Name: Kathleen Waters
Age: 55
Gender: Female
Height: 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m)
Weight: 128 lb (58 kg)
Shoulder Girth: 45 in (114 cm)
Knee Girth: 27 in (74 cm)
Email address: kathy at bysky dot com or TheMiddleSister at usaring dot com
City, State, Country: White Lake, Michigan USA

Backpacking Background: My husband and I started hiking in 1998 after an eye-opening climb up Hahn's Peak in Colorado.

Hooked, we return to Colorado often. We've hiked/snowshoed glaciers, rain forests, mountains and deserts in exotic locations, including Iceland, Costa Rica, Slovenia and Death Valley.

At home in Michigan, we plan for 2-3 hikes of 6-8 mi (10-13 km) weekly and one weekend hike monthly. Weekday hikes take place in Pontiac Lake Recreation Area, a mixture of heavily-wooded moderate hills and flat terrain. Weekend hike locations vary.

My hiking style is comfortable, aiming for lightweight. Current pack averages 25 lb (11 kg) including food and water.

Product Information, including picture (from website) <back to top>
http://www.coleman.com

Manufacturer: The Coleman Company, Inc.
Year of Manufacturer: 2006
Model: exponent Cloudcroft^TM 40º (Model No. 8475-400)
Weight: 2 lb 2 oz (.96 kg)
Sizes: regular and long
Color: Orange and gray
MSRP: n/a
Warranty: Coleman products have a limited warranty from the date of original retail purchase that the product will be free from defects in material and workmanship. The length of the limited warranty may vary by product. The warranty is valid for the original retail purchaser from the date of initial retail purchase and is not transferable.

Keep the original sales receipt. Proof of purchase is required to obtain warranty performance. Coleman dealers, service centers, or retail stores selling Coleman products do not have the right to alter, modify or in any way change the terms and conditions of the warranty. Please refer to your product for the exact terms and conditions of the limited warranty for your purchase. The warranty included with your purchased product is your exclusive warranty.

Description:

Product Information (from tester)

Size: regular
Weight: 2 lb 1.75 oz (.96 kg)
Trail Weight (including stuff sack): 2 lb 3 oz (1 kg)
Packed Size: 6 in x 14 in (15.3 cm x 35.6 cm)
Unpacked Size: 31 in x 80 in (79 cm x 203 cm)
Color: Orange and dark gray with lighter gray interior

Arrival Information <back to top>

Coleman Cloudcroft Sleeping Bag in Stuff Sack w/Storage Bag

The Coleman Cloudcroft ^TM 40 º Sleeping Bag arrived in a box so small I couldn't believe a sleeping bag could fit in it! But there it was, one Cloudcroft ^TM 40 º Sleeping Bag loosely stuffed in a large white cotton "exponent" labeled storage sack with a black nylon stuff sack also packed inside. Nothing else was in the box except the packing slip. No documentation was included other than a couple of small retail hangtags on the stuff and storage sacks; one explaining the type of goose feathers used, the other extolling the features of the bag.

First Impressions <back to top>

Not having any experience with goose down sleeping bags before opening the box, my first reaction upon removing the Coleman Cloudcroft ^TM 40 º Sleeping Bag was "You gotta be kidding me!" The bag was so limp and flat looking that I immediately calculated with dread the number of potentially sleepless nights I would have to spend in it. However, to my delight, after a quick light shake, I was amazed to see the Cloudcroft ^TM plump up to a very respectable loft. Cool!

Despite the glaring sun, temperature of 89 F (32 C) and humidity reading of 79%, I had to try it out! So I crawled into the Coleman Cloudcroft ^TM 40 º Sleeping Bag and proceeded to zip up and snuggle down. Ahhh. The Invista Tactel® Nylon Liner felt smooth and silky on my skin. The two-way zipper moved smoothly without snagging all the way up to my neck. I was pleased to see that there was enough wiggle-room to be able to use my left hand to work the right-side zipper. The draft tube and zipper gusset felt quite thick and shielded my skin from contact with the zipper.

There is a neat Velcro^TM flap which further secures the bag at neck level. But what is really slick is the drawstring system for the hood which uses a lock barrel and TWO strings so that the top of the hood and the neck of the bag can be adjusted independently. These strings are different colors, red and yellow, so I can easily tell them apart - at least in the light, I can.

I was able to pull the hood and neck of the Coleman Cloudcroft ^TM 40 º Sleeping Bag so tight as to almost be totally enclosed in it. I was as snug as a bug in a rug, as I tell my grandchildren!

I found that I could squirm around nicely onto either side, both turning inside the bag or turning the whole Cloudcroft ^TM bag with me. There are no pad locks or pad straps; however, I never use them anyway. I've got to be free!

Inside the Cloudcroft ^TM, at the top center chest, Coleman has placed a small Velcro^TM secured 5.5 in x 6.5 in (14 cm x 17 cm) pocket.

