Gear Closet: Cocoon Merino Wool Mummy Liner

A good sleeping bag liner is one of the most useful pieces of gear that you can have in your gear closet. Not only does it allow you to add extra warmth to your bag, but it'll do so without breaking the bank in the process. Having a bag liner at your disposal can keep you from buying another sleeping bag, both for cold and warm weather situations. 

If you're in the market for a new sleeping bag liner, Cocoon has a wide variety of options to choose from. They have liners made of silk, fleece, cotton, flannel and even microfiber.  But if you want the absolute best of the bunch, then check out their Merino wool Mummy Liner, which offers warmth, breathability, and unbelievable comfort. 

For those who aren't familiar with sleeping bag liners, they seamlessly slide inside your existing bag, adding extra layer of insulation. Each type of fabric delivers a different type of performance. For instance, the silk version packs down to a small size, provides a few degrees of extra warmth and responds well to changing temperatures. Cotton, on the other hand, is machine washable, very durable and breathes nicely. Merino wool offers most of those qualities and and a few of its own.

As the names implies, the Cocoon's Merino wool Mummy Liner is shaped nicely to fit inside your mummy sleeping. That includes a nicely rounded top to fit inside your bag's hood without bunching up in the process. 

Cocoon says that the Mummy Liner will add approximately 7ºC or 12. 6ºF to any sleeping bag that it is added to. That's a substantial amount of extra warmth out of a product that doesn't add much weight to your backpack, and could potentially keep you from actually buying another sleeping bag for your outdoor adventures. Want to take that cool weather bag on a winter camping trip? Just add a bag liner and you're good to go. 

Using Merino wool in this particular liner was definitely an inspired choice. Not only is that particular fabric soft and comfortable, it also happens to be very warm. On top of that, it breathes very well, making it easy to regulate temperature throughout a long nights sleep. Merino wool also happens to have natural qualities that keep it from holding on to unwanted smells, which can come in handy on extended backpacking trips. 

This particular liner is comfortable enough that it can even be used on its own in warmer weather. The Merino wool is incredibly soft against the skin, and because of its natural ability to breathe, it works great as an extremely lightweight stand-alone sleeping bag for summer camping trips. When camping in environments that are too warm for a traditional sleeping, bag, you can pair this liner with a sleeping pad, and get a good night's sleep without overheating. 

Putting this liner to the test, I came away impressed with a couple of things. First, the Merino wool is very durable, resisting tears and abrasions, and coming away unscathed, even after using it on a couple of camping trips. I also appreciated how stretchy the fabrics were, making it easy to sleep without feeling to restricted. 

If you're an ultralight traveler or hiker who counts every ounce, there are other options available that are both smaller and lighter weight. At 495 grams (17.4 ounces), this is a rather heavy bag liner compared to some of the other options in the Cocoon line-up. When placed inside of its included stuff sack, it also carries a larger footprint than some of the other options as well. But it does deliver on the promise of 12+ extra degrees of warmth, and a super-comfortable nights sleep. If those are qualities you find that you need while backpacking, then this Mummy liner is perfect for your needs. 

At $99.95, the liner isn't the most affordable option on the market. But it does happen to offer some of the best performances you'll find anywhere. Merino wool is one of the best fabrics available for use in our outdoor adventures, and I am happy to see it migrate from clothing, to other products as well. 

Gear Closet: Kelty Ignite Down Sleeping Bag

One of my favorite advances in terms of outdoor gear technology in recent years has been the introduction of waterproof down. In my opinion it is a real game changer in terms of providing us with the best insulation possible while avoiding previous problems with what happens to down when it gets wet. In the past I've reviewed (and loved) the Brooks Range Mojave jacket, which was one of the first products to incorporate DownTek, one of the options available for waterproof down. Recently I've been testing an Ignite Down sleeping bag from Kelty, which uses DriDown, the primary competition to DownTek. It turns out, it doesn't matter what you call the waterproof down inside, it still performs great and remains the best insulator available today.

The version of the Ignite Down sleeping bag that I tested was rated for 20ºF/-7ºC. That makes it a comfortable option for three-season camping. The bag has a pack weight of 2 pound, 12 ounces (1.2 kg), which is decent, if unremarkable. The mummy-style bag also includes internal loops for a bag liner, external security loops for connecting to a sleeping pad and hand loops for storage. It has high quality zippers and is made from 30D ripstop nylon, while being stuffed with 600-fill DriDown of course.

