Reviews > Sleep Gear > Sleeping Bags > Coleman Cloudcroft > Anthony Smith > Field Report

Coleman Cloudcroft 40° Down Sleeping Bag
Field Report
3 October 2006

Tester Bio

Backpacking Background

I have been camping for a little over 5 years now, mostly car camping. I have recently begun backpacking, and I am constantly adding new gear to my “collection” in an effort to get my gear list tailored more towards backpacking. Most of my backpacking trips are short duration, not more than one or two nights. I am planning some longer trips in the near future.
My current pack weight is around 15-20 lb (7-9 kg) without food and water, depending on if I'm solo camping or taking my son along, as I have to carry some of his gear. I am a dedicated hammock camper and have tailored my personal gear to that aspect of camping.

Product Information

Year of Manufacture – 2006
Manufacturer URL – www.coleman.com
Stated Weight (per hang tag) – 2 lb 1 oz (940 g)
Stated Pack Size (per hang tag) – 6 x 14 in (15-1/4 x 35-1/2 cm)
Stated Bag Size – 31 x 80 in (79 x 203 cm)
Weights as Delivered
   Sleeping Bag – 2 lb 2 oz (960 g)
   Stuff Sack – 1-3/4 oz (50 g)
   Storage Bag – 3-7/8 oz (114 g)
Pack Size as Delivered –6 x 12 in (15-1/4 x 30-1/2 cm)
Bag Size as Delivered – 30 x 80 in (76 x 203 cm)
Size Tested – Regular
MSRP – $120 USD
Other Versions Available – 20° and 0°

According to the hang tag included on the sleeping bag, the Cloudcroft has the following features:

• Goose down insulation offers a high warmth to weight ratio
• 600 fill power
• 310T Tactel® nylon offers wind and water resistance
• Baffle box construction allows down to fully loft and keeps it from shifting
• Side-block baffle keeps the down from shifting from the top of the bag to the bottom
• Fully sculpted hood naturally covers more of the head for better heat retention
• Which-One™ draw cords allow for easy hood adjustment in the dark
• Trapezoidal foot box is angled to allow for the foot's natural sleeping position
• Insulated zipper gusset minimizes heat loss at the zipper base

Initial Information/Observations

The Cloudcroft met my initial expectations upon receipt. For a much more detailed description of my initial information and observations, see my Initial Report.

Field Information

Date: August 11, 2006
Location: Blackwater River State Forest, Munson, Florida
Weather: Temperatures reached a high of 95 F (35 C) during the day and dropped to 71 F (21 C) that night. No precipitation was experienced during this trip.
This trip was an overnight in a local state forest. The chosen campsite is uphill from the Juniper Creek in Blackwater River State Forest. The actual elevation of my selected campsite is 45 ft (14 m) above sea level, and approximately 15 ft (4.5 m) above the water line for the creek.
I hiked in to this site approximately 1 mi (2km). All my equipment was carried in my Granite Gear Vapor Trail backpack, and the Cloudcroft fit quite comfortably into this pack. The stuff sack allowed it to compress small enough to actually take up less space than my usual down bag, which was a nice change.
I used the Cloudcroft in my Hennessy Hammock, with no sleeping pad underneath. I began the night with the Cloudcroft opened fully and me laying with the bag under me. After I settled in and got comfortable, I began to cool down a little bit. I folded the bag over me, but kept it unzipped. This method was quite comfortable throughout the night, and I did not experience any hot or cold spots that I was aware of.

Date: September 12-13, 2006
Location: Ocala National Forest, Ocala, Florida
Weather: Temperatures reached a high of 84 F (29 C) during the day and dropped to 71 F (21 C) both nights. No precipitation was experienced during this trip.
This trip was a car-camping type trip in the Ocala National Forest. I did not do any backpacking to the campsite for this trip. The Cloudcroft was again used in my Hennessy Hammock without a sleeping pad underneath due to the expected temperatures when I set up camp. My chosen site for this campout had an elevation of 20 ft (6 m) above sea level.
I again began the night with the Cloudcroft open, laying underneath me. As with the previous trip, once I got settled in and began to cool down, I pulled the top of the bag over me and left it unzipped. The Cloudcroft worked quite well in the configuration on both nights of the trip.

The following items have been addressed from my test plan:

Durability

1. How well does the zipper hold up? Does it snag on the fabric requiring constant attention? Does it develop “sticky” spots that require some finesse to get the zipper past? So far the zipper has held up well, and I have not had problems with it snagging the fabric. I also have not experienced any "sticky" spots in the operation of the zipper.
2. How well does the down retain its loft in the bottom of the bag (underneath me), after being compressed under my weight for several nights? So far, the bag still appears to loft as well as when received, after 3 nights of use on the trail and several nights of use at home (for testing purposes.)

Comfort

1. How comfortable is the Tactel lining? Is it comfortable against bare skin, or do I require clothing or a liner to be comfortable? The Tactel lining has been quite comfortable against my bare skin, and seems to help keep me cool in the warmer temperatures (may just be a perception on my part.) I have not used a liner with the bag as of yet, but that is an option as temperatures should begin to drop during the remaining testing period.
2. How comfortable is the “semi-sculpted” hood? Does it make me feel confined? Does it cause too much heat retention during warmer nights? I have not used the "semi-sculpted" hood much at all during my testing to this point. The few instances that my head has ended up inside the hood I began to get warmer and made sure to remove my head from the hood before I got hot.
3. I tend to toss and turn quite a bit at night. Does the bag have enough room to allow for this? Or are some areas a bit confining in regards to constant movement? In addition, does the bag stay in place during movement, or do I end up with the zipper underneath me, or worse yet, on the opposite side from where it is supposed to be? With the bag unzipped for all 3 nights during this testing period, I have not found the bag to be confining. However, I have done some testing at home with the bag zipped up, and have not found it to inhibit my movement from side to side nor has it made me feel confined. I also have not experienced any movement of the bag, having the zipper stay to my side the entire time.
4. As this is a 40 F (4 C) bag, is it appropriate for the warmer temperatures I intend to encounter during the testing period or is the bag too warm? (For reference, my current bag is a 35 F (2 C) and I don’t normally use it if night temperatures are over 75 F (24 C).) I have not had any problems during testing to this point with the bag being too warm for experienced conditions. The flexibility of being able to lay the bag open has been a benefit, in my opinion, for comfort in warmer conditions.

