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Reviews > Sleep Gear > Sleeping Bags > GoLite Adrenaline 0 bag > Test Report by Ryan Lane Christensen
 Photo Courtesy of http://www.golite.com
ACCESS MAIN REPORT SECTIONS VIA THESE LINKS:
INITIAL REPORTJanuary 20, 2009
Product Information:
The information below comes from the GoLite website, customer service, and product tags | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GoLite Adrenaline 0 F Sleeping Bag | |
| Manufacturer: | GoLite |
| Manufacturer website: | http://www.golite.com |
| Place of Manufacture: | China |
| Year Manufactured: | 2008 |
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Materials: Hood and Foot Box (exterior) Outer Shell (balance) Fill Lining |
AridZone™ waterproof breathable Pertex® Endurance 20D ripstop nylon with DWR 800-fill goose down 22D polyester micro fiber |
| Temperature Rating: | 0 F (-18 C) |
| Sizes Available: |
Men's Regular - fits up to 6 ft (1.8 m) Long - fits up to 6 ft 6 in (2 m) Women's Short - fits up to 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) Regular - fits up to 6 ft (1.8 m) |
| Warranty: | "Our guarantee is simple: we want you to be happy with your GoLite product. We will replace any gear with a manufacturing defect for the lifetime of the product, free of charge. And if one of our products fails to satisfy you, return it to the store you bought if from or contact our Customer Service department to return it to us for repair, replacement, or refund. Damage due to wear and tear will be repaired at a reasonable charge to the user." |
| MSRP: | $400 US |
| Product Specifications | |
| Manufacturer's Specifications | |
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Shoulder Girth: Regular and Long |
54 in (137 cm) - per Customer Service up to 60 in (152 cm) - per product tag |
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Listed Stuff Size: Regular Long |
16 x 8 x 8 in (41 x 20 x 20 cm) 17 x 8 x 8 in (43 x 20 x 20 cm) |
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Listed Weight: Regular Long |
44 oz (1,247 g) 47 oz (1,332 kg) |
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Listed Fill Weight: Regular Long |
31 oz (880 g) 34 oz (965 g) |
| Tester's Actual Measurements | |
| Outer Dimensions: Men's Long | 93 x 29 in (236 x 74 cm) |
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Weight: Sleeping Bag Storage Sack Stuff Sack |
47.5 oz (1,337 g) 3.6 oz (102 g) 1.0 oz (28 g) |
| Stuff Size:Long | 17 x 8 x 8 in (43 x 20 x 20 cm) |
| Color: | Orange Pop/Grease |
Product Description:
The Adrenaline 0 F sleeping bag (hereafter referred to as the "bag") is one of three bags in GoLite's Adrenaline series. This particular bag is rated for 0 F (-18 C). GoLite advertises its Adrenaline series as offering a "trimmer mummy shape with 1/2 length top zip for greater efficiency." In addition to the trimmer cut and the 1/2 length zipper, this bag also includes the following features:
As other mummy bags, this one tapers from the shoulders to the footbox. The bag is 30 in (76 cm) across at the shoulders, its widest point. It is approximately 17 in (43 cm) across at the smallest point in the footbox. The bag is two-tone in color: a bright orange body and gray hood, footbox, and interior. At the shoulder, along the left side, there is a product tag sewn on the bag. This tag lists model, size, temperature rating, fill, and has a GoLite logo embroidered in orange and white. The hood is a typical mummy-style hood. However, the face opening on this hood is fairly small as it has been pre-cinched. There is a drawcord around the face opening with a secured cordlock on each end for use in cinching the opening smaller. On the inside of the bag, there is an insulated draft tube around the face opening. Also inside the bag is a 4 in (10 cm) wide neck collar that fastens around one's neck with hook and loop closure. This neck collar also has a drawcord with a secured cordlock on the left side. The gray outer fabric on the hood is waterproof, breathable AridZone™ waterproof breathable Pertex® Endurance. The rest of the outer fabric is 20D mini rip-stop nylon with DWR.
