Name: Wayne Howell
Age: 29
Gender: Male
Height: 6'1" (1.85 m)
Weight: 145 lbs. (66 kg)
Email address: wayne@net-alert.com
City: Cookeville
State: Tennessee
Country: United States
Review Date: 5/30/04

Backpacking Background:

I have been backpacking off and on for 15 years. Most of my experience is relegated to Tennessee and North Carolina. I have recently discovered the joys of lightweight backpacking. I have used packs ranging from very large external frames to frameless rucksacks.

Preface...Why I chose the Guide Gear® Riglos Down Mummy Bag: I am a very cost conscious backpacker. The price at $49.97 was too hard to pass up. I had been looking for a lightweight down bag for some time and came across the Riglos. It seemed to be just what I had been looking for.  

Product Information:

Listed Features:

Full length, 2-way zipper with a baffle to lock out wind
Collar pocket for convenient storage
Diamond rip-stop 70-denier / 190T fabric with a water-repellent shell is highly durable and weather-resistant
Diamond rip-stop lining is highly durable and won't get damaged by the snaps or zippers on your outerwear or footwear
2 lbs. of duck / down insulation carries a +14°F comfort rating. Plenty of warmth for when the cold wind blows!
Lightweight, backpack-ready and they pack small. Perfect for hiking, biking, camping, sleeping out for concert tickets... you name it! 

Field Test Locale:
Tests were performed at multiple locations around central Tennessee.
Environment:
The bag has been tested in weather varying from 10 to 85 F (-12 to 29 C), with accompanying rain, snow and wind on occasion.

1st Impressions:

The product came packed in its own stuff sack. The stuff sack is made from the same blue diamond rip-stop material as the shell of the bag. I pulled out the bag and spread it out on the floor. The bag seemed very lightweight compared to my old Slumberjack. The seemed a bit thin to be water repellent at all as advertised. Down was also protruding through the shell somewhat.
The zippers on the bag seemed to be well made. I was impressed with the inside gear pocket as I did not notice it in the description before purchasing the bag. The color was a very striking blue and yellow with a black liner. The thickness of the bag did concern me. I could not see how it would live up to the advertised temperature rating. 

Field-testing:

I took the bag on its first outing to Piney River Recreation area in central Tennessee. I used the bag in conjunction with a Hennessy Hammock Expedition 2.5, full length RidgeRest mat, and an automotive sunshade. The temperature ranged from 10 to 30 F (-12 to -1 C) during this trip. I placed the reflective automotive sun shade inside the hammock under the RidgeRest mattress. Then placed the Riglos bag on top. The bag was perfect fit for my height and frame.
With temperatures in the range that they were I have to say that the bag performed exceptionally well. I wore polypropylene long underwear and socks to bed. I was warm and actually slept in the next morning. There were however, bits of down throughout the hammock where it had come through the shell of the bag.

On the most recent trip with the bag, a friend and I hiked to the Caney Fork River campsite in Virgin Falls Pocket Wilderness near Sparta, TN. I did not bring along the automotive sunshade or RidgeRest mattress due to temperatures ranging from 59 to 85 F (15 to 29 C) for this trip. I used the bag as a blanket this time. I am a cold sleeper usually so I really enjoy having a foot box on the bag. Sleeping with the bag used as a blanket was the most enjoyable and comfortable yet. It was warm enough as to not get a chill and cool enough as to not be sweating all night.
The bag did get damp on the hike out of this trip. I am glad it didn’t happen before we camped. It took a very long time for it to dry out. There is very little, if any, water repellency. The shell is very thin and porous. This is not really a concern if you make sure that the bag is kept in a waterproof bag, which I usually do.

Closing thoughts:

Overall, I have to say that I am pleased with the bag. I would however, like to see a more resilient shell. The loss of down does concern me some, but I think it will be a long time before it is a real issue. You get what you pay for here. I was looking for a relatively good, economical bag, and the Riglos has met those requirements despite its limitations.