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Owner Review: Feathered Friends Hummingbird 10F
Semi-Custom Sleepingbag
Personal Biographical Info:
Name:
Stephanie Martin
Age:
28
Gender:
Female
Height:
5'5"
Weight:
145 lbs.
Email Address: syoong "at" alum "dot" mit "dot" edu
Location: Phoenix, AZ USA
Date:
September 30, 2002
Background: Actively enjoying the outdoors regularly since 1996 starting in the Pacific Northwest. Enjoyed day hiking excursions in the Columbia River Gorge area, followed by some backpacking along the Pacific Crest Trail. Moved to the desert southwest in 1997 and have been actively day hiking most weekends (anywhere from low desert to mountain territory (7000+ ft)). Generally take a couple week long trips to the Grand Canyon annually. Backpacking philosophy has been rapidly moving towards ultra-light gear. Have also been participating in canyoneering since 1997. See
http://www.ToddsHikingGuide.com for trip reports.
Other sleepingbags used: Sierra Designs Annie Oakley (I think), Feathered Friends Ptarmigan
Product Information:
Manufacturer:
Feathered Friends (http://www.featheredfriends.com)
Year of Manufacture: 2000
Listed Weight:
24 ounces
Weight as Delivered: 24.8 ounces (stuffed in bag)
Down:
800+ Fill power with 2 ounces overstuffing
Fabric:
1.1 ounce ripstop nylon
Length:
Regular
Temperature Rating: 10 Degrees
Field and Test Information:
Location(s) of test: Various locations including Grand Canyon, Arizona and Yosemite National Park, California
Terrain:
Canyon Country - elevations as high as 7000+ feet in the Grand Canyon; Mountainous in Yosemite National Park (near Tuolome Meadows area)
Weather Conditions: General use is during extended backpacking trips taken in all seasons.
Style of Product:
Lightweight semi-custom down sleepingbag.
Description of Experience and Comments on Product Performance:
In my continued quest to lighten my backpacking load, I went searching for a lightweight 3-season sleeping bag - and this is what I found.
What a bag! I recall being absolutely astounded when it arrived - stuffed in it's stuff sack, it measures a minute 15 x 6.25 inches (LxD)! I list the bag as semi-custom because I ordered it with 800+ fillpower down (vs standard 750+ fill), 2 ounces of overstuffing and 1.1 ounce ripstop nylon shell and liner (vs 1.6 ounce nylon taffeta). The sleeping bag itself is a close fitting mummy bag with a 1/2 length zipper backed up with a draft tube with stiffener (to prevent liner from getting sucked into the zipper during operation) and no draft collar at the neck. The fill can be moved from top to bottom of the bag, though I opt to keep it equal since I tend to roll around while sleeping.
Initially, I was a bit leery of the down - after having heard all kinds of stories about getting down wet and losing all loft power - but it has performed wonderfully for me. Recently I did get it a bit damp (during an overnight canyoneering trip which resulted in my pack getting waterlogged) but it suffered no loss in performance and dried very quickly (could have been due to the arid climate in the desert southwest).
Unfortunately, I cannot truly testify to its ability to withstand temperatures down to 10F as can't confirm that I've tested it in such conditions. I have found that temperature ratings do vary depending on sleeping-pad, tent vs tarp, and any additional clothing (or lack thereof) present during slumber. Depending on pack used, I find myself sleeping on either a 3/4 length ultra-light Therm-A-Rest or a 3/4 length Z-Rest pad. For shelter, we use a GoLite Cave and Nest system. I don't think I'd be freezing if I used this bag at 10F, but I don't think I'd be completely snug and comfortable either. I do tend to sleep very cold and the fact that I've lived in the desert for 5 years now doesn't help matters (let's just say my hearty Minnesota roots have packed up and left and now I'm easily affected by colder temperatures).
In terms of fit and comfort of the bag, it is a mite snug - even more so than a standard mummy bag. The 1.1 ounce nylon is surprisingly soft and silky next to the skin - I have not found myself sticking to my sleeping bag during any occasion. The 1/2 length zipper does take some getting used to - it stops around knee-height on me - so temperature control via extension of lower limbs is a bit more difficult than in a bag with a standard length zipper.
If I could change anything about this bag, I would change the zipper and perhaps beef up the draft collar that backs it up. The zipper is very thin-toothed and seems rather non-robust compared to other sleeping bags that I've used. Unfortunately, the stiffened draft collar does not prevent the zipper from catching in the lining.
Overall, however, I have been very pleased with my Hummingbird and would certainly recommend it to anyone looking for a nice light, compact sleeping bag.
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