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p74 :: Outdoor Sleeping system inners cont from p73 than down, there are several other benefits to choosing a synthetic bag. • One of the main benefits of a synthetic filling is the ability to maintain body warmth even in wet conditions. This does not mean that synthetic insulation doesn’t get affected by wetness, but synthetic fillings handle wet conditions better than down, maintain ing its loft, or thickness, when wet, thus trapping up to 65% more air and warmth than down when wet. Synthetic sleeping bags also dry quicker than down, making them more resistant to mildew and rot. • Synthetic bags require less care when cleaning and storing. They can be hand- or machine washed without losing quality. • Customers with allergies will benefit from a synthetic fill, which is less likely to contain allergens than down. Cons of synthetic • Synthetic fibres are much heavier than down per square meter. For synthetic to provide the same warmth as down, more will have to be used, which will make the bag heavier and bulkier. • Synthetic fibres lose quality faster than down. Customers therefore will need to replace their synthetic bags quicker than when using down fill. • When synthetic is compressed into a stuff bag, the insulation can lose quality, which results in reduced performance. Down fillings Down is the natural plumage that forms the undercoating of waterfowl and consists of the fine feathers from the breast area of a goose or duck. Not all sleeping bag filling will consist only of down. For example, when the label states that the filling is 90% goose down, it will consist of 90% down and 10% feathers. The higher percentage of down compared to feathers will result in a lower weight and bulk with better insulation. A product with a higher down grade will be more expensive. There are different qualities of down. Types of down filling • Duck down is considered to be less fine than goose down and it is also less expensive. Insulation works by the feathers trapping a layer of air, which is then heated by your body heat. • Goose down is very fine and provides approximately 25% more insulation than the equivalent weight of duck down. • Hi-Loft down traps more air than any other type of filling. It is made of very fine goose down to provide more insulation. Where bulk and weight are vitally important, this type of filling will be used — for example, in top quality expedition bags. Sports Trader :: 2014 March Pros of down • Geese or duck down provide the most comfortable and lightest fillings for sleeping bags. Down is considered to be the warmest filling per weight ratio. • Down offers more durable, higher quality insulation than synthetic fillings. With proper care a down sleeping bag will last longer than one with a synthetic filling. • In cold conditions, down provides more warmth, and it is cooler in warm conditions. This ensures that a down bag will respond well to all weather conditions, meeting a customer’s personal requirements. • Down insulation doesn’t lose its insulation benefits when compressed. The fine feathers are light enough to respond positively when compressed. Cons of down • Down bags are much more expensive than synthetic sleeping bags. • One of the main negatives of a down filling is the poor performance in wet conditions, as down is not water resistant. • Down takes longer than synthetic fibres to dry in wet conditions — sometimes more than a day. It loses warmth when it is wet and in continuous rain you might have to sleep under very cold and uncomfortable conditions. When stored while damp, the down can mould or rot. • Compared to synthetic fillings, down bags require more care in cleaning and storing. The type of chemicals and washing tools used may have an impact on the bag. Down standards There had been some concerns in the industry about the ethical harvesting of down feathers and implications it may have for animal abuse — for example, when down obtained from ducks or geese used for making foie gras are used. This product, made from the liver of birds that had been force fed until their livers burst, is banned in several countries. The North Face (TNF) is compiling a Responsible Down Standard (RDS) in collaboration with several animal rights agencies to ensure that all the down used in their products had been sourced responsibly and without any harm to the birds. Following on site audits of the full supply chain, down that meet the standards, will receive certification TNF has now announced that they will hand over ownership of their RDS to the Textile Exchange so that it could be adopted across the industry. The Textile Exchange will have the right to distribute and even update the RDS. Sleeping bag liners One way to prolong the life of an expensive sleeping bag or provide more insulation and warmth to a cheaper bag, is to add a liner. There are several benefits to buying a liner with a sleeping bag. • A liner can be used to keep a sleeping bag clean — the liner can be washed with ease, thereby prolonging the quality of the insulation materials in the sleeping bag. • A liner adds a layer of insulation and a good liner can make your existing sleeping bag about 15º warmer. • In warm weather a liner can be used instead of a sleeping bag — providing a cost-effective, ultra-light sleeping option. • Liners add little bulk and does not take up much space in a pack. • Some high-end liners have been treated with anti-bacterial, anti-microbial and insect repelling chemicals that keep the bag cleaner, odourless and repel insects. Cotton liners are the most basic and affordable, but they are heavier than silk. Fleece liners provide extra warmth, but take up more space than other liners. Silk liners are the lightest and most compact, but provide less warmth and are also more expensive. Silk has the added benefit that it wicks away sweat and moisture, preventing the sleeping bag from becoming damp. Synthetic liners are made from various materials, including rip stop, that help keep the liner drier, warmer and more durable. Liners are available in mummy or rectangular shapes to fit the cut of the sleeping bag. The better the fit of the liner inside the bag, the better the insulation. Loose material from a liner can also be uncomfortable. Sleeping mats Cold air seeping from below and hard rocks pressing in your back can drastically reduce the comfort of the best insulated sleeping bag. A sleeping mat provides an insulation layer between the bag and the ground and padding to cover rocks. The thermal resistance provided by a mat is indicated using an R-Value, which is the ratio that the temperature differs between the top (where you need heat) and bottom of the mat (on the cold ground). • Closed cell foam create a firm, yet lightweight, sleeping mat. Air pockets in the foam provide some insulation and cushioning, but it is fairly bulky. Self-inflating open-cell foam cavities glued to the top and bottom that fill with air, are nowadays commonly available since the patent expired. • Inflated sleeping mats are comfortable, lighter and less bulky to pack than foam pads. Manually inflated sleeping mats require a pump, or someone with good lungs, to inflate. Standard air core mats have a cavity, like an air mattress, that has to be filled with air, which reduces insulation. They take up little space when deflated. Insulated air core mats have insulation material attached to the bottom to offer better thermal protection than the standard air core. This can be synthetic material (more affordable), or the cavities can be filled with down, which is more expensive and heavier. Structural insulation, e.g. internal baffles, offers the best insulation in an air core mat. This advanced technology ensures high performance, but low weight.
