In our recent report on the new Crux
eVent shelled sleeping bags, we were a tad dubious about the
zip used on the sample we saw - it looked like an ordinary,
decidedly non-water resistant zip, but it looks like we were wrong
and the zip on the bag is actually highly water
resistant after all.
The production sleeping bags use the Swiss-made Riri
Aquazip, which works along quite different lines to the more
common YKK PU-coated zips. The latter, says Crux, leave a small
enough gap for water to get in and, with use, the action of the
zipper can eventually abrades the PU coating reducing water resistance
further.
The zip on the sample we saw - highly water resistant for
production.
The Riri zip on the other hand, is made from plastic moulded teeth
that actually mesh together and form a seal that's far more water
resistant than the coil zips used elsewhere. On top of that, the zip
slider only contact the teeth so avoids abrading the PU coating.
That means that the Crux Torpedo bags should be much more water
resistant than we first thought making them a more viable alternative
to a bivvy bag / sleeping bag combination. Our reservations about the
hood coverage still hold good, but as an all-in-one mountaineering
rather than rain-resistant solution, we think the Torpedo looks like
an interesting option.
Interestingly the same zip is going to be used on a new Crux
waterproof eVent jacket called the Torq due out this winter. It's a
similar design to the existing Flak jacket, but with handwarmer-type
rather than Napoleon pockets making it slightly more versatile for
more general mountain use.
More zip details at www.crux.uk.com
