Reviews > Sleep Gear > Sleeping Bags > Coleman Cloudcroft > Kathy Waters > Long Term Report

Long Term Report: Coleman exponent Cloudcroft ^TM 40 º Sleeping Bag 
November 17, 2006

Contents:
Tester Biographical Information
Product Information
Field Conditions/Completed Tests Results
Summary

Tester Biographical Information    <back to top>

Name: Kathleen Waters
Age: 55
Gender: Female
Height: 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m)
Weight: 124.5 lb (56 kg)
Email address: kathy at bysky dot com or TheMiddleSister at usaring dot com
City, State, Country: White Lake, MI 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 CloudcroftTM 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.

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

For a more detailed description of the Coleman exponent Cloudcroft ^TM 40 º Sleeping Bag, please see my Initial Report.

Field Conditions/Completed Tests Results    <back to top>

This last phase of field testing was an abbreviated one due to unsuitable weather conditions.

In Michigan, we have had a particularly cool, damp fall. After Labor Day weekend (September 1-4), night time temperatures quickly dipped to the low 30s (-1 C) with humidity levels over 50% most nights. These are not conditions in which the Coleman Cloudcroft ^TM 40 º is rated.

However, I did get in one trip to Colorado for a 4 day weekend at Red Canyon where the weather was dry but still cold at night. Temperatures ranged from 36 F to 45 F (2 C to 7 C). Average elevation in the park is 6000 ft (1829 m) and the terrain is very rocky and heavily treed. This made for a relatively uncomfortable sleep.

I knew I was courting danger taking a 40 F (4 C) rated sleeping bag into Colorado in October, but I wanted to push the limits and I packed extra layers for sleeping just in case. Well, I definitely needed the extra layers - all of them on the coldest - 36 F (2 C) - night!

At 45 F (7 C), I was not able to wear my usual sleep attire of long silk underwear. I did try, but within minutes of snuggling down into the Cloudcroft, I knew it wasn't going to work and I added my back-up light stretchy non-technical yoga pants and top. This was much better and I didn't suffer anymore from the cold. I didn't have any need to "vent" either my toes (which were covered with my wool mid-weight Thorlo hiking socks) or my head.

The night that the temps dipped to 36 F (2 C) was quite frankly miserable for me. I didn't even attempt to sleep in my silkies. I did try the previous get-up, but up ended up adding my eVENT wind pants, a Capilene long-sleeved top, my Patagonia Synchilla jacket, a fleece cap and two pairs of socks - one a silk liner. This was the first time that I pulled the hood drawcords tight.

The cold coupled with the rocky campsite made it a long night; however, I DID NOT freeze! And the hood worked very well to keep my head warm. The discomfort of the ground was no fault of the Cloudcroft. I don't think any sleeping bag could have compensated for the ground I was on. I really gotta get a better pad!

To summarizes the temperature test: Coleman, for me, accurately rated the Cloudcroft. I now know exactly how low I can go with this sleeping bag and I know that it will be more than adequate for 50+ F (10 C), bearable for up to 45-ish (7 C) and it's time-to-pack-it-up any lower!

The quality of the construction and materials of the Coleman Cloudcroft has held up admirably throughout this test. I have not snagged it during usage, nor has any stitching unraveled, broken or become undone. Dirt has not been an issue so I have not had to clean the sleeping bag yet. Nor have any flat spots developed after 4 months of testing. Any damp odor is dispelled just by hanging the bag out in the breeze or sun.

Summary    <back to top>

Pros:


* The Cloudcroft ^TM 40 º is unbelievably comfortably-sized for a mummy bag! It has just the right combination of roominess and snugness.
* The Cloudcroft ^TM 40 º is warm enough for me for a 3-season backpacking season.
* Lightweight and packs down to such a small size, the Cloudcroft ^TM 40 º makes packing for hiking pleasurable.
* With it's affordable price, the Cloudcroft ^TM 40 º is a great value and compares very favorably to higher-priced sleeping bags that I have had.

Cons:


* The only negative I can come up with for the Cloudcroft ^TM 40 º is the foot zipper's lack of an interior pull tab. It's a little thing that could easily be remedied with the substitution of the existing exterior pull tab with one that is the same as the top zipper's.

I really love this sleeping bag! I almost gush when showing it off to people. The comfort of the material, loft of the down, warmth, roominess and small packing size have really exceeded my expectations. The Cloudcroft ^TM 40 º has been my bag of choice in all but the coldest situations. Even then, I'll consider wearing more clothing rather than backpacking my synthetic bag. I am seriously considering buying The Coleman Cloudcroft ^TM 0 º Sleeping Bag for winter use. To sum it all up, the Coleman Cloudcroft ^TM 40 º Sleeping Bag is a real winner!

Thank you to BGT and The Coleman Company for allowing me to test the Coleman exponent Cloudcroft ^TM 40 º Sleeping Bag.

Kathleen Waters

Reviews > Sleep Gear > Sleeping Bags > Coleman Cloudcroft > Kathy Waters > Long Term Report