Outdoor :: p75 Range information Black Diamond reaps in the awards BLACK DIAMOND Inc. walked away with over a dozen industry and media awards from the recent Outdoor Retailer Winter Market, Ispo Munich and Snowsports Industry America (SIA) trade shows. Ram Mountaineering distributes their Black Diamond brand locally. Their JetForce technology — the first avalanche airbag system to use electronically controlled jet-fan inflation and that will be available in certain backpacks such as the one pictured — won the Gear of the Show at Outdoor Retailer Winter Market from Outside magazine, Men’s Journal, Gear- Junkie.com and GearInstitute.com; an Ispo Gold Award in advanced avalanche gear at Ispo Munich and the Hot Gear award from Skiing Magazine during the SIA show. Black Diamond left Ispo Munich with an Ispo Gold Award for Cohaesive Embedded Components, which are found in their 2014 apparel line. JR Gear has something for everyone JR GEAR, locally distributed by Ram Mountaineering, supply a wide range of sleeping mats. Their Classic mat range is aimed at the budget conscious, but the solid foam construction offers good support and insulation. It is fully covered in Diamond 75D Ripstop. The Lite Mat is their most popular item in the range, with a good balance of weight, size, comfort and insulation. Their mummy-shaped mats come in a Standard (183cm long and 3.8cm thick) that fits the shape of the body and sleeping bag, whilst saving weight. The comfortable pad offers a good insulation R-Value of 2.5. The ergonomically shaped Short Mummy mat (122cm long and 2cm thick) also saves weight and has a 1.8 R-value. They also offer a Traverse Core series with inflatable horizontal tubes. “The advantage of these Lilo type mattresses is massive space JR Gear Lite Mat Hot and cold sleeping from Hi-Tec HI-TEC’S MUMMY-SHAPED range of sleeping bags is available in different temperature ratings. The Spawn will provide a comfortable night’s sleep if the air temperature does not drop below -11ºC. The Sibut will provide warmth if the air temperature does not drop below 7ºC, says Joanne Esterhuizen of Hi-Tec SA. “This will be the same for the Sybil,” she adds. The Spawn will therefore be good for use in harsh, colder conditions during a winter trip. “The Sibut is ideal for every day outdoor activities,” she adds — preferably in summer. The Sybil is definitely a sleeping bag for summer weather. All three of these sleeping bags have 100% polycotton linings, which works well to trap heat and keep you warm. They have polyester hollow fibre fillings. “The junior Sybil is ideal for little campers to enjoy camping activities for school or on a family outing,” says Esterhuizen. “It is lighter in weight and has smaller dimensions to ensure kiddies are as snug as a bug!” Hi-Tec Spawn and weight savings, says Simon Larsen. “This range is ideal for those wanting more comfort (8.9cm thick), and are willing to take a breather for a great night’s sleep.” The Traverse Core Standard Mummy has an R-Value of 3 and weighs only 490g. “This model is ideal for weight and space conscious customers, and takes significantly less packed space than the Short Mummy,” he says. The Insulated Traverse Core Standard Mummy has two different grades of Primaloft as a filling to provide extra warmth — resulting in a R-Value of 5.0. It is, however, weighted towards the middle of the unit. “It would be excellent for winter camping and cold hikes, where one wants the space saving of an inflatable, but the warmth of a self-inflating,” says Larsen. It weighs only 570g. They also offer a dry pump that has a valve that attaches to the Core Series Mattresses for easy inflation. The dry bag then doubles up as a back pack liner. The Megamat XL regular is ideal for the car camping customer, wanting the convenience of a self-inflating, comfortable mat, says Larsen. It weighs 1.77kg and is 6.3cm thick. 2014 March :: Sports Trader TRAVEL LITE-SLEEP WELL At 794g the Lite Series Mat’s ergonomic shape fi ts both your body and your sleeping bag while saving weight. The unit is compact without sacrifi cing comfort and offers good insulation. Size: 183x51cm Thickness: 3.8cm R-Value: 3.8 Weight: 794g The Insulated Traverse Core is a class leading infl atable mattress. This unit features Primaloft ® eco Synthetic patching that provides extra warmth while still remaining light and compact. Size: 183x51cm Thickness: 8.9cm R-Value: 5.0 Weight: 570g The Mega Mat is built for a comfortable night sleep. Horizontal channelling foam provides incredible cushioning and support. Perfect for car camping Size: 198x63cm Thickness: 6.3cm R-Value: 6.0 Weight: 1768g Distributed by RAM Mountaineering Tel: 021 532 0549 • info@rammountain.co.za www.rammountain.co.za
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