Nunatak Sleeping Bags

[Stir Fry]

Any one have any experance with Nunatak sleeping bags. I'm looking at the Alpinist 20* bag for a March 12, 2010 start. Bag I use now is 25# but is 48oz. How good is the temp rating? Is total weight of 26oz acurate? The price is a little high but I do not mind if its a good bag. Most in this range are on the high side of $300 aneyway.

[doodah man]

Any one have any experance with Nunatak sleeping bags. I'm looking at the Alpinist 20* bag for a March 12, 2010 start. Bag I use now is 25# but is 48oz. How good is the temp rating? Is total weight of 26oz acurate? The price is a little high but I do not mind if its a good bag. Most in this range are on the high side of $300 aneyway.

traftonm,
I used a Nunatak 17 oz Arc Specialist quilt that is rated 32F for a JMT thru-hike last September. Both my hiking partner and I had thermometers and we had several nights with measured lows between 20F and 25F. Even though the night time lows were well below the quilt rating, I had no problems being cold. Just as important would be your pad that insulates you from the ground. I used the Gossameer Gear NightLight, which I find to be light, warm, and (reasonably) comfortable. Additionally, what you eat for dinner can help you stay warmer (lots of fats will help you sleep warm as opposed to the quicker burning carbs.) In genreral, I think the reputation is that Nunatak temperature ratings are conservative. doodah-man

[SGT Rock]

I have a Nunatak Backcountry Blanket - very good quality, ratings are conservative. I've wanted an Arc Alpinist, but I live with my BCB just fine.

[jb-]

I'm also considering the Arc Alpinist, to use in combo with a Montbell Down Inner Jacket/Parka for temps in the teens. The total weight is less than similarly rated sleeping bags and less restrictive, plus the jacket can be worn around camp. Granted, the cost for the combo is ~$600.

Anybody else with experience using similar setups in those temperatures?

[hopefulhiker]

I used the Back Country Blanket on the thru. I also had a silk liner, BA insulated air mattress and a down sweater that I slept in .. I was only cold two times...

[Oms]

I have a Arc Alpinist quilt with overstuff on the top half. It's wide enough to cover without much of a draft. On really cold nights I'll use the straps, otherwise I just lay it over me. The biggest difference I have found is the lack of a hood. Make sure that you have warm headgear. I later bought the Skaha from Nunatak. Both products are well made. If I were to do it again I would have had the lower half with a overfill and use the Skaha with hood for the top. The only time that I have been cold with it was do to the Big Agnus pad I used while winter camping. The cold was coming from below. As it turns out I have switched to a hammock and a quilt is the way to go. I tend to take it with me even during warmer weather because it is lighter than any bag I have. The nice part of a quilt is to be able to hang legs or arms out easily. It also packs up very small without a bottom. I chose the Quantum fabric for the best breathability. I believe it helps keep the down drier. Any water resistant material will restrict the moisture from your body from escaping.
So looking at Nunataks site I see that you are looking at the bags. These were not available when I bought mine. The hood is a nice feature, but it would seem with a center zipper it could be hard to vent without exposing your core. Not sure if it's a two way zipper. I'm sure it could be made that way. Then you could hang a leg out or just let a little air in. Pricey but good quality.

[Stir Fry]

With the center zip, I think it would be easy to use the bag a quilt during warmer weather. any thoughts?

[take-a-knee]

With the center zip, I think it would be easy to use the bag a quilt during warmer weather. any thoughts?

The zipper would need to be at least 50in or so, especially in a hammock (for ease of entry/exit.

[Oms]

It looks like the zipper goes down as far as the opening of the AA quilt. With Nunatak the skies the limit as long as you have the money . What I mean is, if you have any ideas as to changes you would like done, it's not a problem. I'm sure the zipper could be made at any length. My personal opinion is that unless your winter camping a quilt works just fine, but I always hated the restriction of a bag and used my old bag as a quilt for a while before I bought one. When I used a tent, it was a single wall with full open vents (could not close them). Sometimes a quilt can be drafty, but then if it really bothers you the straps can be pulled tight underneath. If in a closed tent I couldn't see being a problem. Like I said before, Nunataks products are made very well and the loft is outstanding. There won't be any empty spots when you hold it up to the sun.

[Turtlehiker]

Has anyone used the ARC AT half bag that you use with a jacket? It seems like it would be a great option for times when a down jacket would be handy around camp, but it looks so tight fitting around the feet.
Foot room seems to be very limited with the ARC bags.

[Oms]

The foot box on the AA is roomy enough. Can't say it's any different then any other bag. I think it just looks that way because they show the quilts laid wide open. I also have a short length AA that I purchased for my son (used). I have thought about using it with the Skaha in milder weather, but have not had the opportunity.

[jb-]

Has anyone used the ARC AT half bag that you use with a jacket? It seems like it would be a great option for times when a down jacket would be handy around camp, but it looks so tight fitting around the feet.
Foot room seems to be very limited with the ARC bags.

According to their site the bags should have plenty of room for the feet. They increased the size of that area to allow space for down booties.

[BOWSINGER]

With the center zip, I think it would be easy to use the bag a quilt during warmer weather. any thoughts?

My choice is the $145 LuxuryLite V-Bag. www.luxurylite.com It already has a full-length center zip at no extra cost. It works great as a sleeping quilt. I call it my 31 ounces, 60-inch wide, 2-inch single layer loft, adjustable foot pocket sleeping quilt. I pin the zipper in place to form whatever length foot pocket I want. And I have learned to love the center zip location when I do zip up in the bag.

Now I am looking for a winter weight center zip bag. It may be an overfilled Nunatak Alpinist if I can afford it.

Here is what Nunatak www.nunatakusa.com says about their half-length center zip Alpinist.

“First we moved the zipper from the side to a center front location. This gives you full use of both arms while still having head and back in the sleeping bag, a must when performing camp tasks in less than ideal conditions. The center zip also gives you more effective torso ventilation. Sleeping on your sides is also more comfortable since a zipper on your shoulder sucks.”

[Oms]

If you think about it when you open up the zipper to vent it could fall open. If using a standard design this won't happen. Just a thought.

[Stir Fry]

Any one have experence with a center zib bag. Are ther any problems that have not been brought up.