Biographical Information:

Name:  Michael Wheiler
Gender:  Male
Age:  47

Height:  5'10"  (1.8 m)
Weight:  175 pounds  (80 kg)

Examination: The Wisp arrived in a large brown box.  Included in the box with the Wisp was a cotton storage bag, a small 7 x 10.5" (18 x 27 cm) bright yellow stuff sack, a Mountainsmith product catalog, and an invoice.  My initial inspection determined that the Wisp arrived in undamaged condition.  The Wisp looked exactly like what I had seen and read about on the Mountainsmith website.  I took the Wisp to work and weighed it on our Neopost SE37 digital postal scale.  The Wisp and stuff sack weighed in at 1 lb, 7 oz (.65 kg).  The stuff sack alone weighed 1 oz (28 g).  As such, Mountainsmith's advertised weight is accurate.  I also took a couple of extra measurements:  the zipper length is 36" (91 cm) and the circumference of the stuff sack with the Wisp stuffed inside is 20" (51 cm).  Despite the predictions for extremely low temperatures, I decided to take the Wisp with me on my weekend backpack trip with the Scouts to the Wind Cave in the Jedediah Smith Wilderness area.  I knew we were going to be camping at around 8,000-9,000' (2,400-2,700 m) and given the rain and overcast weather we had experienced all day, I knew the temperatures would be pushing the limits of the Wisp.  We pitched our tents that night at 8,115' (2,500 m).  The water that collected on my walking stick as we walked through the wet undergrowth turned to ice before I retired to bed.  At bed time, my Brunton Sherpa indicated it was 33° F (0.6° C).  By 2:00 a.m. the temperature had dropped slightly to 30° F (1.1° C) but by 6:00 a.m. the temperature dipped to a chilly 27° F (-3° C).  How did the Wisp perform?  Well, I'm here writing this report.  Sorry, but you'll have to wait for my Field Report to get the rest of the story!

 

Initial Impressions:  This sleeping bag's name is very descriptive of how it feels during handling.  It feels as though you could toss it into the air and it would blow away with any sort of breeze.  It is really hard to believe that the Wisp would be able to keep me warm down to 30° F (1.1° C).  The Wisp appears to be well constructed.  From my inspection Mountainsmith did not use "sew-through" stitching on the Wisp.  "Sew-through" stitching is commonly found in cheaper sleeping bags.  The manufacturer simply places fill material between the shell and the lining and stitches through the shell and lining at the same time to hold it all in place.  This type of stitching creates cold spots over the seams and prevents the user from adjusting the fill.  I was able to grab hold of each seam and move each seam in opposite directions.  My wife, the seamstress, tells me that the independent movement of each seam is indicative of separate stitching in the shell and the lining--rather than "sew-through" stitching.  The independent stitching limits cold spots over the seams and allows fill between the stitching to be moved within the baffles so the user can adjust the fill as needed.  One other observation I should note, without remotely attempting to be derogatory, is that while I was examining the Wisp one of my daughters asked me why I was playing with the large garbage sack.  Upon reflection, the Wisp does sort of have a large lawn and leaf bag look.  That being said, given its light weight and temperature rating, I'll be happy to be seen sleeping in the Wisp.

 

Field Testing Strategy:  Mountainsmith claims that the Wisp is one of the "lightest, warmest, toughest bags" in its class.  I intend to test each of those claims.  I have already used the Wisp once during a weekend trip into the Jedediah Smith Wilderness area during less than ideal weather conditions.  During the last week of September, I hope to spend a couple of days near Leadore, Idaho.  In October and November, the Scouts and I will be camping at different locations near the Snake River in the Idaho Falls area.  In December, the Scouts and I are planning a snowshoeing trek through Harriman State Park.  In January, we will be building snow shelters in the Island Park area.  Most all of these outings, will be in very mountainous terrain--5,500-8,500 foot (1,700-2,600 m) elevation.  I am already convinced that the Wisp is one of the lightest sleeping bags on the market as claimed by Mountainsmith.  However, due to its light weight, I am concerned about the Wisp's durability.  As such, I will be closely monitoring the wear and tear that these outings have on the Wisp.  I will also be testing the ease with which I can adjust the down to address cold spots.

 

The Wisp is also touted by Mountainsmith as being water resistant.  I will be testing the Wisp's ability to repel moisture, especially during our winter activities.  This will occur naturally as condensation from my shelter drips onto the Wisp and as snow is unintentionally carried into the shelter on my boots and/or clothes.  I will also check on how quickly the Wisp is able to dry in various temperatures.  During my November through February outings, I will take a second sleeping bag with me to use as a liner in the Wisp.  On really cold nights, I will use the Wisp as the liner in a heavier synthetic bag.  During all of these outings I will be checking the Wisp for comfort and fit as it relates specifically to my head, shoulders, hips and feet.  While I believe a mummy style bag is the most heat efficient type of sleeping bag, a mummy bag can also be very uncomfortable in the way it fits the user.  I will be checking my ability to move around and sleep in various positions while in the Wisp.  I will also be checking on whether wearing clothing affects the comfort level of the Wisp.  Toward the end of the testing period, I plan to wash the Wisp following manufacturer instructions just to see how it fares.

Additional Biographical Information:

 

I am looking forward to testing the Wisp and wish to thank BGT and Mountainsmith for providing me with this opportunity.