Function

1. How well does the bag loft after being compressed in its stuff sack inside my pack while hiking? The Cloudcroft lofted up in what I feel was an adequate time period, not taking too long after removal from the stuff sack and being placed into my hammock. I have not timed it, but by the time I was ready for bed the bag had lofted to a comfortable level.
2. How useful is the interior storage pocket? Do I actually use this, or is it an unnecessary extra for me? As of this report, I have not used the inner storage pocket for anything. I had actually on the last trip forgotten the pocket was even on the bag.
3. This bag is listed as having “Which-one” cinch cords for cinching the hood. Is this system actually user-friendly or more of a gimmick? Can I truly feel a difference in the cords? I have tried to feel a difference in the two cords, but have not noticed a significant enough difference to rely on that method for deciding which cord to pull. I have just gone on trial-and-error, pulling the first cord I grab and finding out that way if it was the correct cinch cord for my needs.

Construction

1. Do the baffles in the bag actually keep the down where it is supposed to be and prevent shifting? Are the baffles constructed in such a way as to cause me to feel “cold spots” on cooler nights? So far, the down has appeared to stay in its proper locations without any excessive shifting. I have not experienced any nights I would consider cooler or cold to determine if I truly will experience cold spots or not.

Continued Test Plan

The Cloudcroft will continue to be tested in a variety of locations throughout Northwest Florida and Southeast Alabama. During the testing period, expected weather conditions for the remainder of the period should range from a high near 85 F (29 C), and lows approaching or just below 50 F (10 C). I also anticipate varied levels of precipitation, from bright sunny days with low humidity all the way to torrential downpours. The terrain throughout the testing area ranges from very sandy soil to old and new growth pine forests as well as areas of marshy bogs.

The following are a list of issues I intend to continue exploring (some of which were already addressed but I will continue to address during the remaining period):

Durability

1. How well does the bag handle various humidity levels? Does it feel as though the down doesn't loft as well in high humidity, or does it not seem to be affected?
2. How well does the zipper hold up? Does it snag on the fabric requiring constant attention? Does it develop “sticky” spots that require some finesse to get the zipper past?
3. How well does the bag handle potential dirt exposure? Does it readily stain, or does it seem to repel light dirt and debris?
4. How well does the down retain its loft in the bottom of the bag (underneath me), after being compressed under my weight for several nights?

Comfort

1. How comfortable is the Tactel lining? Is it comfortable against bare skin, or do I require clothing or a liner to be comfortable?
2. How well do the draft tubes keep drafts out of the bag?
3. How comfortable is the “semi-sculpted” hood? Does it make me feel confined? Does it help at lower temperatures by preventing more heat loss from the head? Does it cause too much heat retention during warmer nights?
4. I tend to toss and turn quite a bit at night. Does the bag have enough room to allow for this? Or are some areas a bit confining in regards to constant movement? In addition, does the bag stay in place during movement, or do I end up with the zipper underneath me, or worse yet, on the opposite side from where it is supposed to be?
5. As this is a 40 F (4 C) bag, is it appropriate for the warmer temperatures I intend to encounter during the testing period or is the bag too warm? (For reference, my current bag is a 35 F (2 C) and I don’t normally use it if night temperatures are over 75 F (24 C).)

Function

1. How well does the bag loft after being compressed in its stuff sack inside my pack while hiking?
2. Am I able to shift the down around easily to compensate for cold spots while using the bag?
3. How useful is the interior storage pocket? Do I actually use this, or is it an unnecessary extra for me?
4. I am a hammock user. During the testing period I will be using the bag without a pad underneath, with a closed-cell foam pad, and with my Big Agnes Insulated Air Core inflatable pad. How well does the bag work with each of these setups? Are there issues with slipping off the pads? Does the Cloudcroft have any pad straps to keep the bag on the pad, or is this a feature that would even be needed?
5. This bag is listed as having “Which-one” cinch cords for cinching the hood. Is this system actually user-friendly or more of a gimmick? Can I truly feel a difference in the cords?

Construction

1. Do the baffles in the bag actually keep the down where it is supposed to be and prevent shifting? Are the baffles constructed in such a way as to cause me to feel “cold spots” on cooler nights?

Other Items

1. I am familiar with the special care needed for down bags, as my current sleeping bag is down. In looking over the Coleman literature available online, this bag requires care similar to my current bag. I have readily available access to a front-loading washer and commercial dryer with low temperature settings in which to properly follow Coleman’s guidelines for care. I will address this topic in my report(s) as appropriate, and report on the results of needed washing and the condition of the bag after washing.

I also intend to report on any other issues that may arise during my testing of this product.

My thanks to Coleman and BackpackGearTest for allowing me to test this item.

Reviews > Sleep Gear > Sleeping Bags > Coleman Cloudcroft > Anthony Smith > Field Report