Arguably a sleeping bag is the most important piece of someone’s hiking gear. A month or so ago I was moved to action in support of the Standing Rock Reservation activists and protestors.  In addition to being active in the NYC area, I donated a bunch of goods including my rock solid Appalachian Trail staple Big Agnes Lost Ranger 15F sleeping bag.  Paying it forward meant I need a new sleeping bag! After doing some internal reflecting and thorough research, I decided to invest in a Katabatic Sawatch 15F full down sleeping bag/quilt.  

Initial Impression

Even before buying the Sawatch, I had reached out to Katabatic multiple times with questions and inquires about the Sawatch and every time they were very responsive and helpful, which gave me a very good feeling about spending the money.  Once the bag was delivered, I immediately noticed how soft and smooth the Pertex Quantum Taffeta material is for the bag’s liner. The material is softer than I could have ever expected and it literally makes me want to sleep in the Sawatch every night. The Sawatch weighs in at a scant 28 ounces (for the regular 6ft wide version) and that shaves near 1.5lbs off of my long wide Lost Ranger. The process of attaching of the Sawatch to a sleeping pad is a seemingly easy process but I initially struggled with fully locking down the clips. The struggle I was having is that the 2mm paracord is intentionally larger than the locking mechanism; I expect to get use to this and have no trouble with it as I use the bag more.

I had to try the Sawatch as soon as I could. So I decided to get ready for New Year’s by cowboy camping out under the stars in the Sawatch. My takeaways and pictures are below:

Pros

• Weight: 28 ounces (weight varies for other sizes and fills, check here for the specs)
• Warmth: rated down to 15F but with proper clothing, easily able to be used down to single digits
• Comfort: the inside of the bag features Pertex Quantum Taffeta fabric and is some of the best materials I have ever felt, it is simply sublime. The material makes the draft collar a pleasure to touch your face.
• Versatility: the Sawatch is a quilt style sleeping bag that allows for multiple variations and adjustability to adapt to specific weather conditions. With an overstuffed, trapezoidal foot box that is closed for 25 – 30 inches from the bottom, this bag offers the best of all worlds.
• Consciousness: Katabatic’s goose down supplier is Allied Feather and Down. All the down used in their sleeping bags are certified through both the bluesign® and Responsible Down Standard® programs. Another reason why Katabatic partners with Allied: they can offer our customers access to the Track My Down program. It allows all of their customers, including myself, to learn everything to know about the down used in their very own sleeping bag. Props to Katabatic for being a leader in their approach to responsibility and accountability.

Cons

• Attachment System: This is not a true “con” but more of slight difficulty; one I believe will fade with time. Katabatic’s Cord Clip attachment system is very simple and versatile, able to be used with any sleeping pad.  The difficulty I had with the system was getting the 2mm cords to lock into the second full locking position of the clip.  The clips have to positions, the first allows the bag to move the most but when the weather is cold, like last night, the second position securely locks in the sleeping bag position and girth. However, actually getting the cord into the very tight locking position is tricky.
• “Hoodless” Design: The Sawatch has no hood and that is intentional.  Sleeping bag hoods can be awkward and the folks at Katabatic felt it was unnecessary material for minimal benefit.  This is the first time I have used a sleeping bag without a hood and my first night in sub freezing temperatures was very enjoyable but my nose was cold! It was running the entire night and I eventually used my Patagonia Ultralight Down Jacket to cover my head and give some warmth and coverage for my face.  Katabatic does offer down hoods to help combat this but the front of your face would still be exposed.
• Down: Down as insulation has so many positives but one of my biggest apprehensions with going full on down is that if the sleeping bag gets wet or soaked somehow, the insulation properties are dangerously diminished.
• Price: The Sawatch 15F sleeping bag is expensive; ranging from $520 – $605.  There are cheaper options such as the Enlightened Equipment Revelation quilt but if you have the ability to invest in a Katabatic sleeping bag / quilt, you will not be disappointed.

Sawatch 15F cowboy camping under the stars

Morning and the down loft is still very ‘lofty’ despite some dew and moisture

Happy Trails,

Six Slash