Q.}
Do I have to get my girlfriend a women's-specific backpack if her torso size fits a men's one? Do the shoulder strap position and waist belt flare really matter and do you wear a women’s-specific backpack?
Submitted by: Miguel - Detroit, MI
Submitted by: Miguel - Detroit, MI
A.}
No, Miguel, you don’t necessarily have to get your girlfriend a women’s specific pack. I often wear men’s or unisex packs with great success. And I know small men who have had luck with women’s packs. Forget about the gender labels and look at the pack itself, and the way it works with your girlfriend’s body shape.
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If you found yourself answering yes to the above then look no further than the Western Mountaineering Bristlecone MF. In my opinion this is the Da Vinci of sleeping bag design and execution. Rated for -10 F this bag is uber warm and adaptable. Various zipper configurations allow you to tailor the bag to your requirements from wide open like a comforter to zipped tighter than a can of tuna.
The Micro Fiber shell and interior is ultra soft and comfortable, beefy draft tubes cover all zippers and an adjustable draft collar and hood insure you can seal out the elements and seal in the heat. The zippers are backed by the most fail safe snag free tape I have seen on a sleeping bag. No midnight fears of the dreaded zipper snafu when its dark, you’re tired, and mother nature calls.
I have the long model at 6-6 which leaves plenty of space for clothes or other items at the foot for warm wear in the mornings. I am not overly large. At 5-10 215lbs however, I found my old bag was just too narrow for ultimate comfort. With the Bristlecone, there is plenty of room to move comfortably inside the bag without the claustrophobia that many bags exhibit.
Granted, this bag is not ultra light and its stuff dimensions are not the size of a water bottle but the trade off in size delivers in spades on the comfort and warmth level.
While my backpacking days are over, I would still carry this bag in a pack if warmth and comfort were my goal. Currently I use the bag for car camping, paired with a cot and dream time air/foam mattress from Cascade. The only thing missing is a cover turn down and mint on the pillow at bed time.
If you can afford it, I encourage you to purchase this bag for your cold weather adventures. It will not only keep you toasty warm, it will make you smile with pride every time you crawl into it. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself sleeping in a little longer in what is truly the benchmark by which all other bags should be judged.
Posted by Ken Richardson, Dec 03, 2011