Good review. Lower price gear is hit or miss. But really, I noticed we are wearing the exact same shirt. The things you notice when you are avoiding grading.
Thanks for the honest review. At first, when you were talking about the draft collar problem I was hopeful that it would just have small issues I could work around. But, the inability to easily zip it up and be so constricted is a total deal breaker. Hopefully they’ll take your criticism on board and update it to deal with these issues as they are fixable. To me, this is how it’s supposed to work. If it’s great say so. But if there are problems, by letting us know you’re also giving the company information to help improve their product. Great job.
Hi Devin, great review as always. I've recently become a quilt convert. I'm not personally interested in the Ampex bag, but have noticed the Ampex mat in this and a previous video. It seems like it has potential. I would definitely be curious to hear about your experience with this mat after you have had some time on it. Thanks
As usual, good review. I really like the way you hit the important points. 2 pounds 5 ounces is pretty heavy. And it looks a little bulky. But 700 FP down not that warm nor does it compress a lot. There is no way I could sleep in this bag. "Mummy" is accurate. Legs and feet bound up. I make my own bags and quilts. I've used 700FP down. Typical weight for a 35F bag is about 29 ounces. I also use Climashield batt insulation. They are "semi rectangular. So when I roll to/from back/side, the bag stays in place. I don't agree that having a little extra air space makes a bag sleep colder. Air is an insulator. As long as the bag maintains its shape and keeps the air from getting replaced, it helps keep you warm. I actually like the strap around the head of the pad. Might do that with my next bag.
I'm a somewhat experienced backpacker, but I am still a student with no money. I'm quite interested in this gear because I've honestly just been using a cheap summer (50F comfort rating) sleeping bag with a blanket until now. I wonder if some of these problems would be a bit better with the XL version. I'm tall anyway and would likely need the larger pad and sleeping bag.
I am glad you were able to try this bag out. I had noticed it on their website and you are right the price point makes it a very interesting bag. As a side sleeper I don't like to feel constricted in my bag.
The bag is on sale for $90 and they have a 5.5 R value pad on sale for $60. They also have a package deal that includes the bag/pad/battery bank for $175. These are good deals for someone just starting out.
It’s too bad you couldn’t compare the Ampex mummy style to their hybrid style bag. I’m glad to hear they’re putting out decent stuff, (their tents for example) and I haven’t heard anything negative about their sleeping pads. I hope they can improve their designs and get better products out into the market. Thanks for looking at these. I really appreciate it!
@@michaelstoddard1606 I believe the hybrid has a more loose cut to it. The sleeping pad has been positive for me, and the tents. I’ve used the 2P as well as had students of mine use the 2P and 3P out on trips when they’ve needed to borrow a tent.
Is a pad strap really necessary for a full bag? it makes sense on a quilt where you're trying to avoid drafts, but I would rather be able to move more freely if I was going to use a bag.
I guess I am a lot more lenient regarding the straps. First, very few bags have straps anyway. How many of your other sleeping bags have straps? Comparing the bag without straps, it seems like it comes out pretty well. If you are using a 20 inch pad, it looks like it worked pretty well. Yes, this is a primary feature of the bag, but not being able to recommend the bag because the straps don't work with a 25 inch bag, seems pretty picky especially when you say you have had good experiences with the bag otherwise. The temp rating seems pretty good although you didn't discuss this a lot. Temp rating is often the biggest problem area. The weight is quite good for a value 20 degree bag. The Kelty Cosmic Down 20 sleeping bag, considered a great value, weighs 2 lbs 10 ozs, 5 ounces more than this one. I'll bet if you cut off the pad straps the bag would be close to 2 lbs, a very good weight for a $200 bag. The draft collar seems to be the biggest issue. I think you could easily sew the corners of the collar so they wouldn't be in the way of the zipper and have a perfectly serviceable bag. The zippers seemed to work well other than catching the draft collar. This is often a problem on even higher end bag. This point should have had more emphasis. Given the biggest quibble you have with the bag is the pad system on 25 inch pads and the draft collar, i think this bag should have gotten a higher rating. When you compare the $200 price to the $470 price of the Sea to Summit bag, the features and quality of this bag should be rated higher in my opinion.