As shown in the upper right photo, the bag has vertical baffles that extend down from the hood the entire length of the 1/2 zipper. From the terminus of the zipper, the baffles become horizontal and extend to the footbox as illustrated in the photo to the right. The bag has a YKK zipper and has a heavier fabric that runs along both sides of it as a zipper guard, to help prevent snagging the zipper. There is an insulated outer draft tube that runs along the right side of the zipper. At the upper end of the zipper, there is a zipper garage to keep the zipper away from one's face. There is also an insulated draft tube on the inside of the bag, which runs along the zipper's left side. The lining fabric is 100% polyester 22D micro fiber. The footbox is trapezoidal in shape, and the outside is covered in the same waterproof, breathable AridZone™ waterproof breathable Pertex® Endurance fabric as the hood. Near the footbox, there is a GoLite logo embroidered in light gray along the right side. In addition, near the bottom of the footbox, there is a Pertex Endurance tag sewn in the seam on the right side of the bag. There are four tags, as well as a single hang loop, sewn in the end of the footbox on the bottom side of the bag. One of these tags lists the care instructions which are as follows:
CARE INSTRUCTIONS:
The bag came with a white 65% polyester 35% cotton storage sack with a drawcord and cordlock. On the bottom of the storage sack, there is a GoLite logo silk screened in black. There was also a nylon stuff sack, which also has a drawcord and has a secured cordlock. On its closed end the black stuff sack has a nylon 1 in (2.5 cm) wide nylon webbing handle. There is a GoLite tag attached to this handle.
Initial Impression:
The bag came folded inside its cotton storage sack. As I began pulling the bag from its storage sack, I was immediately impressed, I really liked the color combination. Once out of the bag, I noticed a few stray feathers.
The next thing that caught my attention was the feel of the fabrics; both exterior and interior are smooth to the touch. The orange, 20D nylon outer fabric felt very thin. In fact, I was able to see the down through the 20D orange fabric. Consequently, the question of durability immediately ran through my head. Testing will tell how well this fabric holds up to normal wear and tear.
Holding the entire bag in my hands, I was impressed with the minimal weight of this 0 F (-18 C) bag. From reading the information on the website, I expected a lightweight bag and that is exactly what I received.
When examining the hood, I liked the fact that it is roomy; it should be large enough to accommodate my backpacking pillow. However, I was somewhat surprised and might I say, dismayed, that the face opening is pre-cinched. I am not certain that I will like this feature.
Initial Testing:
Initial Likes:
Summary:During the Field Test Phase, I used the bag on two overnight cross-country skiing / snowshoeing trips.
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Likes Thus Far:
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Dislikes Thus Far:
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Field Locations and Test Conditions:
Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the Kelly Canyon Nordic Area, which is located 26 miles (42 km) northeast of Idaho Falls, in the Targhee National Forest. The Nordic Area starts at an elevation of approximately 5,900 ft (1,798 m) and reaches elevations of 6,700 ft (2,042 m). We began skiing around 8:30 pm. On the first outing, the temperature at the time I got out of my vehicle was 8 F (-13 C) and there was a mild wind. On the second outing, the temperature was probably in the low 20s F (-5 C) when we began skiing. On both outings, the overnight low was around 0 F (-18 C).
Observations:
In its stuff sack, the bag fit nicely in the sleeping bag compartment of my backpack. On the first outing, I noticed a few stray feathers as I pulled the bag from its stuff sack. I could not find a loose seam from where the feathers may have escaped. I have not seen any stray feathers since that initial outing. Nevertheless, I will continue to pay close attention throughout the remainder of the test.
This is my first experience with a half-length top zipper sleeping bag. I like the concept, but having to scoot into the bag took some getting used to for me. With my height of 6 ft 2 in (1. 88 m), the long bag fits me great in length. There is room in the footbox to keep clothes. In fact, I kept my softshell ski pants and my mid-weight tech top and a 32 oz (1 L) water bottle in the footbox both nights. However, the Adrenaline's "trimmer mummy shape" is a little too snug through the chest/shoulder area for my liking. Consequently, I felt somewhat claustrophobic and slept with the zipper part way down all night. Even though it would increase the weight, another inch or two (2.5 - 5 cm) in girth would be perfect for me.
