Name:	James E. Triplett
Age:	45
Gender:	Male
Height:	6' 2" (188 cm)
Weight:	190 lb (86.2 kg)
Shoulder circumference:	46" (117 cm)
Chest:	43" (110 cm)
Waist:	35" (89 cm)
Hips:	39" (99 cm)
Email address:	james_triplett@hotmail.com
City, State:	Cedar Rapids, Iowa - USA
Date:	November 29, 2005

Backpacking Background:

I was brought up exploring the woods, primarily West of the Mississippi from Missouri to as far North as Hudson Bay, and have a heavily ingrained appreciation for nature. In college my recreation consisted of hiking to bouldering areas and rock climbing on the bluffs and trails in Southern Illinois, which ultimately led to continuously hiking the lower 1/3 of the Appalachian Trail. I hike every day, and backpack when possible. I am a mid-weight backpacker, experienced hiker and camper, and have had some exposure to longer hikes of 50 to 500 miles (80 to 800 km). I prefer a tent over a tarp, in fact I love tents, but have not yet tried a hammock.

Manufacturer Information:

Manufacturer:	BASK Canada Inc.
E-mail:	TheBASK@interbaun.com
URL:	www.baskcanada.com

Product Information:

Year of Manufacture:	2005
Date Item Received:	May 18, 2005

Item being tested:	Trekking-N-XL Sleeping Bag (right zip)
Model number:	1993-9009 (From the hang tag)
Color:	9009 Black
MSRP:	$299 CA ($236 US on date the bag arrived)
Listed weight for XL (average):	1.4 kg (3 lb 1.4 oz)
Actual weight for XL:	1.48 kg (3 lb 4.3 oz)
Compression bag actual weight:	113 g (4 oz)
Size:	XL
Available sizes:	M, XL

Additional Information:
(from the BASK Canada website)

Shell:	Nylon Tactel
Liner:	Nylon Tactel
Insulation:	Goose down 740-830 g (F.P. 670 + - 5%)
Size listed: *	235 x 203 x 84 x 55 cm (92 x 80 x 33 x 22 inches)
Size measured: *	244 x 213 x 94 x 53 cm (96 x 84 x 33 x 21 inches)
Package size (compression bag) listed:	23 x 49 cm (9 x 19 inches)
Package size (compression bag) measured:	23 x 46 cm (9 x 18 inches)
Use:	Mountaineering, backpacking, trekking
Temperature rating (Comfort):	+15 to -5 C (59 to 23 F)
Temperature rating (Extreme):	-15 C (5 F)

* 1. The first dimension is the total length
   2. The second dimension is the length to shoulders
   3. The third dimension is the width in shoulders
   4. The fourth dimension is the width at the foot

For features and further description of the BASK Trekking sleeping bag, please see my initial report or field test report, or visit the BASK Canada website

Review:

Test Environment:
I have used the BASK Trekking sleeping bag on six one-night trips in Eastern Iowa, elevations around 860 feet (260 m), and one six-night trip (as reported on in my Field Test Report) in the Colorado Rockies, elevations from 8,000 feet (2,400 m) to 9,400 feet (2,900 m). I have used the sleeping bag in temperatures as high as 79 F (26 C), and as low as 30 F (-1 C), on clear and pleasant evenings, as well as in rain, hail, and fog. The BASK Trekking bag was used on a full-length RidgeRest pad for all excursions, and has been used in an MSR Hubba Hubba tent, and a Coleman Exponent Krypton 2 tent. In all instances the tents have had the vents open for flow-through ventilation.

Field Testing:
The BASK Trekking sleeping bag is advertised as being usable in temperatures as low as 23 F (-5 C) with an "extreme" rating down to 5 F (-15 C). Unfortunately, due to the way the test timeframe fell on the calendar, I was unable to test the BASK at these minimum temperatures. I have used the Trekking sleeping bag to just below freezing on one occasion, and in the mid 30s F (1 to 3 C) on several occasions, and it has performed admirably. I have worn light socks, nylon or wool tights, a long sleeve wicking shirt, and a stocking cap for sleeping in temperatures around freezing, and have always removed the cap as I got warmer than desired. For temperatures at or above the high end of the temperature rating, which is 59 F (15 C), I have slept on top of the bag with only a corner of the bag used as a blanket.

In damp conditions the BASK has felt typical of other down bags I have used. Inside a sleeping bag, in a tent, in the rain, just seems to be a clammy environment. No surprise there. When using the BASK in high humidity (rather than actual rain), the sleeping bag is a pleasant place to be, and when it is clear and dry the BASK is rather delightful. The BASK Trekking sleeping bag lofts quickly and is cozy as can be. The Nylon Tactel interior fabric is pleasant to the touch, and I find it easy to fall asleep in this sleeping bag. The zipper draft tube has kept heat from escaping along the zipper, and I have found the full collar with a draw-cord to be an excellent way to retain warmth in the bag as well. The cord-locks for the hood and for the collar are a bit small, and the cords are quite long, but haven't had an extreme amount of difficulty in using them. I prefer to have my body warm and my head cool, so I haven't really messed with the hood draw-cord in the temperatures I have slept in. The hood itself is large, lies flat, and makes for some nice padding under my head. When I find myself overly warm in the BASK, I loosen the cord on the collar, and unzip the side zipper a foot or two (30 to 60 cm) from the end near my knees. This provides a small amount of airflow, which is usually sufficient to let some of the trapped heat escape. I have found no leaks for warm air to escape, and the outer Nylon Tactel fabric has kept all the Russian goose down feathers from escaping thus far. I have not had the necessity to wash the Trekking sleeping bag, and simply dry brushing, or using a damp cloth for more stubborn residue, has been all that is required to return the bag to a clean and attractive condition. There is no visible wear on the sleeping bag after six months of use.

The size of the XL BASK Trekking is impressively long. There are two sizes available, and interestingly they are "medium", and "extra large". The XL is 6.7 inches (17 cm) longer than the medium size, according to the website, and mine measured another 4 inches (10 cm) longer than that. This means that the bag I tested measured 96 inches (244 cm), which is the same height as the "eight foot" ceilings in my house. Rather long! I am 6' 2" (188 cm) tall, and which means that even the shoulder measurement of 84 inches (213 cm) makes the bag long enough for me to encase myself in the down shell without even using the hood (should I choose to do so). The width of the Trekking bag has proven to afford a bounty of room for me with a single layer of clothing on, and there is enough room to add additional layers if needed. While sleeping in a single layer of clothing I have been able to rotate from side to side while the bag remained mostly stationary. Only on one occasion did I wake up to find the zipper straight above me as opposed to on the side where it is normally situated.

Summary:
I have come to know and love the XL BASK Trekking sleeping bag. I have used a few sleeping bags over the years, and the BASK is now my favorite - past or present. This is due to the ample space in the bag, the nice large zipper baffle, the full circumference draft collar, and most notably the loft of the bag and the fabric used - which make the Trekking comfortable and cozy to slip into. The only things I would consider suggesting as possible improvements are; a full-length zipper (which is maybe a "style" choice), shorter cords on the draw-cords, and different styles between the two cord-locks so that they can be distinguished by feel in the darkness of night. These, in my opinion, are minor issues and I am pretty happy with the BASK Trekking sleeping bag just the way it is.

Respectfully submitted,

-James T.

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