bag quandary rab or cumulus
Thu, Jun 11, 2009
So after much deliberation, it’s come down to two choices. Cumulus Quantum 200 or Rab Quantum 250. Side by side they are:
| Bag | Weight | Weight of down | Fill power | Fill volume | Temp | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cumulus | 495g | 200g | 870 | 5800 | 0 | 180-190 |
| Rab | 650g | 250g | 750+ | 6250 | 0, -2 | 190 |
(weight of down / 30) x fill power
Both bags have 96:4 down ratio (96% down to 4% other feathers) but the Cumulus uses Diamond Grade Polish Down. Googling for it only comes up with two links, both to the Cumulus site, so it’s not widely used although it has a fair bit more oomph than the Rab down. I also heard the chap who runs Cumulus is Polish so that would explain why he uses it.
The pack sizes for both bags are almost identical but the Rab is 155g heavier than the Cumulus but 50g of that is down. That leaves 105g unaccounted for. Perhaps it’s the inner/outer covering of Pertex Quantum. There’s the option of Pertex Endurance on the Rab, which I have on my big Rab but I’m sure the Quantum fabric will be fine for summer.
The Rab is rated on their website as down to -2 but on all the online retailer sites it’s rated to 0, so not sure what’s going on there. The Cumulus is rated to 0 in all references.
The Rab has a half length zip whereas the Cumulus has a full length one. Speaking from experience, a full length zip is easier to get in/out of and is very useful in the middle of summer for preventing overheating. Plus the Cumulus has the option of a left hand zip which I prefer for use with the Akto.
As for hoods, the Cumulus is a bit suspect I heard but no idea what the Rab is like. Going by my big Rab it might be good though. I’d have to check. Tiso stocks the Rab apparently so I might pop into the one in Inverness next time I’m over there.
So what do I think? I’m used to Rab gear. It fits perfectly. I know the length of the Rab bag is perfect as it’s the same length as my big Rab. I know Rab gear will last as my big Rab is 10 years old now and it’s still in great condition. Then again, my Buffalo Bag is about 20 years old and is still great! I’m just thinking the half length zip might be a problem and it might be a little too warm for summer in the UK.
So what about taking a punt on something completely new? The lightweight revolution. 155g lighter with a higher quality down, the Cumulus is looking interesting. It has the same outer as the Rab, Pertex Quantum, so where have they shaved off 105g? I suspect there’s less outer all round as I’ve heard the hood isn’t great. Then again, it’s 7cm longer than the Rab so it might be a bit too roomy. That would tally with reports of being fiddly to get it into the stuff sack, which is the same size as the Rab’s but it has to contain 7cm more material.
It’s the proven quality and fit of the Rab versus the unknown quality/size/comfort of the Cumulus. However I’ve heard the quality is superb and I’m sure it is. It’s a lot of money though, to just take a punt on it and there are no retailers in Scotland. I wonder if they’d loan me one? Prolly not!
I must indulge in some Cogito Ergo Buy-Sleeping-Bag-O!