Gear Review: Exped Waterbloc 1000 Sleeping Bag
A sleeping bag that doesn't require a tent.
[most weatherpoof]
Only a small percentage of people intentionally go winter camping without a tent. If you’re one of the brave and the few—or simply want maximum protection for every just-in-case scenario—a waterproof sleeping bag is a must. One tester used the -5°F Waterbloc 1000 to bivy on Adirondack summits while shooting star-trail photos into the night, and was impressed by the generous loft (7 inches), plus the breathability and protection of the seam-taped Pertex Endurance shell.
The 700-fill down kept him warm right down to its rating. Raining? Double overlapping zipper flaps ensure that no moisture sneaks in. Testers loved the generous cut, which allows roll-around room without compromising thermal efficiency. “There was plenty of room to change clothes or even read a book, without any cold spaces or dead air,” he says. And large, reflective, glow-in-the-dark zipper pulls facilitate midnight exits.
Downside: The bag’s ample space and tough shell mean that it’s bulky when packed. And the roll-top stuffsack, while fully waterproof, doesn’t allow much compression. If you invest in this bag, get a good compression sack. $550; 4 lbs. 3 oz.; reg. and long; exped.com