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Mt. Washington 0 F Down
Bag
Owner Review
2/24/04
Personal Information:
Leesa Joiner
ljoATmidmaine(dot)com
Southwestern Maine
41 years old
Female
5'7" (1.7 m)
150 lb. (68 kg)
Background:
My camping, hiking and backpacking experience
has included trips varying in length from one day hikes, to two week trips.
My experience hiking began with my father, when I was about 6 years old. We
hiked along the river pathways in northeastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania.
During cold weather, I backpack, hike, snow shoe, cross-country ski, go ice
fishing and winter camp with friends and family. Although I am not a
lightweight backpacker, I am trying to `lighten up' and even have converted
to using a hammock while camping. I enjoy both looking for wild edible
plants while hiking and eating well while outdoors. Sometimes
these two 'hobbies' are intertwined.
Product Information:
Manufacturer:
LL Bean
www.llbean.com
Mt. Washington Sleeping Bag, Down 0 F ( -17.7 C) Degree
Compressible Expedition Bag
Regular Rectangular Fits to 5 ft 11 in (1.8 m )
Length 75 in (1.9m)
Width 32 in (.8 m)
Weight 4 lb 3 oz (1.9 kg )
Year purchased: 2001
MSRP: $295.00 USD
Product Features:
* Pertex shell fabric
* 775-fill down
* Continuous inner insulation lining
* Four layers of insulation into the hood, the zipper baffle and the foot
box.
* Includes compression stuff sack and off-season storage sack.
Product Use:
The Mt. Washington has been my first choice for a sleeping
bag for two years. I have used it while tent and hammock camping during
spring, summer and into late fall. During the winter I have used it while
sleeping in a cabin and at a lodge. One of the first occasions I used the
bag, I slept in my Hennessy Hammock (also one of my first times sleeping
in a hammock) Using the sleeping bag, a ‘no-name’ blue sleeping pad and a
flannel sheet inside the bag, I managed to get a good night’s sleep- in 20
F ( -6.6 C) temperatures. This motivated me to try sleeping in it in colder
weather. I slept in the Mt. Washington in a tent while the temperatures
fell to 10 F (-12 C). I used the same sleeping pad, without the flannel sheet
though. The bag provided a warm, comfortable place to sleep. I tend to ‘sleep
warm’ in comparison to most of those around me. At home I set the heat at
64 F ( 17.8 C) during the night and sleep with a lightweight down cover.
Most nights spent in the bag involved hiking in to where we are going
to set up camp, setting up camp, having dinner and heading to bed after a
short time around the fire. Because most of my trips include children, we
tend to go bed early and rise early. A good nights sleep is very important
to me- it makes it much easier to keep up and to have a good sense of humor.
I also used the bag while staying overnight in a cabin that relied on
a wood stove for heat. I found that I was too warm to stay in the bag most
of the night. By early morning the fire burned down and I crawled back into
the bag. I was able to warm up quickly. The bag also helps me to warm
up quickly when I get into it when already chilled.
When using the bag on warmer nights in my hammock, I sleep on top of the
bag, using it as a sleeping pad. It provides a nice, cushioned place to sleep.
I did not find that I perspired while sleeping on the Mt. Washington, as
is sometimes the case when sleeping on fabrics other than cotton. Because
this is the rectangle version, instead of the mummy style, there is some bulkiness
at the foot area of the hammock. Not a real problem, just noticeable.
From the web site:
[The Mt. Washington sleeping bags are] The lightest, warmest, most compressible
bags made today – inspired by our product testing trips to Mt. Washington,
home of the world's worst weather. Superior warmth-to-weight ratios make them
ideal for backpackers, cyclists or kayakers.
I have to agree- the Mt. Washington bag is extremely light and warm.
At only 4 lb 3 oz ( 1.9 kg ) it provides plenty of warmth, without weighing
me down while carrying it. It was not easy for me to compress into the stuff
sack though. Once stuffed into the stuff sack, it easily fits into my backpack.
The bag regains its loft with a quick shake once removed from the bag. Over
the two years I have been using the bag, I have noticed very little loss
of loft. When fully ‘fluffed’, the sleeping bag now measures just over
9 in. ( 22.8 cm) thick. I did not measure it when purchased, but the 20
F ( -6.6 C) bag is advertised as having almost 12 in. (30.5 cm ) of loft.
One of the features of this bag that I appreciate the most is the continuous
inner insulation lining. This features keeps the down from shifting around,
causing cold spots and ‘lumps’. There are no sewn through seams, which can
allow cold air to penetrate into the bag. There are four layers of insulation
in the zipper cover and the foot area.
The shell fabric is smooth feeling and is resistant to snagging. After
two years of frequent use, the bag shows no wear spots or tears. The color
has faded slightly, most likely due to sun exposure when hanging on a line
to dry. I have washed the bag both in a large capacity washer and by
hosing it down while it was hanging outside. While it is drying I occasionally
'flufff' it up and turn it over to keep the down from settling. I am
not an expert on down fill, but find that 775 down fill is more than adequate
for 3+ season use in northern New England.
The web site accurately describes the bag. LL Bean offers a lifetime
warranty on all their products. Items can be returned for any reason. Items
returned are not put back into stock, but donated to Goodwill stores in Maine.
I was able to purchase this bag for a fraction of the MSRP. It was in
perfect condition, with hang tags still attached. It is not covered by
the warranty because of the way it was purchased, but after two years, I
haven’t had cause to consider returning it.
I will continue to use this bag, until I can pass it on to one of my kids,
and I will most likely buy a Mt. Washington mummy style bag. The only
reason I'd like to switch to a mummy style bag is because it fits in a hammock
with less trouble and bulk. I originally purchased this bag because
it appeared to be a deal too good to pass up, and it turned out to be true.
I really love the bag, and have been impressed with it's durability.
Read more reviews of L. L. Bean gear
Read more gear reviews by Leesa Joiner
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