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Reviews > Sleep Gear > Sleeping Bags > Slumberjack Zodiac > Owner Review by Jamie DeBenedettoOwner Review of the Slumberjack Zodiac February 29th, 2004
Personal Information Jamie DeBenedetto
Background/Experience I've spent much of my thirty years hiking, camping, fishing, backpacking, rafting, and more recently kayaking, all over my home state of Arizona. I've also done a small amount of hiking in the neighboring states of Colorado and California. In January of 1999 I founded a local outdoor club called the Canine Hiking Club of Arizona. I lead one or two single or multi-day hikes per month with the club in various locations around the state. I also day hike in local recreation areas near my home a couple of times a week and my family and I sneak away for camping trips whenever possible. My backpacking style definitely leans more toward lightweight, but I wouldn't consider myself to be anywhere close to an ultra-light hiker. I use a hammock instead of a tent most of the time and I try to keep my pack's base weight below 15 lbs (7 kg). I'm always looking for ways to stay comfortable in the field and for gear that has more than one function. Product Information Manufacturer: Slumberjack
Field Information and Use Conditions I've used the Slumberjack Zodiac in several different climate zones. From lower Sonoran desert to snow covered pine forests and many canyons, hills, and valleys in between. It's been with me on treks at high as 8,000 ft. (2,400 m) and as low as sea level. I've used it in a tent, a hammock, and on the beach. Just about freezing is the lowest temperature I can recall sleeping in the Zodiac. Product Review The Slumberjack Zodiac is the first mummy style sleeping bag I've owned. My prior bags were all more camping style - rectangular, heavy and not much good below about 40 F (4.5 C). I have owned both down and synthetic bags but none with Thermoloft. I have not had any problems with the insulation losing its loft. When using it on the trail I carry it in either an Outdoor Research Hydrolite Stuff Sack or in a compression sack. I haven't really babied the bag but when not in use I do hang it from a hanger in my coat closet rather than keep it bundled up. I have only washed it once or twice but so far without any ill effects. I guess that means Dupont's claim that the Thermoloft insulation is washable and durable is, at least at this point, true. As for the Zodiac's power to be effective when wet, I have never had any on trail situations where the Zodiac took on a significant amount of water so I don't know for certain how well the synthetic Thermoloft fill works. My only tests of its drying and post moister insulation abilities have been two nights on a Mexico beach and one night in a tent during some light snowfall. In the Mexico excursion the humidity was pretty high and we'd wake in the mornings to damp gear. The days were very sunny, however, so it was easy to let the bag dry out before nightfall. Drying was quick in those conditions, even with the humidity. I did not notice any change in warmth from night to night. On the snowy trip, we were caught off-guard a bit by the storm and since I had only brought a light jacket I used the mummy as a blanket while sitting around the campfire. It did get a little damp from the snowfall but I wiped it down with a t-shirt when I turned in for the night. This was also the lowest temperature in which I have tried the Slumberjack. I don't know the exact degree but it was cold enough to snow. At the time, I was using a 2 in (5 cm) foam pad wrapped in a wool blanket as my ground insulation. It started snowing about an hour before we all hit the sack so other than my outer layers I slept in most of my clothes. I had on a thermal top and bottoms, a mid-weight fleece jacket, and a fleece hat. I also had my dog with me, in the bag, which does add some major body heat. I was slightly cold on my underside and a little at my feet but the rest of me was warm. As I recall, I was warm enough to stay bundled in the tent rather than get up and face the chilly duties of breaking camp, well at least until my friends started throwing pine cones at my shelter. The nylon outer and inner shells have held up well. I usually look the bag over quickly after each trek and although the bag is black inside and out, which makes spotting damage more difficult, I haven't seen any signs of wear. On trips I have often sat by the fire wrapped up in the Zodiac on my pad or in a chair, which usually results in the bag getting a little ashy and dirty where it touches the ground. On the inside, I don't use any kind of bag liner for protection and my dog, who accompanies me pretty regularly, usually sleeps in the bag at my knees. In all of these cases, the dirt, ash and dog hair seam to find their own way off the nylon. I wouldn't say it's self-cleaning but one or two shakes and it's pretty good. Malfunctions regarding any of the other Zodiac features are non-existent. The bag is really simple though, not much to muck up. The two zippers sliders are smooth flowing and I don't recall ever having them snag on any material. The drawstring hood closure has also been non-problematic due to its simplicity. The string has not frayed or knotted and the little push button lock still holds its place when cinched up. I have never used the hang loop so I cannot say how well it works or how well it's sewn into the fabric. As I mentioned before, the Zodiac is the first mummy style bag I have owned. I had used a few others I borrowed from friends prior to my Zodiac purchase but it still took me some time to get used to the more confined feel of a mummy. Although I'm well above average height for a woman, at 5' 11" (1.80 m) I'm the same height as the average man and I would say the Zodiac is quite comfortable. It's plenty spacious at the shoulders and through the body but not so much that there is a ton of excess space. In fact, I'm shocked my dog can fit in the bag with me and still breath. The one area where there is some unnecessary extra room is in the hood. When the hood is cinched up there is a little too much space above my head area. The face hole also ends up lower than I would like, which makes me scoot down in the bag, resulting in less foot room. I think if I was about an inch or two shorter I wouldn't even notice this. Likes The Slumberjack Zodiac has served me well over the years and there are many things I like. Specifically, its compact size when used with a stuff sack, its weight, its "wash and wear" fabric, and its no fuss features are my favorites. Dislikes My main gripe about this bag so far has been the location of the face hole when I cinch the hood up. I feel like it should be a bit higher so I don't have to slide down to the very end of the bag. It also did not come with a stuff sack, or at least I don't recall it coming with one, that would have been a nice extra. J. DeBenedetto Feb. 29th, 2004 Read more reviews of Slumberjack gear Read more gear reviews by Jamie DeBenedetto Reviews > Sleep Gear > Sleeping Bags > Slumberjack Zodiac > Owner Review by Jamie DeBenedetto | |||