Making the switch to Down- scored on BA Zirkel- anyone else have one?

[Snyd]

I've been toying with going to a down bag for sheep hunting for a few years I've been in all the "down vs synthetic" threads and always leaned toward synthetic. Down guys love their down and the BA Zirkel 20 as always got my attention. 2 lbs, 800 fill down all on top of you and I already have a BA IAC pad. But, I couldn't get myself to cough up over 300 bucks for one. Well today I came across a 2010 model (2011 models are heavier) at Moontrail for 259 bucks.... 1 in stock. SOLD! It's on it's way. Stid has one of these and has been happy. I'll see how it goes. It's tuff buying without seeing. Anyone else have one?

http://www.moontrail.com/bigagnes-zirkel-2010.php

I'll drop over a pound in weight and pickup a roomier (and hopefully warmer) bag. I've used a TNF Cats Meow for about 6 years and it's been ok but I'm a cold sleeper and it's a little. hmmm, that's 259 bucks a pound....

 

[kahahawai]

The only thing that kept me from buying a down bag is............................. your done if it gets wet !!!!
But then again..................if Stid has one, I gotta have one too......hehehe

seriously though, I know theres's other down bags that are sub-2lbs and lighter that pack down to nothing, but in sheep country, I can't predict the weather, I have tried a down bag and have actually had a layer of ice on it, also been soaked from tent condensation when I woke up in the morning. This will be my 3rd year with wiggy's Glacier and at a little over 3lbs, that packs down slightly smaller than a coffee can, It has kept me dry and warm so far. I know alot of these down bags are getting better and better, I just can't afford to do it this year. My wife is already screaming at the cost of the upgrades I made to lighten up my pack weight which is costing roughly around $100-plus per ounce.

 

[stid2677]

My completed sleep setup weighs 3lbs 15ozs, that includes my BA Zirkel, BA insulated aircore mummy pad, Titaium Goat Bivy, and Kifaru stuff-sack. This setup has kept me warm and dry on hunt to the sea, to rivers and mountain hunts. I keep the sleeping pad in the sleeping bag as it is made to use that way and keep both in the bivy. Very warm and comfortable, even used this on the boat hunt to the Koyukuk, had water dripping on me and running under me and my bag stayed clean and dry.

 

[danattherock]

Those caught my eye once as well. Great reputation from what I have read. The wife and I got some Cabela's boundary waters down bags in 0 degree. Nicest I have owned and pack very small. I too have read all the down versus synthetic threads and there is certainly some validity to the pros/cons of each. My thought is if you can't keep your sleeping bag dry, there are probably a lot of other things you can't do either. Some folks shouldn't spend time in remote places I guess. ha ha...


-Dan

 

[Alaska_Lanche]

Congrats Snyd.

I recently swapped to the down bag seen as well. Though I am not getting rid of my glacier hunter anytime soon either. Both serve their purposes at different times. I am sure you will be more than happy with your purchase.

 

[markopolo50]

My completed sleep setup weighs 3lbs 15ozs, that includes my BA Zirkel, BA insulated aircore mummy pad, Titaium Goat Bivy, and Kifaru stuff-sack. This setup has kept me warm and dry on hunt to the sea, to rivers and mountain hunts. I keep the sleeping pad in the sleeping bag as it is made to use that way and keep both in the bivy. Very warm and comfortable, even used this on the boat hunt to the Koyukuk, had water dripping on me and running under me and my bag stayed clean and dry.

.............

Stid, I have been looking at Big Agnes down bag Storm King, rated to zero. Is the Zirkel, rated to +20, warm enough? I may be thinking I need too much cold rating when I haven't done any real winter camping. I see the Zirkel is about 18 oz's lighter and that may be your reasoning. Thanks, Mark

 

[stid2677]

.............

Stid, I have been looking at Big Agnes down bag Storm King, rated to zero. Is the Zirkel, rated to +20, warm enough? I may be thinking I need too much cold rating when I haven't done any real winter camping. I see the Zirkel is about 18 oz's lighter and that may be your reasoning. Thanks, Mark

I found the Zirkel warm down to about 10 degrees. At that temp I did wear my Montbell puffy gear to add to the warmth, but I'm a cold sleeper.

 

[Snyd]

.............

Stid, I have been looking at Big Agnes down bag Storm King, rated to zero. Is the Zirkel, rated to +20, warm enough? I may be thinking I need too much cold rating when I haven't done any real winter camping. I see the Zirkel is about 18 oz's lighter and that may be your reasoning. Thanks, Mark

I see the Storm King is the bigger bag but only has 650 down. Check out the Pomer Hoit, it's a zero degree bag, 800 fill, 1 pound heavier than the Zirkel.

 

[markopolo50]

Thanks Snyd and Stid, I am hoping for another moose hunt in AK and really liked the BA insulated pad last August. Slept like a baby compared to foam pads. I have always used synthetic also but like the lighter bags and BA concept. Thanks and good hunting. Mark

 

[Water_Gremlin]

I was all ready to switch to down a few months back. Big Agnes had a down bag, the Blackburn if I remember correctly, that I absolutely loved and it was on clearance. The foot area was extra wide, long left zip was in stock, and then I found out there was no insulation on the backside. MOTHER OF PEARL! That killed it for me since I occasionally used my sleeping bag without a pad.

I'm still eyeing the marmot helium other down bags. Eventually I'll find the right one at a screaming price.

 

[Marc Taylor]

I thought it would never happen to me, but I had my Titanium Goat tent shredded by a bear one time on a sheep hunt. While I was in the rocks. The weather didn't "move in" it was there the whole week. Without a synthetic bag the hunt was OVER. Had I been flown in, I would have been in TROUBLE with a down bag.

One pound, when you're there to pick up another hundred pounds, is not worth moaning over. I sleep in total confidence that I will be fine if my bag is SOAKED, through and through.

One of the reasons I hunt alone anymore. Tired of hearing hunting partners moan about how they can't stay comfortable, but don't heed my advice on which bag to take.

Please, just make sure the horror story makes it here WHEN it happens.

Taylor

 

[mossyhorn]

I'm in the market for a new bag and looked at the Zirkel and saw that there was no insulation on the back side. It requires a special inflatable pad to be inserted. That turned me off. I think I'll be going with a Marmot Helium bag and going simple on the pad with a 10 oz Thermarest Z-lite. The helium is only 2lbs 2 oz.

 

[Snyd]

I'm in the market for a new bag and looked at the Zirkel and saw that there was no insulation on the back side. It requires a special inflatable pad to be inserted...

That's one reason I bought it. I've had a BA insulated air core mummy pad for several years. No more slipping off the pad.

I got the bag, slipped in the pad, blew it up, crawled in and it's a great fit for me. A little more room than my TNF Cat's Meow. I'm thinking it should be warmer as well, which is another thing I was after.

It's all a gamble there Marc. Sounds to me like you were fortunate you were in the rocks and not in your tent. I don't think even the Wiggy's is bear proof. Glad to hear you made out ok.

 

[mtnclimber]

I'm in the market for a new bag and looked at the Zirkel and saw that there was no insulation on the back side. It requires a special inflatable pad to be inserted. That turned me off.

I know a few guys that got the big agnes mummy bags and cut their z-lites to fit the bag. Looks pretty slick to me. Slips right into the sleeve and you lose some weight at the same time:topjob:

 

[fullkurl]

I made the switch to down this year.
Tired of freezing my keester off with a synthetic bag in tents that are virtually water and bomb-proof. Makes no sense.

I also went with the Marmot Helium.