NEMO Nocturne 15 – $380-400
SPECS
Weight: 2lbs, 5oz regular, 2lbs, 7oz long
Temp. Rating: 15F/-9C
Comfort Rating: 26.5F/-3C
Bag Length: 72in regular, 78in long
Unpacked Dimensions (shoulder x hip x knee): 64 x 60 x 64in regular, 66 x 62 x x66in long
Packed Dim.: 18 x 9in / 46 x 23cm
Fill Power/Type: 750-fill, water-repellent DownTek down
Zip Side: left
FEATURES
20D Ripstop Nylon with DWR30D
Nylon Taffeta Lining
40D Nylon Ripstop Footbox
Integrated Pillow Pocket
Insotect Flow vertical baffling
DownTek Waterproof Down
Spoon Shape with Stretch Stitching
Blanket Fold Hood
NEMO Company Profile
NEMO is a US-based company operating out of Nashua, NH. Best known for their tents, NEMO has been making quality, high-performance backcountry gear since 2002. Since then, their AirSupported Technology has challenged the outdoor market in their ideation of tent making. Now with sleeping pads, bags and pillows, NEMO is a key player for many serious outdoor enthusiasts.
Testing
Our testers put the Nocturne through the proverbial gauntlet with weather conditions ranging from sub-freezing temperatures on Mt. Shasta to warmer late-summer evenings of Tahoe and the Lassen wilderness. We tested NEMO’s epic “spoon” bag in tents, hammocks and in impending storm in the bed of a pickup and found this bags unique shape to be the bag we’ve been waiting for.
Pack Performance
At a bit over 2lbs, this bag might not be a top choice for ultralight extremists pinching ounces, but our testers found that it packed well for multi-day backpacking excursions and should satisfy the majority of outdoor enthusiasts. Though our testers did not endure especially wet conditions, the water repellant DownTek down and Durable Water Repellant finish kept for dry conditions against condensation.
Sleep Performance
The key feature of the Nocturne is it’s “spoon” shape – wide in the elbows, slimming down at the hips and flaring back out at the knees again. This contour allows for optimal knee space and has stomach and side sleepers especially in mind. Our testers were able to move about more reflective of their natural sleeping habits without being woken to the uncomfortable entanglement we often experience in more tapered, mummy-style bags. Although this tradeoff, we believe, is worth the extra size and weight unavoidable with the spare material, our testers did find that the temperature rating seemed off. The spare “dead space” in the bag makes it difficult to retain warmth with your own body heat and so it’s important to take note of the “comfort rating” over the actual temperature rating. The loss in warmth was especially noticed in hammock camping (more so than other 15-degree bags), and so the Nocturne would be better suited for tent and car camping where you can rely on the floor, or mat, beneath you to keep insulated.
The Nocturne comes in a long and regular fit and our 6’4″ and 6’5″ testers were pleased to have plenty of space from head to toe. The “pillow pocket” feature of the bag is worth noting as well, as it can be filled with a spare shirt or light jacket and eliminates the necessity to pack a dedicated pillow. The blanket fold of the hood is meant to wrap around your neck and protect from outside air flow and is another of the Nocturne’s most notable features There is also a drawcord to cinch down the hood for extra coziness.
Wrapping Up
The NEMO Nocturne is a men’s bag. But ladies, the company makes a sister to the Nocturne – the Rhapsody, so you’re not left out! NEMO’s innovative approach to the outdoor sleep system makes this bag worth the penny, especially if you’re sick of getting tangled up in traditional bags or you prefer to be on your side. If you’re a “cold sleeper” or plan for true winter weather conditions, however, keep in mind the ambitious rating on this bag and know what temperatures you’re heading into first.
This bag will do best for car and tent camping for most of the year and it’s lightweight packability plays a key feature in being a good choice for the backcountry.
[This posting has been backdated to its original publication by TrekTechBlog.com in collaboration with Wendy Ewing. Some contents may be modified or updated from the original article]
