Reviews > Sleep Gear > Sleeping Bags > Sierra Designs Van Winkle 15 degree > Clifford Haynes > Long Term Report

Sierra Designs
Van Winkle Powerfill 600 Flex
Men's Long Sleeping Bag

Long Term Report
April 6, 2004

Personal Stats:

Backpacking Background:
I am from and live in Maine. I have been hiking, backpacking, and canoe camping for over 45 years. I average 2 to 3 days a week in the woods year round.

I can't really say that I have a backpacking style. I take what I need or want, depending upon what I plan to do on the outing. Even before my knees became a problem, I could never see being in a big rush. It is my opinion that camping is part of backpacking and should be enjoyed at least as much as the hiking. In areas where there is a lot of hiker traffic, I tend to pack heavier in order to minimize impact. I just like being out in the woods and exploring.

Product Information:

*The two girth measurements are unstretched / stretched.
** as determined by tester on test bag

Product Description:

The Sierra Designs Van Winkle Powerfill 600 Flex sleeping bag is a goose down filled mummy style sleeping bag.

Features: (quoted from web site)

• Full length, packcloth trimmed, zipper draft tube to ensure warmth and snag-free zipping.
• Patented Flex construction, which adds inches of girth to the bag, which adjusts to meet the needs of belly, back and side sleepers.
• Nightcap Hood, Color coded, night touch drawcord adjustments for the hood: Black flat lace for the forehead, Grey round cord for the chin.
• Locking zipper sliders to ensure warmth.
• Pad Locks to keep you on your pad all night long.
• Cotton storage sack and a polyurethane coated stuff sack.
• Quick drying, highly wicking, black polyester lining.
• Durable, Pertex shell with DWR.
• Easy-grab zipper pull loop.

Field Information:

Testing was conducted while backpacking and camping in western and northern Maine, at elevations between 300 ft (92 m) and 4000 ft (1200 m). The temperature during six month test period was between -10 F (-23 C) and 60 F (15 C). Precipitation experienced during testing consisted of light to heavy rain, freezing rain, sleet and snow.

Long Term Report:

*Notice*
I have used the Sierra Designs Van Winkle sleeping bag in temperatures colder than it's design rating of 15 F (-9 C). I do not and would not recommend this practice. During the winter I generally use a sled and carry extra gear that many backpackers may not carry. I generally stay below tree line and travel in areas where I can quickly seek cover and protection from the wind. I do not recommend hiking with a sleeping bag whose temperature rating does not exceed the expected temperatures for the location and season. I would not recommend a 15 F (-9 C) for winter backpacking in Maine.

Since posting my Field Report, I have used the Sierra Designs Van Winkle on all of my backpacking and camping outings. I have been able to get out into the woods for at least a night or two almost weekly. I was also able to get out for two three-night and one four-night outings. Throughout the entire six months of this test I have been very happy with the performance of the Van Winkle sleeping bag.

I have consistently been comfortable sleeping in the Van Winkle in temperatures to 15 F (-9C) wearing clean dry Duofold long underwear wool blend top and bottoms, and heavy wool socks. As winter progressed and the temperature dropped I adjusted and layered my sleepwear according to the temperature. Thanks to the extra length of the Men's Long Van Winkle I have had ample room at the foot of my sleeping bag for my bagged boots and a couple of liters of water. My boots were often cold in the morning, but they were never frozen.

My Favorite features:

Sierra Designs Flex Construction:
I really like the Flex Construction. With the addition of the Sierra Designs Down Stretch Addition, I have had  enough room in the Van Winkle to sleep comfortably. Even after six months of use, the Flex Construction has not lost its elasticity. The Van Winkle continues to stretch, allowing me to move (within the bounds of the Stretch Addition and the Van Winkle's maximum dimension) while maintaining minimum bag volume for me to heat. I am amazed that the Flex Construction can require practically no effort to expand and yet has retain it's elasticity over time and use.

Nightcap Hood:
Over the winter I have come to really appreciate the Nightcap Hood. Prior to this test, when the temperature dropped I would often put on a mitten, slip one arm into the sleeve of my jacket, and tuck the rest of the jacket into the top of my partially unzipped sleeping bag in order to rest my head on my arm while sleeping. While this arrangement allowed me to keep my arm warm, I was never comfortable, could only sleep on one side and required frequent readjustment of the jacket and sleeping bag due to drafts and cold spots. I have become so accustom to the Sierra Designs Nightcap Hood, I often change arms in my sleep. I don't wake up after a couple of hours with a cold hand or arm, and I am seldom bothered by cold spots or drafts.

Zippers:
I really like the dual zipper arrangement (a short zipper opposite the main zipper) at the top of the Van Winkle sleeping bag. Due to the zipper arrangement, I can open the front of the Sierra Designs Van Winkle enough to free both arms while in the bag, wearing the Nightcap Hood. I have found this feature very useful in camp during cold weather. I can read, prepare meals, eat, and drink without leaving the warmth of my sleeping bag.

 I like to be out during winter storms and this winter provided me several severe snow storms to enjoy. During the storm that became my favorite of the winter, I was awakened by natures call and a very bright flash of light. For about a minute I was totally disoriented. The wind was howling and it was pitch black, then another brief flash of bright light revealed the whiteout at the mouth of my tarp shelter. At that point, I realized I was experiencing lightning during the whiteout. After tending to natures call, I arranged my sled and gear into a back rest, pulled my small thermos of tea from the foot of the Van Winkle and settled back into my sleeping bag. I sat sipping tea and watching the lightning light up the storm. When the lightning had passed, I kindled my small camp fire, warmed a couple of leftover biscuits, brewed more tea and continued to enjoy the wild night by the light of my tiny fire. After a couple of hours my fire was out and I was ready for sleep. I laid down, pulled my arms back inside the Van Winkle, closed the zippers and drifted off to sleep.

Durability:

My inspection of the Sierra Designs Van Winkle sleeping bag for this report revealed no signs of wear or deterioration. There are no broken or snagged threads. The bag's Polyester liner still looks new and shows no signs of pilling. The Pad Locks have worked well and show no signs of weakening or tearing out. The zippers operate smoothly and I have had no serious bunching or snags. I have not needed to wash the Van Winkle yet, but I have cleaned mud spots from the bag a couple of times by wiping with a damp cloth. The Van Winkle still looks new.

I have awakened numerous times with frost or a light dusting of snow on the shell of the Van Winkle. The Pertex shell with DWR appears to have done it's job as I have not detected any wetting of the down. The bag still fluffs up quickly when I remove it from it's stuff sack in the field. I have not detected any matting, clumping or shifting of the down fill.

Final Thoughts:

I am very happy with the performance and durability of the Sierra Designs Van Winkle sleeping bag. I plan to continue to use the Van Winkle and the Sierra Designs Down Stretch Addition as my primary cold weather sleeping bag. I can't think of anything that I don't like about the Van Winkle. I am looking forward to many more warm and comfortable nights in the field in the Van Winkle.

I would like to thank Sierra Designs and BackpackGearTest for the opportunity to participate in this test.

Reviews > Sleep Gear > Sleeping Bags > Sierra Designs Van Winkle 15 degree > Clifford Haynes > Long Term Report