The baffled hood fits my head very well. However, the pre-cinched hood is tighter around my face than I would personally cinch the hood on my own. Although it was very warm, the pre-cinched "Close fitting SkullGlove™ hood" increased my claustrophobic feeling. Although I recognize the thermal efficiency of this particular design, it does not fit my sleeping preference--even in cold temperatures. Unfortunately, there is no way to increase the size of the opening. Consequently, I kept pulling my head out of the hood throughout both nights in the bag.
I am very pleased with the overall performance of this bag to date. I believe its temperature rating to be accurate. Aside from the claustrophobic feeling I had, I slept comfortably both nights with overnight low temperatures either at or slightly below the bag's listed temperature rating. I really like how well this bag compresses. It also lofts fairly quickly. On both outings, the down stayed in place. I did not notice any cold spots--the draft tube kept the cold from entering through the zipper. The differentially cut shell and lining allowed me to move about with minimal restriction. The snag-proof draft tube stiffeners kept the zipper from snagging on the shell fabric. Even though I slid off my sleeping pad a bit during the night, I really like the fabrics used in this bag. However, having spent both nights in a large canvas wall tent, I have not had the opportunity as of yet to test the water-repellant qualities of the Pertex fabric on the footbox and hood. This is another thing that I want to test during the long-term test phase.
Summary:During the Long Term test phase, I slept in the bag three additional nights. With a 58 in (147 cm) chest/shoulder girth, the Adrenaline's "trimmer mummy shape" continues to be too snug through the chest/shoulder area for me. My 17 year old son also slept in the bag one night. At 6 ft (1.8 m) and chest/shoulder girth of 46 in (117 cm), he liked the overall fit of the Adrenaline.
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Likes:
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Dislikes:
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I slept one night in a tent on Lookout Mountain, in Kelly Canyon, located approximately 36 mi (58 km) east of Idaho Falls, Idaho. The elevation was approximately 6,600 ft (2,012 m). This site provided a scenic view of the South Fork of the Snake River below. I slept in the tent, on a grassy area. The temperature dropped to the mid-30's F (1 - 2 C) overnight.
Observations:
The bag performed well in terms of keeping me warm during the long-term phase of this test. I slept in a tent on two of the nights. The bag came in contact with the side of the tent which had some condensation on it. The orange 20D ripstop nylon fabric with DWR did a good job repelling the moisture and dried quickly.
The Adrenaline's "trimmer mummy shape" continues to be too snug through the chest/shoulder area for me with my 58 in (147 cm) chest/shoulder girth. Being as snug as it is, I tend to get claustrophobic and therefore do not sleep well. This is quite unfortunate since I really like the bag. Nevertheless, I must forego the thermally efficient design/cut of this particular bag for a little more room in order to get a good night's rest. So, I slept with the zipper partially down. At colder temperatures, this is not such a good thing. However, it was not a bad thing the night I spent in Kelly Canyon. With overnight temperatures in the mid-30's F (1 - 2 C), I actually wished I could have vented the bag a little better as I was a little warmer than I prefer. In my opinion, with its 800-fill down, "trimmer mummy shape," and the pre-cinched hood, the GoLite Adrenaline 0 F bag is best used as a cold-weather bag or by those who sleep cold--even at slightly warmer temperatures.
My 17 yr old son also slept in the bag one night. With his leaner build, the bag fit him quite nicely. Even his US size 14 (48.5 EUR) feet fit in the trapezoidal footbox. The overall low temperature was in the mid 30's F (1 - 2 C) the night he slept in the bag. The bag was a little too warm for his liking at this temperature. He commented that he would have liked a full-length zipper so that he could vent the bag a little. Like me, this was his first experieince with a half-length top zipper bag.
The bag has held up well during this test series. The zipper continues to work smoothly. The material shows no sign of wear or of soiling. The bag continues to loft well, and as mentioned above, the fabric shed moisture quite effectively. On my outing the last weekend in May, I noticed several stray feathers when I pulled the bag from the stuff sack. As was the case during the field test, I was unable to find the escape route of the feathers. The seams all appear secure.
I really like this sleeping bag; GoLite has done a great job with it! Unfortunately, because of my size, I believe my future use of the Adrenaline 0 F bag will be quite limited. Oh how I wish GoLite offered this bag in a roomier model, for us bigger guys! My boys, however, will most likely use this bag on numerous cold weather outings.