Outdoor Retailer: Brooks-Range Cloak

For every camper and backpacker who start off fully zipped in their sleeping bag, only to wrestle half your body out an hour after you fall asleep because you’re just too damn hot, Brooks-Range hears your struggles.  Their Cloak—hitting markets in spring 2013—is a smart hybrid of a sleeping bag and a down blanket. A generous pocket at the feet lets you slide in your sleeping pad (your feet and body weight keep it in place). Then you just pull the rest of the Cloak over you, much like a blanket. An extra baffle at the neck keeps things snug and your sleeping pad will keep you sheltered from the cold, cold ground.  The pack is insulated with 850-fill waterproof Down-Tek (the same tech as DryDown), and comes rated at 15, 30, and 45 degrees. The 30-degree pack weighs 16 ounces and will retail for $300.

Brooks-Range will also be introducing a full line of insulated jackets this fall utilizing Down-Tek.  Stay tuned this autumn for from-the-field reports.