Reviews > Sleep Gear > Sleeping Bags > Snugpak Softie 3 Merlin > Jack Corrigan > Field Report

Product Name:

Snugpak Softie 3 Merlin (two season lightweight sleeping bag)

Personal Biographical Information:

Name: John (Jack) Corrigan

Age: 40 years old

Gender: Male

Height: 5 feet 10 inches (1.8 meters)

Weight: 175 pounds (79 kilograms)

Torso: 20 inches (51 centimeters)

Email: jack@jackquest.com

Region: Fredericksburg, Virginia (Spotsylvania County)

Report Date: 6JAN2004

Background:

I have always been one to do the outdoor thing as compared to the organized sport thing. It started as a youngster in the Boy Scouts and continues today as an adult. The majority of my experience has been in Pennsylvania but I have hiked, camped or paddled in New York, California and even Alaska. I am also currently a volunteer search and rescue canine handler. Although search and rescue doesn't always result in an overnight or multi-day trip, I am required to be prepared, equipped and trained for it. Training a search dog results in many hours of trekking through the outdoors.

My "style" is best described as recreational camping, mid-weight backpacking (2-3 day treks), day hiking, flat water paddling, hunting and canine search and rescue activities. My last extended (more than 1 week) outing was the summer of 2001, as a volunteer for the Armed Forces Eco-Challenge in interior Alaska. I also include two of my four dogs in most of my outdoor activities.

Product Information:

Manufactured By: Snugpak

Manufactured Date: 2003

Manufacturer URL: http://www.snugpak.com

Listed Weight: 750 grams (26.5 ounces)

Delivered Weight:
sleeping bag- 30 ounces (850 grams)
stuff sack- 3 ounces (85 grams)

Note: Weighed on a digital 0-25 pound postal scale.

Additional Product Information:

Temperature Rating:
Comfort 41°F (5°C)
Low 32°F (0°C)

Color: Olive (Code Green Range)

Listed Length: 220 centimeters (87 inches)

Delivered Length (measured centerline flattened sleeping bag from bottom/foot edge to top/hood): 87 inches (221 centimeters)

Listed Chest: 150 centimeters (59 inches)

Delivered Chest (measured across flattened sleeping bag 15 inches/38 centimeters from top/hood edge): 59 inches (150 centimeters)

Listed Pack Size (uncompressed): 28 x 14 centimeters (11 x 6 inches)

Delivered Pack Size (uncompressed meaning there is no compression from the stuffsack's compression straps): 6 x 12 inches (15 x 30 centimeters)

Construction: Single Layer, Quilted

Insulation:
Synthetic Softie
Reflectatherm

Outer Material:
Paratex (as stated on hangtag)
Pertex Infin8T (as stated on product brochure)
Infin8T (as stated on the manufacturer's website)

Inner Material:
Pertex (as stated on hangtag)
Pertex (as stated on product brochure)
Pertex (as stated on the manufacturer's website)

Zip: Right Hand (laying in the sleeping bag)

Field Information:

Location:

Field testing locations were in the northern Virginia and northeastern Pennsylvania.

Description of Location:

The terrain for these field testing locations was lightly forested regions in mountain "elevations" of 200 to 1500 feet (60 to 460 meters).

Weather Conditions:

This field test series was conducted from November through January.

Conditions were varied and included clear crisp evenings and rain. The "warmest" night time temperature was 48°F (9°C) while the "coldest" was 32°F (0°C).

Product Experience:

The Snugpak Softie 3 Merlin has been used on six nights, all of which were in a tent. Three nights were on a Therm-a-Rest Z-Rest (foam pad) and three nights on a Big Agnes REM Sleep Pad (20 x 72 x 1.5 inches/51 x 183 x 4 centimeters foam core self inflating pad).

Sleepwear for this test period was REI Midweight MTS Bottoms/Zip T-Neck and Intergal Designs Hot Socks for temperatures greater than 40°F (4°C) and REI Expedition-Weight MTS Bottoms/Zip T-Neck and ID Hot Socks for temperatures less than 40°F (4°C).

The Snugpak Softie 3 Merlin has performed as expected. Wearing a midweight base layer, I began to notice my legs becoming chilled below 40°F (4°C). For temperatures down to 32°F (0°C), I slept in expedition weight with no "chilling" problems. I also did not need to cinch the hood tight during colder test temperatures. For me, there is enough leg room so when I am all the way in the bag there is enough bag left over to just drape it over my head.

My favorite feature so far would be the smooth interior material. I am a frequent tosser and turner through the night. Even when this mummy style bag got a bit twisted up, it was very easy to feel for the zipper, pull and tug as needed to straighten everything out. On the least favorite side, I have had problems with the zipper snagging or it requiring two hands to operate smoothly.

During the long term test period, I plan to use the Snugpak Softie 3 Merlin with a Big Agnes REM Air Core as well as an Exped Down Air Mattress. In addition to more tent use, the merlin will also be used in a hammock.

TEAM JackQuest
http://www.jackquest.com

Reviews > Sleep Gear > Sleeping Bags > Snugpak Softie 3 Merlin > Jack Corrigan > Field Report