feathered friends vs western mountaineering

High fill down usually found in high end bags means you need to keep the down clean and dry. Temperature rating: 30F (also available in 20 and 40 models)Weight: 1 lb. The sleeping bag continuously baffles and lets its user place insulation wherever needed. Todays backpacking sleeping bags offer not only exceptional warmth for their weight Once a niche segment of backpacking, ultralight (UL) gear is gaining traction among outdoor enthusiasts who want to travel faster and further with less weight on their back. Both make top-notch sleeping bags for serious outdoorspeople, but Feathered Friends is tough to beat. Western Mountaineering produces mummy bags or rectangular bag designs to maximize weight savings. Some companies here adhere to international testing standards (you'll see mention of EN or ISO ratings), while many of the smaller brands choose to provide their own temperature ratings. Colorado Springs, Colorado USA. I love it; its super warm, lofts beautifully, resists moisture. All in all, the Micron is a more durable choice than most ultralight bags and inexpensive to boot, which is why weve included it on our list. With that, many of these bags and quilts can compress roughly to the size of a Nalgene bottle, easily fitting into a corner of your backpacking packor bike pannier. Western Mountaineering vs. Feathered Friends. Weve been disappointed by fragile and snag-prone zippers from Mountain Hardwear in the past, so the current Phantoms design is a welcome improvement. Weve broken our top picks for 2023 below into two categories: ultralight sleeping bags, which include both traditional mummy bags and hoodless designs designed to be combined with a down puffy, andbackpacking quilts that either attach to a sleeping pad or are used in a hammock. Between 800 and 900FP down the big difference is the maturity of the feathers when plucked/sorted. In the end, your choice comes down to what sort of versatility you prefer: do you need a full zip to stay comfortable on colder nights or an open back to ventilate when its warmer? Cant go wrong either way. While the Feathered Friends Penguin Y20 features a technology that allows it to transform and create room for two, the Western Mountaineering Ultralite is adored for its weight.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'travelhowto_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_6',108,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-travelhowto_com-medrectangle-4-0'); This brand manufactures a wide variety of sleeping bags to meet all users needs. Feathered Friends and Western Mountaineering have some of the best sleeping bags for cold weather camping. The sleeping pad you bring on an expedition can be the difference between a comfortable outing in nature and a sleepless night spent tossing and turning. The 10-denier shellwhile undeniably thinis made with Montbells Ballistic Airtight nylon, which is tightly woven to increase tear resistance. Temperature rating: 40F Comfort, 32F Lower LimitWeight: 1 lb. of 850-fill downWhat we like: A well-designed zipper and competitive price.What we dont: Lacks the warmth-to-weight of premium bags from Feathered Friends and Therm-a-Rest. Overall, the Nanolite is a worthy entry for Western Mountaineering into the world of backpacking quilts. Temperature rating: 20F (also available in 10 and 30 models)Weight: 1 lb. Your email address will not be published. As of right now, I'm leaning towards the Versalite or Apache if I can manage the dimensions without feeling cramped. That said, for just 4.5 ounces more, you could have more full-body coverage (including a hood) with a bag like the Therm-a-Rest Hyperion. Gore Windstopper: this is made of a more heavy material than microfiber. Further, since these are small companies, most of their gear is handmade in the United States. if you call ff they will to talk to you about anything they make or sell for as long as you want. These hybrid options are super versatile ultralight sleep systems that cross over from cold to warm better than most, but keep in mind that the full-length zipper does add some weight. This will cost you a small weight penalty but may end up being worth it in the long run. Seems maybe FF is the new WM for this generation. WM is available through many dealers, and the dealers will occasionally discount the bags. It has a foot girth to keep your feet warm. These gripes aside, youd be hard-pressed to find a lighter bag with such a well-rounded feature set, earning the Flylite a spot toward the top of our list. Keeping the bag dry and clean means extra work while camping, too. Please be mindful of our values and boundaries and review our Community Guidelines prior to posting. The western guided expeditions are full-service trips and are most appropriate for first-time Everest climbers or anyone looking for