Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Exped Dreamwalker 450 Sleeping Bag & ENO DoubleNest Hammock (initial usage)

Well, I finally got out and did some camping with the DreamWalker and the ENO DoubleNest Hammock.

First off the DreamWalker sleeping bag is everything it's said to be. Versatile, comfortable, well constructed. In conjuction with the hammock it's going to be a killer system. I will also be able to drop maybe two pounds from my backpack

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

ENO SingleNest/DoubleNest Hammocks

Last night was my first night sleeping the whole night through in a hammock. I found it to be odd at first. Not bad just odd. I woke up refreshed and without any of the stiffness I usually get sleeping on the ground. Tonight I'm sleeping in the hammock again only this time in a ENO DoubleNest to see if it's any more comfortable than the ENO SingleNest.

Okay, last night, my second night in a hammock was in the ENO DoubleNest. It was a bit more comfortable the the SingleNest due to the extra room one can "sprawl out" a bit more. Also, I can tuck my legs into the "pockets" created when I lay longitudinally and still be almost flat. My legs certainly are. This is important because my new sleeping bag (see Exped Dreamwalker) is also designed to be used over a hammock as a cocoon. Negating the need for under/over quilts. However it may require me to sleep less on a diagonal

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Exped Dreamwalker 450 (first impressions)

Today I received my latest and greatest backpacking/outdoor multi-use gear. More on the multi-use part later. The Exped Dreamwalker 450, rated to 35 degrees. Out of box this bag is impressive. The quality of construction is as good as anything I've seen. High quality downproof (it's filled with 750 down) ripstop nylon outer shell and an equally high quality polyester inner shell. Everywhere there is a potential stress point it's been reinforced with bar tacks Click here if you want to see the manufacterers specs. No loose threads and all the seams are even and sewn in a way that avoids snagging on whatever.

Now back to the reason I bought the Dreawalker in the first place. The multi-uses of the impressive. Obviously it's a sleeping bag, and it can be used as a down parka as you can see from the photos. Additionally, it can be used as a cocoon around a hammock. Reducing or eliminating the need for the additional cost and/or weight of an under quilt.

I haven't yet had an opportunity to use the bag yet. Will update the review as soon as I can.
H