The prototype came in this week. Bear in mind it IS a prototype. Immediately we picked up a few glaring omissions and a few items that we would like. However; this is a budget bag that will retail at £100. Bear in mind to add some things will mean quality, filling or other features would be lost.
The filling is a proprietary brand and the jacket will be produced by a known but not famous manufacturer (I'll divulge at retail time but don't bother asking until then, as I'll ignore it!) The bag at the moment accommodates a person of 6' 1" with a medium chest, but fits me (5'9") with a 47" chest so that I can turn the arms inside out and sleep with my arms inside. The size is an XL. This we have decided will NOT change. If you feel its too big for you...don't buy it!
IF the bag is successful it may be feasible to introduce other sizes. I had a quick compress and easily obtained a 20 x 20 cm ball, weighing 1600g. The manufacturer rates this filling to -5C. Don't forget, additional clothing other than undergarments, a bivvy bag, liner etc will add further insulation.
The jacket is long, coming below my crotch level. The bag is currently fastened directly to the bottom of the jacket, with the connecting zip being covered by only an unfilled flap of jacket material with no baffling either at the join or at the jacket zip along the body. The zips are standard jacket zips, some zips have pullers some don't. I think this was simply missed by the makers. It needs baffles.
There is no hood. We all agreed that a hood was important. It is likely due to cost that the hood will be a removeable "extra". The zips needed some care when doing up, we don't feel that this is practicable and are looking into the feasibility of burst open or YKK zips. We all felt that the jacket was 3" too long. The length would be taken from the jacket and added to the bag so the manufacturing cost is the same. I appreciate 'schrafters may want a longer jacket but they are not the primary target group.
The bag was simple enough to fit to the jacket either standing or lying. Strangely the bag IS baffled with a generous baffle of the same density as the filling. There is a separate 2 way zip on the bag and the bag has a fishtail foot with a reinforced foot box. We felt a waterproof (Paratex) exterior end/foot lining may beneficial but again this is subject to costings.
We all commented that to have the bag an additional 3" longer (to accommodate a person of 6' 4") may be a good idea. This obviously will add to manufacturing costs (material and filling)
Summary:
I think it is excellent quality, with a quality filling. Baffles required on front and joining zips, better (non snag zips) are needed.
The jacket length is to be shortened. Shorten jacket, lengthen bag.
Make the total overall length longer? Another 3?
Zip pulls on all zips
Hood needed/to be available (Poss as an extra?)
Possible waterproof exterior foot liner. Paratex? (Probably prohibitively expensive)
Anyway, some money shots for you!
Full length image:
Rear of zip join
Fishtail
Reinforced foot box
Baffle
Join
Jacket
