The Moa Lite two-person tent, the Relay 3R Split sleeping mat and the Recover down sleeping bag have one thing in common: all three products from Bach are very light, yet robust and have a small pack size. We set off into the mountains of Ticino with the trio.
Our destination on this warm summer afternoon is a good 2000 meters above us. In between: forest, man-high ferns and - almost on the home stretch - a mountain lake that is as breathtakingly beautiful as it is breathtakingly fresh. Our backpacks contain three exciting products from the Swiss backpacking specialists Bach equipment.
And even if you can't completely reinvent the wheel when it comes to a tent, a sleeping mat and a down sleeping bag, the makers have managed to give the products some special features in the style of James Bond's inventor Q. More on that later.
Video: Moa Light 2, Relay 3R Split and Recover Down in the test
Lightweight and space-saving
Bach's new 3-season tunnel tent Moa Lite, sleeping pad Relay 3R Split and the down sleeping bag Recover Down all play in the lightweight class. Together, the trio weighs just 3 kilograms.
This is more than convenient for us, as we still have a considerable number of meters of altitude to climb. The packing size of the entire equipment also fits well into the concept. With a total of around 19 liters, there is still enough space in the daypack for clothing and food.
Our ascent is still sweaty. After a monotonous hour in the forest, we are happy to finally reach the edge of the forest and gain some perspective. From there on, our mood improves much more quickly than the altimeter would suggest. First we discover a genuine deer antler, then a first-class place to sleep.
Moa Lite 2: quick and easy to set up
Setting up the lightweight tunnel tent for 2 people is, in Swiss terms: Tubelisicher, which means extremely easy. Spread out the tent, secure the back corners, thread the tent poles according to the color coding, pull them forward and tighten them.
The Moa Lite 2 has a very streamlined design and therefore offers little surface area for attack. If you want to be on the safe side, you can additionally tie down the tent at four points. Practical quick-release fasteners make it easier to balance the tension.
Unless it's storming and raging, the Moa Lite 2 can easily be set up by one person in just a few minutes.
From weatherproof to panoramic views
The awning offers enough space to store backpacks, shoes, cooking utensils and other material. The entrance can be opened step by step depending on the weather: at the side in rough weather, two-thirds open or completely open if you want to look at the starry sky from the tent.
The reduced design of Bach is also visible inside the tent. In the inner tent there are a few storage compartments on each side and that's it. You don't need anything more than that. The tent floor is raised all the way around and thus reliably protects against splashing water. The only thing that reminded us of the night's rain was the water beads on the waterproof outer tent.
The Moa Lite 2's sleeping area is generously sized at 130 x 230 centimeters. The ceiling height is rather modest at 90 to 100 centimeters. You can sit upright, but you touch the inner tent at the top.
The entrance to the inner tent can be opened from both sides, which is particularly useful at night. This means you don't have to crawl over your tent partner's feet if you have to go for a pee in the middle of the night.
Relay 3R Split: Insulating warmth when sitting and lying down
With the Relay 3R Split we return to the special features mentioned at the beginning. The sleeping mat is not only a comfortable sleeping pad, but also a comfortable seat cushion. The red foot area of the mat can be removed and used outside on the cold rock as a seat pad, for example when cooking. The mat has been awarded the Design & Innovation Award for this.
Of course, as a die-hard mountaineer you don't need such luxury. But it is still very practical - especially if the extra comfort is not a problem. In addition, the seat cushion is made of extra durable material and can withstand a lot.
Having a sleeping mat and a seat cushion with you if the weight is the same is very welcome.
The Relay 3R is 58 centimeters wide and is therefore significantly wider than comparable sleeping mats in this weight class. With its thickness of 8 centimeters, it also offers a little more comfort. The good piece is inflated with the pump bag provided.
Recover Down: Down sleeping bag with waterproof foot area
Bach also came up with something special for the sleeping bag we slept in. The foot area of the Recover Down is made of waterproof material. This has the great advantage that your feet stay dry if, for example, you slip on the mat while bivouacking or if condensation forms on the tent walls.
For our test, we had the thinnest sleeping bag from the Recover series (comfort temperature 5°). The summer sleeping bag was more than adequate for the cool but not cold night in the Ticino mountains. And even though the mummy shape is wide and Bach has dispensed with a collar on this model for weight reasons, you can still wrap yourself up very comfortably.
What we really liked about the Recover Down is, on the one hand, the sleeping comfort, or rather the feel of the material used, and, on the other hand, the waterproof pack sack.
The filling of the down sleeping bag is made from 100 percent recycled down.
The three Bach products at a glance
Moa Lite 2
- 3-season tunnel tent
- 6 compartments and 6 loops for equipment
- Seam-sealed floor
- Weight: 1800 g
- Pack size: 45 x 14 cm
Relay 3R Split
- 2 in 1: sleeping pad and seat cushion
- Made from 100% recycled materials
- 58 cm wide and 8 cm thick
- Weight: 530 g
- Pack size: 3 liters
Recover Down
- Lightweight down sleeping bag
- 100% recycled down filling
- Waterproof foot area
- Weight: 620 g
- Pack size: 7 liters