I started backpacking as a kid in the Boy Scouts doing overnighters. In the last year, I have caught a bug that wants me to go out and see things that a relatively few people have seen. This has drawn me back to backpacking. I have found it to be the most enjoyable thing I know. I have gotten my wife involved and we get out and hike at least once a month. I generally carry about 30 lb (14 kg) and am in the process of decreasing that weight.

Tester Information

Berkley Posalski
7 years, 10 mos.
Male
4’2", 1.27 m
73 lb, 33kg

Berkley is my son that goes on backpacking trips with us with very little weight on his back. I carry most of his gear. He has hiked up to 9 mi (14.5 km) in a day and climbed a 9600 ft (2900m) peak. He enjoys camping more than the actual hiking, and is comfortable sleeping anywhere.

Manufacturer’s Data/ Measured Data

Manufacturer- Sierra Designs
Website- www.sierradesigns.com
Model- Big Dog Regular
Synthetic Insulation Polarguard 3D
Trail Weight 2 lbs 9 oz (1.16 kg) / Same
Fill Weight 19 oz (.54 kg)
Inside Length 62 in (157 cm)/ 64 in (163 cm)
Zipper Side- Left
Stuff Size 7 in x 17 in (18 cm x 43 cm)/ Same
Shell Material 70D Polyester
Liner Material 75D Polyester
Shoulder Girth 50 in (127 cm) / 49 in (124 cm)
Hip Girth 47 in (119 cm)/ same
Footbox Girth 33 in (84 cm)/ same
MSRP- $89.95 US

Long-term Report

This sleeping bag has outperformed our expectations. As a child’s bag, I was originally expecting a stripped down model of a sleeping bag. I have been entirely impressed by the quality and features that have been included in this sleeping bag. From the soft, plush lining inside the hood to the chest pocket on the sleeping bag, this sleeping bag has been a feature-filled joy for my son to test. We have tested the bag down to the 20 F (-7 C) rating of the bag and it has worked fine in all conditions. It has been used in the house and in a tent. The lowest temperature that it was tested in was 18 F (-8 C) and he was comfortable. He did not get cold and slept through the night at that temperature. The bag shows no tears, snags, or rips. It has remained as lofty as when we got it. We have stored it in the attached net bag and this has worked very well. Berkley has gotten more comfortable with the zipper and has come to want to use this sleeping bag over any of his other bags when camping. The hood has worked well and is comfortable for him to have over his head.

Berkley fits in this bag almost perfectly and probably will be able to use it for about 5 in (13 cm) of additional height. He has plenty of room to turn over in the bag. He is a large kid. We look forward to using this bag through the summer, as it is not too heavy for him to carry. Again, this sleeping bag has done a great job for us.

Testing Conditions

During this test period we have had three nights of testing in the bag. One was a very cold night in our backyard in a tent. It got down to 18 F (-8 C). It began to snow in the morning when we were leaving our tent. The other nights were on rainy nights in the tent. The sleeping bag came out with very little moisture on it and the temperature was around 45 F (7 C). The elevation at our house is about 500 ft (152 m). There were several nights that Berkley slept in the house in the bag, and he was comfortable each of those nights without zipping it up. He used the bag as more of a quilt over the top of him.

I would like to thank backpackgeartest and Sierra Designs for the opportunity to let my son test this sleeping bag. He will use it for the foreseeable future.

Read more reviews of Sierra Designs gear
Read more gear reviews by David Posalski

Long Term Report

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