MedicineMan
07-17-2004, 22:59
Finally after seemingly forever the Arc Edge appeard at the doorstep. Forever actually was a little over 4 months and considering Nunatak Gear's reputation and product that is an insignificant amount of time to wait for a custom sewn down quilt.
Here is a direct link to Nunatak's page concerning this quilt:
http://www.nunatakusa.com/Sleeping_Bag_arc_edge.htm
The quilt I recieved looks like the one pictured excepting the inner color is the same as the outer.
First I carefully opened the box and was greeted by that almost irridescent blue color, noted the very detail footbox (a copy of the footbox in the Arc Alpinist only diminuative), and the single strap on the back for effecting the variable girth known in the Arc series of 'bags'.
Next off to the post office and the cheeful Postal worker who knows why I'm there before greeting me. Bottom line: 12.4 oz. (or 9.6 oz. less than the Arc Alpinist I've been using), and that measured weight includes a #2 Granite Gear Air Sac.
Next step the fit test....if you read the manufacturers descriptor you will see that all excess has been removed to create the lowest weight quilt possible. When ordering Tom Halpin asked for my body dimensions and shoe size and this added 2inches to the width dimension. The quilt is a perfect fit but dont think you can roll around in this quilt without significant air gaps (this when lying on a flat spot and the quilt simply draped over you) unlike the Alpinist which is much wider. Tucking in the quilt along the shoulders gave a feeling of comfort and not canning (as in sardine). The footbox extends up to the mid-calf area and is what you need and nothing more. The footbox is an exact match for my 10.5 size foot
La AquaNa climbed under the Edge and at 5'2" was dwarfed by it but my feelings of awe were not shared by her. Her first comment was 'you can't roll around in this' , then she asked if I slept like this in the hammock...which I do and that is the key to the Edge's viableness in the hammock I think because for the most part I fall asleep on my back and wake up on my back.
The issue of fit is important and if sheltering or tenting the Edge will certainly work (esp. if you dont roll around a lot while sleeping and if you do consider a silk liner or overbag to decrease/eliminate drafts), but my focus is hammocking and the issue of rolling around in the Edge becomes a much smaller issue because the amount of the quilt that overWraps your shoulders is apparently more in the hammock world. And since I'm using an underquilt or Pod the shoulder areas are covered regardless.
Options for using the Edge:
1. as a line for the Alpinist
2. as a liner between The Nest and the bottom of the HH
(though this option would be an economical puzzle considering
the great difference between the cost of the Edge and liner quilts
offered by Jacks-r-Better or Speer
3. as a liner between the PeaPod and the Speer Hammock
4. as an adjunct to camp wear when pushing its 45F rating
I'm thinking Thermawrap Jacket here or WM Flight and both
with a balaclava, either should get you to freezing if you have
an underquilt deployed below.. This application acknowledges
that you carrying a camp jacket of some sort anyway so why
not sleep in it too and allow a decreased weight of your bag.
For summer use this setup:
HH Light Racer
MacCat Tarp
The Nest
Arc Edge
Total weight:approx. 4lbs
Summation: Those who follow my gear postings know I'm a big fan of Nunatak Gear.....there are few companies that will custom build a down garment or bag to excelsior standards and this is important if you are out of the norm when it comes to sizes or desires. If you do decide a Nunatak product is for you know that when it arrives you've recieved the best but also know you will wait a certain amount of time for that luxury.
If any are interested I will post pics of the Arc Edge and Arc Alpinist beside each other and juxtaposed so you can more easily visualize the size difference. Let me know.
MedicineMan
Here is a direct link to Nunatak's page concerning this quilt:
http://www.nunatakusa.com/Sleeping_Bag_arc_edge.htm
The quilt I recieved looks like the one pictured excepting the inner color is the same as the outer.
First I carefully opened the box and was greeted by that almost irridescent blue color, noted the very detail footbox (a copy of the footbox in the Arc Alpinist only diminuative), and the single strap on the back for effecting the variable girth known in the Arc series of 'bags'.
Next off to the post office and the cheeful Postal worker who knows why I'm there before greeting me. Bottom line: 12.4 oz. (or 9.6 oz. less than the Arc Alpinist I've been using), and that measured weight includes a #2 Granite Gear Air Sac.
Next step the fit test....if you read the manufacturers descriptor you will see that all excess has been removed to create the lowest weight quilt possible. When ordering Tom Halpin asked for my body dimensions and shoe size and this added 2inches to the width dimension. The quilt is a perfect fit but dont think you can roll around in this quilt without significant air gaps (this when lying on a flat spot and the quilt simply draped over you) unlike the Alpinist which is much wider. Tucking in the quilt along the shoulders gave a feeling of comfort and not canning (as in sardine). The footbox extends up to the mid-calf area and is what you need and nothing more. The footbox is an exact match for my 10.5 size foot
La AquaNa climbed under the Edge and at 5'2" was dwarfed by it but my feelings of awe were not shared by her. Her first comment was 'you can't roll around in this' , then she asked if I slept like this in the hammock...which I do and that is the key to the Edge's viableness in the hammock I think because for the most part I fall asleep on my back and wake up on my back.
The issue of fit is important and if sheltering or tenting the Edge will certainly work (esp. if you dont roll around a lot while sleeping and if you do consider a silk liner or overbag to decrease/eliminate drafts), but my focus is hammocking and the issue of rolling around in the Edge becomes a much smaller issue because the amount of the quilt that overWraps your shoulders is apparently more in the hammock world. And since I'm using an underquilt or Pod the shoulder areas are covered regardless.
Options for using the Edge:
1. as a line for the Alpinist
2. as a liner between The Nest and the bottom of the HH
(though this option would be an economical puzzle considering
the great difference between the cost of the Edge and liner quilts
offered by Jacks-r-Better or Speer
3. as a liner between the PeaPod and the Speer Hammock
4. as an adjunct to camp wear when pushing its 45F rating
I'm thinking Thermawrap Jacket here or WM Flight and both
with a balaclava, either should get you to freezing if you have
an underquilt deployed below.. This application acknowledges
that you carrying a camp jacket of some sort anyway so why
not sleep in it too and allow a decreased weight of your bag.
For summer use this setup:
HH Light Racer
MacCat Tarp
The Nest
Arc Edge
Total weight:approx. 4lbs
Summation: Those who follow my gear postings know I'm a big fan of Nunatak Gear.....there are few companies that will custom build a down garment or bag to excelsior standards and this is important if you are out of the norm when it comes to sizes or desires. If you do decide a Nunatak product is for you know that when it arrives you've recieved the best but also know you will wait a certain amount of time for that luxury.
If any are interested I will post pics of the Arc Edge and Arc Alpinist beside each other and juxtaposed so you can more easily visualize the size difference. Let me know.
MedicineMan