This is a gear evaluate of the all-new Zpacks Zip Around Sleeping Bag 2023.
The Zpacks Zip Around Sleeping Bag was just lately launched and is the latest sleeping bag from Zpacks. It’s half sleeping bag, half quilt however as with all issues from Zpacks, it’s ultralight. And already this bag is without doubt one of the greatest sleeping baggage and greatest quilts for backpacking in 2023.
The Zip Around Sleeping bag is available in three temperature scores, 10F, 20F, and 30F. I took the favored 20F hoodless sleeping bag out for a few journeys to check and evaluate simply how good this bag could possibly be on your subsequent backpacking journey or thru-hike. Keep studying to learn how it went.
In-Depth Review: Zpacks Full Zip Around Sleeping Bag Specifications 2023
Zpacks 30F Zip Around Sleeping Bag
Overall Weight: 16.6 oz / 471 grams (normal width / medium size)
Shell Weight: 6.8 oz / 193 grams
Down Fill Weight: 9.8 oz / 278 grams
Pros:
> Ultralight
> Can be unzipped and used as a quilt
> Small pack measurement
> High-quality 900 Fill Power Water Resistant Goose Down
> Overstuffed baffle with 30% extra down
> Come with a water-proof stuff sack
Cons:
> No Hood
> No Lofting Bag
Zpacks 20F Zip Around Sleeping Bag
Overall Weight: 21.6 oz / 612 grams (normal width / medium size)
Shell Weight: 7.1 oz / 200 grams
Down Fill Weight: 15.7 oz / 446 grams
Pros:
> Ultralight
> Can be unzipped and used as a quilt
> Small pack measurement
> High-quality 900 Fill Power Water Resistant Goose Down
> Overstuffed baffle with 30% extra down
> Come with a water-proof stuff sack
Cons:
> No Hood
> No Lofting Bag
Zpacks 10F Zip Around Sleeping Bag
Overall Weight: 26 oz / 738 grams (normal width / medium size)
Shell Weight: 18.7 oz / 531 grams
Down Fill Weight: 15.7 oz / 446 grams
Pros:
> Ultralight
> Can be unzipped and used as a quilt
> Small pack measurement
> High-quality 900 Fill Power Water Resistant Goose Down
> Overstuffed baffle with 30% extra down
> Come with a water-proof stuff sack
Cons:
> No Hood
> No Lofting Bag
The Zpacks Zip Around Sleeping Bag is a cross between a backpacking quilt and a sleeping bag. It is a hoodless sleeping bag that includes a full-length zip that will increase the flexibility of the bag by permitting you to completely unzip the bag, thus turning it right into a quilt. Perfect if you end up on a backpacking journey that features each scorching climate and chilly.
It is available in three temperature scores, 10F, 20F, and 30F. There can be the selection of three lengths and two widths. So this bag may be custom-made to fit your needs completely. Add to that the selection of 4 colours and you’ll have one thing to suit each your physique and magnificence completely.
I examined the Zpacks Full Zip Sleeping Bag in heat climate and located it a blessing to have one bag that may be unzipped and changed into a down backpacking quilt when wanted. If I used a sleeping bag with a brief zip, my toes would have been cooked contained in the foot field.
By having a full-length zip it has elevated the load of the bag barely in comparison with Zpacks different sleeping baggage fashions equivalent to their quilt and three/4 size zip bag. But that enhance in weight additionally will increase the flexibility of the bag and turns it right into a sleeping bag or quilt that may be comfortably utilized in a a lot wider array of conditions.
The zip and neck space has a draft tube to maintain the warmth in when wanted and the zip has a strip of webbing to stop snagging. When I examined the bag I discovered the anti-snag zip labored properly. I might get it caught if I attempted however total, it labored as promised.
The Zpacks Zip Around Sleeping Bag is available in a Dyneema stuff sack that’s not solely waterproof however massive sufficient to make packing the bag straightforward. This is a a lot appreciated characteristic, particularly when sleepy within the morning. It can be straightforward to make the packed measurement smaller by sitting on the packed sleeping bag to take away the air. By doing this you’ll be able to squash the bag to half its packed measurement.
