Field Test Report- Slumberjack Ellesmere Sleeping Bag

David Posalski
30
Male
5’11", 180 cm
265 lb , 120 kg
dposaski at msn dot com
Aloha, Oregon, USA
January 12, 2005

I started backpacking as a kid in the Boy Scouts doing overnighters. In the last few months, 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 40 lb (18 kg) and am in the process of decreasing that weight.

This is a dual fill type sleeping bag that is rated for use down to 0 F (-18 C). It has down fill on the top and a synthetic fill on the bottom. The purpose of combining the two is to prevent down crushing on the bottom, but allow for compact, lightweight warmth for backpacking.

Manufacturer’s Claims*

Select Features*

290T nylon ripstop down proof outer shell
290 Polyester taffeta liner
600+ Down slant-baffle top (with differential cut construction)
Thermolite Extreme bottom
Fully contoured hood with flip-over option
Insulated draft tube with anti-snag zipper protection
Easy Grab pull tabs
Patented expandable foot box with trapezoidal foot

* Information is from outer box and hang tags.

I have used the sleeping bag in the Western Oregon area in altitudes from sea level to about 5000 ft (1500 m). I have used the bag in wet, rainy conditions as well as sandy, beach conditions. I have used it on trails, in my backyard, and in established campsites. I have used the sleeping bag for any hiking that I have done in order to assess the ruggedness, warmth, and comfort of the bag. Temperatures have been be between 30 F (-1 C) and 50 F (10 C). The conditions have included lots of rain and wind. I wanted to find out how durable the bag is and whether the weight of it is ideal for the hiking and backpacking that I do. These observations are important in making my hikes comfortable in the cold, wet weather here in Oregon.

I have found this bag to be of high quality thus far and have been pleased with my experiences with it. I have used the bag on about four occasions. I was concerned about warmth and this has not been a problem as of yet. I have found that even at the higher temperatures that I have not been overly warm even with the bag zipped. This has been a problem in the past with other bags that I have owned.
I use this bag with a Therm-a-Rest Prolite 4, short length and have not had a problem with my feet getting cold. I do put my clothes in the foot of my bag during cold weather, so this may be helping with the insulation at that end. I wear a light layer of clothes to bed. I use this in a three-season tent, and have had no experience with it in the open to report on the effects of wind.
I have found that the combination of fill materials takes care of my needs to the temperatures that it has been tested. The compressibility has been a nice surprise. It fits in my pack very nicely in the lower compartment without taking up too much room. I have had no problems with loss of loft due to moisture or compression. I have found no leaking of feathers as of this time. I must say that the feel of this down bag on top of me is a very nice feeling versus the synthetic bags I have used before. It has a nice, light and airy feeling. I find this very comfortable.
Moisture has not had any effect on the warmth of the sleeping bag so far as I can tell. I have had condensation on the inside of my tent and the bag has gotten wet. I have been very pleased by the speed of drying up to this point. I will report further in the next report.
The room inside the bag is excellent for a large guy like me. I have not felt confined and have been warm with the expansion zippers at the foot opened. I find the bottom of the bag cavernous and have had plenty of room to store the morning’s clothes at my feet, in the bag.
I have not yet cleaned the bag and cannot report on the stain resistance or the effect on the loft of the bag. This will be done if necessary in the next report.
I have found that the zipper does grab the bag occasionally, but less than many bags I have had in the past. I will attempt to test the bag in lower temperatures over the next three months and will report on these findings. I will also watch the areas where the zipper grabs for wear.