Why is their stuff so freakin expensive?

Custom.
Quality.
Light.
Functional.

Did you notice the upgrade price for eiderdown?
Just an additional $125 per ounce of fill.

Handmade of quality materials. Worth every penny.

Yeah...I thought that was a little ridiculous. What...is that brand the luxury brand of UL?

Yes- luxury. Beautiful, functional luxury. Ah, Nunatak.

Wish I could afford you.

dj

I have never slept so good since I received my custom Alpinist--- But I did have to take out a 2nd mortgage just to pay for it.

I guess that's very fitting Jay, since it's part of your 'home away from home'.

10oz for a fully baffled down jacket with hood AND pocket, using the highest quality materials and custom craftmanship...where else can you find such a wonderful creation at any price?? I got a Skaha hoody with custom extra length and fill, so it's tailer-made to fit ME.

Why is it so expensive? Tom's products are not made overseas, for one. I don't believe they're made in large production facilities either. I own an AT quilt, the Back Country Blanket, and just ordered a Skaha with hood and pockets and another AT quilt overfilled. It's exactly what I want with quality that I appreciate. And Tom answers his email!

Edited by idester on 08/18/2009 13:50:01 MDT.

How much other stuff have you seen so freakin light? Or custom made in the US? Like others have pointed out... a baffled down jacket, with hood and pocket, in the neighborhood of 10 ounces? Holy Wah! Most companies jackets are twice that weight and not nearly as warm. Nunatak's a great niche company.

I have a Specialist with a 1 oz overfill that comes in at 17 oz and keeps me warm and comfortable below freezing. The price is high, but the quality is high. Each quilt is lovingly hand stitched and perfectly made. Why own three manufactured sleeping bags when you can own one all-purpose quilt at about the same price?

Stargazer

Are their temp ratings true or off by 5-10 degrees?

I just ordered a tricked out Arc Alpinist and can't wait for it.

I Dave and I his mukluks in Epic and have been using them every winter for the past five years. They go on my feet as soon as I am set-up for the night. They have never wet out and are still in very good shape. I did make a set of ensolite insoles for them to stiffen the bottom up a bit.

Donna, based on my experience with two Nunatak bags (Back Country Blanket and Ghost) I'd say its ratings are conservative. I sleep cold and usually factor in a 15 F degree cushion, but the Ghost (rated 32 F) has kept me warm right down to freezing.

It does hurt your pocket, but if you want the lightest possible quilt, then you're going to have to pay the price. Alternatively, you can look at JRB quilts which are a little cheaper.

I bought a few bags before ending up with my Nunatak quilt and I'm also happy with it.

Don't forget, they have great resale value too...

Thanks, Richard. I'm looking for a winter bag about 0 to 5 degrees. I like quilts and usually use my bag as a quilt. I'm looking at WM but Nunatak might be what I really want, or even JRB.

Donna, As you doubtless know Nunatak welcomes customizing. Talk to him about exactly what you want and I'll bet he can get you down to zero.

Good idea. I really want this bag/quilt to last out my hiking days for as long as possible and while zero may be overkill here in the east, I am so tired of just being on the edge of weather that suddenly turns colder than expected. My 20F bag is pretty old and needs replacing. I'm sure it isn't a true 20F bag anyway.

Last winter I tried using an old down hood from a jacket to sleep in and loved it. I could turn without being held hostage in a bag hood or my hat or balaclava shifting all over the place. So the idea of a quilt with my hood would work nicely.

Edited by leadfoot on 08/20/2009 18:24:04 MDT.

As a cold sleeper, my 32 degree Nunatak Specialist keeps me warm. Slept good in it in a MB bivy (no tarp) on a 19 degree night, wearing microfleece pants, shirt, and hood, MB UL down vest, JRB down sleeves and hood, and 2 pair socks. I am now a believer. I bought it used from someone who needed a longer model.

When held vertically by the side seam and shaken, the down does not shift enough to leave a thin spot. Try that with any bag from overseas.

Have you ever heard any criticism of Nunatak other than the cost? Yes, maybe some bag owner is embarassed to speak up, but if Nunatak products weren't so good, others would be quick to holler about the quality for the price.

Those quilts keep you just as warm as WM products with equal rated temps, but they weigh less. The key there is all the down is over you instead of some of it under you. Buy a used WM bag and have Tim Marshall sew and cut it into a quilt-->Nunatak clone.

Edited by heyyou on 08/20/2009 19:19:50 MDT.

I for one don't have any problem with the cost considering what you get from Nunatak. If you are interested in a Nunatak quilt you can email Tom (the owner) and get personal attention. I customized the heck out of mine and it took many emails and a phone conversation to get it to be exactly what I wanted. There were no fees added for the size customization...NONE. I did change materials and add down which added cost, but I can't believe he can add an inch in length, customize the taper, add to the footbox size and width without charging the heck out of you. And for all the consultations...he charged NOTHING. If I were him I would have strangled me.

My only complaint is really the time...I just wish I didn't have to wait so long to get one made. But beyond that it was a great gear buying experience.

Jamie