Chilean brand Rokum could have entered the U.S. market with a small line of sleeping bags and sleeping pads. Instead, it went with a rarer approach: combine them together.
The Umak — part sleeping bag, part sleeping pad, and part couch — launched on Kickstarter last week. This three-season kit may provide enough use cases to entice summer campers looking for a flexible sleeping system — if not quite those seeking backcountry adventures. The bag’s bulkiness and weight make it an unlikely contender for long-distance backpacking.
At $100, it’s a wild but affordable sleep kit. We don’t yet know how it performs, and there are existing analogs in the camping world for a combined sleep system. But Rokum definitely has a fun idea here, and its low price tag also makes for a relatively low-risk purchase. If the kit can withstand a decent amount of abuse without deflating, it would be an impressive feat for the Chilean brand’s first campaign in the States.
Not Aimed at Backpackers
The Umak is fairly bulky and heavy, so it’s unlikely to get much use on backpacking trips.
On the other hand, the ultralight gear favored by modern backpackers often sacrifices durability and comfort for a lighter load, making those pads and bags less useful for activities beyond specific outdoor goals.
In my experience, most campers aren’t so mission-driven. They’re just looking to have a good time in the outdoors with their friends and family. So I can see the Umak getting a lot of love from those who are car camping or pursuing other kinds of casual outdoor recreation. There are several colorful design options (rare for sleeping bags), and it comes with a stuff sack that doubles as a backpack.
The Umak is available with a lighter, 2-inch mattress. But the primary option is a PVC-free TPU mattress that’s 7 inches thick. Made to be durable and waterproof, this $100 package deal is clearly aimed at anyone getting ready for car camping or casual outdoor camping, or just having an extra bed around the house.
The Umak: Details
For starters, the mattress is not so much “built-in” to the bag as it is an insert.
That’s because Rokum made it possible to trade out the thicker mattress with a thinner one. That being said, this setup is still bulky (16 x 9 inches) even with the lighter 2-inch mattress. But the idea of having the mattress inserted within the sleeping bag is pretty cool. After all, I’ve frequently woken up in the night to discover that my tossing and turning has caused the mattress to slide out of the ideal position.
The plusher version of this sleep system measures nearly 20 x 12 inches when packed into its backpack. So it’s clearly a car-and-backyard-camping option.
Many other features of the system are logical. The outer shell is made from waterproof polyester, and the liner is made from high-density polyester ripstop. A TPU-polyester mattress also has a two-way Boston valve, which is also increasingly common in high-end pads.
The bottom fabric is made from waterproof nylon that’s also resistant to tears. And if you tear it anyway (always possible with inflatable sleeping pads), the Umak includes a patch kit to fix any holes that may cause deflation.
Is It Worth It?
There are a few more interesting details about the Umak. Its super-thick mattress means it can double as a couch for chilling around the campfire or an alpine lake. It’s nice to see four different color options, especially a red-and-black design inspired by Chile’s indigenous Mapuche tribe. And a majority of the plastic used in the sleep system’s production will come from a Patagonia recycling program of used fishing nets.
Most of the time, sleeping pads and sleeping bags are bought separately, so the Umak’s $100 twofer deal isn’t too shabby.
The closest analog I could find to the Umak is the AirPack Sleeper from Rangland. Also $100, this inflatable sleeping bag includes a built-in foot pump. However, the brand doesn’t offer much information on its website, so it’s unclear who’s making them. In addition, it’s also a bit heavier than the Umak (more than 7 pounds compared to about 6.6 pounds for the thicker Umak).
The Kickstarter campaign for Umak began a week ago and has already earned enough backers to cruise past its relatively low goal of $10,000. For those seeking to maximize camping comfort in a single package, the $100 entry fee for this hybrid sleeping system makes it an interesting choice.
Those looking for a better system for long-distance backpacking can consult GearJunkie’s guide to the Best Sleeping Pads for Backpacking.
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