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Thread: FF Winter Wren

  1. #1
    Senior Member rip waverly's Avatar
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    FF Winter Wren

    heres a review of a sleeping bag with great features- ability to wear around camp----
    and one that translates to an extremely versatile piece of kit - esp. for us
    hammockers. : pod system, top bag, camp wear

    Feathered Friends Winter Wren
    850 fill down
    EPIC fabric shell
    34 oz.
    20*F rating

    kinda heavy compared to a top quilt, but,
    add up UQ & TQ offering equal coverage and temp range, and you're
    saving weight, roughly ~6oz.



    a lot of folks are using their sleeping bags in this fashion, but the wren excels in its
    wide, mostly rectangular cut, drawstring bottom stock and unique hood design. i've seen the wren series modded with a full zipper by HF member
    Turk. i bet this would make it really great (similar to the exped dreamwalker). it kinda 'locks you in', so if you're a bigger human... it might not be the best option - maybe something like speer pod would be better.

    but i love the versatility. well-built, quality right here in the seattle, US.
    "Jeff-Becking"

    DOWNTOWN BROWN!!!!

  2. #2
    Senior Member BlazeAway's Avatar
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    Great video and a great piece of gear that Wren.
    I have the Exped Dreamwalker 650 L and it is as you say similar in design, and I simply love it.
    That is not to say that the TQ isn’t great gear too.
    Blaze

  3. #3
    Senior Member rip waverly's Avatar
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    another look at the wren as a pod, in use.

    "Jeff-Becking"

    DOWNTOWN BROWN!!!!

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    Rip, thanks for the reviews, nice!

  5. #5
    Senior Member fourdog's Avatar
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    Rip;
    Thanks for the review. You'll get many hard years of use from that bag.I Can't think of a better or more versitile pcs of kit, except maybe the Dreamwalker by Exped. That being the only reason the
    Exped 650 LG is because of the full length zipper and larger dim. in width +
    length for hammock use.
    If I could only have one sleeping bag/sleep system in life it would be the FF Wallcreeper. To top it off it's made in the USA !


    fourdog

    www.fourdog.com

  6. #6
    all secure in sector 7 Shug's Avatar
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    Very cool to see Rip....I too lay real still in my pod/bag rig. Really warm. but I am very still in a hammock all the time. Get comfy and warm and lay like King Tut)))))
    Shug
    Whooooo Buddy)))) All Secure in Sector Seven

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    Senior Member MuseJr's Avatar
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    Rip, thanks for the videos. Looks like a nice piece. I think I might have to look at one these. Wearing it around camp with a pair of sleeves might be just what I need.
    "I'm a connoisseur of BACON." - Anyways - 6/9/13

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    Thanks Rip

    Maybe i missed it, do the arm holes zip up when you use it in pod mode?

    When I use my Spear Peapod, I can lengthen/shorten the pod along the hammock to get the bottom of the pod right up against the hammock fabric to reduce air gaps, how easy is it to do that with the Wren?

    S

  9. #9
    Senior Member rip waverly's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by MuseJr View Post
    Rip, thanks for the videos. Looks like a nice piece. I think I might have to look at one these. Wearing it around camp with a pair of sleeves might be just what I need.
    thats what i've been doing - with sleeves its a bulletproof system


    Quote Originally Posted by Sidewinder View Post
    Maybe i missed it, do the arm holes zip up when you use it in pod mode?

    When I use my Spear Peapod, I can lengthen/shorten the pod along the hammock to get the bottom of the pod right up against the hammock fabric to reduce air gaps, how easy is it to do that with the Wren?

    S
    the arm holes do zip up for pod mode - and zip down for venting / camp wear / arm dexterity when in the pod

    the pod doesn't "hug" the bottom of the hammock, but.....
    if one rigged some shockcord to the foot cinch and hammock end, that would effectively tether the wren into place.
    and, once you hop in and zip the bag up, it stays put around the shoulders.
    i think the philosophy of the pod and actual use negates a lot of what the underquilt set up involves.
    intrinsically, it retains heat in a 360* --pod-- as opposed to something modular that produces potentially weak points at edges

    all that said... this has been the easiest, most "fiddle-free" insulation system i've tried to date.
    i've done no real mods, adjustment, tweaking, at all. simply cinched the foot end drawcord, hopped in and zipped up. the hood
    really seals against the users head.

    now of course.... i still see the speer peapod as the ultimate, as you have no real gaps to speak of at all, no weakpoints.
    but what you lose is a little bit of versatility- as i've also very much enjoyed using the wren IN the hammock as a top bag w/ UQ. it allowed easy exit,
    and was worn outside for mid-night pit stops at the tree. the hood is great too, and solved the issue of needing a pillow.

    again, wider folks (or anyone really) may find the pod "confining" - but i find comfort in it. sorta sets me into place, but allows
    enough for side sleeping / fetal. i've found no real shortcomings, except, as fourdog mentions, the ease of use a full length zipper would allow.

    feathered friends has new options too, like zipper customization, pertex quantum? i think, 900 fill power down, -- all of course at a higher price point. but a great company, willing to work with their customers- and walk you through the attributes of certain systems.
    Last edited by rip waverly; 01-24-2012 at 19:24. Reason: more info
    "Jeff-Becking"

    DOWNTOWN BROWN!!!!

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    Yeah, I can see the versatility the Wren as clothing and as a sleep system. The Spear Peapod is a wonder of insulation engineering but it is heavy and takes up a lot of room in the pack. Plus you pretty much need something on top of you if you want to venture into the sub-freezing temps.

    I envy the double use of the Wren (Well for that matter, pretty much anything FF makes)


    S

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