I think you were quite fair with your review. If the Ampex bag had a foot box opening like the Sea to Summit, it would be a definite yes in ny opinion at that price point. Not a fan of the integrated straps.
I’ve never seen a bag with straps before. I get where they were going with the design, but it seems over engineered at the top, and an elastic strap would make more sense at the bottom.
Why have a strap at the bottom if there is a pad sleeve at the top? Better to have free movement. Also that pad sleeve is too small regardless of pad. I have a sea to summit cloud 800 that doesnt have these problems. It also benefits from having no zip.
9:05 why does a little guy like you use a 25” pad? You should use the correct fitting pad for your body style with the regular bag. Your “design flaw” does the occur if one combines the wide/long bag with the 25” pad. If you only need a regular bag, you only need a regular pad. The flaw is in your choice of equipment.
I disagree. 20” wide pads are too small for most people, myself included. I wouldn’t call myself a “little guy” either. Not enough space for side sleeping, and laying on your back, arms falling off the sides. 20” wide pads are too small. Ampex should make the sleeve big enough to fit a 25” pad, and allow for enough space to move around in the bag, cause the sleeve easily slides over a 25” wide pads. Also, they provide no information on their website saying it should only be used with a 20” wide pad. If a size regular should only be used with a 20” wide pad, then make the sleeve incapable of sliding onto a 25” wide pad. And even on the 20” pad, the tightness through the chest is still present, just not as tight.
Good review. Lower price gear is hit or miss. But really, I noticed we are wearing the exact same shirt. The things you notice when you are avoiding grading.
Thanks for the honest review. At first, when you were talking about the draft collar problem I was hopeful that it would just have small issues I could work around. But, the inability to easily zip it up and be so constricted is a total deal breaker. Hopefully they’ll take your criticism on board and update it to deal with these issues as they are fixable. To me, this is how it’s supposed to work. If it’s great say so. But if there are problems, by letting us know you’re also giving the company information to help improve their product. Great job.
Thank you, I really don’t like having to constantly move things out of the way of zippers. Just becomes a huge pain in the middle of the night.
Hi Devin, great review as always. I've recently become a quilt convert. I'm not personally interested in the Ampex bag, but have noticed the Ampex mat in this and a previous video. It seems like it has potential. I would definitely be curious to hear about your experience with this mat after you have had some time on it. Thanks
As usual, good review. I really like the way you hit the important points. 2 pounds 5 ounces is pretty heavy. And it looks a little bulky. But 700 FP down not that warm nor does it compress a lot. There is no way I could sleep in this bag. "Mummy" is accurate. Legs and feet bound up. I make my own bags and quilts. I've used 700FP down. Typical weight for a 35F bag is about 29 ounces. I also use Climashield batt insulation. They are "semi rectangular. So when I roll to/from back/side, the bag stays in place. I don't agree that having a little extra air space makes a bag sleep colder. Air is an insulator. As long as the bag maintains its shape and keeps the air from getting replaced, it helps keep you warm. I actually like the strap around the head of the pad. Might do that with my next bag.
I'm a somewhat experienced backpacker, but I am still a student with no money. I'm quite interested in this gear because I've honestly just been using a cheap summer (50F comfort rating) sleeping bag with a blanket until now. I wonder if some of these problems would be a bit better with the XL version. I'm tall anyway and would likely need the larger pad and sleeping bag.
I am glad you were able to try this bag out. I had noticed it on their website and you are right the price point makes it a very interesting bag. As a side sleeper I don't like to feel constricted in my bag.
Yeah it's fun to try all sorts of options, even if they end up being less than ideal.