I was extremely impressed with the build quality of the Ignite Down. Kelty has a rich history of delivering outdoor gear that provides an excellent performance to price ratio. But this bag actually exceeded my expectations in terms of how well it managed to keep me comfortable in a variety of conditions. Better yet, it also feels like it is built to last, shrugging off the normal abuse that come with traditional  camping and backpacking trips. The durable external fabrics are easy to keep clean and very resistant to wear and tear.

The bag also happens to be quite comfortable, which is of course what we're all looking for. Not everyone likes a mummy bag, and if you're someone who feels restricted by this type of sleeping bag, the Ignite Down probably won't do anything to change your mind. But if sleeping in a mummy bag isn't a problem for you, you'll find that this one provides a snug, but not overly confining fit, with plenty of room inside. At 6'2" (1.8 m) in height, I used the "Long" version of this bag and found that I had plenty of room to spare. So much so in fact that I could keep socks, base layers and a few other clothing items that I wanted to keep warm and dry at the bottom without feeling cramped in any way.

As expected, the DriDown performs exceptionally well. The material provides plenty of warmth, even at a slightly reduced 600-fill level. In fact, I feel Kelty might be a bit conservative with their temperature rating and I wouldn't have a problem using this bag even in slightly colder weather. Its water-repellant properties make it a great option whether you're camping in the desert or heading to a damp forest. Similarly, it works well in dry, cool conditions, as well as damp, rainy or snowy ones.

If there is a knock on this bag it is probably in its weight and compressibility. As I mentioned earlier, the Ignite Down tips the scales at 2 pounds, 12 ounces, which makes it rather average in terms of pack weight. It also doesn't compress down particularly small, which means it also takes up more room in your pack than similar bags.

But Kelty more than makes up for these minor issues by delivering a great product, that happens to include waterproof down, at an amazing price. The 20ºF version of the Ignite Down carries an MSRP of just $219.95, and it can be found at places like Sport Chalet for just $199.95. That is an incredibly good deal for backpackers and campers on a budget, who care more about good performance at a great price than they do about shaving a few ounces from their pack weight. For those folks, Kelty has delivered a great option.

As we're heading into the holiday season, this sleeping bag also happens to make a great gift for your favorite outdoor enthusiast. I know I wouldn't mind finding one under my tree this year.

Nat Geo Adventure Shares 2013 Spring/Summer Gear Of The Year

In the market for some great new gear for your upcoming Spring and Summer adventures? Okay, I know! That's a silly question. We're always in the market for new gear right? Just in time to kick off a new season of outdoor run, National Geographic Adventure is presenting their picks for the best new gear for warm weather fun.

All told, there are 29 items that are given the nod for Gear of the Year, including tents, sleeping bags, packs, shells and more. In fact, no matter what you're outdoor passion is, there is likely to be something on this list that you can not only use but will probably want to add to your gear closet. For instance, the new Ultimate Direction PB Adventure Vest is perfect for long trail runs in warmer weather while the Big Agnes Fishhook UL2 tent will provide plenty of shelter for those camping excursions. The GoPro Hero3 Black Edition gets a mention as well, but considering how ubiquitous that device is these days, it's no surprise it showed up here as well. Columbia's Omni-Freeze Zero line of apparel sounds like it is just the thing for keeping us cool on a warm summer day and the new Patagonia Encapsil Down Belay Parka promises to take down jackets to a new level for any upcoming mountaineering adventures.

This is just a taste of some of the great gear that is finding its way into our favorite gear shops at the moment. There are a host of other great products on the list as well. Spring is the perfect time to head back outdoors and new gear is always a good incentive to do just that.

Now if I could just get my hands on one of everything!

Gear Closet: High Peak Alpinizmo Latitude 0º Sleeping Bag

A few weeks back I reviewed the High Peak Alpinizmo Lightning 50 backpack, lauding the company for creating a no frills, yet high quality pack that was perfect for both travel and backpacking. I gave the Lightning high marks for being very affordable as well, saying it was a great value for the money. High Peak applies the same philosophy of delivering gear that performs well at an unbeatable price to their line of sleeping bags as well, which I discovered while testing their Alpinizmo Latitude 0º sleeping bag.

The Latitude line of sleeping bags feature a mummy style hood and a synthetic fill wrapped up in an attractive package. Available in three flavors (20ºF/-6ºC, 0ºF/-17ºC and -5ºF/-20ºC) these bags are surprisingly comfortable and warm even when compared to similarly specced down bags.

