Sea to Summit Trek sleeping bags

[Catcher]

Does anyone have a S2S Trek sleeping bag? I am almost sure I'm getting the 3 version but wanted to ask some questions to any owners who have any of the versions.

[CasualNerd]

I have a Trek 2 and think it's great, for the budget price.

[onward]

I have a Trek II (older version) and have recently changed to a EE quilt and a warmer One Planet Sleeping bag, purely for weight reductions. I have had the Trek II down to -5C and was fine with it and camped in the snow at the WOJ (so I am guessing around 0C. I am a warm sleeper. I cold sleeper who used it at around 0C was quite happy at that temperature. Hood is a bit fiddly is about the only negative, and being 650 down it doesn't pack down as small (not that I have found that a problem).

[CasualNerd]

I have a Trek II (older version) and have recently changed to a EE quilt and a warmer One Planet Sleeping bag, purely for weight reductions. I have had the Trek II down to -5C and was fine with it and camped in the snow at the WOJ (so I am guessing around 0C. I am a warm sleeper. I cold sleeper who used it at around 0C was quite happy at that temperature. Hood is a bit fiddly is about the only negative, and being 650 down it doesn't pack down as small (not that I have found that a problem).

This is really interesting, I have a very very heavy winter bag, but I was hoping to use the trek 2 for everything if I can get away with it. I'm a little hesitant to take it to snow just in case I get cold, but it's a full 1.5 Kg lighter than the winter bag Not sure what's worth the risk !

[Catcher]

You know you're really into hiking when a $400 sleeping bag is "budget"!

I'm almost certain the Trek 3 is a good option for me. I don't like the idea of a mummy bag and I'm not hiking far or hard enough to for the 1.3kg to be an issue.

A small matter but do people find it easy enough to pack up in the provided bag?

The only other option I have in this price range is the Mont Zodiac 700.

[highercountry]

A small matter but do people find it easy enough to pack up in the provided bag?

I have the Trek III for bike touring. Good quality but not overly light bag. Plenty of room for a restless sleeper.
One slight annoyance is that due to the heavier fabric it takes longer to squeeze the air out of it as it is stuffed into its sack than with lighter weight bags.
The stitching and fabric weave must be very tight as it takes quite some time to "deflate".
Once in the compression bag its an easy process pulling the 3 straps and reducing its volume.
I find breaking camp tiresome after a few days. Inflating, deflating and folding or stuffing mats and bags is a pain, though I like pitching and then packing my Hilleberg tent.

[Catcher]

Yeah to get significantly under the 1.3kg I'd need to pay significantly more! It's always a balance. I appreciate everyone's input.

[undercling-mike]

One slight annoyance is that due to the heavier fabric it takes longer to squeeze the air out of it as it is stuffed into its sack than with lighter weight bags.
The stitching and fabric weave must be very tight as it takes quite some time to "deflate".

This is not really to do with the weight of the fabric, there are some ultra light fabrics that don't breathe much at all. As you say it's to do with a tight weave and the treatments done to the fabric such as calendering and application of a DWR coating. In reality the DWR coating often seems to be the most important factor in fabrics with very low breathability.

[neilmny]

My wife and I have Trek 3 bags and we are very happy with them.
Don't find stuffing the bag all that difficult but you just keep stuffing and it always ''deflates'' and fits in the stuff sack.
We don't use the compression part of the sack, it's a bit heavy and unnecessary.
Wife's is a regular and mine is the long version.
They are a turn over in bag rather turn over with. The bottom has less down than the top.

[Catcher]

Well it's between this and the Mont Zodiac 700. Both come in long versions. Both weight the same. Both similar EN ratings. The Mont uses 680 down instead of 650, I don't know how significant that is. Given that the inside of my Moondance Tent is part orange and my Klymit mat is orange I'm worried that an orange Mont sleeping bag might make me feel like I'm staying inside a 70s retro horror flick.

[neilmny]

Well it's between this and the Mont Zodiac 700. Both come in long versions. Both weight the same. Both similar EN ratings. The Mont uses 680 down instead of 650, I don't know how significant that is. Given that the inside of my Moondance Tent is part orange and my Klymit mat is orange I'm worried that an orange Mont sleeping bag might make me feel like I'm staying inside a 70s retro horror flick.

Inside the Trek 3 is orange.........there's no escape!

[CasualNerd]

Well it's between this and the Mont Zodiac 700. Both come in long versions. Both weight the same. Both similar EN ratings. The Mont uses 680 down instead of 650, I don't know how significant that is.

If you're buying in store, have a look at the reports that come tucked inside each trek sleeping bag. You'll find the test / report on the down quality for the particular batch of down used. Mine was actually 755 loft down, when it was advertised as 650. Might be a bonus that works in your favour

[Catcher]

Well it's between this and the Mont Zodiac 700. Both come in long versions. Both weight the same. Both similar EN ratings. The Mont uses 680 down instead of 650, I don't know how significant that is.

If you're buying in store, have a look at the reports that come tucked inside each trek sleeping bag. You'll find the test / report on the down quality for the particular batch of down used. Mine was actually 755 loft down, when it was advertised as 650. Might be a bonus that works in your favour

Unfortunately both would be needed to be ordered online.
I'm almost certain I'm going to get the Trek III

[benjabimon]

My girlfriend has the Trek III and I have the Trek II, we're both pretty happy with them and I'm pleased to report that the zipping them together thing works pretty well The only thing is that you might find there's a little too much space in the sleeping bag, which means more dead air trapped inside that your body needs to warm at night. If it is really cold one night, chuck some extra loose clothes in there at night to take up some of that space.

The bags that come with them for compression are really good too. I find that if you pick up the bag and give it a good squish, or bear hug, before trying to get it into the compression sack it helps things along nicely.

[Catcher]

Ok Just ordered the Trek III. Thanks for everyone's input.

[paul_gee]

A small matter but do people find it easy enough to pack up in the provided bag?

The stitching and fabric weave must be very tight as it takes quite some time to "deflate".

The internal fabric is probably a lighter weave than the external, so consider folding it inside out to deflate quicker.