maximum levels of support. I have always liked that feature. Temperature rating: 30FWeight: 1 lb. If you consider yourself in either category, we recommend looking at wider or roomier options. It is very durable since it is made with an Extreme Lite shell with a high thread count that boosts durability. I think thats where youll find where they diverge. Sure, 7.7 ounces of down fill isnt a lot, but its hard to argue with the efficiency of this Western Mountaineering design. As a semi-custom shop FF is a little better at more non-standard bags special fabrics, extra long size, semi-rec or rectangular bags, etc. IagosGhost Posts: 1185 Joined: Mon Jan 08, 2007 4:45 pm Thanked: 141 times in 89 posts. Both are excellent ultralight 20-degree bags and your final choice might come down to availability, but we give a slight nod to the Feathered Friends. At 1 pound even, the Pluton is the lightest model in their lineup but doesnt skimp on the details. The Penguin YF 20 is made of Pertex 20 denier nylon outer fabric. And for cold sleepers or higher elevations, REI also offers the Magma 15, which clocks in at 1 pound 12.2 ounces and retails for $399. The Flylites 36-degree temperature rating is only 6 degrees shy of the Hummingbirds, but a quick look at the specs tells a different story. You can lock each side towards the center for more draft protection or closer to the sides for a roomier sleep. 4.8-oz. But the specialty quilt market is highly competitive in 2023, and weve moved the Zpacks to the bottom of our list given the quality control issues.See the Zpacks 20F Solo Quilt. Temperature rating: 35F (also available in 25 and 50 models)Weight: 1 lb. A draft collar is an insulated tube that encircles the top opening of a sleeping bag or quilt, closing the gap between your body and the bag. Western Mountaineering vs. Feathered Friends. I would agree that you'll be 100% happy . The Vesper 20 is a bit lighter than our top-ranked Enlightened Equipment, but the Enigma makes up for it with 3 ounces more down (albeit with a slightly lower fill power). The bag compresses when packed and remains lightweight without damaging the heat factor. Helium $448. Required fields are marked *. This feature ensures that you get maximum comfort and will not get muscle cramps as you sleep. Within this category, its also worth looking at the Therm-a-Rest Vela (which uses less premium 650-fill down) and the double version of Sea-to-Summits Ember.See the Enlightened Equipment Accomplice 20. ), although the Hummingbird uses ultra-lofty 950-fill-power down that offsets some of that difference. The most obvious pitfall is price$599 is over $100 more than any other quilt here, and almost twice what youll pay for the Enigma. It has a 5IN loft and 20 degrees temperature rating. The bag has a wrap-around that separates its YKK 8 zipper, which enables the bag to open up entirely and can be used as a quilt. For decades, questions have come up concerning the ethical nature of down products and their production process. Performance Pants and Tights (13) Climbing Pants (8) all Pants. If you havent yet heard of Feathered Friends, we recommend that you get acquainted. And because all of these bags and quilts are insulated with down rather than synthetic fill, they pack down incredibly small. 4.7 oz.Fill: 11.7 oz. opinions/experiences welcome. The ultralight mummy bags on our list have temperature ratings from around 20 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit and weigh between 12 ounces and 1 pound 13 ounces, with most hovering just over 1 pound. of 850-fill downWhat we like: Reasonably priced, super customizable, and a generous amount of down.What we dont: Long wait time and some might not like the enclosed footbox. The Hummingbird (1 lb. Temperature rating: 30FWeight: 1 lb. The Feathered Friends is even a little less expensive than my Western Mountaineering bag. They'll even do sme " custom" work for you. Unless youre sleeping in a hammock, its incredibly important to pair your ultralight quilt or sleeping bag with an appropriately insulative sleeping pad. Like ultralight sleeping bags, quilts prioritize weight savings with high-fill-power down, thin shell fabrics, and lightweight attachment systems. Our premium articles include in depth journalism and insights from the Backpacking Light editorial team. Clean and dry are the two most important things to maintaining high FP down. Apart from warmth, down is durable, lightweight, and highly compressible. Many ultralight sleeping bags use a zipper to cinch all the way closed, while others, like the Feathered Friends Tanager,drop the zipper for a simple slip-on tube. Because they provide wraparound protection, sleeping bags generally are a bit heavier than quilts, but theyre also slightly warmer. MicroFiber Shells: Sleeping bags in this category are made from tightly woven polyester or Nylon. Baffles