Overall, the Zpacks Zip Around Sleeping Bag is one of the best full zip sleeping bag for 2023 and some of the versatile sleeping baggage or sleeping quilts you should buy.
Down sort / fill energy
The Zpacks Zip Around sleeping baggage are filled with 900-fill energy goose down. It is waterproof due to the PCF-FREE DownTek that they use. This down is correct up there with a few of the highest high quality down used on any sleeping bag or quilt available on the market. It is just not solely light-weight but additionally has good water resistance qualities. Great if you end up backpacking in moist areas.
The down is overfilled into every baffle by 30%. Let me clarify why I imagine it is a nice characteristic. Over time, the down contained in the bag will get soiled, coated with sunscreen, physique oils and goodness is aware of what else. Even whenever you use a sleeping bag liner or put on clear garments to mattress. All these contaminants will scale back the loft of the down, thus lowering its capability to maintain you heat. By overstuffing the bag by 30% Zpacks have elevated the time that your bag will keep properly lofted earlier than needing a wash. If you’re on a long-distance thru-hike then this characteristic is invaluable.
As you’ll count on, the down is Responsibly Sourced and Responsible Down Standard Certified which is the gold normal for all down sleeping baggage in the intervening time.
Construction
Let’s check out how the sleeping bag is made with the options such because the Inner and Outer Shell materials, zippers, baffles, draft tubes, and climate resistance.
Outer and Inner Shell cloth
The exterior face cloth and inside liner of the Zpacks Zip Around Sleeping Bags are made utilizing a 7 Denier Ripstop Ventum Nylon. This is among the many lightest cloth used on any sleeping bag which you could purchase in 2023. It is coated with a PFC-free DWR coating to stop drops of water from coming into the bag. When you check out this cloth it’s nearly see-through and very light-weight.
Weather resistance
As talked about above, there’s a PFC-free DWR coating on the sleeping bag cloth. I examined the water resistance and high quality of the DWR coating. While I didn’t sleep outdoors in rain I poured a number of liters of water on the sleeping bag, and I can verify it would present degree of water resistance. In comparability to different sleeping baggage, it’s no less than nearly as good as the remainder of the competitors within the Ultralight Sleeping Bag market.
The Zpacks Zip Around Sleeping Bag can be adequate to sleep outdoors below the celebs when there’s a little bit of condensation that comes down in a single day.
As you’ll be able to see from the picture under after I examined the material, the water beads fairly properly. That beading will stop the water from getting contained in the bag. Of course, it would get in via the stitching and the place the zips are however it’s reassuring to know that Zpacks use waterproof down. This down would solely have the ability to take in about 10% of the water. Very spectacular.
Disclaimer: I don’t suggest that you simply pour an entire bottle of water over your sleeping bag to check its water resistance or sleep outdoors within the rain, typically it is advisable to say these items!
Baffles
Zpacks use a mix of vertical baffles on the higher a part of the bag that corresponds together with your higher physique. The decrease part makes use of horizontal baffles. These types of baffles do job of locking in as a lot warmth as potential.
The vertical baffles do an important job of stopping any down from shifting throughout the evening. If you’re a aspect sleeper which means this design is for you. The horizontal baffles at your toes aren’t sewn via to maximise the heat of your toes. If you endure from chilly toes then you’ll like this design. Of course, in the event you endure from actually chilly toes Zpacks have you ever coated with their Goose Down Socks.
Overall, there may be little to criticize and much to reward with the baffle design, which mixed with the overstuffing of every baffle results in me regard this sleeping bag among the many better of one of the best.
Zips and Draft Tube
The Zpacks Zip Around Sleeping Bag is the latest addition to the Zpacks sleeping bag secure. As the identify suggests, it includes a not solely full-length zip however a wrap round zip that permits the sleeping bag to be fully opened up. Few high-end sleeping baggage have this characteristic and even fewer high-end ultralight sleeping baggage have this characteristic. the explanation, it provides to the load.
