Reviews > Sleep Gear > Sleeping Bags > Snugpak Softie 3 Merlin > Jack Corrigan > Long Term 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: 05MAY2004

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:

Long term testing locations were in the Mid-Atlantic region, primarily in Virginia and included Shenandoah National Park/Big Meadows Area (17S 724067mE 4265333mN).

Description of Location:

Long term testing locations were varied, and ranged from lightly forested regions with "elevations" of 150 to 3500 feet (46 to 1100 meters). Trail systems range from established foot paths to undeveloped logging roads.

Weather Conditions:

This long term test period was conducted from January through April.

Conditions were varied and included crisp clear evenings and rain. The "warmest" night time temperature was 55°F (13°C) while the "coldest" was 45°F (7°C).

Product Experience:

The Snugpak Softie 3 Merlin is in excellent shape and has performed without a material failure throughout the long term test period. I plan to continue to use the Merlin as a summer bag because it is light and packs small. The temperature comfort range will be more than enough warmth (in case of an unexpected chill) and I will most likely sleep on top of it during the hot summer nights. nights

During the entire long term testing period, I have used the Snugpak Softie 3 Merlin with an Exped Down Air Mattress (DAM). The DAM is an 8.8 ounce (250 gram) 700 fill, high loft goose down filled air mattress and has provided excellent insulation for temperatures well below freezing. Even though the Merlin material is smooth, I did not have any trouble keeping the bag on the mattress.

Sleepwear for this test period was pretty low frills (t-shirt and cotton lounge pants) with the exception of Integral Designs Hot Socks for keeping my feet comfortable. This choice of sleepwear was chosen specifically for the testing of the Snugpak sleeping bag. It was my plan to determine a comfort range more dependent on the bag construction than a range influenced by the sleepwear.

Testing has shown me that different configurations of sleepwear can adjust the comfort range of the sleeping bag, nothing earth shattering there! The comfort range stated by the manufacturer was in the ball park but really needed the correct base layer to reach the lower end. During this test period I became chilled at 45°F (7°C).

My only downside to the Snugpak Softie 3 Merlin was the snagging zipper, not a major item, but required two-hand operation. I have been pretty lucky with not tracking in dirt mud even the occasional dirty paw has not left any stains or marks on the bag. The interior material is very comfortable and I had plenty of room even with thick base layer. I did manage to get twisted up twice during this test period. This may have been due more to the not as slippery material sleepwear.

All in all I was pleased with the Snugpak Softie 3 Merlin. The performance, lightweight with small packed size combination has reduced my overall pack size requirement for almost four season but definitely solid three season use.

TEAM JackQuest
http://www.jackquest.com

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