essentially are tubes of fabric that help down insulation stay evenly distributed throughout a bag or quilt. If you are a particularly cold sleeper, we recommend choosing a quilt with a collar. of 950-fill downWhat we like: Extremely well-built and warmer than the temperature rating suggests. For example, the Feathered Friends Hummingbird UL has 11.5 ounces of 950-fill goose down. This brand offers its sleeping bags in three extremeLite fabrics, which include:if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'travelhowto_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_8',111,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-travelhowto_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); Lets look at some outstanding features that make Western Mountaineering a good brand. It has a Mummy shape, and a #5YKK is two-way and separates locking sliders and zippers. I also tried a WM Kodiak, and it's not quite as roomy. Temperature rating: 20F (also available in 10, 30, and 40 models)Weight: 1 lb. of 950-fill downWhat we like: Super comfortable and warm for its weight.What we dont: Very thin materials and no zipper for ventilation. Down is the most efficient natural insulation that is much warmer for a given weight than other insulating material used to make sleeping bags. Other quilts feature a snap and drawcord closure instead. Plus, you get a generous 60 inches across at the shoulders (or 65 if you opt for the Broad variation), which allows for greater versatility than a narrower model like the 57-inch Sea to Summit Emberabove. And a final note: The Flylite is hard to come by at the time of writing, but Western Mountaineering also offers the HighLite ($405), which features slightly more down and checks in at 1 pound even.See the Western Mountaineering Flylite. It doesnt possess some of the top-notch features that the other bags from this brand possess. But while those with full-length zippers offer ventilation similar to a quilt, we find that zipperless bags or bags with shortened zippers are much less versatile. A second popular pick is the Feathered Friends Snowbunting EX, another 0-degree option at only 2 pounds 13 ounces. If youre sleeping without a tarp or tent, make sure to clear the ground of any abrasive objects. The Phantom goes head to head with a bag like the Western Mountaineering SummerLite above, combining similar amounts of insulation with a functional feature set. You can use this bag for all seasons of the year. Replies 21 Views 1K. And for warmer temperatures, wed certainly point you toward a more versatile and lighter option like the Sea to Summit Spark above. Yet the same could be said for Feathered Friends. While it isn't long enough to fall into the parka . I haven't had FF do a fabric substitution but I just spoke with one of their employees today and custom zipper configurations are an option. The fill is less, but the bag is smaller, so the loft/warmth will be the same, maybe even warmer if it fits better (more efficient.) Slotting right in between the Flyite and UltraLite, the Western Mountaineering SummerLite is a well-balanced bag for summer backpackers. Now certified bodies evaluate all parts of the supply chain, from owners to manufacturers. Our top quilt picks range from 13 ounces to 1 pound 6 ounces, with most models clocking in around 1 pound. 900FP down, in theory, will be a tad bit warmer. Some people prefer Western Mountaineering bags, while others prefer Feathered Friends bags. Feathered Friends and Western Mountaineering are both high-end sleeping bag manufacturers. I don't think FF has had an issue with that though, or they would have quit their tucked seems long ago. Their most premium sub-1-pound design is the Flylite, which checks in at a scant 14.3 ounces and includes a half-length zipper and hood, along with a draft collar to trap warmth. It is also available in three different temperature ratings: 20,30 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit. This brands best budget-friendly sleeping bag is the Everlite 45 Degree, which costs approximately 325 US dollars.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'travelhowto_com-banner-1','ezslot_7',110,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-travelhowto_com-banner-1-0'); It is pocket friendly compared to others from the same brandIt is durableIt has much more room due to its rectangular shape than the Mummy shaped bags. Even Therm-a-Rests own Hyperion 32 is lighter at 1 pound even, and you get the added protection of a hood. The WM GWS is for special circumstances only. Most high-end sleeping bags are of excellent quality and do the job perfectly. thermal transfer ribbon for zebra printer, zara double sided crop jacket, laminated glass panels, 800 and 900FP down, in theory, will be a tad bit warmer that the other bags from brand. 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