But that is the place Zpacks have nailed it. They have created a sleeping bag that may efficiently be used as a quilt with out including an excessive amount of weight. While it isn’t the lightest sleeping bag available on the market it’s amongst some of the versatile because of this.
I attempted my greatest to snag the zip and succeeded. But solely after I deliberately tried to snag the zip. Along the zip, there’s a size of inside webbing that’s each light-weight and adequate sufficient to stop most snags. For most individuals, when it is advisable to get out of the bag on a chilly evening for that midnight pee, it would work properly.
Along the size of the zip and alongside the collar there’s a draft tube. Not a lot to increase upon this characteristic, apart from it really works as promised. There is just not a lot likelihood of any draft getting via the zip or neck space.
Overall, the zips and draft tubes do job and work as promised.
Is a Hoodless Sleeping Bag for you?
There is not any hood on the Zpacks Zip Around Sleeping Bag, actually, they don’t use them on any of their baggage. This is a transfer away from conventional sleeping baggage that use a hood to maintain your head heat at evening. For many, this can be a brand new expertise and one that won’t really feel proper.
If it is advisable to preserve your head heat on a chilly evening then use your beanie which you’re most likely already carrying in the event you count on chilly climate. Or even higher, buy a Goose Down Hood. It is made with the identical down and identical materials because the sleeping bag, so it’s of the very best high quality. Use it on the chilly nights and mornings at camp and when sleeping in your hoodless sleeping bag.
Stuff Sack
When I examined the Zpacks Zip Around Sleeping Bag I used to be impressed by the stuff sack. It was not solely ultralight and made with Dyneema so it was waterproof and fairly massive. When I used to be drained within the morning I didn’t must wrestle to make the bag match into the stuff sack.
The stuff sack doesn’t use compression straps. I discovered I used to be capable of sit on the stuff sack after placing the sleeping bag inside, this was capable of lower the scale of the packed-up sleeping bag to about half its measurement. Great whenever you need to squeeze your bag into your pack on days when you’re carrying numerous meals.
Comfort
The Zpacks Zip Around Sleeping Bags is available in three lengths and two widths. The widths are beneficiant and adequate for most individuals to not really feel too cramped. I examined the usual width and located it excellent for my physique measurement. If you’re a bigger construct or need additional room, you’ll be able to contemplate the broader width. Check the web site for the precise specs.
When I examined the bag I had sufficient room with the usual width to nonetheless have the ability to put on my expedition down jacket. Not all baggage have this quantity of room. So I contemplate this a bonus.
Overall, the sizing of the bag is nice.
Warmth
Let’s get this within the open, Zpacks don’t check their baggage to EN or the newer ISO 23537-1:2022 Standards. Zpacks use their very own temperature scores which can be estimated to be near the ISO Rated ‘Limit’ Rating of a Sleeping Bag, which is usually referred to as the ‘transition’ ranking.
When testing the bag I discovered the temperature ranking to be fairly near these acknowledged by Zpacks. When I in contrast the quantity of down stuffed into sleeping baggage from opponents which have their baggage examined to ISO requirements, I discovered the Zpacks Sleeping Bag to have an analogous amoungt of down of their baggage. Although not a truely correct measure, it does give indication of whether or not they’re shut with their estimates or not. The use of a beanie or Goose Down Hood will enhance your heat and can doubtless be carrying one with you anyway.
Caring on your Spark Sleeping Bag
When you’ve got a high-quality sleeping bag it’s value taking care to take care of it. One of one of the best issues you are able to do is put on clear backpacking base layers to mattress to stop sweat, grime, and physique oil from penetrating the liner of the sleeping bag. You may use a sleeping bag liner to maintain it clear.
How to retailer your Spark sleeping bag
Zpacks don’t present a lofting bag, which is a bot of a unfavorable for me. When storing your sleeping bag it’s best to not go away it compressed contained in the stuff sack. Extended durations of doing this may have an effect on the lofting capability of the down. The increased high quality of the down (the upper the loft quantity, eg 900) the extra likelihood you must injury the down.
