Reviews > Sleep Gear > Sleeping Bags > Snugpak Softie Chrysalis > Ralph Ditton > Field Report

Manufacturer: Snugpak
Manufacturer's Url: http://www.snugpak.com
Made in: China
Range: Softie Chrysalis
Model: Micro (full zip--left hand)
Manufacturer's Weight: 800 g (28 oz)
Packed size: 152 mm x 152 mm (6 in x 6 in) uncompressed
Manufacturer's Temperature Rating: Low 0 C (32 F) to Comfort 5 C (41 F)
Insulation Material: Reflectatherm
Fill: Softie (superfine high thermal)
Outer Material: Paratex Micro
Inner Material: Paratex Lite
Zips: YKK (#5 Reversible Toothed Zipper Slide)
Length: 2.184 m (86 in)
Chest: 1.5 m (59 in)
MSRP:AUS $199

My Measurements
Weight of Compression Sack: 98 g  (3.5 oz)
Weight of Sleeping Bag: 910 g (32.1 oz)
Total weight: 1008 g  (35.6 oz)
Packed size: 310 mm x 152 mm (12.2 in x 6 in)
Circumference: 510 mm (20.1 in)
Compressed size: 230 mm x 170 mm (9 in x 6.7 in)
(See comment)
Circumference: 510 mm (20.1 in)
Internal Pocket: 180 mm x 170 mm (7.1 in x 6.7 in)

Field Test information
Daytime temperatures ranged up to highs of 28 C (82 F) from overnight lows of 11 C (52 F). When I actually slept in the sleeping bag the temperature range was approximately from 11 C (52 F) to 14 C (57 F).
I used it for two nights in my Snowgum Storm Shelter four seasons tent and two nights in a simple three-sided timber and iron sleeping shelter of the "Deep South" design which sleeps 12 -15 people. The testing was done at Prickly Bark campsite on the Coastal Plain Walk Trail which is at an elevation of 83 m (272 ft) as measured by my Garmin Geko 301 GPS .
I used a Metzeler Thermo full length self-inflating mattress with an insulation rating of 0,08 WK at a mat thickness of 3 cm (1 in).
In addition, I used my Thermolite Reactor sleeping bag liner to protect the sleeping bag from my perspiration and body oils and to give additional warmth of up to an additional 8 C (15 F).

sleeping bag in "deep south" shelter

another view of bag on sleeping platform
Sleeping Bag use and Performance
When using the tent, I did not have the Baffle system in operation as I wanted to compare the use and non-use of the Baffle system. The Baffle system was used on the sleeping platform in the shelter.
I did not wear any thermals, just shorts and a T shirt for my sleeping attire on all occasions as it was not cold enough for the use of thermals.
In the tent inside the sleeping bag, my feet touched the end of the tent inner but this was of no concern as there was no condensation inside the tent due to a slight breeze on both nights.
The sleeping bag is wonderfully soft and follows the contours of my body even when turning inside the bag, so I was unable to detect any cold spots during my waking moments which are frequent when camping out. For some reason I never am able to sleep the whole night without waking at least six times.

tent at campsite
Views of sleeping bag inside the tent.

     

sleeping bag inside tent                                             sleeping bag touching end of inner tent
The groundsheet under the tent floor and another groundsheet under the self-inflating mattress protected the self-inflating mattress and in combination with the rating of the self-inflating mattress, no cold was felt coming from the ground inside the sleeping bag. Cold was felt when my arms, inside the sleeping bag came off the self-inflating mattress and rested on the groundsheet on the tent floor.
Inside the micro environment in the tent, the air temperature was pleasantly warm with no crispness present. Different story when I put my head out the door.
When using the sleeping bag in the hut shelter there was no micro environment so I had to use a beanie for my head inside the sleeping bag because I do not like having the draw cord pulled in tight around my face. I like it loose so that I do not feel claustrophobic. What I did like was the baffle system that allowed me to toss and turn in comfort without the sleeping bag following my turning body and still I did not notice any cold spots inside the bag, even though there was more area to heat up with my body heat. Winter time may be different.
I was unable to use the variable length system because if I used it I would not be able to stretch out. The system shortens the length of the sleeping bag. I cannot sleep in the fetal position for any length of time which I would need to do in the shortened length of the sleeping bag.
The chisel foot construction did not affect my tossing and turning and I did not develop any foot cramp during the nightly test.
The powdered limestone that pervades the area covers the sleeping platform and even though I swept it a number of times, it was still present and got on the sleeping bag which can be seen on the second picture on the foot end of the sleeping bag. Fortunately it came off at home when I wiped it with a damp cloth and did not leave any marks.
Problems in Performance
I had ongoing problems with the zipper which I mentioned in my initial report. The zipper still gets stuck at various intervals when unzipping when the baffle system is not being used. The sticking points from the head end of the sleeping bag are around the 130 mm (5 in) and 610 mm (24 in). When the baffle system is being used the zipper slide gets stuck around the 220 mm (8.5 in) mark. On the other hand, when I go to zip up the sleeping bag without the baffle system being used, the zipper slide sticks around 410 mm (16 in) from the head end of the sleeping bag, but not when the baffle is being used. In fact, the zipper slide tends to catch the baffle material when the zipper is used in both directions. This problem occurs whilst I am inside the sleeping bag trying to operate the zipper slide with one hand. I have examined the teeth of the zipper and can find no visible damage.

baffle material jammed in zipper slide
To help in overcoming the sticking points when using the zipper slide inside the sleeping bag, I push my left elbow into the side of the sleeping bag just below the zipper at approximately 600 mm (24 in) from the top of the sleeping bag to give tension and make the sleeping bag fabric taunt to make the zipper slide work better.
Although it is frustrating to have a sticking zipper slide that takes a few backwards and forwards actions to get past the sticking points one handed, the biggest concern is when the zipper slide grabs the material and jams it between the teeth of the zipper and the zipper slide which meant a slither out of the sleeping bag in the dark on every occasion as I could not fully open or close the sleeping bag, find my light and unjam the material from the zipper slide which took many minutes on each occasion as I did not want to tear the material with vigorous pulling of the zipper slide. In just about every case that I used the baffle system, the zipper slide would grab the fabric.
Summary
For the temperatures currently being experienced over this test period, the Snugpak Softie Chrysalis Micro Sleeping Bag is an excellent sleeping bag for the warmth and comfort I have experienced. The only negative aspects that I have encountered is the zipper problem where it sticks at certain points and the bad habit of actually grabbing the fabric and jamming the zipper slide which takes many minutes to unjam in torchlight. I especially like the way sleeping bag follows the contours of my body and I can choose whether to utilize the baffle system or not depending on how warm it is and what type of clothing I am using inside the sleeping bag. The bulkier the clothing, then I find it makes sense to use the baffle system to gain extra room.
Future Testing Strategy
As the future testing period will be over our summer period where overnight temperatures will be in the high 20's C (70's F) and low 30's C (80 's F) I will examine if I really need to be inside the sleeping bag or whether to open it out and use as a doona/quilt.
Furthermore, after being used in warm temperatures the sleeping bag will have some of my body oils present, I will machine- wash the sleeping bag and time how long it takes to dry. The advertised time states "a matter of minutes".
I do not expect the problem with the zipper to go away, so I will be reporting on any ongoing problems in that area.
Should any other matters come to light, I will also report on my experiences.
Thank you BackPackGearTest and Snugpak for permitting me to participate in this test.

 

Reviews > Sleep Gear > Sleeping Bags > Snugpak Softie Chrysalis > Ralph Ditton > Field Report