[pct-l] Big Agnes sleeping bag

[m_factor at hotmail.com (Mara Factor)]

Hey Strider!

I've been using the Zirkel/REM Air Core combo for a while now.  I had it 
with me all year for OZ/NZ, then the PCT, and finally my road trip.  You can 
read my reviews at backpackgeartest.org.  More specifically:

http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/Sleep%20Gear/Sleeping%20Bags/Big%20Agnes%20Zirkel%2020%20degree%20bag/

Now that I've used it even longer, I should add an addendum to the report... 
  I did have a tiny leak in my pad that was probably a manufacturer's 
defect.  I tried patching it but the patch didn't hold because the leak was 
near the valve.  BA replaced the pad.  I now have two down leaks in the bag 
at the stress points where the pad gets inserted into the sleeve.  I just 
need to sew about 3/4 inch of a split seam on either side to fix the 
problem.

Even though the REM Air Core pads are only designed for 32+ degrees and 
arent' recommended in partnership with the Zirkel, I need the padding of the 
REM Air Core.  For those times when it's likely the ground and/or air temp 
will be below freezing, I also carry an Evazote pad, cut to shape.  Works 
for me and it still weighs less than my Thermarest LE.

At 73", I use the long bag and have a bit of extra room.  In theory, the 
bags are 78" long but designed to only fit up to 74".  While you might be 
able to fit a couple of extra inches in there, I figure if I'm not able to 
be at all comfortable in bags designed for 72", I would seriously doubt your 
ability to use the long.  With the integrated bag and pad system, the bag 
feels even more "rigid" than a separate sleeping bag and pad combo.

FWIW, I was surprised at the number of people I saw with BA bags and pads on 
the PCT this past year.  At one point, camping with about 6 or 7 others, 4 
of us had BA products.

Mara

http://friends.backcountry.net/m_factor


>From: Bighummel@aol.com
>To: pct-l@backcountry.net
>Subject: [pct-l] Big Agnes sleeping bag
>Date: Tue, 25 Nov 2003 12:15:54 EST
>
>Has anyone owned and/or used a Big Agnes sleeping bag system?  They seem to
>be on to the "pad only underneath" idea of the quilt and pad idea.  Their 
>mummy
>design bags have a standard design top with a sleeve underneath that takes 
>a
>pad and no other insulation. Their Zirkel bag long is only 2 lbs, 5 oz. 
>rated
>at 20 degrees using 775 down.  Their lightest pad to go with it is 19 oz. 
>(but
>a home cut closed cell would be lighter for you minimalists).
>
>They are expensive but interesting design.  You sew-it-yourselfers ought to
>be able to make a lighter weight-cheaper version with most of the features. 
>  I
>need one to fit a person 81 inches long!
>
>Greg
>"Strider"
>Hummel
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