Reviews > Sleep Gear > Sleeping Bags > Nunatak Arc Alpinist Down Sleep Bag > Owner Review by Bob Sanders

Owner Review: Nunatak Arc Alpinist

PERSONAL INFORMATION
Name: Bob Sanders
Age: 47
Gender: Male
Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight: 180 lb (81.6 kg)
Email: sherpabob(at)mac(dot)com
City: Boulder, Colorado
Date: 02-25-05

Backpacking Background:
I went on my first backpacking trip as a Boy Scout at the age of 16. We hiked about 60 mi (96.5 km) of the Appalachian Trail through West Virginia. I was hooked. Over the years I have hiked the Wonderland Trail in Washington and section hiked parts of the Florida Trail and the Appalachian Trail. In 2003 during a 7 week period I section hiked over 700 mi (1126 km) of the Pacific Crest Trail. Best vacation I ever took. I continue to backpack and hike year round in the Colorado mountains.

Backpacking Style:
I have evolved from a heavyweight backpacker to a lightweight backpacker. My 3 day summer, solo adventures (using a hammock) have me hovering around 15 lb (6.8 kg) total weight including food.

PRODUCT INFORMATION
Manufacturer: Nunatak
Year of Manufacture: 2003
Manufacturer Website: www.nunatakusa.com
Listed Weight: 24 oz (680 g) size long
Measured Weight: 22.5 oz (637 g)
Size: Long - Will fit up to 6' 4" (193 cm)
Temperature rating: 20º F (-7ºC)
Fill: 11 oz (311 g) of 800+ down
Loft: 2.5" (6.4 cm) baffle hight
Exterior fabric: Epic by Nextex
Lining fabric: .85 oz (24 g) Nylon
MSRP: $US395.00

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
The Arc Alpinist is a hybrid quilt/sleeping bag. I say this because it is much more than just a sleeping quilt. With no zipper and no insulation on the bottom it drapes over my body just like a traditional quilt would. This concept is very advantageous on nights that are warmer and more ventilation is required to keep me from over-heating. For me this eliminates that claustrophobic, cramped feeling that some mummy bags create. With the addition of a closed foot box, two adjustable straps (with clips) on the bottom, an elastic drawcord and snap at the neck it quickly converts to a hoodless, variable girth sleeping bag. Two small .75 in (1.9 cm) clips are sewn to the edge of the bag's open bottom. On the other edge two simple nylon webbing straps are sewn. The straps thread through the male counterpart to the clip. When the clips are connected, I simply pull on the loose end of the strap to bring the edges of the open bottom closer together. Thus changing the circumference of the bag.

During really cold evenings I have worn every piece of clothing I brought, including a down jacket. The adjustable straps accommodate the extra girth without compressing any of the insulation. Because of its versatility this quilt/sleeping bag will accommodate a wide temperature range.

The versatility and light weight of the bag is achieved by simply eliminating features that are not necessary.
• No down insulation on the bottom. Utilize your sleeping pad for insulation.
• No zipper. Replaced with simple webbing straps and clips.
• No hood. Replaced with insulating headwear you brought with you anyway.

FIELD INFORMATION
Location for Testing: Southern California along the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) and the Rocky Mountains of central Colorado.

Description of Use: I bought the Arc Alpinist to use during my section hike on the PCT. I used this bag for 7 continuous weeks over approx. 700 mi (1126 km) of trail.

Hiking Conditions: Southern California has varied terrain ranging from desert to high mountain passes. I experienced daytime temperatures between 100° F (37° C) and 45° F (7° C) and nighttime temperatures between 60° F (15° C) and 25° F (-4° C) Elevations were from sea level to 10,000 ft (3,048 m).

Central Colorado has higher elevations and cooler temperatures. Elevations up to 12,000 ft (3,657 m) and nighttime temperatures down to 15° F (-9° C)

OWNER REVIEW
During the planning for my PCT section hike I did a lot of research on the web and read Ray Jardine's book "Beyond Backpacking". I was convinced I needed to lighten my load. I really liked the concept of a sleeping quilt. Lighter weight and no claustrophobic feeling. But I wasn't sure a simple quilt would keep me warm below freezing. At that time I owned a Feathered Friends Swift down sleeping bag. It is a 20º F (-7ºC) bag with a larger 64" in (162 cm) shoulder girth. I am a big guy and I need a lot of shoulder room. Even at 64" in (162 cm) I still felt confined at times. And the Swift weighed 2 lb 8 oz (1.13 kg). The purchase of the Arc Alpinist satisfied all of my buying criteria and is 1 lb (453 g) lighter.