The full-length zipper on the Cloudcroft ^TM has two zipper pulls so that the top and bottom of the sleeping bag can be opened independently for venting on whichever of my body parts needs it. I was able to air out my toes while keeping my upper body completely covered and vice versa. Of course, the zipper can be used traditionally to zip or unzip from top to bottom and can easily be operated from inside the Cloudcroft ^TM.

My second "you've gotta be kidding me" moment occurred after I crawled out of the Coleman Cloudcroft ^TM 40 º Sleeping Bag and attempted to pack it up into the black nylon stuff sack. The bag was so small looking compared to all the goose-down stuffed material that I couldn't see how I'd ever get it all in. But I did. Slowly and breaking a light sweat, I carefully compressed and stuffed until I was able to cover the exposed end with the interior protective flap. With a pull on the drawstring and a push on the lock barrel, I was actually able to get the Coleman Cloudcroft ^TM 40 º Sleeping Bag down to its advertised 6 in x 14 in (15.25 x 35.56 cm) size.

Coleman Cloudcroft Sleeping Bag in Stuff Sack

Of course, storing the Cloudcroft ^TM in the provided white cotton storage bag with drawstring and lock barrel closure was a much easier task.

A thorough going over the Cloudcroft ^TM revealed no noticeable flaws, loose strings or too tight/too loose or jagged seams. Everything appears to be in good working order. Now onto the trails!

Test Plan <back to top>

The Coleman Cloudcroft ^TM 40 º Sleeping Bag will be my only choice of sleeping bag for the whole testing period. So, it will be tested this summer and fall in a wide range of weather and locations. Most of the testing will be 2-3 day trips in western and northern Michigan on lakeshore trails, ranging from sandy, open areas, to rocky, heavily treed terrain. Summer will be hot and dry (hopefully) and fall will turn cool and wet. The sleeping bag will get damp, if not wet. At least 2, possibly 4 trips to Colorado are also planned, so the dry hot/cold climate of the high desert area with also be encountered.

Michigan Average Temperatures/Precipitation for projected test period

Jul Aug Sep Oct

Avg. High 84 F/29 C 81 F/27 C 74 F/23 C 61 F/16 C

Avg. Low 60 F/16 C 58 F/14 C 52 F/11 C 41 F/5 C

Mean 72 F/22 C 70 F/21 C 64 F/18 C 52 F/11 C

Avg. Precip. 2.8 in/71 mm 3.3 in/84 mm 2.9 in/74 mm 2.4 in/61 mm

Colorado Average Temperatures/Precipitation for projected test period

Jul Aug Sep Oct

Avg. High 88 F/31 C 86 F/30 C 78 F/26 C 68 F/20 C

Avg. Low 61 F/16 C 56 F/13 C 50 F/10 C 40 F/4 C

Mean 75 F/24 C 74 F/23 C 65 F/18 C 55 F/13 C

Avg. Precip 1.9 in/48 mm 1.9 in/48 mm 1.3 in/33 mm 0.9 in/23 mm

I wish I could say that I sleep "warm" or "cold", but my body temperature varies from night to night; however, I'm fairly confident that Coleman Cloudcroft ^TM 40 º Sleeping Bag will work fine for me for the entire 4-month test period. I have never used a down bag so I'm excited about testing one and experiencing the differences from synthetic fill.

Comfort is my primary concern in a sleeping bag and I will thoroughly be testing for comfort as well as overall utility.

I will be testing the Coleman Cloudcroft ^TM 40 º Sleeping Bag for comfort in various temperatures.

Will I be warm enough in colder temps? At what point will I need additional insulation? 40° or higher/lower? Will I be too warm in warmer temperatures? At what temperature (if any) is the bag totally uncomfortable? Does the draft tube really keep out drafts? Does the yoke draw need to be so tight as to be constrictive to keep out the breezes?

I will be testing the Coleman Cloudcroft ^TM 40 º Sleeping Bag for comfort in construction.

Is there enough "cushion" in the filling? Does the baffle construction system keep the filling from shifting over the testing period? Are there any flat or cold spots? How well does the double-sided zipper work? Can I sleep on my side without suffocating? Is the interior "pocket" useful or a nuisance?

I will be testing the Coleman Cloudcroft ^TM 40 º Sleeping Bag for sturdiness and wearability.

Does the stitching stay intact after repeated use or will breaks in the threads occur over time? How well does the sleeping bag repel dampness? How long does it take to dry out when wet? Will the zipper pull break under normal usage? Does the high-quality 310 Tactel® nylon cover snag under normal conditions? Does the sleeping bag retain odor? What are the care instructions?

For each night of testing, I will report on my location, including altitude, the weather conditions, including temperature, precipitation (if any), and estimated humidity and wind speeds. I will note what clothing was worn and what shelter and pad (if any) was used.

I will also report any other issues that arise during the testing period.

Kathy Waters

Read more reviews of Coleman gear
Read more gear reviews by Kathleen Waters

Initial Report

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