Rab Quantum Top Bag AR Review
WHW Kit Review
This was one of the last things I decided on packing as I kept an eye on the weather. Snow and 200g of down, would that be a bed of roses or would I be leaning on a cold shoulder all night?
Well, the answer is a rather dull “It did fine”. On the Sunday morning I woke and looked outside and the bivvy was completely covered in snow, but I was quite warm and comfy. I did keep some clothes on as well. This bag is designed for adventure racing, those guys will keep their shoes on and maybe take off their rucksack before getting in it. A coating of merino upon your person does boost its rating and not your odour next day, always worth bearing in mind the clothing you’ll be wearing before buying that 1.3kg bag.
The design is very basic. It’s a top-bag (no insulation on the bottom), the top has a narrow box wall construction filled with the best quality down, under the head and feet there’s Primaloft synthetic insulation which will resist the damp if you’re only using a short sleep mat. The fabric is Pertex Quantum which is soft and comfortable, very down proof as well. I haven’t seen one cluster floating about since it arrived. This new version of the bag has a hood of sorts which works fine. You can cinch it right in withy the single drawcord to stop heat escaping or leave it open for venting, as there’s no zip it’s your only option. The fit is slim as well, again the racer angle so fat folk are out. The shape leaves not much room around your shoulders for heat to escape. I’m happy with it, but there will be folks who find it restrictive. The sleeve on the insulation-free back takes your mat. The choice of mat can make or break a top bag system.
When I unpacked it from it’s compression sack it lofted very quickly. I was pleasantly surprised using it and also happy that I didn’t struggle getting in and out of it. I think in the snow it might have been on it’s limit, but as we get into summer I’ll try it higher up and see how it does.
I keep wondering how low I could push one of these in combination with the PHD Minimus that I use in summer.
Very, very hard to say without sleeping in it but I reckon I could get away with -5 or so. Add a duvet jacket and who knows?
I’m just trying to come up with something that means I don’t have to carry the old ME Iceline (-27 rated) monster bag when it gets really frosty!
Bag layering is such a good idea. The sizing is the thing though. Crushing the down and the like. I wonder if the Rab inside a ME Xero (stretchy seams) on top of a good mat would be ultra warm.
It’s too late at night to be getting these ideas!
Frost on the inside of the tent? It’s either time to get back inside the bag or get a brew on :o)
Top Bags have most of the benefits, but much less faff as a stand-alone piece.
It’s something I’ll have to get a hold of and try properly, maybe one of these? http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=34&products_id=60&osCsid=32a912fce702645885e9c9673efa89d0
We’ll need to see if someone picks up Golite’s distribution in the UK. Backpackinglight are bring some in from Europe, it’s a shame to see it disappear as some of the kit is excellent.
It would be nice if Nunatak, MLD or even Golite were thinking about pushing into the UK market and getting some test samples over here.
Golite have never been pushed hard enough in the UK, a shame.
The EPIC fabric Nunatak use is a great alternative to Pertex, it’s going to making more of a showing over here in the future as a few manufacturers are testing in on prototypes.
As more folk get into lightweight camping, the manufacturers will follow to where the sales are.
The BigAgnes stuff I test crosses over better from regular bags as they only do top bags and they do them from winter mountaineering grade to the lightest of summer bags. Mummy and square shape. The large size is nicely wide and long.
I’ve got one of these http://www.bigagnes.com/str_bags.php?bid=11 to give away as a prize soon as well. Summer lightweight or winter liner?
Your help would be appreciated.
Cheers,
mark
The only worry is that because there’s a few of the old model about there might not be a lot of shops stocking it.
Give them a shout at rabinfo@equipuk.com
I’ve used it quite a bit now, it’s a great bag.
Thanks for the reply. You’re right, I spoke to Rab and they say it won’t be back in the shops until July at the earliest.
Couple of questions if you don’t mind –
1 – Would this do for a Four days Cairngorms trip in September?
2 – What sleeping matt would you recommend for use with this bag?
Your help is much appreciated.
Cheers,
mark
I’ve only used it with the Exped Airmat and Synmat and they’re a pretty good fit. My Big Agnes mats are too wide and I think a Thermarest would be tight as well.
Racers tend to have shoulder to hip sleep mats cut to the bear minimun, so the sleeve for the mat is narrow, but the Exped mats go in fine.
There will be others that fit as well, Multimat, Alpkit and the like.
I don’t know if the dimensions will change from my prototype, so I would definitely get the bag first and mat second :o)
Petesy
Fits fine, although there’s no room for any more mat in there, that’s for sure. I’m a baw hair under six feet and it’s fine on me.
I think Americans are just maybe a little soft :o)
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