The bag is on sale for $90 and they have a 5.5 R value pad on sale for $60. They also have a package deal that includes the bag/pad/battery bank for $175. These are good deals for someone just starting out.
It’s too bad you couldn’t compare the Ampex mummy style to their hybrid style bag.
I’m glad to hear they’re putting out decent stuff, (their tents for example) and I haven’t heard anything negative about their sleeping pads.
I hope they can improve their designs and get better products out into the market.
Thanks for looking at these. I really appreciate it!
@@michaelstoddard1606 I believe the hybrid has a more loose cut to it.
The sleeping pad has been positive for me, and the tents. I’ve used the 2P as well as had students of mine use the 2P and 3P out on trips when they’ve needed to borrow a tent.
Is a pad strap really necessary for a full bag? it makes sense on a quilt where you're trying to avoid drafts, but I would rather be able to move more freely if I was going to use a bag.
I guess I am a lot more lenient regarding the straps. First, very few bags have straps anyway. How many of your other sleeping bags have straps? Comparing the bag without straps, it seems like it comes out pretty well. If you are using a 20 inch pad, it looks like it worked pretty well. Yes, this is a primary feature of the bag, but not being able to recommend the bag because the straps don't work with a 25 inch bag, seems pretty picky especially when you say you have had good experiences with the bag otherwise.
The temp rating seems pretty good although you didn't discuss this a lot. Temp rating is often the biggest problem area.
The weight is quite good for a value 20 degree bag. The Kelty Cosmic Down 20 sleeping bag, considered a great value, weighs 2 lbs 10 ozs, 5 ounces more than this one. I'll bet if you cut off the pad straps the bag would be close to 2 lbs, a very good weight for a $200 bag.
The draft collar seems to be the biggest issue. I think you could easily sew the corners of the collar so they wouldn't be in the way of the zipper and have a perfectly serviceable bag.
The zippers seemed to work well other than catching the draft collar. This is often a problem on even higher end bag. This point should have had more emphasis.
Given the biggest quibble you have with the bag is the pad system on 25 inch pads and the draft collar, i think this bag should have gotten a higher rating. When you compare the $200 price to the $470 price of the Sea to Summit bag, the features and quality of this bag should be rated higher in my opinion.
I think you were quite fair with your review. If the Ampex bag had a foot box opening like the Sea to Summit, it would be a definite yes in ny opinion at that price point. Not a fan of the integrated straps.
What is the tent you are using? Thanks!
@@paulfitter1688 the tent is the Hill Zero Gear Scout 1P.
I would maybe consider a blue one in wide. With that flap it kind of makes you look like a Snorlax Pokemon lol
I’ve never seen a bag with straps before. I get where they were going with the design, but it seems over engineered at the top, and an elastic strap would make more sense at the bottom.
Why have a strap at the bottom if there is a pad sleeve at the top? Better to have free movement. Also that pad sleeve is too small regardless of pad.
I have a sea to summit cloud 800 that doesnt have these problems. It also benefits from having no zip.
Yeah the strap at the bottom is odd.
Thanks!
9:05 why does a little guy like you use a 25” pad? You should use the correct fitting pad for your body style with the regular bag. Your “design flaw” does the occur if one combines the wide/long bag with the 25” pad. If you only need a regular bag, you only need a regular pad. The flaw is in your choice of equipment.
I disagree. 20” wide pads are too small for most people, myself included. I wouldn’t call myself a “little guy” either. Not enough space for side sleeping, and laying on your back, arms falling off the sides. 20” wide pads are too small.
Ampex should make the sleeve big enough to fit a 25” pad, and allow for enough space to move around in the bag, cause the sleeve easily slides over a 25” wide pads. Also, they provide no information on their website saying it should only be used with a 20” wide pad. If a size regular should only be used with a 20” wide pad, then make the sleeve incapable of sliding onto a 25” wide pad. And even on the 20” pad, the tightness through the chest is still present, just not as tight.