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Sierra Designs Big Dog Sleeping Bag
Initial Report
October 25, 2005
Tester Bios
Child
Name: Cameron Smith
Age: 6
Gender: Male
Height: 3’ 10” (1.17 m)
Weight: 40 lb (18 kg)
Shoulder Girth – 28” (71 cm)
Hip Girth – 31” (79 cm)
Foot Girth – 25” (64 cm)
Backpacking Background: Cameron has been camping and hiking since he was about
18 months old. He will currently carry up to 5 lb (2.5 kg) of his own gear.
Cameron is very comfortable sleeping in his own tent, and has expressed interest
in trying hammock camping. Cameron is growing into an avid outdoorsman, always
asking when the next trip to the woods is.
Adult
Name: Anthony (TJ) Smith
Age: 30 years old
Gender: Male
Height: 5’10” (1.78 m)
Weight: 155 lbs (73 kg)
Email address: tjsmith1946@gmail.com
City, State, Country: Pensacola, Florida USA
Backpacking Background: I have been camping for a little over 5 years now, mostly
car camping. I have recently begun backpacking, and I am constantly adding new
gear to my “collection” in an effort to get my gear list tailored
more towards backpacking. Most of my backpacking trips are short duration, not
more than one or two nights. I am planning some longer trips in the near future.
My current pack weight is around 15-20 lb (7-9 kg) without food and water, depending
on if I'm solo camping or taking my son along, as I have to carry some of his
gear. I am a dedicated hammock camper and have tailored my personal gear to
that aspect of camping.
Product Information
Year of Manufacture – 2005
Manufacturer URL – www.sierradesigns.com
Stated Weight – 2 lb 9 oz (1.2 kg)
Stated Size – 62 in (157 cm) inside length, 50 in (127 cm) shoulder girth,
47 in (119 cm) hip girth, 33 in (84 cm) footbox girth
Stated Temperature Rating – 20 F (-7 C)
Stated Stuff Size – 7 in x 17 in (18 cm x 43 cm)
Weight as Delivered – 2 lb 9 oz (1162 g)
Size as Delivered – 60 in (152 cm) inside length, 50 in (127 cm) shoulder
girth, 45.5 in (116 cm) hip girth, 35 in (89 cm) footbox girth
Stuffed Size as Delivered – 7 in x 16 in (18 cm x 41 cm)
MSRP – $89.95 US
Initial Information/Observations
The Big Dog is a youth-sized mummy-style sleeping bag designed for approximately
20 F (-7 C) conditions. The bag is constructed of navy blue and black 70D nylon
on the exterior, gray 75D polyester interior and the footbox and pillow pocket
having an additional black tricot lining.
The Big Dog has a left-side zipper that goes to within 9 in (23 cm) of the bottom
of the bag, and the zipper also opens from the bottom to allow ventilation of
the footbox. The pull of the upper zipper is constructed of glow-in-the-dark
plastic for easy visibility. Along the inside of the zipper, on both the top
and bottom of the bag, is a strip of thicker fabric with some type of cording
stitched into the edge of it. According to Sierra Designs, this is to prevent
the fabric of the bag from getting caught in the zipper. Based on initial use
while examining the features of the bag, this strip seems to work as stated.
There is also a "draft tube" that lays down over the length of the
zipper, as well as one around the neck of the bag. These are intended to prevent
cool drafts from bothering Cameron while he is sleeping or relaxing in the bag.
The head area has a drawcord closure that cinches the hood around Cameron's
face, with a cordlock to hold the cord to the adjusted position. There is a
small pocket in the chest area on the outside right side of the bag, sealed
with a zipper. There is also a mesh pocket inside the bag, running across the
chest area of the bag. This inside pocket measures 29 in x 11.5 in (74 cm x
29 cm).
On the bottom of the bag, there are two straps. I had to read the informational
card included with the bag to realize these are "pad lock" straps,
used to secure a sleeping pad to the bottom of the sleeping bag. The straps
are constructed of 30 in (76 cm) long, 0.5 in (1.25 cm) wide webbing, with a
plastic slide clip on each for adjustment to fit various pads.
Attached to the foot of the Big Dog is a mesh storage bag. This is supposed
to be for storing the bag when not in use, although to me this attached bag
still compresses the bag more than I prefer when storing. The Big Dog arrived
already stored in the mesh stuff sack. The Big Dog also comes with a nylon stuff
sack for use when transporting the bag.
Also included as a standard item with the Big Dog is a pillow. The pillow is
shaped to fit into a pocket in the head of the bag. The pillow also comes with
its own stuff sack. The pillow was in place in the bag upon receipt, and not
compressed into its own stuff sack. The pillow is attached to its stuff sack
by a small (0.5 in x 3 in [1.25 cm x 7.5 cm]) section of webbing.
Field Information
The Big Dog will be tested in a variety of locations throughout Northwest Florida
and Southeast Alabama. During the testing period, expected weather conditions
range from a high near or just above 80 F (27 C) to lows approaching or creeping
to near 20 F (-7 C). We also anticipate varied levels of precipitation, from
bright sunny days with low humidity all the way to torrential downpours.
We have numerous trips planned during the test period to include a 3 night backpacking
trip and several one night trips. Cameron will most likely use the Big Dog at
home as well for sleeping on the floor in his bedroom.
Test Plan
The following are a list of issues we intend to explore:
Durability
1. How well does the bag handle various humidity levels? Does it feel as though
the bag doesn’t loft as well in high humidity, or does the loft not seem
to be affected?
2. How well does the zipper hold up? Does it snag on the fabric requiring constant
attention? Does it develop “sticky” spots that require some finesse
to get the zipper past?
3. How well does the bag handle potential dirt exposure? Does it readily stain,
or does it seem to repel light dirt and debris?
4. How well does the bag retain its loft in the bottom of the bag, after being
compressed under weight for several nights?
Comfort
1. How comfortable is the lining? Is it comfortable against bare skin,
or does Cameron require clothing or a liner to be comfortable?
2. How well does the draft tube keep drafts out of the bag?
3. How well does the foot box allow for ventilation?
4. Cameron tends to toss and turn quite a bit at night. Does the bag have enough
room to allow for this? Or are some areas a bit confining in regards to constant
movement? In addition, does the bag stay in place during movement, or does he
end up with the zipper underneath him, or worse yet, on the opposite side from
where it is supposed to be?
5. How true are the temperature ratings for Cameron? Does the bag reach the
rated temperatures without requiring a great deal of clothing? And how close
does the bag reach the rated temperatures while using the bag in a hammock?
Function
1. How well does the bag loft after being compressed in its stuff sack
inside Cameron’s pack while hiking?
2. How easy is the pad lock to use, and how well does it keep the bag on a sleeping
pad?
3. What method is used for the glow-in-the-dark zipper pull, and how well does
it work? Is Cameron able to find the zipper easily, or does he have difficulty
locating the pull?
4. How useful are the two pockets for Cameron’s use? Are they something
he uses to store items in, or are they just extra “frills” that
aren’t really functional for Cameron?
Construction
1. How well constructed does the bag appear to be? Are there seams that
“wander”? Are there any missed stitches? Loose strings hanging from
anywhere?
2. How true is the bag’s sizing based on the sizing chart, versus Cameron’s
actual need?
We also intend to report on any other issues that may arise during our testing
of this product.
Our thanks to Sierra Designs and BackpackGearTest for allowing us to test this item.
Read more reviews of Sierra Designs gear
Read more gear reviews by Anthony Smith
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