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Testing Location Overview:
The hiking environment of the south-west of Western Australia
allows for hiking and backpacking from coastal plains to forest.
Elevation ranges from 0 to 585 metres (0 to 1,920 feet). Within this
region, I hike in varying
conditions from forestry roads, to sandy tracks to single-purpose
walking
trails, to rock hopping, to beach walking to completely off-track
walking
through open and dense country.
Specifically the sleeping bag has been used during the
field testing phase on two walks in the south-west of Western Australia
(four nights) and on the Larapinta Trail in Central Australia (16 nights).
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Weather Conditions:
During the summer period, daytime
temperatures average 30° C (86° F), whereas from March through to
December the daytime average temperatures range from 15° C to 26° C
(59° F to 79° F). During the
autumn, winter, and spring periods the normal weather pattern is fairly
wet with frequent heavy rainstorms evident. It does not normally snow
in
Western Australia.
According to The Times Atlas of the World
(Concise Edition - Revised 1997)
our weather is described as being "Mediterranean - rainy climates with
mild
winters, coolest month above 0° C (32° F), but below 18° C (64° F);
warmest
month above 10° C (50° F)." The atlas depicts the coastal area north of
Los Angeles as having the same climate.
The above describes the weather conditions common for the
south-west of Western Australia. For the Larapinta Trail hike,
I took temperature readings upon wake up in my tent on 12 mornings (lost
my thermometer, so missed the final four nights). Wake up time was
generally 1/2 hour to one hour before sunrise, but long before sun warmth.
Nearly every campsite had a ridge to the east blocking the sun for extra
hour to two after sunrise. My average temperature recording was 2 C (36
F).
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Field Experience
My use of the sleeping bag was been with a silk liner
(four nights) and on the Larapinta Trail I used a
Sea to Summit Thermolite Reactor liner every night.
Overall I have had a good experience with the bag during
the field testing phase. I have found it a tight fit around my shoulders,
but not so tight as to be uncomfortable. I have found the bag when used
with the Thermolite Reactor reasonably warm. Even on the Larapinta Trail I
found I could comfortably sleep for most of the night wearing
only boxer shorts, a thermal top, socks, and a beanie. Mind you because I
tended to find the bag a bit constrictive around my shoulders I frequently
woke up at during the night, finding myself partly out of the bag and getting cold.
Snuggling back into the bag soon brought the warmth back. I did on a few nights
wear thermal pants (long-johns) but really didn't find that they made
much difference to my warmth.
Whilst I do feel that I reached the bags limits in terms
of temperature range when used in conjunction with the Thermolite Reactor
liner which claims to add up to 8 C (14 F) of warmth I am happy with the
bag's performance so far.
In my
Initial Report I referred to a number of factors that I would test or
comment on over the test period. Those factors and my comments after two
months testing are as follows:
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Functioning of the "Snag-Free Zipper Track," i.e., is it
really snag free? Long and short answer is in my opinion
probably not. I find the zipper snagging at times, but I did find that
when in the bag and for example un-zipping for a "zipper run" during the
night it seemed to function just fine, but when say zipping the bag up
or unzipping for airing it would snag. Nothing serious mind you. I
really don't believe that the zipper functions any better than other
bags I have used.
-
Functioning of the Pad Locks. As a restless sleeper I am
sure I can put these to the test! I lasted about five
minutes with the pad locks. I twist and turn when sleeping and with this
bag being a snug fit, the bag comes with me. With the pad in the locks
the pad was twisted and in the wrong place within minutes. After
untangling myself the pad was removed from the locks and they have not
been used since. Once this test is finished they will be removed. They
just did not work for me.
-
Functionality of the
Glow-in-the-Dark Zipper Pulls - do they really glow in the dark, does
this make them easier to find in the night, does it make exiting and
entering the bag at night easier? I am starting to feel
negative about this bag, but this was (it broke on the second nights
sleep - pulled it a bit hard and it came apart) another gimmick in my
view. I really couldn't see it easily at night and have used another one
that I took of another sleeping bag. I find that I feel for the zipper
so "glow-in-the-dark" is really not adding value.
-
Functionality of the Chest
Pocket. Is it really useful for me as a restless sleeper; will I be able
to keep things in it; find those things during the night.
My last "gimmick comment." I tried using the pocket one night, but found
that as I twist and turn during the night, the pocket was just not
worth the effort. So this is another one of those "features" which for
me add no value to the bag.
-
General durability of the stitching, locking zippers,
outer fabric and the down. I have used the bag for 20 nights
and it is showing no signs of problems with the stitching, zippers,
fabric or down. I have noticed some minor feather loss through some
seams, but nothing of significance. Overall I am very happy with the
durability of the bag so far.
-
Effectiveness of the draft tube
in keeping warmth in and drafts out. It works from my
experience. I never became aware of any drafts via the zip area during
my testing so far. I am very happy with the effectiveness of the tube.
-
Durability and effectiveness of the baffle construction.
Do the baffles break loose? Do they keep in the down in place?
No sign of problems with the baffles or movement of down so far. As
previously indicated I am very happy with the bag's durability.
-
Compressibility and lofting of
the bag, particularly over 16 days of continuos use. When I
get to my camping spot for the night, I immediately set about setting up
camp. This includes putting my tent up and where possible airing out my
sleeping bag. I never had any issues with the bag not lofting quickly
and lofting back to normal state. The bag has in my opinion had no
problems with being used continuously over 16 days.
-
Effectiveness of the shell
material to repel condensation and moisture. On the Larapinta
Trail I used my
Missing Link tent which is vulnerable to condensation and the
Larapinta Trail was working over time on the condensation production, so
the bag was exposed to condensation on most nights. I tended to sleep in
the middle of the tent which kept me away from the walls, however some
nights I was less than successful and the bag was brushed up against the
tent walls. It did get noticeably wet on the outside, but the moisture
did not get to the inside of bag. I am pretty happy with the
effectiveness of the shell material.
-
Veracity of the claims of the shell material being quick
drying. Related to the
previous comment, when the outside of the bag got it wet, it was easy to
dry. Just leaving it outside had it dry in no time. All up I am
happy with the quick drying of the shell material.
-
Effectiveness of the liner material to wick moisture
away from my body and to prevent static-build-up. I did
not experience any static and did not notice any moisture inside the
bag, so I assume this aspect was working effectively.
Thanks to Sierra Designs
and BackpackGearTest.org for
the opportunity to participate in this test.
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