Hiking for me started at an early age, as I was always an avid camper and being a young Scout began my backpacking obsession. Living in the Catskill Region backpacking has become serious for me over the years. I camp, hike or multi-day backpack through the Catskill or Adirondack Wilderness every weekend. As a mid-weight packer I'm always prepared and use a tent for overnighters. Being an aspirant of the Catskill 3500 Club and Adirondack 46ers, peak-bagging is now my favorite outdoor activity. My long-term goals are to complete long distance thru-hikes.

INITIAL REPORT

PRODUCT INFORMATION & SPECIFICATIONS

Manufacturer: Big Agnes
Year of Manufacture: 2008
Manufacturer's Website: http://www.bigagnes.com
MSRP: US$179.95 for regular size

Manufacturer Details - Regular Size Bag
Fill Weight: 18 oz (.51 kg)
Bag Weight: 2 lbs 8 oz (1.13 kg)
Shoulder Girth: 27 in (67.5 cm)
Hip Girth: 26 in (64 cm)
Foot Box Girth: 17.5 in (44 cm)
Stuff Sack Size: 7.5 x 15 in (19.05 x 38.10 cm)
Compressed Bag Size: 7 x 9 in (17.78 x 22.86 cm)

Other Manufacturer Details
Shell Material: WRM
Lining Material: WRM
Pad Sleeve Material (bottom): WRM

*Manufacturer details taken from bigagnes.com

Tester Details
Sleeping Bag Weight: 2 lbs 9 oz (1.16 kg)
Stuff Sack Weight: no weight registered on scale
Stuffed Sleeping Bag Weight in Stuff Sack: 2 lbs 10 oz (1.19 kg)
Mesh Storage Bag Weight: 3.2 oz (91 g)
Shoulder Girth: 30 in (76 cm)
Hip Girth: 27 in (69 cm)
Foot Box Girth: 17 in (43.18 cm)
Stuff Sack Size: 7.5 x 15 in (17.78 x 22.86 cm)
Stuffed Sleeping Bag Size in Stuff Sack: 7 x 15 in (17.78 cm x 22.86 cm)

Image courtesy of bigagnes.com

INITIAL IMPRESSIONS

The Elbert 35 SL Sleeping bag arrived in excellent condition and was well packaged. I was first impressed with the light weight of the package upon arrival. Included in the box was the sleeping bag, stuff sack, mesh storage bag and the compatible Clearview Sleeping Pad. Reviews for the sleeping pad can be found on http://www.backpackgeartest.org as well.

BGT Sleeping Pad Reveiws

The Elbert 35 is one of the sleeping bags included in Big Agnes' Divide SL Series. The Big Agnes Divide SL Series is made up of three different temperature rated bags with the Elbert having a comfort rating of 35 F (2 C). The Divide Series Sleeping Bags are superlight and technical synthetic and down mummy style bags.

The Elbert bag has an integrated pad sleeve for what Big Agnes claims "never roll off your pad again".

The shell, lining and bottom pad sleeve is constructed of Big Agnes WRM. WRM is 30D micro-fiber ripstop nylon material that is tightly woven. The design is water resistant and has a durable water repellent coating. This fabric can shed light amounts of water and helps prevent saturation from condensation. The WRM material is super lightweight, windproof and breathable. The surface is WR treated to repel water.

The synthetic insulation that fills the Elbert bag is PrimaLoft SB. PrimaLoft SB is high loft insulation with a down-like feel made specifically for sleeping bags. The ultra-fine polyester has a fiber structure that creates millions of tiny air pockets that retain warmth. . This insulation provides the warmth needed without bulkiness. The silicone coated fibers are water repellent and extremely soft and comfortable. Combined with the lightweight shell, lining and pad sleeve bottom this synthetic fill makes for a super compressible bag affording minimal pack space and weight. Big Agnes states the bag offer superior drape and compresses as well as premium goose down. Thus far I would have to agree.

