag loosely over me and slept directly on top of my sleeping pad. Still, even draped over me, the bag had a tendency to constrict itself (lightly) around my body helping to trap warm air and keep cold air out. This had its pros and cons as the night went on. I found myself having to stick one leg out or half of my body out at a time to cool off at points and also caught myself scrambling to pull them back on as I cooled off. As the temperature hit its low point in the night, I did not have to re-arrange my sleeping situation as often and slept like a baby.

 

I feel it is important to note how this bag performs in warm temperatures because some, like myself, do not have the money or desire to buy a sleeping bag for every season. I am of the doctrine that unzipping your three-season bag and using it as a quilt in the summer is the most economical and efficient thing to do. If my bag only weighs 1 lb 13 oz (.82 kg), why go out and blow $100-200 USD just to shave a few ounces? To me, it’s not worth it.

 

That said, my #2 performed perfectly as a quilt during this trip and on several others during the summer. The most difficult aspect of use was finding the position of the bag that provided the correct amount of warmth without making me sweat. During the trip, there was very little condensation to deal with given the tarp setup has very good ventilation. What little moisture did touch my bag harmed it in no way.

 

Trip 2

Conditions

Craggy Gardens is an area near Mt. Mitchell (the highest peak East of the Mississippi) in western North Carolina. The maximum elevation during this backpacking trip was 5,892 ft (1796 m) and the low point was around 4,200 ft (1280 m). Given its position in the range, temperatures at this elevation can be drastically different than in the valleys below. Winds are funneled directly onto the peaks of Craggy Gardens by the surrounding mountains and on this trip, the difference on top of Craggy Gardens as opposed to the valley about 3,000 ft below was almost 30 degrees F. The high temperature the afternoon we got there was approximately 45 degrees F (7 C) according to the ranger station. That night, we saw temperatures dip slightly below freezing to approximately 29 F (-2 C) – again according to the ranger station. With the wind chill, the temperatures were probably around 20F (-7 C).

 

My sleeping shelter was slightly different for this trip since insects were not a factor. I brought and pitched only my Black Diamond Mega Light and the Black Diamond Mega Floor. I pitched it on the backside of a large boulder thereby blocking the wind for the most part. I pitched it very close to the ground in order to keep drafts and breezes to a minimum.  We were camped very close to a waterfall so temperatures could have been colder than the stated 29F (-2 C). My dog slept outside the shelter this time and my wife and I slept inside with all of our gear. I slept on my InsulMat Max Thermo as well.

 

Performance

As temperatures began dropping drastically after sundown, I began eyeing my sleeping bag. Up to this trip, the coldest temperature my #2 had seen was probably in the mid 50s F (10 C). I was excited to see how it would hold up in temperatures more suited for its purpose.

 

I went to bed with a pair of Marmot mid-weight baselayer pants, a light Eddie Bauer silk-weight top, and a pair of REI wool hiking socks. I also had a pair of REI One gloves on to keep my fingers warm. When I first entered the sleeping bag, like most, the nylon on the inside was cool to the touch. Within about 20-30 seconds, this cool sensation left the inside of the bag. I was completely warm again after changing clothes in about two minutes.

 

During the night, the bag held close to my body, as designed, and trapped my body heat very well. One thing that I did notice was the effectiveness of the neck baffle and shoulder collar. Both sealed in the heat quite well and kept the hot air from escaping and cold air from plunging in when I moved – the “billowing effect” is what I call it. Other bags I’ve owned even with the neck baffle and shoulder collar were problematic in this respect.

 

On my usual 3:00 am trip to relieve myself, I hurried back so that I could be warm again. Upon my arrival, the nylon had already cooled inside because I left the bag open. Again, it warmed up very quickly and I was sound asleep within 5 minutes or so. I recall no thought of being cold during the night and even took my gloves off at some point. I stayed very warm and very, very comfortable.

 

In the morning, I enjoyed being able to sit Indian style or cross-legged in my sleeping bag with the hood still on. The fear of exiting my sleeping bag is something I guess will never leave so it is nice to be able to sit up and move around inside. No condensation had gathered or dripped on the bag so no attention needed to be paid to that matter.

 

In short, that night was easily my best night’s sleep I have had in the backcountry under those conditions.

 

Other Experiences

To address other features of the bag, it is necessary that I mention experiences I’ve had outside of these two trips. The first issue is water repellency of the shell. Last week, water leaked on my bag while it was in my pack – apparently from my CamelBak bladder. It soaked the given stuff sack, which really helps to compress the bag, and even soaked through it and leaked onto a small portion of the hood. I quickly massaged out the wet area to make sure there were no clumps of down and dried the area with a t-shirt. This water caused no permanent damage. However, I would like to mention that I think the water-repellency of the material could be and should be improved. I baby my gear anyway, but I like knowing that if water did come around in minimal amounts, my sleeping bag could repel it. The #2 does repel some water, but not much at all – no more than a light mist from condensation.

 

That being said, that same night of the water leakage, I slept in my mid-weight Marmot baselayer pants and a t-shirt at around 28 F (-2 C) and was perfectly warm. My feet did get cold that night for whatever reason and I had to tighten the foot adjuster and even stuffed a down jacket down there to help. I’ve never had that problem before so I can’t say it’s an issue yet.

 

Another issue needing to be addressed is the rating system. I find this rating system to be conservative and pleasingly accurate. As mentioned, I’ve slept in a t-shirt and mid-weight pants and been plenty warm at temperatures at or slightly below freezing. My guess is that with a little heavier clothing (down jacket, fleece pants, and fleece cap), I could probably sleep comfortably in the single digits and probably close to 0 F (-17 C). My feet would probably get cold going that low but nothing an extra pair of socks and a warm Nalgene bottle wouldn’t alleviate.

 

Summary

Being as objective as I can, the Mont-Bell U.L. Super Stretch Down Hugger #2 is by far the best sleeping bag I’ve ever slept in. By design, it is the most comfortable sleeping bag I have ever seen. After sleeping in a “flex” bag like this, it will be hard to go back to a regular sleeping bag. The ability of the bag to keep the insulation close to me without making me feel like a sardine is incredible.  I can bend my knees as much or as little as I want and even sit up Indian-style when I wake up. Aside from this, its tendency to move with me during the night greatly enhances my sleep. It keeps me from having to adjust and re-adjust myself in order to stay warm and since it stays snug next to my body, it eliminates drafts and cold spots that form for us side-sleepers.

 

The only dislikes I have are that the hood is not quite as full of down as I would have liked and the water-repellency of the bag is weak. It may be the price I have to pay for a bag this light. For a bag that could easily take me to 15 F (-9 C), 1 lb 13 oz (.82 kg) is an extremely small package to tote on a backpacking trip.