From the Nunatak website: Our Apex synthetic insulated products are no more. We are too small a company to wrangle all these different offerings and guarantee superior designs all at the same time. So only down from here on out.

I was waiting to do a write up on the Nunatak Nova insulated bivy and Nano liner quilt combo, but the point has become moot. I certainly understand that the company is adapting to a changing marketplace along with the difficulties stemming from COVID. However, I can talk about the Nano quilt (“liner” has been removed from the description as there’s nothing to line anymore). After using the discontinued Nova insulated bivy with an EE quilt on the Inca Trail, I ordered the 40 degree Nano quilt to nest inside this bivy. This chart, now deleted, shows how the combo would work:

*My 50 degree insulated Nova (10C) with 40 degree Nano (4C) equates to 25 degrees F coverage (-4C)*

Indeed I found the combo, used on backpacking trips to Yosemite and Sequoia this summer, to be toasty (caveat, temperatures never got below mid 30’s F). An important feature I found was that the fit was so good that no straps or methods of retention were needed for the nested Nano quilt, despite constant side to side turning during the night. The quilt stayed put. When it was warmer I unzipped the Nova center zip and left my head outside with a light balaclava, or nothing at all. So much for the moot point.

The Nano quilt is still produced, and my 40 degree iteration was used on a 3 day Wonderland Trail trip without the Nova. I employed a Borah 4.7 oz bivy mainly to keep the mice and bugs out of my bag, as the weather forecast was excellent. Although I also carried my JMT Sweater (also discontinued) it never got chilly enough to wear as a supplement to my sleep system. I was concerned that the 15 to 16 hour days, covering in excess of 30 miles per day and 22,000 feet of elevation overall, would render my old bod lacking in the heat production department when crashing at 10 PM every evening. Luckily, no chills came my way and on my last evening, once I fell asleep on top of a picnic table, I didn’t awake until 4:40 AM, feeling refreshed enough to get going (my alarm was set for 5). The Nano stuffs easily into a small sack, lofts amazingly well for such a light package, has an excellent hand and drapes well. This may be due to the fact that I’ve only used the Nano inside the Nova or the Borah bivy, which probably plays an essential part in keeping the quilt in place. Per my usual experience with Nunatak products, I think the 40 degree Nano is conservatively rated….it looks about twice as lofty as my old EE 50 degree sewn through quilt. I also used the Nova/Nano combo on an open bivy above 6000 feet on the Northern Loop Trail (Mt. Rainier National Park).

*Nunatak Nova insulated bivy, now discontinued*

I must say that Nunatak’s decision, from a selfish standpoint, is disappointing. Strategically combining the down quilts with the Apex synthetics (including the jackets) make an excellent system, and the Nova insulated bivy is a marvelous piece of equipment in and of itself. I don’t spend many nights out per year, but when I do 90 percent of the time it will be an open bivy. I purchased the prototype zPacks Plexamid two years ago and have yet to use it. Shelters only come into play for me in iffy weather….which I avoid on shorter trips thru planning (however, I always carry a tarp for emergencies or unforeseen weather).

Now for the shout out….I have purchased a number of items from this company, which now make up my insulated tops and sleep systems. Without exception, every item is meticulously sewn and conservatively rated; inquiries were always addressed promptly with outstanding customer service. Plus everything is made here in the US. There is always something Nunatak in my pack, for good reason. Certainly not inexpensive, but I don’t think you can ever go wrong with a Nunatak purchase. Disclaimer: everything I have purchased has been full price.