 I'm thinking about getting a half-bag like the OMM PA1 for winter camping. I have a Rab Summit Extreme jacket that i would use it with. The OMM bag only weighs 360g. Anybody used a half-bag before? Any feedback would be appreciated.
|
 |
 Doesn't appeal to me, I'd want to be able to zip a jacket to it in order to make it an all-in-one. But it is an interesting concept nonetheless.
|
|
Ah, the old pied d'elephant idea. I've tried it with a half bag from NZ — Fairydown, I think it was — and found it pretty uncomfortable. It seemed pretty restrictive compared to a normal bag, and gaps tended to open up in the middle of the night. OK for an alpine bivi, I guess, but I prefer to carry a the extra weight of my PHD down bag.
|
|
 Sorry, googled OMM PA1 so question irrelevant.
|
| Edited: 06/09/07 19:21 |
 The Rab Top Bag sounds a more sensible idea, especially if combined with something like the Exped Down Mattress, or the Insul-Mat Max Thermo.
|
|
.jpg) Looks like a good design, I use a 800gm ME dewline bag with a light weight duvet jacket for light weight winter camping and alpine bivis and yes I think it works great. Not exactly what your proposing here, but the Rab jacket will have miles more insulation than what I use. Definately much more versatile than just a bag. To keep everything reasonably clean and odour free, so they don't need regular laundering, I always wear clean socks, baselayers and beanie hat, otherwise you'll end up having to wash them regularly, especially the jacket from prelonged contact and rubbing your head/hair (I'm thinking the hood is not detachable on the Rab extreme).
|
|
Thanks guys. I carry the jacket anyway so i don't see the need to carry a full bag. Plus i sleep on my stomach so always have the top half of my body out of the bag in summer. I'll be able to do the same in winter with a half bag. I sleep warm so i'm thinking i'll have a more comfortable sleep with this combo. I could open the jacket up and use it as a quilt if i got too warm. If anyone wants to recommend a half bag, feel free.
|
|
If you sleep warm, then just one point, the lower part of the OMM half bag doesn't appear to have a zip. So, you wouldn't be able to regulate your warmth below your torso. It may not be an issue with you, but I have a problem with over heating feet, which can cause me problems for a good nights sleep. Often, to have a good nights sleep, I have to unzip the bottom of my other bags and stick my feet out. My ME Dewline bag has no zip at all, so I only use it outside it's temp rating, so I'm having to put layers on, or sleep colder. In that respect, it was a bad choice, but I've worked out a good light weight winter camp/summer alpine bivi system (using the down jacket) that gives me a good nights sleep.
|
| Edited: 06/09/07 22:28 |
I know what you mean Paul. It's all about working out what's right for you. By the way, i'm sure Golite do a bag with velcro at the bottom so you can stick your feet out if you want.
|
|
 The current GoLite Feather has an opening for feet to vent if necessary. I have the previous model which I bought from HikeLite a few years ago. It is an excellent bag if you can live with a half zip [down the middle too]] and was best in test in TGO. Unfortunately the Feather is surprisingly hard to get hold of in this country which is a shame as it is available in a variety of sizes too. http://www.go-lite.com/product/productdetail.aspx?p=SS7203&s=1
|
|
