Sleeping Bag Recommendation - Cumulus?

[tryangus]

Hey gang!

Just wanted to get some opinions here on a future sleeping bag purchase. Having always been a synthetic user, I'm now looking at making the switch to a quality down-filled bag.

My current bag, a TNF 'Cat's Meow', has been an astounding piece of kit but it's a tad porky at 1200g and takes up considerable space in my rucksack. (Space that could otherwise be used for more photographic equipment!).

What I'm after is a bag that:-
-is lightweight (<1kg)
-is compact
-is sub zero (T comfort) rated
-has a full length zip
-has a draft collar of some description
(asking the impossible yet? )

I've been pointed in the direction of a small company called 'Cumulus', in particular this little number:-
http://www.sleepingbags-cumulus.com/Lite-Line-400,down-sleeping-bags,4.html

I've never actually heard of them previously but they look pretty impressive on paper. They don't appear to be EN13537-tested however the design, materials and high-loft Polish down fill ('pre inflated' measurment) suggests that the listed comfort rating be not far from the truth. (Internet speculation suggests the design follows a similar shape to the Western Mountaineering Ultralight line?).

My question is:-
-Has anyone used/had any experience with Cumulus sleeping bags?
-Has anyone have any suggestions for a similar-speecd sleeping bag?

Cheers in advance!
Gus

[wayno]

search the forums, sleeping bags get discussed a lot

"down quality: 96/4, min 850 cuin goose down"
this is very good quality down
they are using pertex as well which is top of the line fabric

i use exped bags you'll need the light range at least to get a draft collar.
a few people on here are fans of mont-bell but you cant buy mont bell in local shops , have to go to http://iclimb.co.nz/
theres other good brands out there, mont, sea to summit, marmot. the north face. mountain hardwear. mountain equipment.

[tryangus]

It's pretty impressive on paper, eh? Just curious whether it's 'too good to be true' or whether there is something I'm missing.

I'd imagine the topic of sleeping bags would be well done to death on this forum - was unsuccessful on finding any information/experience on Cumulus however.

[wayno]

theres a positive review here of a quantum lightweight bag

http://blogpackinglight.wordpress.com/2 ... -sleeping/

[nq111]

That claimed statistics for that cumulus bag stack up on first glance (provided down etc. is the spec they state).

Not sure if it is a full length zipper though? Of your criteria this will be the toughest to match with the others.

If you could get away from the full-length zipper (i am assumed you want to unzip completely to use as a blanket?) you will find there is a great selection of quality bags that meet your other criteria.

[wayno]

plus brands like western mountaineering, feathered friends, big agnes, rab, phd

[wayno]

comparative reviews
http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/Backpacki ... ws/ratings

[Strider]

Comfort temp of the Cumulus bag is +6C. But you said you want something rated sub-zero?

[nq111]

Comfort temp of the Cumulus bag is +6C. But you said you want something rated sub-zero?

I read it as -6oc?

[wayno]

i read it as -6 as well
the - is on the line above the 6 so its not obvious

[blacksheep]

My concern would be the width of the baffles. they are obviously an exaggerated trapezoid design, but the distance between baffles might make efficient down control pretty challenging. The material spec looks good, but I'm not 100% on the design.

[Strider]

i read it as -6 as well
the - is on the line above the 6 so its not obvious

Yep I see what I did wrong now!

Marmot Pinnacle could be another contendor at a similar pricepoint (when on sale). Have had no direct experience myself though.

[Aushiker]

a few people on here are fans of mont-bell but you cant buy mont bell in local shops , have to go to http://iclimb.co.nz/

Another vote for MontBell. I have a UL Super Spiral Down Hugger #3which came from Http://moontrail.com in the US. It really packs down small ...

Andrew

[Jason68]

Hi fellas, I've run with the Cumulus x-lite 200 now for a year now.

http://www.sleepingbags-cumulus.com/XLi ... gs,40.html

First let me say that I'm mainly in the northern Australia so it is quite adequate, in deed very comfortable for that. I'm a cold sleeper so I find its good down to max 5 degrees, then I start going for the thermals.
Took it on the Bibb track in WA winter and found it lacking for warmth and tended to attract condensation and of course that was it for the down!
As for the lack of zip, I don't miss it, you get used to wiggling in and out.
Width is a problem, I'm a slight lad and a back sleeper so don't move around much so adequate for me, obviously if you're a larger person, side sleeper, wriggle worm then the tight mummy shape is not for you. Feet box is tight.
The baffles are small and the fill seems to be on the light side, as I said I've used it for a year so the fill is starting to gather.
Build quality was all right, outside pertex was no worries, sewing on inside was a bit trouble some - lose threads from the start.
Of course this is one model and I couldn't say it was indicative of the whole range.
I'll keep it for the north, calling it 3 season may be a stretch, but that of course depends on the person.
I'm on the prowl for a 0/-5 rated lightweight bag though... Cause I'm a wouse

[forest]

For what they are the price looks pretty decent.

Maybe another 50g of fill might not go astray on a full bag of this size but mmm still not bad for the price and fabrics used.
Unlike the Panyam 450 there is no comment regarding the down being in a designated top and bottom section of the bag.
To me that's no bad thing as you can shake the down to the top half of the bag where it's needed most.

[tryangus]

Cheers for the input guys!

Made a bit of a shortlist - thus far the Cumulus bag is 'winning' my money but I have a Mountain Equipment bag that I'd like to look into a little further.

I'm on the prowl for a 0/-5 rated lightweight bag though... Cause I'm a wouse

Based upon your experiences with the X-Lite 200, would you consider the X-Lite 400 or the Panyam 450 at all?