High Peak stuffs these bags with a proprietary fill that they call CozyTherm which is suppose to increase warmth without adding much in the way of weight. This material is specifically designed to keep body heat from escaping the interior by reflecting it back onto the person sleeping in the bag. CozyTherm also includes solid wicking properties that help keep moisture from getting into the interior and completely ruining a good nights sleep.

The shell of the Latitude consists of fairly standard 40D 240T Tactel Rip Stop Nylon, which is durable enough to resist wear and tear on all but the most demanding trips. Other features include a drawstring hood, draft tubes with a snap enclosure, high quality snag-free zippers, hang loops along the bottom and a zippered interior pocket. All of which is fairly common fair on most sleeping bags on the market over the past few years.  To their credit however, High Peak has implemented those features in a high quality fashion that that is sure to please buyers.

All of those features don't mean much if the bag doesn't perform up to specifications however and I'm pleased to report that the Latitude doesn't fail in that department in the least. This bag is warm and comfortable, although I had to leave it unzipped to allow a little extra ventilation. Admittedly I am a warm-sleeper however and those who prefer to stay a bit more cozy in their bag will appreciate the Latitude's warm. When the temperature plunges, this is a bag that you'll want to have with you.

Once again, High Peak has managed to deliver good performance at an affordable price. The Latitude 0º tips the scales at just 3 pounds, 2 ounces which is pretty impressive when you consider that it's price tag is even lighter. Priced at just $115, this is an affordable option for winter camping and alpine excursions. While the bag wasn't quite as comfortable as my 4-season 800-fill down bag, it also came in a fraction of the cost.

One other thing I should mention is that the Latitude isn't available in a long version. I'm 6'2" (188 cm) in height and I was a bit cramped in this bag. Nothing that impaired my ability to sleep comfortably, but if you're taller than I am, you'll probably want to look elsewhere.

Anyone else in the market for a new bag will find the Latitude to be a worthy option for your money. It's warm, comfortable and lightweight, and durable enough to take on all of your adventures.

More Post-OR Gear Thoughts

A few days back I posted a few thoughts on some of the things that I saw at Outdoor Retailer last week. For outdoor enthusiasts the convention is pure gear nirvana with so many great things to see that it is difficult to explain the experience to others. Needless to say however, if you're in the market for new boots, packs, tents or other outdoor gear, there are hundreds of options on display.

While sifting through my notes on the show, here are a few more great pieces of gear that you'll want to keep an eye on in the months ahead. Some are available now and others will be released over the next few months, but all impressed me on multiple levels.

SlingFin Tents
Not for the average consumer, SlingFin builds a line of tents designed for mountaineers and adventure guides. They have everything from small, two-person, four-season tents to large expedition dome tents, each with a unique design and plenty of attention to detail. What struck me about their shelters was the level of versatility they provide in terms of ventilation, stability and comfort. These tents have years of thought and design put into them and it shows. Experienced adventurers can buy just one of the SlinFin tents and use it on multiple adventures around the planet including deserts, mountains and polar regions. Very impressive.

Mountain Equipment Helium Sleeping Bag
Mountain Equipment is a gear company that has been around for decades in Europe and the U.K. but has just started to find its way across the pond to the States in the past few years. They make excellent mountaineering gear that is very high quality and yet remains quite affordable. I was especially impressed with their sleeping bag line which incorporated some excellent design choices to make a very comfortable sleeping experience. Warm and light weight, the Helium bags offered nice touches like a uniquely designed bottom designed to provide more room and comfort for your feet. Anatomically designed hoods help to keep your head warm without sacrificing warmth, while comfortable neck collars and two-direction locking zippers provide plenty of options as well. The company has a sleeping bag for just about everyone, whether you're camping in the backyard or taking on Everest, and more thought has gone into those bags than most other companies puts into their entire product line. For those looking to cut weight, their new Xero bag is rated for 20ºF/-6ºC, weighs in at just 27 ounces (765 grams) and costs just $340. Not bad at all!

Switch Eyewhere
Outdoor athletes, adventure racers, triathletes or anyone who just demands a lot from their performance eyewear will certainly want to take a look at the options from Switch. The company has come up with an ingenious design that incorporates magnets into the frames and lenses, allowing you to quickly swap them out based on the current lighting conditions. Running a 24-hour adventure race? Switch can provide you with the right lenses for morning, mid-day and evening light, allowing you to use a single frame for every situation. There are numerous frames to choose from and they are all durable, rugged and great looking. Lenses are fully RX-able and there are several kits available that come with two sets of lenses to get you started. This is one of those great concepts that you're not sure why someone didn't come up with it sooner.



