The lightest , smallest high - execution sleeping udder you’re able to buy ? This newSea To Summit Spark SP1weighs just 12.3 oz and packs down to the size of a Citrus paradisi . Here ’s the populace - first recap .
What It ’s suppose to Do : This is n’t a sleeping bag for the casual railway car motor home . When seek to shave weight for hardcore backpacking or climbing objectives , every ounce counts . When pack light , loudness matters too . At $ 300 for this summer sleeping bag , you ’re paying a agiotage for that weight and quad saving . But , after using it throughout Southern California and in the Sierras , I can say that it ’s in spades deserving it .
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The Brobdingnagian absolute majority of people will find this suitcase to be exercising weight saving overkill . But , for those of us who are log 20 + mile day in the backcountry or are climb up mean solar day - farsighted multi - pitch routes , it ’s the perfect compounding of passion , weight unit and compactness .
How It ’s think To Do It : There are a combining of factors at free rein that contribute to the Spark ’s minuscule size of it and weight . Each of these factor wreak together to make the warmest , light , and most compact sleeping purse possible . It uses a micro - weightiness 10D shell and 15D lining ( really light nylon , ) top - of - the - railway line , wet - repelling 850 + loft Ultra - Dry Down , and a ⅓ duration # 3 YKK zipper . The shell , lining , and zipper immix weigh less than the down insulation inside — 6.3 oz of down vs 6 oz for the rest of the stuff and nonsense .
As with most premium ultralight gear , the material are lighter and more delicate than heavier , bulky stuff and nonsense . So long as you ’re not excessively opprobrious though , this bag will hold up .
The Spark ’s shell and liner sense delicate and delicate , but not so brittle that they ’d displume with normal use . The ⅓ distance zipper may take some getting used to , too . I ’ve find that it ’s promiscuous to bunch up the broken part of the bag , then countenance it extend as you wiggle down into it .
The zipper is a very little gage , so be cautious not to stop it when getting in and out of the cup of tea ( just make indisputable to unzip it all the way so it does n’t snag ) .
How Does It Perform ? This bag is light ! And it ’s small ! In most case , a sleeping bag will be one of the great and bulky item that you ’ll hold . That ’s scarce the example with the Spark SP1 . It weighs the same amount as six Cliff Bars and it ’s the sizing of a grapefruit .
Weight and space saving are cyclical too . Carry less stuff : employ a smaller pack . Use a modest pack : lay aside more weight . With this sleeping bag , you could well get away with carrying a 30L pack on multi - day trips , so long as the habit of a bear can is n’t necessary . It ’s humiliated volume allow for you to treat it like a regular - sized detail ( pot , rain jacket , etc . ) when packing .
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Within its temperature rating of 46 ° , the Spark SP1 performs as expected and keeps me lovesome ( keep in mind that everyone sleeps differently ) . I ’ve used it in low , skinny - to - freeze temperatures with success by wearing all of my layers ( including base layers , a down cap , ) woollen socks , a lid , and liner baseball glove to bed . If used with a bivy sack ( often an indispensable spell of ultralight shelter gear ) you may append 5 - 10 ° of lovingness to the temperature rating .
Because of its low weight and volume , it could also be used as a ocean liner old bag to bolster up the warmth of your independent purse in wintry wintertime temperature too .
An ultralight setup featuringHyperlite Mountain Gear ’s UltaMid2and the Spark SP1 .
Adventure Ready ? Whenever condition allow , I will use the Spark SP1 as my go - to sleeping bag . Even with the electric potential that conditions may degenerate below its comfort evaluation , I know that I can layer up my clothing ( that is already being wear or carry ) to see a warm nighttime . Its low weight and packability are impossible to ignore .
Unlike a lot of specialty , ultralight gear wheel which is sell by boutique manufacturers ( which sometimes have prospicient construction and shipping times , ) the Spark SP1 is available from major outdoor retailers such as REI and Backcountry.com .
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The Spark SP1 comes with a custom - designed concretion stuff sack , a cotton sack to rinse the traveling bag in , and a storage suitcase . Each STS Spark also comes with an IDFL ( International Down and Feather Testing Laboratory ) Final Test Report stating the character , piece , and filling - power of the specific down used in each traveling bag . It ’s honest to live that you ’re getting the real deal when dropping so much money on a while of gear .
If you ’re serious about moving fast and light on overnight backpacking trips then you ’ll need to pack consequently . And no sleeping purse quite compare to theSea To Summit Spark SP1 .
Photos : Chris Brinlee Jr
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