leesaj@gmail.com
Southwestern Maine
45 years old
Female
5'7" (1.7 m)
160 lb (73 kg)

Background:
   My camping, hiking and backpacking experience has included trips varying in length from one-day hikes to two-week trips. My experience hiking began with my father when I was about six years old. We hiked along the river pathways in northeastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania.
   While enjoying the outdoors with my friends and family, I spend time hiking, geocaching, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and camping.    Although I am not a lightweight backpacker, I am trying to ‘lighten up’. I spend almost as much time outdoors during the winter as I do during the summer.



Product Information:
Sierra Designs Glow Sleeping bag - Women's long
http://www.sierradesigns.com

	As Advertised	As Measured
Weight	2lb 5 oz (1 kg)	2lb 7 oz (1.1 kg)
Fill Weight	27 oz (.76 kg)
Inside Length	76 in (1.6 m)	76 in (1.6 m)
Should Girth	59 in (1.5 m)	59 in (1.5 m)
Hip Girth	58 in (1.5 m)	58 in (1.5 m)
Footbox Girth	38 in (1 m)	38 in (1 m)

Field Report:
    While testing the Glow sleeping bag, I have been looking at how well the advertised features perform, along with comfort, construction and usability. Some of the questions I had before use were:

* 1/2 Zippers - How well do they work? Do they slide smoothly? Do they catch on the surrounding fabric?
The zippers work very well, with no instances of the surrounding fabric being caught in the zipper. To be honest, I had to pull the bag out while writing this report because I couldn't even remember using the zipper. This just reinforced that they worked without issue.

* Draft Tube - Does the tube block wind from entering the bag? Is it well constructed? Does it get in the way?
I have not had the opportunity to use the bag during any time there was any real wind, or weather that was cold enough to warrant the need for the draft tube. It doesn't get in the way though, and I don't 'feel' it while sleeping. It appears to be well constructed, and shows no real signs of wear.

* Foot Box Venting - How much ventilation does it supply? Can I stick my feet out the end of the bag when warm? Does it allow too much cold air in?
This is one of the best features! I sleep warm and like the option of a little extra ventilation. The vent is actually an 8.5 in (25.6 cm) opening in the bottom of the bag. Being able to stick my toes outside of the bag allows my feet to act like a temperature control device. I slide one my feet in and out quite a few times during the night. I did notice that the zipper rubs on my skin if I am not wearing socks. Its not really a problem, but I do notice it. I have not had an opportunity to use the bag in weather that was 'too cold'.

* Insulated Top and Bottom - Does the insulation stay put? Does it 'clump'? Is it evenly distributed? What happens when it gets wet?
The insulation has stayed evenly dispersed throughout the bag, there is no 'clumping' or flat spots. The bag has become damp due to condensation and a light rain on different occasions. The bag dried quickly, once hung on a line. Thankfully, it also dried without that musty smell that some sleeping bags develop.

* Jacket Hood - Is it comfortable to use, or in the way?
The hood is okay - not needed due to warm weather, but not in the way at all either.

* Removable Pad Locks - I can't wait to try these in my hammock - Will they keep the pad in place?
The pad locks are great - they hold my sleeping pad securely and keep me from ending up sleeping on the tent floor. In the hammock they work well at holding the pad and sleeping bag together - it sure makes an interesting sight, watching me try to get into the hammock while in the sleeping bag, with the pad attached.

    I have used the Glow on three overnight trips in the field, (I also used the bag on 4 nights in the woods behind our property) looking at the above items along with how comfortable it is. I find the bag to be comfortable. My only wish is that I had some cooler temperatures. The very end of the test period should provide some cooler nights. On the warmest nights, I not only take advantage of the foot box venting, but also left the side zipper down - allowing for more air circulation. I used the bag one night in my hammock while in Vermont, where the overnight low temperature was 58 degrees F. (14 C). It was a dry night and I slept comfortably. I also used the bag on a long weekend tenting trip that included a cooler, dry night - about 50 degrees F (10 C) and a warmer night, about 68 degrees F (20 C) with light rain. At one point, I woke up to find that I was on top of the sleeping bag - it was comfortable as a 'cushion' also! The warmest night left my tent with some build up of condensation on the inner walls. The water ran down the sides and did slightly dampen the bag. The water beaded up on the outer surface and ran off when I picked up the bag. I shook the bag out and hung it up on a line to dry. It was dry within an hour. On another occasion the bag was damp when I woke up in the morning. It was rainy outside and VERY humid inside the tent. I again hung the bag once the rain stopped. It was fairly windy and the bag was dry when I got back to camp 3 hours later. I liked the fact that the outside of the bag dried quickly. I don't believe the inside fill ever got damp but if it did, it dried very quickly.

    So far, I find the bag to be well made and comfortable. I will continue to use it and watch for any issues that may develop. It hasn't had as much use as I'd like due to the weather, but after three nights, I have been very pleased with the Glow.

Test Locations, Conditions and Time Frame:
        Living in Northern New England, I have the good fortune of being able to experience at least 4 seasons (sometimes within days of each other!) and some of the best outdoor areas around. During the last two months our temperature range has run from 48 degrees F (18 C) up to the current 80 degrees F (26 C). May and June brought record amounts of rain. July has started out drier - hopefully allowing for more nights in the bag!
   My upcoming trips include camping for two nights next week on a local mountain and backpacking in the White Mountain National Forest in Maine for five days towards the end of July. August and September will allow for a few local (Western Maine, New Hampshire) overnight trips.
   While hiking in northern New England, many of the trails are unimproved, meaning that I spend lots of time climbing over rocks and brush.   We also tend to camp in remote, unimproved areas, as opposed to ‘camp grounds’.

Read more reviews of Sierra Designs gear
Read more gear reviews by Leesa Joiner

Field Report

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