longhair19

Since posting these questions about this particular bag, on three different outdoor forums recently, I've yet to read anything negative about ID's Primaloft bags. At first I thought that maybe it's because there are not many people actually using these bags (for whatever reason) and/or that people who have 'em are not on these forums! At any rate, I believe this bag will be a good solid choice for me for the environmental conditions and climate I'll be using it in here in the PNW. Just because the big boys may not use PL1 & PL2 insulation in their bag offerings, doesn't mean squat in my book. The stuff works better than any other insulated clothing I currently have used in the past and present and speaks volumes. I'm sure I'll be be happy with this bag. Next year, I'm going to put cold cash on an Epic shelled, +20 FF bag and be done with it. That'll give me three bags! Thanks again.

Yeah, I have a MEC Primaloft Pullover that is easily the best clothing peice I've ever had the pleasure to wear, it saved my bum last mid Oct. I've yet to experience any loss of loft. It's only 1.8-oz per yard PL1 but way warmer than than my Lowe 250-wt. fleece Jkt. As for the ID PL bag I won't be carrying it in a compression sack, only the one it comes with. Thanks

Jim, I tried on a THETA SL a few months ago at REI and it throughly impressed me. Arc' Teryx's WP rubber zippers are absolutely thee best in the biz. They did not jam once (unlike the Versalite Montbell's did) and ran as smooth as if they were greased. Ditto for the pit-zips too. The chest pockets and particulary the Hood design is superb. My buddy & I asked the kind REI gal, to remove all the paper info. and security tags for us and it weighed 16-ounces on the nose for a size L. Impressive indeed. www.hiltonstentcity.com has been quietly advertising in the the classified section of Backpacker mag for about a decade now and they are selling THETA SL Jkts for $265.00. That's their 'standard' price, which is $60.00 less than the retail price! This one is on to to-buy-list for sure.

Olyclimber, That's my Fav' Pack by far period! I ordered mine from Dan about three years ago after talking with him in person twice at his two stores. I demoed a larger Sarc on a forced overnighter Bivoac Seminar up Granite Mnt. and was impressed to say the least. Anyway, I gave Dan my laundry list of do's and don'ts. I like the KISS rule when it comes to Packs so I opted for a lot of No's on mine to cut down the weight and clutter on the front. I'm a tall guy so I figure the bag itself is about 3,100" and what I was looking for was a Blast Pack, ie., a big Daypack suitable for overnight. My term for pack it up and GO! No bottom zipper No daisy chains No convertible top pocket/fanny pack Dan informed me that 420D packcloth has the lowest water absorbtion rate of all the fabrics that he had (at that time) something to consider for here in PNW. Mine is sewn in this throughout. With it's two detachable side/bottle pockets, two 3/4" wide stays, removeable Evazote backpad, total weight on a postal digital scale is 2Lbs, 15.4-ounces. Good enough for me. To save even more weight you could order yours with a double layer Full Spectra (dyed gray) bottom for thee ultimate expression of bombproof durability. This 'option' costs $25.00 extra but you being a Climber might be worth it. Dan's Packs are all the best anyway and every, single sewing point no matter what or where it is located is backed up in triplicate. Absolutely incredible the level of detail, time and superior sewing. Packcloth I later learned from Dan is actually slightly heavier per square yard than 500D Cordura 7.4-ounces -verses- 6.8-ozs respectively. Full Spectra is a mere 3.8 ozs and Dynemma Grid also called Spectra Grid is way light at 4.0-ounces per sq. yrd. Last month, I bought a navy blue Shovel Pocket with drawcord that is really nice. In hindsight I kinda' wish I'd got it sewn in FS. I also got a cool gray Silcoat Rain Cover that features two drawcords/locks one top/bottom and it probably weighs maybe 3-ounces if that! It'll easily cover all my gear including a 20" x 60" x 3/8" rolled Evazote pad strapped on the front with more room to spare. Last Oct, I did a three day trip in the Alpine Lakes W' going in with 42.5Lbs and coming out carrying a sodden Marmot down bag and Tent I figure my Zero Sarc Pack weighed 50Lbs easy. It was borderline comfortable as I believe that's the maximum the three peice belt can comfortably carry. Any other brand of Pack in that size range, and I'd have been a hurtin' unit. Oh, if you are really anal about saving weight then make sure you specify the 5/8" wide webbing for all the compression straps, mine are 3/4" which was the lightest Dan carried three years ago. Mine has 6-compresstion straps which really get this baby in tight, as little as an inch wide when partially loaded. I also have a 'stretch cord' on the front which is very usefull for securing rain clothing, wet tarp, etc. Dan also made a custom mod' to mine recently making the top pocket detachable to where even the haul loop has this tinny velcro strip to secure it outa' the way of my head, Dan thinks of EVERYTHING on these fine Packs. Incrediable, the man is a brilliant Pack designer. I'm also getting a Summit Flap for those times when I want to strip mine down to just stays sans pockets on smaller/shorter trips. Simplicity to the core. Ask for a double layer, Full Spectra, 300 cu.ins. Summit Flap/Pocket. I've seen 'em and are sweet. Mchale Packs Rock!

Wondering if anyone has experience with the Renaissance +20 Primaloft bag? Any problems with loss of loft? How well does the shell repel precip and/or standing water? Are ID's weights fairly accurate? I'm seriously considering buying one locally from PMS this month for using in the Fall. Any 'details' would be most appreciated from experienced users. Thanks