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Snugpak Softie 3
Merlin Sleeping Bag - Field Test Report
January 6, 2004
Thomas Vickers
36 years old
Male
5 feet 11 inches tall (1.8 meters)
170 lb (77 kg)
redroach@pobox.com
Southeast Texas, Houston Area
Background:
I grew up in the piney woods
of southeast Texas. Camping was a quick trip into the mosquito-infested woods behind the
house. I started hiking in my college years
and my style has evolved over the past 17 years - from my discovery, heavy gear period
(internal frame packs, sleeping bags and tents) to - believe it or not - heavier, more
expensive gear. Over the last 3 or 4 years, I
have begun to take a lighter weight approach to hiking gear (I still use sleeping bags and
tents, just lighter versions) and I have rediscovered the pleasure that can be involved in
being outdoors with your gear. While I have flirted
with lightweight hiking, I feel that I am more of a mid-weight hiker now. My philosophy is
one of comfort, while carrying the lightest load possible.
Manufacturer Details:
Website: www.snugpak.com
Weight: 26.5 ounces (750 g)
Colors: Cranberry, Olive, Black
Length: 87 inches (220 cm)
Chest: 65 inches (165 cm)
Zip: Side (right or left)
Stuffed Size: 11 x 5.5 inches (28 cm x 14 cm)
Temperature Rating: Comfortable: 41 degrees F (5 degrees C)
Low: 32 degrees F (0 degrees C)
Year of Manufacture: 2003
Measured Product Details: (all measurements are approximate)
Length: 87 inches (220 cm)
Chest: 56 inches (142 cm)
Zip: Right
Color: Olive
Weight: 1 lb 13.4 oz (833 g)
Stuff Sack Weight: 3.6 oz (87 g)
Stuffed Size: 10 inches x 6 inches (25 cm x 15 cm)
Additional Tester Measurements:
Shoulder Girth: 49 in (124 cm)
Chest: 38 in (97 cm)
Waist: 34 in (86 cm)
Hips: 39 in (99 cm)
Testing
I have spent approximately 11 nights in the Snugpak Softie 3 Merlin at this point
in the testing. All of the nights have been in the piney woods of Southeast Texas
under a variety of conditions. The temperatures at night have ranged from 30 degrees
F (-1 degree C) to 70 degrees F (21 degrees C). There have been dry nights and
several rainy nights so far during the field test period.
Two of my nights have been on a Therm-a-rest full-length Ultra Light pad and the
rest have been on a Z Rest full length sleeping pad. All of my nights have been
spent in the bag wearing my briefs and a Hot Chilly's Bi-Ply Bio-silver long sleeved
shirt. One night I even put my Integral Designs Dolomitti jacket on over my shirt.
No matter what I have worn, I have only pulled the hood over my head on one
evening. The rest of the nights I spent with the Snugpak Softie 3 Merlin
pulled up to my chest with my arms and head sticking out of the bag.
Fit:
I have always been concerned about how well a bag fits when I get inside of it. One
thing I have not yet tested is how well the Snugpak Softie 3 Merlin fits me with a full
set of winter clothes on (Long underwear, long sleeved shirt, fleece, rain shell.)
I have taken the bag down to 30 degrees F (-1 degree C) and never had to bundle up that
much. I have only spent one night completely inside the bag and I did feel a bit
constrained around the chest/arm area, but I have also discovered that the Snugpak Softie
3 Merlin has a lot of room in the hip to foot region. I feel that this bag has more
room than I am used to below the waist because I have been able to toss and turn, kick my
feet, bend my legs, and just generally wiggle around in it. Never once did I feel like my
feet, calves or thighs were bound up or squished together. This was especially nice
since I was sleeping with my upper torso out of the bag. Overall, I think the
Snugpak Softie 3 Merlin provides a nice fit for someone my size who can use the bag with a
minimum of clothing on.
I will still take a few nights to test how I fit with a full load of winter/rain clothes
on my body, but I am impressed with the fit of the bag so far.
Loft/Filling:
The no quilt construction does not seem to allow me to shift the filling nor does it allow
the filling to shift accidentally. After spending 4 days stuffed into a stuff sack,
I took the Snugpak Softie 3 Merlin out and shook it. No filling shift and I do not
think that the loft was impaired by the compression. I don't usually carry a sleeping bag
in a stuff sack, so I feel that the Snugpak Softie 3 Merlin will continue to hold its loft
as I begin to carry it in my pack without the stuff sack.
Outer Shell:
My initial concern was that the Pertex outer shell would be too slippery to use on a
sleeping pad without me slipping all over the tent. So far, I have found that the
Snugpak Softie 3 Merlin is much less 'slippery' on my sleeping pads than my other sleeping
bags. I have yet to slide off my pad in the night and have to readjust my position in the
tent.
I have also had a chance to expose the Snugpak Softie 3 Merlin to different levels of
moisture. It has been rained on briefly, dipped in a puddle of rain water that was
in the tent, and dripped on by condensation from the tent. The Pertex has proven
itself very water resistant. Despite several 'dippings' into water puddles for
prolonged periods, I have never seen water get past the outer shell and wet the lining.
Temperature Rating:
The Snugpak Softie 3 Merlin has been down to 30 degrees F(-1 degree C) during the testing
period. I was well rested, well fed, and wearing just my basic briefs and a long sleeve
shirt. This was the only night that I zipped up in the Snugpak Softie 3 Merlin and
cinched the hood around my face. Several times during the night I woke up and considered
adding a layer of clothing, but I was able to doze off without it. I doubt I will
sleep this way again despite it being tolerable. I prefer comfort at 30
degrees F (-1 degree C) and I think most people are going to need extra clothing to remain
comfortable in the Snugpak Softie 3 Merlin at this temperature, especially if they are
tired.
I have only slept in the bag above 65 degrees F (18 degrees C) once. My upper torso
was exposed so I didn't have to unzip the bag along my legs to cool off. At 70 degrees F
(21 degrees C) the Snugpak Softie 3 Merlin was comfortable. I feel that the light weight
of the Snugpak Softie 3 Merlin is what helps make it that much more habitable without
completely unzipping as the temperature rises.
Most of my nights in the Snugpak Softie 3 Merlin were spent near the temperature of 45
degrees F (7 degrees C). This seems to be a very comfortable temperature for the bag
and I never once felt that I needed to put on more clothing to stay warm.
Further Testing:
So far I have only been able to test the Snugpak Softie 3 Merlin on overnight camping
trips with a minimal amount of hiking. Under these conditions it has proven
itself to be a comfortable, easy to carry sleeping bag. Over the next couple of
months I have at least two prolonged trips planned that will involve extending hikes, lots
of exhaustion, and new conditions for testing the Snugpak Softie 3 Merlin.
I think the use of the Snugpak Softie 3 Merlin on longer trips is going to be the best and
final chapter in the testing process. It will determine if I am still as impressed
by this bag as I am now. Will I still consider the the Snugpak Softie 3 Merlin
comfortable when tired and hungry? Will I need to wear extra clothes to keep warm?
These questions and many more will be answered in the final portion of this test.
Read more reviews of Snugpack gear
Read more gear reviews by Thomas Vickers
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