Appalachian Gear Company introduced a sleeping bag with All-Paca fabric. The water-resistant, breathable Ugly Bag is the first sleeping bag to use 100 percent alpaca fleece for insulation.
The patent-pending Ugly Bag provides an alternative to down insulation. All-Paca Fleece is “naturally insulating without having to rely on loft and insulates even when wet. All-Paca also offers unmatched moisture management, breathability and odor control. The Bag’s shell is constructed from soft-structure Tyvek, a spun-bonded high-density polyethylene fabric that is highly water-resistant and extremely abrasion-resistant without sacrificing breathability,” said the brand.
The bag features include a zipperless, hoodless construction with elastic at the opening and chest; a “turtleneck” at the opening for an extra length of All-Paca fabric that can be tucked inside for more core warmth, bunched around the neck like a baffle, or pulled completely over the head like a hood. The Ugly Bag can be used on its own or as an over bag with a standard mummy and is suitable to a 30°F range (when used in a tent with the proper base layers). When paired as a system with the brand’s All-Paca Sleeping Bag Liner, it is suitable to a 10°F to 15°F range. The Ugly Bag weighs approximately 2lbs. 8oz. and compresses to a compact size of approximately 10” x 7”.
“The Ugly Bag is the first high-functioning alternative to everything else out there in decades,” said John Gage, co-founder, Appalachian Gear Company. “It’s a no-brainer for anyone looking for a more sustainable option than down, which can fail as soon as it gets wet and relies on loft to actually keep you warm. In addition, the shell we’re using is much less prone to abrasive breakdown than other synthetics out there, meaning it’s significantly less likely to contribute to microplastic pollution. It’s not the prettiest option, but we think people care more about performance and sustainability than vanity when it comes to their outdoor gear.”
“This bag was my home from February until September last year. I used it in every type of weather over a 4,000-mile adventure—from the snow of the Smoky Mountains to the dry desert of New Mexico, and in high altitudes from Colorado to the Wind River Range of Wyoming,” said Thru-Hiking Triple Crowner and Appalachian Gear Company Athlete Ben Vaughan. “It is lightweight, waterproof and extremely comfortable, and since it has alpaca fiber on the inside, it’s almost odorless—very important for a thru-hiker. It is unlike any bag on the market.”
For more product information, go here.
