REI Shasta 3D +15F Men's Regular - 2002

ABOUT THE REVIEWER

Name: Louis Luangkesorn
Age: 32
Gender: Male
Height: 5' 5' (1.65 m)
Weight: 150 lbs (68 kg)
Email: lluang at yahoo dot com
City: Morton Grove, IL USA
Date: February 12, 2003

Beginner to Intermediate backpacker. I've have gone camping on occasion over the past 10 years. I have started going on backcountry trips over the past 1 1/2 years mostly in Wisconsin . I also go on day trips in Illinois and Indiana. I am also a photographer and I try to have my hobbies go well together. While I am lightweight for a serious photographer (Manual SLR, 2-3 prime lenses, Ultrapod, and occasionally either a compact tripod or a light (relatively) full sized tripod) the volume and weight of this effectively removes me from the ultralight category. My total weight (everything but the clothes I'm wearing) for a weekend fluctuates between 25-40 lbs (11 - 18 kg) depending on season, how serious I happen to be about photography and cooking on that trip and who I am with. Since I've already given up on ultralight, I give myself the luxury of a tent, sleeping pad, cooking stuff and an alcohol stove.

PRODUCT INFORMATION

MSRP: $139

Vender URL: REI

Shoulder width (at baffle) 24" (61 cm)

Halfway 21" (53 cm)

Size

Advertised: Fits up to 6 feet (1.8 m) Shoulder girth 60 inches (1.52 m)

Actual Length 78" (2.0 m)

Advertised stuff sack size 9x21 inches (23 cm x 53 cm)

Actual Bag in sack, not compressed. 9" x 23"` (23 cm x 59 cm)

compressed 10" x 13 1/2 (25.4 cm x 34 cm)

Total weight

Advertised 3 lbs 10 oz (1.64 kg)

Actual Bag 3lbs 8 1/2 oz (1.60 kg), stuff sack 5.5 oz (156 g)

Fill - Polarguard 3D (synthetic)

Shell 53% nylon/47% polyester

Lining nylon taffeta

DESCRIPTION

The REI Shasta is a synthetic 15F mummy bag that comes with a storage sack and compression bag. It features a two-way zip, a hood pocket for use as a pillow, a filled draft flap for zipper, and a drawstring around face opening as well as a drawstring in the insulated draft collar to control ventilation. There is a zippered chest pocket which measures 5 1/2" x 3 1/2" (14 cm x 09 cm). There are 2 web loops on each side, one at the shoulder and one at waist level (to secure a sleeping pad).

USAGE

I have used the bag in winter down to 10F (-12C) (inside tent) with a fleece liner. I have also used the bag in spring at 40F (5C). These occasions included backpacking as well as car camping. I have slept using the bag both in a tent and inside a three sided shelter. The bag has been used with a full sized Therm-a-Rest, a 3/4 Ridge Rest and with both. (but never by itself)

EVALUATION

The bag is comfortable. While it is a mummy bag, it is loose enough for me to turn and sleep on my side after I have zipped and tightened everything up. It is easy to adjust the temperature using the hood drawstring for the head and the drawstring in draft collar for the neck and body while I'm inside. When I tighten the hood drawstring I find that I can leave an opening just the size of my mouth and nose while my head is inside the hood (with room in the hood to spare). The draft collar is insulated, which is nice when tightening that drawstring (does not feel like I'm applying a garrote to myself) and is generally softer to the touch than otherwise. An insulated draft tube runs down the side zipper so I neither touch the zipper during the night directly or feel the cold zipper through fabric. The top zipper pull sometimes gets around the draft tube so it sometimes flops in my face. I usually just swing it back inside the draft tube without much notice. When it is warm I open the bottom zip to ventilate my feet before getting in the bag. There is a velcro closure for the main zipper but I never use it. The pocket in the underside of the hood is big enough to stuff a shirt and socks inside for some padding for my head. One problem with using the pocket is that when I roll, the pocket is no longer under my head.

On cold nights there is condensation around the mummy opening (from my breath) but nothing inside the bag. The outside has also been made moist by the moisture from heavy rains on the outside of the shelter. In no case did the moisture get through the bag or affect warmth. At cold temperatures there quite a bit of room inside the bag for me (so there is air to warm and potentially circulate when I roll around while sleeping) but using a liner helps. There are some features that I have never used that may add weight, but I'm not complaining. One is a zippered pocket. It is large enough for a small flashlight, but I find that it is too close to the opening to be useful. (when the bag is closed, I like to be able to stick one arm out the opening and just reach out and grab whatever I want. I find that the only way to get to the pocket and work the zipper is to actually open up the hood and search for the pocket which is a little too much effort when I'm half asleep.)

Overall I am satisfied with the bag. There have been no issues with durability. The fact that is is cut a little loose for me helps in warmer weather and allows use of a liner in colder weather and makes it more versatile.