Sea to Summit Talus TS3 Sleeping Bag

In 2009 I was introduced to a Sea To Summit product that has been part of every outdoor journey I’ve been on since. The Event Compression Dry Sack changed the world because unlike other dry sacks no valve was required and you didn’t have to struggle to squeeze all the air out before cynching it closed – instead the eVent waterproof fabric it was made from was all that was needed to push air out of the bag and not allow water in. I immediately bought three of them and over the course of the last six years I’ve never had one leak. Ever. And they’ve been dropped in the snow, a river, two lakes…in every wet surface possible, really. So when I was asked to review another Sea to Summit product, specifically the Talus TS3 sleeping bag, I jumped at the chance to check out something made by a company I respect so much. The Talus series of sleeping bags isn’t made from eVent fabric but instead features a 2D NanoShell outer shell that the company says offers excellent breathability and water repellancy. There are the 1, 2 and 3 series which correspond to weight and temperature rating – I was sent the TS3, which is one of the company’s warmest bags out of the 16 it manufactures. Unfortunately, given the mild winter we had, I didn’t have the opportunity to really test the claim is was comfortable in -17°C conditions, but I did get a chance to check out the other features.

Relaxed mummy fit.

One of the most comfortable cushioned hoods on the market.

Features:

- Relaxed mummy fit
- Nylon 2D NanoShell
- Ultra-Dry Down
- Differential Cut Shell with 3D side walls
- Offset baffles
- 60/40 fill ratio
- Side block baffle
- Anatomically tapered foot
- Zip draft tube with anti-snag
- Neck Draft Tube with dual elastic adjustment
- Cushioned internal hood drawcord with dual adjustment
- 2-way YKK zipper
- Medium-sized internal zip pocket
- Includes lightweight Ultra-Sil compression bag, mesh storage cell and laundry bag

Medium-sized internal zip pocket.

Neck Draft Tube with dual elastic adjustment.

Cushioned internal hood drawcord with dual adjustment.

Nylon 2D NanoShell.

Anatomically tapered foot box.

Zip draft tube with anti-snag zipper.

Verdict:

I first used the Sea to Summit Talus TS3 sleeping bag on a relatively mild spring evening here in southern British Columbia and I have to admit it was too much bag for the temperature. It probably only got down to -3°C that night and since then the weather has never really gotten any colder. I started with the bag fully zipped up but within 20 minutes I was way too hot and had to unzip it entirely and just use it as a blanket. (Kudos for having a full length zipper that allows me to do that.) I’m a hot sleeper as it is (meaning my body becomes a bit of a furnace the second I lay my head down) and so the TS1, which is rated to be comfortable at -5°C, would probably be fine for me as a shoulder season and winter bag. (The TS3 is rated to be comfortable at -9°C, while the lower limit is -17°C.) Given that I was too hot and couldn’t close the bag, I’ll have to take the company’s word that the double drawstring on the hood and draft tubes on the zipper ensure you’re perfectly sealed in and no rogue wind will touch you.

When I was fully contained in the medium-sized sleeping bag I noticed that it fit my 5’11” frame well and, again, my head was super comfortable. However, the 2D NanoShell outer fabric seemed to make a bit of a crinkling noise when I rolled around, which I do a lot in my sleep, but perhaps that goes away with more use. And I’d prefer more elasticity in the manufacturing of the bag so that I don’t feel so contained. That’s a personal preference, however, and again relates to how much I move around in my sleep, from one fetal position to the other. The inner zippered pocket is a nice touch (it’s roomy enough to hold a large mobile phone) and I like that there’s Velcro and a soft velvet button tab to keep the main zipper in place while you sleep.

The Sea to Summit Talus TS3 isn’t the lightest sleeping bag I’ve ever reviewed (the medium weighs 1225g or 2lb 22oz), nor does it pack down to the smallest size but it’s right up there with the other bags we've reviewed. It's also extremely comfortable and, for the price, it’s an excellent down bag for those who do a lot of camping in colder environs. If you’re not regularly bunking down in -10 to -20°C weather, though, or you’re a hot sleeper like me I’d recommend either the TS2 or TS1.

Includes lightweight Ultra-Sil compression bag, mesh storage cell and laundry bag.

Compresses to a packed size of 28x24cm.

Sea To Summit Aeros Pillow Premium:

If you want to compliment your sleep in the Sea to Summit Talus TS3 sleeping bag and increase comfort exponentially then you should consider the Sea To Summit Aeros Pillow Premium. This little gem comes in two sizes, Medium ($39.95US) and Large ($44.95US). Given that it only weighs 105g / 3.7oz and stuffs down to a measly 7.7 x 8.3cm, there’s no reason not to pack this so called ‘luxury item’ for your next adventure. The Sea To Summit Aeros Pillow Premium offers up an incredibly comfortable sleep experience (you have to try it to believe it) and adds nothing to the bulk or weight of your pack so I’d highly recommend this product.

Super compact and light.

An innovative valve make it very quick to inflate and deflate.

SPECS:

Price: $435 - $470US
Temperature limit: -9°C /15.8°F (comfort), –17°C / 1°F (lower limit), -37°C / -35°F (extreme)
Length: 225cm
Weight: 1225g / 2lb 11oz
Packed Size: 28x24cm
Insulation: 750+ loft
Fill weight: 700g / 25oz
Fabric: 2D NanoShell
Colour: Blue

PROS:

The hood of this sleeping bag is one of the most comfortable ever – it’s like resting your head in fluffy pillows and the two draw-cords allow you to cynch in perfectly without feeling claustrophobic. Also, the accessory bags with all the literature printed on them is a great touch. Plus the price is very good for a down bag.

CONS:

The Nylon 2D NanoShell fabric tends to make noisy, crinkly sounds when you move and I’d prefer more elasticity in the chest region so as not to feel constrained.

Rating: 9/10

Warmth:            2/2
Compressibility: 1.5/2
Features:            2/2
Weight:              1.5/2
Quality/Price:     2 /2

This is only our opinion. Do you disagree? Did we miss something? Are we totally out to lunch? Join the discussion in the forums here, and let us know what you think. People like/dislike gear for different reasons so chime in and we'll get a well-rounded evaluation.

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