Initial 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
October 30, 2004

I started backpacking as a kid in the Boy Scouts doing overnighters. I used to hate it with a passion. 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 plan to use the sleeping bag in the Western Oregon area in altitudes from sea level to about 5000 ft (1500 m). I plan to use the bag in wet, rainy conditions as well as sandy, beach conditions. It will be used on trails, on open beaches, and in established campsites. I will use the sleeping bag for any hiking that I do in order to assess the ruggedness, warmth, and comfort of the bag. Temperatures should be between 10 F (-12 C) and 50 F (10 C). The conditions will include lots of rain, snow, and wind. I want to find out how durable the bag is and whether the weight of it is ideal for the hiking and backpacking that I do. I will use this sleeping bag in wet weather and will be looking at its capability in wet weather mainly with regards to the down insulation. These observations will be important in making my hikes comfortable in the cold, wet weather here in Oregon.

The sleeping bag was delivered in a large brown cardboard box. Inside the box was a smaller cardboard box that would be used for retail sale. It had the typical picture of the sleeping bag as well as the basic data concerning the bag. These data included dimensions, temperature rating, and company information. It was delivered as I had ordered, in the left-handed zipper long model. However, the weight of the bag that I received was heavier due to the fact that the colder temperature bag was delivered rather than the 20 F model. I opened the box and found the sleeping bag in a plastic bag inside. This is what I would have expected to protect the bag in retail storage. When I picked up the bag initially in my arms, the weight of it was slightly heavier than I had expected. Once I let the bag air out, it felt lighter. I have no idea what the cause of this phenomenon was, but was pleased when I picked up the bag after a little airing time.

My first area of concern occurred when I didn’t see a stuff sack accompanying the sleeping bag. I assumed they wanted to give you the ability to fit it yourself. Upon opening the bag and attempting to judge the sizing, I found the stuff sack inside the bag. This was a smart idea. Also included was a larger white fabric bag. I assume this is for storage of the bag. This was another smart idea. I must say that the manufacturer outsmarted me in the delivery of this bag. It had an extra accessory that I had not expected, but was very pleased to find.

As I lay the bag on the floor, I was impressed by the nice colors of the bag. They are Forest green and silver on top and a darker gray on the bottom. I slid into the bag and was very pleased to find the bag was very comfortably sized for me. I tested out the expandable foot box and was amazed at the added foot room that is gained by unzipping two zippers that run diagonally from about the knee down over the toes to the foot of the bag. It adds enough room that the bag no longer feels like a mummy bag. My biggest concern in the bag was girth size around the chest and shoulders. I found that I had enough room in this area. I was glad that I requested the long model, as the fit was perfect for me and allowed room for additional clothing in extreme cold.

The bag has a large shoulder baffle for cold weather that feels like it is filled with down. This makes it comfortable even when the baffle isn’t closed around your shoulders. The drawstrings on the hood are different for the section over the head and below the neck. This allows for adjustment in the dark. The zipper baffle is significant, but does get stuck in the zipper. I will have to watch this in the testing to prevent damage to the bag and overall ease of nighttime adjustments of temperature.

I have already used the bag one night in 42 F (6 C) temperatures. My concerns for the night were warmth and condensation as the night was wet. I found that the bag was not too warm for that temperature, which pleased me greatly as I am often too warm in a bag. I found the lightness and loft of the down to be very pleasing. Condensation on the inside of the tent that ran onto the bag did not affect comfort for that night. I suspect that this amount was about 6 oz (177 ml). I will reevaluate in lower temperatures during the test period. The bag dried out within an hour in a warm house, not requiring drying or a heater. Evaluation of this in outdoor conditions will occur during testing.