Mont-Bell Bags No Longer Available

Q. I’m trying to find a Mont-Bell sleeping bag (the Heat), but I heard that they went out of business. Is this true? If it is (or even if it isn’t), can you tell me where I can find one?

Mike Bryan

Gear Guy: Alas, it is true. Despite repeated suggestions from the Gear Guy that people buy Mont-Bell products, that company has folded its tent. They simply couldn’t distinguish themselves sufficiently from Patagonia, Moonstone, Marmot and other companies to make a go of it.

With them went some interesting products, such as the Heat sleeping bag. My recollection is that the Heat was a 20-30 degree synthetic bag selling for about $140. MontBell used a proprietary fill that consisted of thick and thin fibers for durability and softness. The Heat also had elastic bands that gently wrapped the sleeper and reduced heat loss caused by nighttime thrashing.

You might find some Mont-Bell products at closeout stores such as Sierra Trading Post. But I don’t believe Mont-Bell even had a production run of sleeping bags in the past year, so I doubt you’ll find one. Alternatively, Mountain Hardwear is using a similar system in their sleeping bag line, although they say theirs is meant to give you more knee room, not reduce heat loss. Check out the 2nd Dimension ($195), a 15-degree bag that uses Polarguard 3D fill. It’s a nice bag, although a little high-priced for a synthetic, in my view.

Q. I am planning a trip to the San Juan National Forest (Colorado), and I have a problem. I am bringing two friends along (total of three people) for a backpacking trip for about two weeks. We are going to enjoy dehydrated food on our trip, and many of the major food companies only make meals for 2 or 4 people. I have three people to feed, simple math, it just doesn’t fit. How can I remedy this situation?

Eric Miller Jr.

Gear Guy: I assume you are using the term “enjoy” in the ironic sense. True, freeze-dried foods have gotten much better in recent years. I recall fondly one 1973 trip during which I sampled something called a “freeze-dried pork chop.” Basically a leather shoe heel that one soaked (somewhat hopefully) in flavored water, then fried. Still, even today’s stuff is pretty tiresome.

Packing food for two weeks is extremely tough, if not impossible. You may want to arrange a food cache of some sort. As for your menu, here are some suggestions:

Use freeze-dried foods sparingly - perhaps only every second or third night. They’re light, but also pretty expensive. The fourperson packs should be about right; you’ll note that most list their contents as four “servings,” not four “meals.”

Get yourself an Outback Oven. You can make all sorts of goodies in it - pizza, biscuits, banana bread. The Outback Oven folks make their own dishes for the oven, but if you’re at all capable in a kitchen you can think of your own recipes.

Be creative. Small cans of meat, combined with ramen noodles, dried vegetables and seasonings, can make wonderful main courses. Take along Stove-top stuffing mix, instant potatoes, tomato paste, mushroom soup mix and other staples that you can combine in different ways. Get a book on outdoor cookery and try a few recipes before your trip.

Have a great trip!

xxxx