View Full Version : MontBell UL SS #1 (rated 15*F)
Did the approach trail out of Amicalola to Springer on Sat. Snowed most of the day on the hike up. I tented near the shelter @ Springer. Temperature @ 9:30PM was about 20*F. Lowest temp during the night was 17*F according to Many Sleeps (rigerunner@ Springer). Winds were gusting throughout the night, windchill had to be around 0*F or below, not really sure.
This was the perfect weather to try out my new bag and boy was I glad I had it. I also had a MontBell warm up sheet as well. The bag exceeded my expectations in terms of comfort and being true to the temp rating.
I started out in capaliene top & bottoms and a down vest , but after 15 mins or so, I had to shed the vest to keep from sweating. I stayed toasty warm throughout the night. The 800 fill down was doing it's job. After trying the superstretch system, I don't know if I'll ever be comfortable in a standard bag again. I was able to move freely within the bag with minimal restriction. Time will tell as to the durability of the bag. I hope the stretch system continues to keep it's ability to recoil after years of use. We'll see...
-Uncle B
Survivor Dave
03-10-2008, 15:34
I've had that same bag for about 6 months and it's rating is conservative. I would rate it at about 5 degrees with single base layers of capilene and wool socks. That's just my opinion.
I ran into Many Sleeps as well on the first of March. Pretty cool guy.
Click on pic below.
I got the same and it's been too warm! :mad: They have a #3? :D
SD,
I would agree with them being conservative on the temp rating it can definantly go lower. I guess what I was trying to say when I said "true to the rating" is that it's true you won't get cold @ 15*F in this bag. :D
Had several good convos w/ Many Sleeps over the weekend. Nice fella...
-Uncle B
Survivor Dave
03-10-2008, 15:57
Geez Sly,
So it's not true. You aren't really a cold blooded character!:D
The #2 is 25*
The #3 is....I dunno... less warm than the #2. You look it up... :D
I got the same and it's been too warm! :mad: They have a #3? :D
hammock engineer
03-10-2008, 21:59
I have the #2 and really like it. The stretch is probibly the best part. The bigger bag adds some oz, but not enough to off set it. I like the extra room. Plenty of room to add a second sleeping bag or quilt to extend the range. On my thru I had the #2 below 0 with the help of a quilt inside it.
Baum Trigger
03-10-2008, 22:44
Geez Sly,
So it's not true. You aren't really a cold blooded character!:D
The #2 is 25*
The #3 is....I dunno... less warm than the #2. You look it up... :D
The #3 is a 30* . I have one a love it. I used it down to 10* with their UL Down Inner Jacket in the Grand Canyon for 2 weeks in Dec. Wasn't cold, but wasn't too hot.
I have the #2 and really like it. The stretch is probibly the best part. The bigger bag adds some oz, but not enough to off set it. I like the extra room. Plenty of room to add a second sleeping bag or quilt to extend the range. On my thru I had the #2 below 0 with the help of a quilt inside it.
That is VERY nice to know. I have the #2 and LOVE it. I know it will go well below the rating. I also have the Montbell liner with it. I am a very warm sleeper, but have to admit I have been wiery of the warmth I might get if it is in the teens or lower. Thanks for the info. It makes me feel better about my trip in April. :)
rusty075
03-11-2008, 01:17
I've got a #4 and it has become my one-and-only bag for almost every situation. I think it's rated for ~35°, but with a set of midweight long undies on plus a wool cap I've slept through nights that dipped down into the teens. Even woke up covered in snow once. :cool: The stretch system is simply brilliant. I was worried about the durability of the thin shell and the elastics, but after three years and close to 200 nights in it the bag still looks and feels good. I think Montbell bags fall into the "you get what you pay for" category...worth every penny.
I use the #2 and am going to get a #7 for a summer bag. The stretch feature is something I wouldn't want to do without. I got the silk sheet to keep the inside clean and the gore-tex cover to keep it dry and clean on the outside too. ;)
rusty075
03-11-2008, 14:12
For 10-K and the others that use a liner in their SS bag: how badly does that mess up the superstretchy-ness? I've thought about using a liner, but was worried that it would eliminate the best thing about the bag.
For 10-K and the others that use a liner in their SS bag: how badly does that mess up the superstretchy-ness? I've thought about using a liner, but was worried that it would eliminate the best thing about the bag.
Not at all. Since it isn't part of the bag itself the sheet can move around and conform to any position I've tried so far. FWIW, I like to sleep on my side with my knees bent - no problem with the sheet.
I should qualify this by adding that I'm using the Mont Bell silk liner. I don't know how others might work, including the Mont Bell "Warm up" sheet.
LIhikers
03-11-2008, 17:45
I've been comfortable in my #2 down to 13 degrees with just a good base layer on.
I've had that same bag for about 6 months and it's rating is conservative. I would rate it at about 5 degrees with single base layers of capilene and wool socks. That's just my opinion.
I ran into Many Sleeps as well on the first of March. Pretty cool guy.
Click on pic below.
How do you attach a thumbnail pic to your post?
I have a UL SS#2 and just saw it in Backpacker Magazine as a summer Bag ?- Not sure what they could be thinking...
Survivor Dave
03-11-2008, 19:10
I read the same thing. I had the #2 and sold it partly for that reason. The Smokies can get cold in April and May of what I've heard, so I bought the #1. Very toasty.
SD
I have a UL SS#2 and just saw it in Backpacker Magazine as a summer Bag ?- Not sure what they could be thinking...
Survivor Dave
03-11-2008, 19:11
Click on the paper clip Icon, hit browse, select a pic and click, and upload.
SD
How do you attach a thumbnail pic to your post?
Skidsteer
03-11-2008, 19:41
How do you attach a thumbnail pic to your post?
Click on the paper clip Icon, hit browse, select a pic and click, and upload.
SD
Or....if you want to post a photo from your WB Gallery:
-Click on the photo icon(looks kinda like a mountain).
-Delete the http that is already there.
-Paste your gallery link.
-Preview your post to make sure it took.
I have a UL SS#2 and just saw it in Backpacker Magazine as a summer Bag ?- Not sure what they could be thinking...
They weren't thinking. No 800 fil down bag with a 25 degree rating should be considered a SUMMER bag...IMO. They totally got that wrong.
Click on the paper clip Icon, hit browse, select a pic and click, and upload.
SD
Guess I'll have to try again. tried that procedure and got it posted as an attachment but not a thumbnail.