When I first saw the size of the stuff sack I didn't believe the bag would fit. Sure enough it fit like a glove. The nylon stuff sack filled to a size slightly larger than a professional football.

The mesh storage sack is a much larger sack that the sleeping bag will wear loosely to preserve the high loft of the insulation. The mesh storage sack is made up of recycled materials.

Not only does the Elbert 35 Sleeping Bag have weight savings from its lightweight materials, Big Agnes has also eliminated the bottom insulation which also reduces much of its weight. Instead of insulation they incorporated the bottom pad sleeve to accommodate any mummy shaped sleeping pad. Big Agnes believes that the pad will provide the insulation needed. The Elbert 35 bag has increased girth that allows me to toss and turn freely inside the bag while remaining on the sleeping pad and never rolling off.

Big Agnes has also included a pillow pocket that will accommodate the Clearview Air Pillow. I found my standard sized travel pillow to be a perfect fit. However any pullover or fleece will work just as well when stuffed inside the pillow pocket.

Three other excellent features Big Agnes included in the design of the Elbert bag are the no-draft collar, no-draft wedge and the no-draft zipper tube. The no-draft collar keeps cold air from entering the bag by sealing around the neck, the no-draft wedge insulates between the bag and pad connection and the no-draft zipper tube is an insulated flap that runs along the length of the zipper.

In the 2008 catalog Big Agnes states that the no-draft features are not included on the Elbert bag. Nor are the features included in the bags description on bigagnes.com. However the features are definitely included in my Elbert bag.

The last feature I feel is worth mentioning is the 60 in (152 cm) YKK #5 zipper. This zipper will allow for a second bag integration with the same sized zipper. A right side zipper must mate with a left side zipper. Now two campers with similar bag styles can mate and snuggle close in the great outdoors.

TRYING IT OUT

So far my experiences with the sleeping bag hasn't gone beyond my bedroom floor as of yet. However I did jump right into the bag when I first received it as well as several other times for initial evaluation. My wife thought I was crazy when she found me snoozing in the bag the first time I tried it out. With the compatible Clearview Air Pad I found the Elbert 35 bag to be super comfy and allowed me to nap soundly on my bedroom floor.

Using the compatible Clearview Air Pad was a snap. At first it was a bit fussy trying to get the pad into the sleeping bag pad sleeve but after a few goes I am now able to put the system together in no time at all. As for breaking the system down, that was a snap as well. It took no time to stuff the bag into the stuff sack. As we all know set up and break down times can take up valuable trail time so to be able to pack up and/or set up this sleep system in minimal time is crucial for me. So far I'm very pleased with that aspect of the sleep system.

TESTING STRATEGY

In the up coming months I have many overnight trips planned to use and test the Elbert 35 sleep system. Most of these overnight trips will be in the Catskill Mountains as I climb up, over and through the high peaks. Some backpacking trips will also take me within the Adirondacks as well. Also planned are some river trips where I will be traveling by canoe or kayak. The Elbert bag will surely receive consistent and constant use throughout this test series.

SUMMARY

After catching those first few z's during the initial try out I am convinced that Big Agnes is all about comfort and quality. Comfort for while sleeping in the bag as well as comfort when carrying the bag. As I am learning to decrease my pack weight and practice safe lightweight techniques I am please to be testing this ultralight sleep system.

The added girth really adds to the comfort level. Since I toss and turn during sleep this extra space is much appreciated. I can easily move around inside without the bag following me nor do I feel trapped or claustrophobic like in the traditional snug fitting mummy bags. My knees can be bent pointing to the sky with no tensioning of the bag and I can curl up into the fetal position without restraint. The bag extra girth can also accommodate a sleeping bag liner to add to the comfort rating. All of the qualities and features I feel were well thought out by Big Agnes and they designed a superior ultralight sleep system.

Test Report by Mike Wilkie

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