NOTE: ProMountainSports can only stock so many bags. All of our in-stock Integral Designs bags have a 30" zipper for less weight and maximum warmth. The Short sizes are available in Crimson (red), Regular sizes in Electric Blue, and Long sizes in Black. Other colors (Black, Crimson, Electric Blue, and Spruce) and custom features can be special ordered with a 3-4 week lead time. ID bags can be special-ordered in a more roomy, broad cut which increases the price of the bag roughly 15%.

The First Ascent Series
• Andromeda Strain
• North Twin
• Renaissance

The First Ascent Series is designed to provide a "workhorse" range of bags for outdoor people who want a sleep system they can trust. This series has six models ranging from the 16 oz Primaliner to the 4 1/2 lb Emperor. All models are available in several different lengths, and some of the models are also available in a broader girth.

The First Ascent series of sleeping bags is insulated with Primaloft Sport, one of the most thermally efficient synthetic insulations available. When wet, Primaloft out-performs all other synthetics.

If you sometimes sleep in places where wet weather conspires to make life miserable, the First Ascent Series is the answer.

More information about the First Ascent Series and other Integral Design products can be found on their Website.

Contents Below:
• Primaloft Sleeping Systems
• Caring For Your Primaloft Bag
• Pertex MicroLight
• Sizing

Why Primaloft?
Integral Designs has chosen to use Primaloft Sport as our synthetic fabric.

Down is more thermally efficient than Primaloft and will outlast it many times over. However, down bags are expensive, they need to be treated with care, kept dry and are difficult to clean.

Primaloft bags are ideal for activities where there is some risk of getting wet. They dry quickly and are easy to wash. You could risk spending a night out in the elements with only a Primaloft bag for protection.

Primaloft is manufactured in sheets so it needs less baffling than down. It does not settle as closely around you as does down, so it does not feel as warm as down initially.

Primaloft does not compress as much as down, so you can get away with a lighter insulating pad.

Some people are allergic to down. Primaloft is hypo-allergenic.

Primaloft Sport is a soft durable high loft 100% polyester microfibre insulation. It is thermally efficient, lightweight and compressible, fast drying and water resistant. Primaloft Sport has a warmth to weight (clo) ratio of 0.65. Primaloft is manufactured in sheets of different thicknesses which are serged to the inner and outer shell fabrics and sewn along angular lines to stabilize the insulation. The thicknesses of Primaloft are measured in ounces per square yard (3.0 oz = 0.6" thick; 4 oz = 0.8" thick; 5 oz =1.0" thick)

For more information on Primaloft, click here.

Synthetic insulations such as Primaloft Sport will start to lose their loft after several years. The best way to maintain loft is to keep the bag clean so that the fibres do not become matted by body oils and dirt, Primaloft bags should be gently machine washed and rinsed in cold water. Tumble drying on medium heat and promptly removing from dryer will enhance the loft.

Store your bag fully lofted out of a stuff sack. Frequent use of a compression stuff sack will shorten the life of your bag.

Do not bleach, iron or steam. Do not dry clean.

Use a Bag Liner
Bag liners are a very versatile and multi-purpose accessory. Integral makes Silk Liners for keeping your bag clean, Vapour Barrier Liners for keeping you warm and your down dry, and Endurance bag covers for keeping your XPD bag dry from external moisture.

Pertex MicroLight is a 30 denier microfibre nylon weighing 1.3 oz per square yd. Due to the combination of microfine filament yarns and extremely close weave, Pertex fabrics are inherently highly windproof and are calendered to make them downproof, providing a total barrier to penetration by insulation fibres. The fabric's high density weave enhances insulation by trapping more air and because Pertex is so lightweight and low in bulk, the loft of the insulating material is maintained.

Pertex Microlight is constructed using DWR+ fabric. DWR+ is a unique durable water-repellent treatment which encapsulates each filament of the fabric with a hydrophobic polymer. This treatment gives excellent water shedding which remains effective after washing. As this is not a continuous coating breathability is not impaired.

The secret property that makes Pertex unique is its ability to disperse water. Where most nylon fabrics wick moisture directly through the weave, Pertex actually spreads it over a broad area by capillary action. Moisture therefore evaporates more rapidly. This remarkable property makes Pertex the moisture management fabric.

Sized in short, regular and long, the First Ascent bags are mummy shaped with an outward slanting footbox which follows the natural line of your foot. The Standard 38" inside girth in the foot area is sufficient for most people. The Long bags are cut slightly wider from the knees up than the short and regular bags. The Broad fit bags are cut wider from hip to shoulder for the short and regular bags, and wider from foot to shoulder for the long version.