I like to recommend storing your bag in a bigger bag in a lofted state to extend the size of service of your bag. If you do that, I think you’ll get 10-20 good years of use out of this bag. Especially in the event you care for it and wash it when wanted.
How to clean your Spark Sleeping Bag
Over time the sleeping bag will lose a little bit of its loft and chances are you’ll begin to complain that the bag is not so good as it was once. The overstuffing of down on this bag will imply it would outlast many different baggage taht are utilized in a simialr method.
Maybe your bag may begin to have some funky smells that appear to be a cross between a sweaty health club and an unwashed homeless individual. If this happens it’s time to give the sleeping bag a wash. I wrote an article on how to do that so check out How to Wash a Down Sleeping Bag, for additional particulars on tips on how to wash your bag.
Price
At the time of reviewing this product, the worth represents the premium high quality of this sleeping bag. Having mentioned that, it’s a good distance from the costliest ultralight sleeping bag. In my opinion, it represents superb worth for cash. And not like another manufacturers, it may be bought immediately with out having to attend weeks or months as a consequence of provide chain points.
Zpacks Zip Around Sleeping Bags Vs The Rest
How does the Zpacks Zip Around Sleeping Bags evaluate to different Sleeping Bags and backpacking quilts within the ultralight class in 2023? You is not going to be shocked to know they rated very extremely. Check out my full comparability evaluate of the Zpacks Zip Around Sleeping Bags and all of the Best Ultralight Sleeping Bags 2023 and Best Backpacking Quilts 2023.
Best Suited Use
The Zpacks Zip Around Sleeping Bags can be excellent for anybody wanting an ultralight sleeping bag that may also be used as a quilt. Or possibly you’re interested in utilizing a quilt however haven’t taken the leap of religion simply but. The temperature scores are strong and so are the sizes, so select your sizes properly and you’ll have bag.
- Summer mountaineering within the Rockies or Sierra or North America with the 30F or 20F. Or into the Spring and Fall if utilizing the hotter Zpacks 10F or Zpacks 20F.
- Summer mountaineering within the Alps in Europe or mountaineering the Camino. The hotter baggage can be properly suited to three season journeys in most locations.
- Summer mountaineering and 3-season mountaineering in Australia and New Zealand in most areas.
- Summer journeys in South America together with Patagonia so long as the nighttime temperatures are above freezing. You might want the 10F or one thing with extra insulation if heading to the High Andes of Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador.
Conclusion
The Zpacks Zip Around Sleeping Bags is greatest suited to anybody wanting a high-quality ultralight sleeping bag. Or somebody who hasn’t fairly pulled the set off on shopping for a down quilt however needs to attempt utilizing them. The temperature ranking for this bag is kind of true to that acknowledged by Zpacks and the sizes are as promised.
If you need a sleeping bag for the summer time months and into the shoulder season for hotter climates then that is for you.
When it involves enhancements, I wish to see Zpacks add the choice of a hood and a lofting bag. Other than that, I believe they’ve a winner, and you’ll too.
Overall, the Zpacks Zip Around Sleeping Bags is a winner as some of the versatile sleepings and quilts for 2023.
Zpacks Sleeping Bags and Quilts are a few of the highest quality and lightest weight out there. The full zip and quilt are notably good baggage.
Yes, All the down utilized in Zpacks sleeping baggage is ethically sourced that may be traced as responsibly sourced.
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The writer, Brad McCartney from BikeHikeSafari is a small impartial adventurer and out of doors gear tester who owns and runs BikeHikeSafari.com.
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The writer, Brad McCartney is a really skilled triple crown thru-hiker, adventurer, and bike tourer having spent 1000s of nights sleeping in a tent and sleeping bag (Read extra). He was a supervisor of an outside retail retailer and could be very skilled in what’s essential when utilizing and testing gear for opinions like this.
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