Reviews > Sleep Gear > Sleeping Bags > Sierra Designs Big Dog > Anthony Smith > Long Term Report

Sierra Designs Big Dog Sleeping Bag
Long Term Report
March 10, 2006

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 recently begun 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: 31 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 (1.16 kg)
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 Sierra Designs Big Dog is a youth-size synthetic fill mummy bag. For more information, our initial observations and pictures see our Initial Report and Field Report.

Testing

Date: January 14-15, 2006
Location: Backyard at Home, Pensacola, Florida
Weather: Clear, temperature ranged from 40-54 F (4.5-12 C), Slight breeze.
Cameron used the Big Dog for a campout in the backyard at our house. He had the Big Dog in a small tent, and used it with a closed cell foam pad. Cameron did not get up during the night, and did not complain the next morning of being uncomfortable. He wore long underwear and cotton socks throughout the night.

Date: February 4-5, 2006
Location: Backyard at Home, Pensacola, Florida
Weather: Clear, temperature ranged from 35-61 F (2-16 C). Slight breeze during the period.
Cameron used the Big Dog for another overnight in the backyard at home on this night. This time, he used it in a Hennessy Hammock, again with a closed cell foam pad. Cameron had on his long underwear and cotton socks and seemed to have slept comfortably throughout the night. He only got up twice during the night, both times to use the bathroom. I asked him how he was sleeping, and he said he was fine.

In addition, Cameron has used the Big Dog at home very frequently (approximately 15 nights during this reporting period.) Cameron has continued to sleep comfortably both using the bag on his bed as well as with the bag just laid on the carpet. Cameron hasn't complained about being hot or cold at any time while using the bag at home.

Final Thoughts

Cameron has really enjoyed his use of the Big Dog. He has been comfortable over a wide range of temperatures during the testing period. He has not had any complaints while using the Big Dog in a hammock, tent, or in his bed or floor at home. The draft tube appears to keep drafts from bothering him during breezy conditions.

Cameron has had no functional problems while using the Big Dog. He has become quite proficient at zipping and unzipping the bag, and has had no problems with the fabric catching in the zipper. The bag has continued to loft well when pulled out of the stuff sack. During storage while the bag was not in use, we stored it in the attached mesh pouch designed for this purpose. We have not noticed any lofting issues with this storage method. The bag has also held up well to the higher humidity levels we experience in our area (usually 70-90% for most of the year.) The bag has not shown any stains or dirty spots even after use.

Cameron has not complained of any issues with the lining of the bag while sleeping in it. He actually prefers to wear just underwear with the bag, and not use pajamas or long underwear. He said the lining feels "smooth against my skin." He also likes the fact the bag has a pillow included with it, and makes sure the pillow is in place when using the bag.

The pad locks have functioned quite well. Cameron tosses and turns quite a bit while sleeping, and the bag has stayed on the pad by using the pad locks as designed. He still has not used the two pockets on the bag. He stores all his small items in the pouch of his hammock or tent, instead of the pockets in the bag. The glow-in-the-dark zipper pulls do not glow for very long after removing a light source from shining on them, and appear to be more of a gimmick than a functional aspect of the bag.

Cameron has tried several times to get the Big Dog stuffed into the stuff sack. He is able to get it into the mesh storage pouch attached to the bottom of the bag, but has not been able to get the bag into the stuff sack. In fact, his mother has trouble getting it stuffed and usually passes it off to me for this task. Once the bag is stuffed, it is quite compact and easily fits into Cameron's pack.

Pros
1. Pad lock straps
2. No snagging problems with the zipper
3. Cameron's comfort level

Cons
1. Have not found a practical use for the pockets
2. Difficulty for Cameron or Mom to stuff the bag into the sack

Our thanks to Sierra Designs and BackpackGearTest for allowing us to test this item.

Reviews > Sleep Gear > Sleeping Bags > Sierra Designs Big Dog > Anthony Smith > Long Term Report