Macpac Epic 300 SF
If you’re jonesing to tick a big project in a single push, but you don’t want to bring along a sleeping bag and bivy sack, then check out Macpac’s new line of Epic sleeping bags—these lightweight down bags are also waterproof/breathable bivy sacks, giving climbers the opportunity to completely rethink how they pack for the mountains.
Macpac Epic 300 SF $350
www.macpac.co.nz
4 Stars
If you’re jonesing to tick a big project in a single push, but you don’t want to bring along a sleeping bag and bivy sack, then check out Macpac’s new line of Epic sleeping bags—these lightweight down bags are also waterproof/breathable bivy sacks, giving climbers the opportunity to completely rethink how they pack for the mountains. At just 1 pound 9 ounces, and compressible to the size of a large loaf of bread, the Epic 300 SF is a reliable bit of insurance.
The outer fabric is Reflex LoftPro, a material that sheds water like the hood of a newly waxed car. Even in a downpour, water did not penetrate the Epic. 30D VapourLite, a water-resistant, highly breathable material, comprises the inside fabric—this helps protect moisture from soaking the bag’s 750-fill down (this model is rated to 20 degrees Fahrenheit). Regardless, the down still gets damp if you spend a night in wet clothing, as you surely will in the mountains. This isn’t a big deal if you’re out for just one or two nights, or if you have time to turn the bag inside out and let it sit in the sun for an hour.
The Epic 300 is emphatically not for lounging around basecamp. The bag’s zipper is only about a foot long, just enough to let you squirm in. Also, the bag is pretty tight, especially if you are broad-shouldered—this feature is bad for relaxing, but good for eliminating heat-sucking air pockets. —AB