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#122415 - 10/14/09 08:24 PM Re: Narrowed it down to 2 bags... [Re: NightForce]
NitroSteel Offline
member

Registered: 03/14/08
Posts: 61
I was told the EQ fabric was best for below freezing temperatures (snow caves, etc) and that it didn't breathe as well as the non-EQ version, nor would moisture dry from within as quickly. It would help alot if it is being dripped on, and would help alot in an open shelter with alot of wind (like last week)...

Maybe the information I was given was wrong, but I decided to get the regular version since I'm mostly on the above freezing/no snow trips.

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#122424 - 10/14/09 10:59 PM Re: Narrowed it down to 2 bags... [Re: NightForce]
Subie Love Offline
member

Registered: 09/23/09
Posts: 39
Loc: Mid-Michigan
Originally Posted By NightForce
This winter I'll try sleeping on the deck in <20°F temps to see how it fairs.


lol That's awesome!!!

Yeah I'm with ya Nitro. I'm probably not going to be going out at freezing temps either. I'm sure the regular will suit me just fine. But thanks hogan for the tip!



Edited by Subie Love (10/14/09 11:02 PM)

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#122475 - 10/16/09 03:01 AM Re: Narrowed it down to 2 bags... [Re: Subie Love]
Narf Offline
member

Registered: 12/25/06
Posts: 76
Loc: Missouri
use your 20% REI member coupon ? expires 18th

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#122488 - 10/16/09 12:35 PM Re: Narrowed it down to 2 bags... [Re: Narf]
Subie Love Offline
member

Registered: 09/23/09
Posts: 39
Loc: Mid-Michigan
^^
I'm not a member frown

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#122493 - 10/16/09 01:40 PM Re: Narrowed it down to 2 bags... [Re: Subie Love]
Cesar Offline
member

Registered: 11/06/07
Posts: 217
Loc: El Paso, TX
its only a 1 time fee of 20$ to become a member.
_________________________
My gear is no where near lightweight

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#122496 - 10/16/09 02:37 PM Re: Narrowed it down to 2 bags... [Re: Cesar]
Subie Love Offline
member

Registered: 09/23/09
Posts: 39
Loc: Mid-Michigan
I definitely plan on buying the membership in the future, but right now I don't have the extra money... I'm a poor college student. I'm just trying to scrap money together for the sleeping bag. I'll probably buy the membership in a few weeks once I pay some bills and hopefully have some extra money.

I've been checking out moosejaw a lot lately and they seem like they are running a really cool operation. They give you ten percent of your purchase back in "points". Save up points and you get use them just like cash. They seem to have pretty good stuff and at a good price.

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#122500 - 10/16/09 04:46 PM Re: Narrowed it down to 2 bags... [Re: Subie Love]
Subie Love Offline
member

Registered: 09/23/09
Posts: 39
Loc: Mid-Michigan
So I contacted the Seattle REI store to order the marmot helium and they had one left in stock! Its the long version with the zipper on the left side. It was priced at $289.99 then I had to pay $13 for shipping. The guy didn't process my order immediately though. eek I thought it was weird,I gave him my debit card number and shipping info and he said they would do it later today. I was thinking REI is probably too reputable to rip me off but I guess you never know.

As long as everything goes smooth I'll get the bag in probably a week! I'm pretty excited! I'm gonna have to try the sleeping on the deck thing to test it out!!! lol I think it only gets down to about ~30* right now so we'll see how warm I stay.

EDIT: Whats up with the zipper being on different sides? I mean typically do right handed people like it on the right side? I got the left side because it was the last one and I'll take what I can get.

EDIT 2: I just realized I never asked about the color. Not that it really matters but I was just on the Marmot website and the helium they show is a color called pacifica, it almost looks purple... I hope that isn't the color I just ordered. Oh well, I'm not really trying to make a fashion statement, just trying to stay warm!


Edited by Subie Love (10/16/09 05:38 PM)

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#122504 - 10/16/09 06:23 PM Re: Narrowed it down to 2 bags... [Re: Subie Love]
OregonMouse Online   content
member

Registered: 02/03/06
Posts: 6799
Loc: Gateway to Columbia Gorge
Supposedly right handed folk should ask for a left zipper and vice versa. I have no idea why, but I do automatically reach across to my left side with my right hand to zip/unzip. If you're planning to mate your bag with another to make a double bag, then one of the bags needs a left zipper and the other a right. (Assuming, of course, that the zippers are compatible!)

REI's 20% off coupon is only for regularly priced items so it wouldn't help you here. There's no dividend on sale items, either. Joining REI would not have helped you with this purchase.

Take good care of this bag (especially storing it uncompressed) and it will last you for many years! Western Mountaineering has a lot of excellent tips for the care and feeding of sleeping bags on their website. Those will work for any down sleeping bag.

_________________________
May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view--E. Abbey

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#122509 - 10/16/09 07:58 PM Re: Narrowed it down to 2 bags... [Re: Subie Love]
Glenn Offline
member

Registered: 03/08/06
Posts: 2617
Loc: Ohio
I've used both right and left zips, and never felt like one was more difficult to use than the other. I did find that, in my solo tent (side-opening Hubba/CR1) I tended to sleep so that the zipper was on the same side of the tent as the door. Of course, since I've switched to a quilt, that's no longer an issue. smile

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