New Balance Minimus Hi-Rez Running Shoe
Minimalist running shoes were all the rage once again this year at OR although the trend moved away from the "barefoot" craze that was popular the past couple of years in favor of designs that were still lightweight and comfortable. One of the shoes that generated a lot of buzz was the new Minimus Hi-Rez from New Balance. Weighing in at just 4.2 ounces and remaining very flexible, the Hi-Rez seems to be a great mix of comfort and speed. They'll carry a price tag of about $120 when they drop in a few months time, but if that's too steep for you bank account, you'll have plenty of similar options from other manufacturers as well.

Princeton Tec Spectrum Headlamps
Princeton Tec was at OR to show off a few new products as well, including a fantastic new headlamp with a rechargeable battery pack that is lightweight, has a long burn time and provides plenty of lumens. But they were also there to talk about their expanded options for their Spectrum lights. If you're not familiar with the Spectrum it gives you the ability to custom design your own headlamp selecting from a couple of different models then building it with the colors and band that you like most. Users can actually make their personal light quite unique and it is fund to build the unit online. After it's complete, Princeton Tec ships it out to you ready for use. The option is great for adventure racing teams for instance who all want matching lamps in team colors. The service was launched at last year's summer OR, but now has a few expanded options.

Pelican Pro-Gear Backpacks
Most of us are probably familiar with Pelican cases, which are fantastic for keeping our fragile gear, such as cameras and laptops, protected from the elements while out in the field. Now the company is preparing to release it's Pro-Gear line of backpacks which actually incorporate a waterproof hard case directly into the pack itself. The packs are a bit bulky but provide great protection for important gear. I expect these will be a big hit with travel and adventure photographers, many of whom visit remote places with gear that doesn't always do well in harsh environments. I tried one of the packs on and found it to be surprisingly comfortable even if it does look a bit awkward. There will be a couple of sizes and colors available when they launch in September.

Julbo Floating Sunglasses
Another eyewear company that impressed with great designs and innovative options. Once again, triathletes and adventure racers will find plenty to like in their catalog but mountaineers will likely be the most impressed. Julbo has its roots in the climbing world and had a number of great styles and options designed for use on the mountain. But perhaps their most impressive innovation was coming up with a pair of performance sunglasses that actually float. How many of us have managed to drop an expensive pair of shades into the water only to watch them quickly sink beneath the surface? With the new frames from Julbo this will no longer be an issue.

Brooks-Range Cloak
Brooks-Range has an excellent new sleeping option that will be available in the spring for those that find themselves getting a bit too warm in a traditional sleeping bag. The new Cloak is actually a "technical blanket" stuffed with waterproof down from Down-Tek that is designed to be used with just a sleeping pad. It comes in three models rated for 45, 30 and 15ºF (7, -1 and -9ºC) with the lightest model weighing just 13 ounces (368 grams). Perfect for warm weather backpacking and camping and the the prototypes that I saw were super soft and comfortable. Definitely a unique piece of gear, but one that I'm sure will be appreciated for its simplicity and function.

Look for reviews and suggestions on these gear items and more in the days and weeks ahead. I'm already testing some of the things I saw at the show and will start sharing thoughts soon.

Nat Geo Adventure Announces 2012 Spring/Summer Gear of the Year

Looking for some new gear to add to your arsenal of outdoor equipment? Than National Geographic Adventure has you covered. They've just announced the winners of their 2012 Spring/Summer Gear of the Year and as always there are plenty of great items competing for your hard earned cash.

Items on the list include the new Sierra Designs Zissou 15 sleeping bag which uses the new waterproof down that has been all the buzz in recent months. The Outdoor Research Axiom jacket get a nod for its use of a more flexible version of Gore-Tex and the Canon 5D Mark III DSLR sets a new standard for cameras as well.

A couple of items that I've had the pleasure of reviewing make the list, including the Atmos 50 backpack from Osprey and Camelbak's ingenious All Clear bottle, which uses UV light to purify drinking water. I found both of those products to be fantastic and highly recommend each as well.

Of course, the Gear of the Year list always inspires some gear-lust in my personally and the 2012 edition is no exception. I'm personally looking forward to trying out the Suunto Ambit watch, which I've heard really great things about and the North Face Havoc Mid GTX XCR hiking boots have me intrigued as well.

Most of this equipment is available now and makes perfect gifts for moms, dads and grads. Of course, they also make perfect gifts for yourself as you gear up for the summer adventures ahead.