Sleeping bag options - Macpac and others

[Strider]

Perhaps my comment was overly simplistic, though the prior could also have been quite easily mininterpreted.

[simonm]

Perhaps my comment was overly simplistic, though the prior could also have been quite easily mininterpreted.

Yes it was bit simplistic Strider but not completely untrue.

Quilts will have a 'footbox' that may reach to the back of your knees or mid thigh depending on the quilt. The footbox can be sewn or it may have a zipper or press studs, and a cinch cord, so you can vent the quilt or open it completely out. I have only used mine in a hammock, and the top half tucks around me quite well to seal in the warmth. There is also usually a means to cinch the quilt tight around your neck area which helps keep it tucked in. I like them but they won't be for everyone.

[icefest]

If you prefer not using a quilt there is nothing wrong with that. Some people move around too much or find them unsuitable for other reasons.

EDIT: Remove unneeded text.

[Joomy]

Their service to me has always been exceptional and I think the last item was my 20 year old Cascade backpack got new straps in under 7 days turn around which considering I was in the north island of NZ at the time and the pack had to go to Chch, I was impressed. I'm sticking with what I know till I'm shown better for better value and service. I'm not holding my breath.

I assume they charged you to repair the bag? That's nothing particularly exceptional or interesting. Some companies stuff up warranties but at least they have them. Macpac's warranty and return policy is horrible, and no amount of friendly staff or stream-lined service can make up for the fact that they will use every tactic (including having a crap returns policy) to separate you from your money permanently. They just don't strike me as a company that has the consumers' interests at heart, apart from where that directly coincides with profit making. Other companies are much, much better at at least making you feel like they care about giving the customer the right stuff and the advice rather than just overpriced, mediocre quality stuff that then can't be returned.

I'm a bit surprised to hear bad things about Macpac. What is it in concrete terms that bothers people about them, other than that they use obnoxious marketing techniques? The very high RRP technique is hardly unique to them in the outdoors industry.

The obnoxious marketing is the only reason I personally need not to shop with them. It speaks to their focus on making profits and driving sales over being helpful and honest with their customers. Helpfulness and honesty are business tools for them, nothing more. One might say it's naive to expect a company to value genuine customer service as much as or over profits but some especially in this industry still do I believe. The inflated RRP strategy is primarily used by Macpac, Snowgum and Kathmandu. They are the vertically integrated chains that don't have to pay suppliers or other middle-men for the bulk of their products.

Almost all reports on their products in these forums seem overwhelmingly positive, which is the main reason I went with them in the first place.

Let's be honest here. If you could only buy Macpac gear to use in the wilderness chances are you'd be happy, warm and safe. They make some nice tents and decent bags, packs and clothes. The problem is that this is a market and I just don't understand why you'd buy Macpac over the many superior products which are similarly priced. Is Macpac stuff adequate for most people for most destinations? Yes. Is it good quality when compared to the entirety of the market? No. Is it good value? No.

[Joomy]

Their service to me has always been exceptional and I think the last item was my 20 year old Cascade backpack got new straps in under 7 days turn around which considering I was in the north island of NZ at the time and the pack had to go to Chch, I was impressed. I'm sticking with what I know till I'm shown better for better value and service. I'm not holding my breath.

I assume they charged you to repair the bag? That's nothing particularly exceptional or interesting. Some companies stuff up warranties but at least they have them. Macpac's warranty and return policy is horrible, and no amount of friendly staff or stream-lined service can make up for the fact that they will use every tactic (including having a crap returns policy) to separate you from your money permanently. They just don't strike me as a company that has the consumers' interests at heart, apart from where that directly coincides with profit making. Other companies are much, much better at at least making you feel like they care about giving the customer the right stuff and the advice rather than just overpriced, mediocre quality stuff that then can't be returned.

I'm a bit surprised to hear bad things about Macpac. What is it in concrete terms that bothers people about them, other than that they use obnoxious marketing techniques? The very high RRP technique is hardly unique to them in the outdoors industry.

The obnoxious marketing is the only reason I personally need not to shop with them. It speaks to their focus on making profits and driving sales over being helpful and honest with their customers. Helpfulness and honesty are business tools for them, nothing more. One might say it's naive to expect a company to value genuine customer service as much as or over profits but some especially in this industry still do I believe. The inflated RRP strategy is primarily used by Macpac, Snowgum and Kathmandu. They are the vertically integrated chains that don't have to pay suppliers or other middle-men for the bulk of their products.

Almost all reports on their products in these forums seem overwhelmingly positive, which is the main reason I went with them in the first place.

Let's be honest here. If you could only buy Macpac gear to use in the wilderness chances are you'd be happy, warm and safe. They make some nice tents and decent bags, packs and clothes. The problem is that this is a market and I just don't understand why you'd buy Macpac over the many superior products which are similarly priced. Is Macpac stuff adequate for most people for many adventure/travel destinations? Yes. Is it good quality when compared to the entirety of the market? No. Is it good value? Generally no.

[Snafuspyramid]

Just a quick report back.

Macpac did agree to take back the sleeping bag I wasn't happy with, even though it was used. They were very prompt and polite with their emails and the staff in store were great. So full marks there.

However, I eventually ended up selling it instead and picked up Joomy's second-hand Western Mountaineering Apache MF. I've been out in it twice.

It's a fantastic bag and vastly superior to the last one. It is quite a narrow cut, but I didn't find it particularly restrictive, even fully enclosed and sleeping on my side - it simply moves with me. It is far warmer, which is lucky, since I apparently sleep like the dead (I needed to get fully closed up in it, even in the Venus II in the Dandenong Ranges in autumn - hardly extreme weather).

It's not that the Macpac bag was a terrible bag, it just wasn't a good choice for what I wanted (especially for the money!). The WM is awesome though.