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Name: Tim Coughlin
Age: 41
Gender: male
Height: 5’11" (1.8 m)
Weight: 180 lbs. (82 kg)
Email address: Tcoug7<at>aol<dot>com
City: Buffalo
State: New York
Country: United States
Report Date: 2/11/2003


Backpacking Background:
    I have been an active backpacker for 27 years, with experience hiking in many parts of the continental United States and Canada.  Most of my time is spent in the Northeast, especially the Adirondack region of New York.  I’m a seasoned veteran to 3-season backpacking, and I’m beginning to expand my resume to include winter backpacking.  This has naturally led me towards the Lightweight and Ultralight philosophy.


Preface…Why I chose the Guide Gear Ultralite 600 Sleeping Bag:
    With all owner reviews, I think it’s important to emphasize what need(s) the owner was trying to fulfill with the product he (she) chose.  I chose this bag for a few reasons.  First, there was a general interest in it on some forums I belong to on the web.  Secondly, I use a hammock as my shelter of choice and as such, I was researching the use of quilts instead of sleeping bags for cover.  My thought was to use this bag as an open quilt during warmer weather.  I wanted a foot box because my feet tend to get cold in the hammock.  I could scarcely buy the materials for a homemade quilt for what this bag costs.  I also have a large family.  I am always looking for the best price.  I do not want to sacrifice quality, but I also don’t always need the ‘best’.  I feel that IF this bag met my needs and was reasonably well constructed, then it was a good purchase.


Product Information:

Name:                                            Guide Gear Ultralite 600 Sleeping Bag
Catalog No:                                  WX2-60592
Manufacturer:                              Sportsmans Guide
Web Site:                                       www.sportsmansguide.com
Bag Type:                                     Mummy Style
Listed Bag Dimensions:           28"x83"x20" (71 cm x 211 cm x 5 cm)
Listed Temperature Rating:     +30ºF (-1ºC)
Type of Fill:                                   Synthetic – Eulin hollow-fiber fill
Date of Manufacture:                 2002
Listed Weight:                             1.5 lbs. (0.68 kg)
Delivered Weight:                       1.5 lbs. (0.68 kg) *Note: This includes stuff sack
Stuff Sack Dimensions:            5" x 8" with 1.5" extension (13 cm x 20 cm with 4 cm extension)


Listed Product Features:    

    The zipper is located on the LEFT, not the right as stated in the manufacturer specifications.  The zipper is 2-way, measuring 58" (147 cm) long.  It does not open the complete foot.  Rather, it stops – preserving the enclosed foot box even with the bag open.  The foot box measures 12" (30 cm) round by 10" (25 cm) high, measured from the base of the zipper to the bottom of the bag.  The overall dimensions are close to those stated in the specs, measured from the outside and to the top of the hood.  The bag ‘proper’ measures 68" (173 cm) from the bottom of the bag up to the draft collar.  The bag has a 4" (10 cm) draft collar with drawstring and lock along with Velcro closure on the zipper side.  There is a draft tube running along the length of the zipper.  It too has Velcro closure at the top of the zipper travel, at the shoulders.  The hood also has a draw cord with lock.  Upon inspection of the interior, I discovered a little extra not listed in the specifications.  There is a small storage pocket located over the top center of the chest.  It has a 4.5" (11.4 cm) zipper.  The pocket measured 4.0" x 7.5" (10.2 x 19.1 cm).

    The material tag read as follows:

Field-testing:
    I climbed in to the bag to check its fit.  The length was fine, but I found it narrow at my shoulders.  I fit, but just barely.  The foot box was fine for me, plenty of room.  The weather was still fairly warm, so I began by testing the bag in my garage where I could better control the ambient conditions.  I really doubted the temperature rating, based on the apparent lack of fill in the sleeping bag.  I set up my hammock between the garage door tracks, turned on the heater until the inside temperature was 50ºF (10ºC) and climbed in.  I unzipped the bag and used it as a quilt.  I wore only a pair of shorts and short-sleeved Duofold tee shirt.  I set up the bag on a cheapo Target 3/8" (1 cm) closed cell foam pad.  I slept comfortably all night!

    I was then able to use it as a bag in temps hovering in the 40’s (4 - 9º C).  I wore synthetic long johns with rag wool socks.  Again, I slept fine.

    Next I took it along a 3-day trip.  It was cold, with daytime temperatures in the teens and night approaching 0ºF (-18ºC).  I brought along an old rectangular bag that was rated +15ºF (-9ºC) - when it was new.  I took the Guide Gear Ultralite and inserted it into the other bag.  I again wore synthetic long johns with rag wool socks. I  wore a fleece balaclava on my head and thin, synthetic glove liners on my hands.  Originally, I did not draw in the draft collar or the hood.  I awoke in the night from the cool draft around my neck.  I adjusted the hood and collar and had no more problems.  The weather was cold all weekend, but I slept fine in this set up.  I should note that I was sleeping on the ground, on top of the closed cell Target pad, along with an egg-crate type pad.

    I have a 10-year-old son who wanted to take the bag on a birthday sleepover at a friends.  I figured this would be a good test of the bag’s durability!  The bag survived the party unscathed, although the stuff sack ripped when he was repacking the bag to come home.

    My 12-year-old son was also very interested in the bag and wanted to try it.  He slept with it every night for 3 weeks, on his bed.  I should note that we keep bedroom temperatures cooler than the rest of the house, usually in the 60ºF (16ºC) range.


Closing thoughts:
    This bag costs very little as far as sleeping bags go.  Therefore, it should not be compared to a much better bag.  Judging it on its own merits, this bag meets all I was looking for from it.  I fit in it.  It’s lightweight.  It packs small.  I can use it as a quilt with the foot box retained.  It is well made for such a low price, and should hold up well with reasonable care.

    The bag also contains some features I wasn’t really looking for, but am glad it has.  I feel it does work as an effective mummy style bag, and the storage pocket inside is a nice find.  Also, by combining it with my old rectangular bag, the two work together to create an effective bag in the 0ºF (-18ºC) range.

    I do not like the stuff sack that came with it.  It is virtually impossible to compress the bag enough not to use the bag extension collar.  I find that annoying.  Also, I wish the zipper was located on the right as advertised.

    I never heard of the fill before – Eulin.  The advertisements compare it to down fill, without the cost.  I wouldn’t take this too literally.  Although, many bag manufacturers do use proprietary fill in their synthetic bags.  I feel the bag’s 30ºF (-1ºC) rating is much too optimistic.  I would put it more in the 45ºF (7ºC) range.

    All in all, not a bad buy!