Sleeping Bags : PipeDream

Goose down fill

We identified this as the most important element of the bag right from the start. What do we mean by this? Simply that we use 95/5 750+ (European scale) fill power Chinese white goose down, the highest quality down available in China suitable for the purpose. Some companies boast higher fill powers and improved down/feather ratio's. We have found these materials do not actually have enough lofting power to lift the fabric they are stored in. For more information about down see our down information page.

Fabric

We have dropped Pertex Quantum fabric on this latest batch not through choice, but because of our direct route to market. Due to the threat felt by other brands we were not given a license to develop products using Pertex fabrics. Fortunately there are now a number of fabric mills in Japan and Taiwan that are capable of producing extremely lightweight fabrics that equal the performance of Pertex. One of these mills actually bought the Pertex brand when it became impossible to continue manufacture of Pertex in the UK. The fabric used on the PipeDream is made by Toray, one of the largest and most respected mills in Japan.

We have not used a cheaper polyester fabric for the lining of the bag, the same lightweight nylon continues throughout the construction of the bag. The fabric also has a DWR coating meaning the odd drip from tent condensation or an early morning dew won't ruin your bags insulating properties.

Construction

We have tweaked the design of the PipeDream making it slightly wider around the shoulders. It is still a trim bag with 13 horizontal box wall baffles, a 3 baffle contoured hood and both models have a full length zip. It is a simple construction technique that we know keeps the weight low and the insulation performance high.

Shape

In the old days Arctic explorers and mountain adventurers found that if they trimmed the shape of a square shaped bag not only could they reduce the weight and pack size of the bag, but they would be warmer as well. The mummy shape is universally recognised as the shape of the modern sleeping bag. We've trimmed the PipeDreams right down to maximise weight reduction, minimise air pockets but leaving enough room so you don't have to have your arms crossed and wrapped in bandages to fit in.

Hood

The hood drawcord allows you to pull it in tight around your face and move with you during the night. The shoulder baffle's drawcord lets you pull it around your shoulders and prevent warm air from venting out into the hood.

Details

All of component parts of the PipeDream are of the highest quality, YKK zips, Duraflex buckles and accessories. Inside the sleeping bag below the shoulder baffle there is a hidden passport pocket for those trips when you need to it keep close to you. We have found this great for an iPod too, for a mellow sound track to the wilderness nights out without degradation to the battery life. The lining of all the bags are black to absorb heat from the sun when turned inside out after they have got a little damp.

Introducing the PipeDream 200

The most notable feature of this hybrid bag is that it has no goosedown fill in the upper section. This is a bag for serious lightweight freaks who do not mind sacrificing comfort in exchange for shaving off some grams. The lower section is filled with 200 grams of our 750 fill power goosedown, there is a zip across the foot section in case you need to air your feet and a drawstring around the waist. The upper section consists of a sewn in vest made from the same lightweight fabric as the rest of the bag. Insulation comes from wearing a down jacket.. you do have a down jacket right? Remember, this is a shorty bag for people who know how to use it. Failure to insulate your upper torso may result in permanent injury!