Comfort: During my PCT hike I used a tarp and the winds were mild. Winter temperatures find me in a tent (As noted below). I would consider myself to be a warm sleeper. The Arc Alpinist has never failed to keep me warm. In warmer weather I either lay on top or simply drape the bag over myself. As temperatures fall I begin to add more clothing. I find I am more comfortable adding more clothing first, than tightening the straps to conserve heat. While wearing long underwear, both tops and bottoms, nylon wind pants, nylon wind shirt, wool socks, Windstopper® fleece hat and gloves I am comfortable down to approx. 40° F (4° C) with just the bag draped over me. By the time the temperature dips below freezing I have tightened the straps underneath the sleeping pad eliminating drafts and tightened the drawcord around my neck conserving heat. I have used the bag down to 15° F (-9° C) in a tent with the addition of a down jacket with hood and Polarguard® insulated long pants. The only thing a bit chilly were my feet with only the wool socks. A pair of simple down booties would have done the trick. I have my eye on a pair that Nunatak makes that only weigh 4 oz (113 g).

For me this is the perfect lightweight solution. A 1 lb 8 oz (680 g) sleeping bag, comfortable to 15° F (-9° C) utilizing the clothing I have already brought with me.

Construction and Durability: I chose the Epic® fabric for the exterior of my bag because I planned to use a tarp and not use a bivy sack while on the PCT. The Epic fabric worked beautifully. No moisture ever penetrated the fabric and wet the down. Several nights I slept out under the stars and by morning everything was covered with light dew. The moisture had beaded up all over the exterior of the bag. A couple of quick shakes and a pass with a Packtowl® and the bag was basically dry. Later in the day when the sun came out I spread the bag out and it was completely dry in 15 minutes. The very breathable black liner fabric helps speed the process.

The Epic® fabric is not waterproof. Neither are the bag's seams. So it will not keep the down dry if it is raining. It is intended for light mist, dew and condensation.

Customer Service: I have had the pleasure of utilizing Nunatak's customer service twice. On both occasions I spoke directly with Tom Halpin the owner. The first time was right before my trip to Southern California. I had ordered my Arc Alpinist 4 weeks in advance of my trip. Tom said it would be close but he was sure they would make the time frame. Three days before my trip my bag had still not arrived. I called Tom and he said he would send me a loaner bag immediately and when my bag was ready he would ship it to me on the trail if I wanted. He told me to return the loaner when I had a chance. Two days later I received the loaner which I used for the first week of my trip. All of this extra service cost me nothing. Except the cost of postage to return the loaner.

The second occasion was just this month. I had pulled the bag out for an upcoming trip. After fluffing the bag up and laying it on the floor I noticed three things. The top stitching on one of the baffles seemed to be unraveling. I don't remember snagging it on anything but in two spots about 2" (5 cm) long the stitching was gone. Also one of the tiny clips attached to the straps was broken. It still worked but I wasn't sure for how long. I noticed as well that the loft in the torso area seemed lower than the rest of the bag. I sent Tom an email explaining the problems and he said "send it in and we will take a look at it". Tom fixed the stitching and replaced the clip. He agreed the loft looked a little low and added an extra ounce of down to the torso area. Tom did all of this, free of charge. Now that's what I call customer service!

CONCLUSIONS
I love this bag! I take it on every trip I go on. In warmer weather I am currently using a hammock and the Arc Alpinist works beautifully. Trying to get in and out of a sleeping bag in a hammock can be real frustrating. Using the Arc as a quilt is so much easier.

Pros:
• Very lightweight
• Very wide temperature comfort zone
• Being able to change the girth to accommodate extra clothing
• Epic fabric keeps the down dry from light external moisture
• Incredible customer service
• Nanatak will make you a custom bag (change the length, the fabric, add extra fill)

Cons:
• These bags are not cheap. But you get what you pay for. I believe a sleeping bag is not an area to scrimp on.
• The tiny clips attached to the straps on the bottom of the bag are, in my opinion a little fragile. A larger or beefier clip would hold up better and only add a few grams to the bags weight.

Reviews > Sleep Gear > Sleeping Bags > Nunatak Arc Alpinist Down Sleep Bag > Owner Review by Bob Sanders