• SilLite™ stow sack and cotton storage sack included
• 20 denier Pertex Quantum nylon shell with DWR
• 800 fill power goose down insulation
• 20°F/-07°C comfortable temperature rating
• 5 in loft
• Ultra-lite 24 in/ 60 cm #5 coil sternum zipper
• Dual draft tubes protect zipper
• 6 in/15 cm baffles
• 22 denier polyester lining
• 5-piece ergonomic hood with 360° face-seal gasket
• FootVent™ (patent pending)

Description [return to top] The Feather is a 20 °F (-7 °C) rated, mummy-shaped, down filled sleeping bag with a very lightweight shell and lining. It has a short zipper located in front of the chest. The foot panel of the bag has an opening that allows ventilation of the foot area. Included with the Feather are a black nylon stuff sack and a white cotton storage sack for storage when the bag is not in use.

For a much more detailed description, including measurements and photos, please see my Initial Report.

Field Testing [return to top] Our Boy Scout troop camps monthly, generally in the wooded areas of southeastern Pennsylvania and the Pocono Mountains. Almost all of these outings include a minimum of 2 nights of camping, with temperatures expected to be from lows around 20 ºF (-7 ºC) to highs around 70 ºF (21 ºC) during the 4-month test period. Elevations will range from sea level to approximately 1,500’ (457 m). Our new Scoutmaster has added monthly hikes to our schedule as well. My fiancée and I, who between us have 3 First Class boy scouts (ages 14, 15 and 16), have scheduled additional camping/hiking without the scouts, and there are possibilities of more AT section hikes (two down, many to go!) in Pennsylvania – aka Rocksylvania – and New Jersey with my son as he works towards the Hiking Merit Badge.

Over the weekend of October 28-30, 2005, we took 6 Boy Scouts to Blue Rocks Campground near Hamburg, Pennsylvania. Saturday’s agenda included hiking and getting snowed on at 1:00 pm (brrrrr. . .). I estimate the temperature overnight to be about 25 °F (-4 °C) both nights. I used my Hennessy Hammock Expedition Asym that weekend, with a Big Agnes Insulated Air Core mattress, and the hammock fly draped close to the body. I slept very warmly both nights, wearing only socks and silk bottoms, which I would have taken off had it been a little easier to maneuver in the bag while in the hammock. On Saturday night I zipped the bag completely shut and cinched the hood, then on Sunday morning I noticed a small amount of condensation just below the opening of the bag, but it shook right off.

Over the weekend of November 11-13, 2005, I met up with a fellow BGT gear tester and a few other hammockers along the AT near Dingman’s Ferry in New Jersey. Night-time temperatures were similar to the previous trip, although this trip was spent in a generic nylon dome tent (my presence was requested). I spent Friday night in my old military bag, as my lady (above right, by the fire) is allergic to down, and found that bag to be lacking in the conditions experienced. With her use of prescription and non-prescription allergy meds, I was able to switch to the Feather for Saturday night, and the only thing I found myself needing to do was remove layers, again sleeping in socks and silk bottoms.

Over the weekend of November 24-26, 2005, we took our annual troop trip to go cabin camping. Temperatures were around 25 °F (-4 °C) by 7:00 pm Friday night and dropping quickly. The temperature inside the uninsulated (ok, maybe poorly insulated) cabin – which had been vacant since at least the previous weekend – was comparable. We started a fire to take the edge off, but by 2:00 am (when the fire burned out) it was basically like being outside, just without the wind. The temperature did not get above freezing until 9:00 am on Sunday. I used my Hennessy Hammock Expedition Asym again that weekend (hanging across the inside of the cabin, with the fly hung out of the way), again with the Big Agnes Insulated Air Core mattress. As before, I slept very warmly both nights, wearing only socks and silk bottoms, and not even zipping the bag.

Things I am/will be looking for: Fit. Does it fit me? I may not be tall, but I’m pretty wide. Will I be claustrophobic? Does it move well with me? Does it restrict my sleeping positions? Hood. Is the hood snug? Does it cinch easily, and comfortably, down to fit my face/head? Fabric. Does the Pertex breathe well? Is it water resistant (definitely going to want to test this)? Is it wind resistant? How durable is it? Insulation. I am not experienced with down bags. Will there be cold spots due to shifting? Does the bag regain loft well/completely after unpacking? Warmth. How cold can it get and still keep me warm, or, at least, comfortable? Zipper. Is it durable? Does it snag? Will I have difficulty getting into the bag in a hammock (I have a Hennessy Expedition Asym and am scheduled to test the Crazy Creek LEX)? Packability. How packable is the bag? I will attempt to pack this bag as part of my 3-season load in my Deuter Futura 32, or my 4-season load in my Gregory Z-Pack. Stuff sack. How well does the bag fit in it? Is it easy to compress? Waterproof?

My findings so far: Fit. I slipped into it quickly, and found it roomy enough for comfort. Hood. Cinches nicely, and comfortably, down to fit my face. Fabric. Boy, is this stuff light. I do notice some down leakage (5 or 6 feathers each night), but it is holding up well otherwise. Insulation. I have not noticed any cold spots, and the bag seems to fully re-loft within 10 minutes or so after being removed from the stuff sack. Warmth. I’ve been warm and comfortable – in a hammock! – down to the bag’s rating with no extra layers. I am highly impressed. Zipper. Using the Feather is almost like putting it on as much as getting into it. I did manage to snag the zipper once, but taking the time to figure out where and how it was snagged allowed me to un-snag it fairly easily without damaging the bag. Packability. As I continue to lighten my load – and reduce its bulk – I am finding it easier to pack the Feather into my Deuter, although only for a weekend, and only if I do not need to carry food. Stuff sack. The bag is a pretty tight fit. I need to be careful not to damage the bag. I have found it easiest to roll the bag slowly (to get the air out) to the right size, then slip it into the stuff sack. This seems to require the least effort.

Things I like [return to top] Light. Comfortable. Packs fairly small. Things I don't like [return to top] Some difficulties getting into the bag. This may be alleviated with experience.

Backpacking Background [return to top] My family started car/trailer camping when I was about 5. I spent 17 years in the Army Reserve fine-tuning my packing methodology – when I got out I was down to a fairly respectable 75-80 lb (34-36 kg) load in my ALICE pack. Advancing age, arthritic knees and a car accident have led me to seriously rethink my gear choices, experiment with tarps and hammocks, make some of my own gear, and take a closer look at my ‘toys’ with an eye for multi-use and light weight. I now have a sub-30 lb (14 kg) 3-season load, and should be able to reduce it to 20 lb (9 kg) – before food, fuel and water – without much more effort.

Thank you for your time. Chuck Kime a.k.a. Fuzzy

Reviews > Sleep Gear > Sleeping Bags > GoLite Feather Sleeping Bag > Chuck Kime > Field Report