Tarptent Rainbow and Mont Bell UL Hugger #3

[dugsuth]

I just wanted to post up quickly regarding my experience using two new bits of gear, a Tarptent Rainbow and a Mont Bell UL Spiral Down Hugger #3 sleeping bag. I spent last weekend out in Kosciuszko National Park with a mate of mine (who was also incidentally trying out his new Big Agnes Copper Spur 1). The weather on Saturday was perfect, blue skies and a great temperature, and Sunday morning was beautiful too (but building to a storm as we left). Here are some pics of the TT setup on the top of Muellers Peak (Wilkinsons Creek side) and of the Big Agnes (and some scenic shots thrown in).

The night temps only got down to around 7-8C in my TT (as recorded on my watch which has been accurate enough when I have checked it in the past). In my sleeping bag, wearing only a pair of bonds thermals and a polyester tshirt (no socks or beanie) and using a roman liner (Silktec) I woke up around midnight and I was sweating. I had to open up the sleeping bag about halfway and get my arms out of the bag for it to be comfortable. Whilst the temps didn’t really reach what I was hoping (closer to 0C) it was a great sign for future use of the bag. To put some background to me, I weigh 87kgs, am 176cms tall and would consider myself a warm sleeper. As we were up high and somewhat exposed there was a fairly stiff breeze through the TT all night, but I was very comfortable. The stretchability of the sleeping bag is spot on, I was at one stage lying on my stomach with one of my legs crossed over the other and it was in no way constrictive. In addition to this, each time I woke up I checked the inside of the tent for condensation, which I never found (probably helped by the altitude and high winds). Overall I was extremely happy with both purchases.

Sleeping bag specs are:

EN TESTED: 5˚C(Comfort), 1˚C(Lower Limit), -14˚C(Extreme*)
800 Fill Power Goose Down
12-denier Ballistic Airlight Nylon
100 wash rated Polkatex® Durable Water Repellant
Stuffed Size: 5.1"x10.1"

[Weight] 1 lb. 4 oz. (Mine weighs in at 590g (long version))
[Fill Weight] 11.0 oz.

I am happy to post up any extra pics or info if requested (sleeping bag compressed etc).

[PiniPowPow]

Thanks for sharing, the tents look great. I went for a ride then walk out to Cootapatamba Hut on Saturday as well. Beautiful day out in the mountains.

[wayno]

yeah the spiral down bags get rave reviews looks to be a winner, with the elastic stitching that pulls the bag in against your body reducing dead air inside the bag that would reduce warmth.

[iGBH]

Got the same Montbell bag. For the weight i reckon it is fantastic. I was comparing it to the perennial favourite when purchasing (WM Summerlite) and the fact that the Montbell had stretch and was a much more comfortable fit was the determining factor for me. The WM bag with similar specs has a much narrower cut which for me was too constrictive. The stretch in the Montbell really allows you to stretch out without compromising warmth.

[dugsuth]

Thanks for the replies guys. Re the Mont Bell sleeping bag, I actually went into a Paddy Pallin store and got into a WM Summerlite to test it. At that stage I was deadset on a WM Summerlite. Unfortunately I have broad shoulders and as soon as I zipped up the WM bag I felt like I was in a straight jacket. After doing the research I am so glad I bought the Mont Bell, lovely construction and the feel of the fabric and quality of the overall bag is excellent.

[Onestepmore]

Looks like a fantastic camp site. Beautiful views and great weather

I have recently received the Mont Bell #0 spiral bag as a winter bag (to replace an ancient almost 2kg Paddy Pallin winter down bag I have had for over 25 years). I think I'll appreciate the stretch as when it's cold I curl up and I have hips (XX chromasomes to blame), but it hasn't had a test-run in properly cold weather yet
I have a WM Summerlite in all it's glorious shiny red as a summer bag. Best of both worlds?
(PS I am a cold sleeper)

[wayno]

i'm hosed off i didnt get a spiral bag, i read the odd review that talked about the spiral huggers loosing feathers and i opted for a normally designed bag. but people on this forum have no problems at all with those bags.

[dugsuth]

I am hoping to get a good test run next year in some low temps to really see what the #3 is capable of comfortably doing, but at this stage I would definitely get one again. A friend of mine is now looking at picking up a #0 for some NZ trekking next year.

[Lizzy]

I had the Montbell #3- loved the stretch but unfortunately was too cold for me around zero degrees- even with a down jacket. I sleep cold though. I ended up with a WM Apache- 19 oz of fill compared to the Montbells 11 oz. Could have gone with a warmer montbell but ended up buying locally and thought I'd try the WM bag. Has been good in the snow for me