Reviews > Sleep Gear > Sleeping Bags > Snugpak Softie Chrysalis > Ralph Ditton > Long Term 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)

testing set up

Field Test Information
Temperatures of the outside air at night and early morning when I was in the sleeping bag ranged from a low of 13 C (55 F) to a high of 21 C (70 F).
The location was at a campsite on the Coastal Plain Trail with an elevation of approximately 80 m (262 ft) and I spent a total of four nights over the test period. It was one night at a time spread over the two months. I slept inside my inner tent for bug protection on the sleeping platform in the shelter.
        
inner tent inside shelter                                               sleeping bag inside inner tent
I used a Metzeler Thermo full length self-inflating mattress with an insulating rating of 0,08 WK at a  mat thickness of 3 cm (1 in).
Due to the warm nights, I did not use my Thermolite Reactor sleeping bag liner as I was not trying to increase my body warmth by trapping my body heat. The liner can add an additional 8 C (15 F).

Sleeping Bag use and Performance
On each occasion I used the baffle system due to the warm nights as I do roll around a bit during the night, so I enjoyed the extra freedom inside the sleeping bag.
The clothing worn was a pair of shorts and a T shirt on three occasions and on the last test just a pair of shorts due to the warm wet night.
The Reflectatherm layer, a metallised fabric designed to reflect heat and retain warmth, certainly worked very well. It was so effective that I perspired on my legs. When I slept without a T shirt, there was perspiration on my upper torso also. Needless to say, the sleeping bag became smelly from my body oils.
Due to the excess warmth inside the sleeping bag, I tried venting the heat by having the zipper undone to about halfway down the side. This was another reason to utilize the baffle system. The larger  the area to keep warm, the available body heat should dissipate slightly in overall temperature trying to heat the larger area. The body heat is competing with cool fabric and outside cooler temperatures coming through the open zipper.
The ongoing problem with sticking zipper is still with me. I had to reverse the zipper action and get a run up with the zip to overcome the sticking point until I reach the next sticking point. Then I repeat the process. Sometimes it would be two sticking spots, then for no reason there would be three sticking spots along the length of the zip.
This is pure conjecture, but perhaps the method of stuffing the sleeping bag into the stuff sack and then compressing it to its maximum is causing kinks in the zipper that I am unable to see. If this is the case, then there should be instructions with the sleeping bag on the preferred method to roll the sleeping bag when it is going to be compressed.
The zipper did not grab the sleeping bag material in the latest round of test as it did in previous test. I tended to guide the zipper with my finger going in advance of the zipper to push the material to the side.
I used the internal pocket to put my keyring LED light in so that I would have easy access to it during the night.

keyring LED light
With my tossing and turning,  I was woken with something digging into my back . It turned out to be the light. It had fallen out of the pocket. Fortunately I did not cause any damage to the light. The light had got around the side of the hook and loop closure tape which is centrally located and is 40 mm (1.5 in) long. The pocket opening is 185 mm (7.25 in) long. The light is 45 mm  long x 25 mm wide (1.77 in) x (0.98 in). Perhaps the manufacturer could add more hoop and loop closure tape to prevent small items falling out of the pocket. It does not have to be 25 mm wide (1 in) as I found trying to open the pocket whilst inside the sleeping bag one handed a bit difficult. A narrower hook and loop closure strip would be easier to open in the dark.

Washing the Sleeping Bag
After the last outing with the sleeping bag, my body oils got onto the inside fabric and made it smell of sweat. Time for a wash. I filled up the washing trough with warm water with a solution of down cleaner (approximately 2 capfuls). The down cleaner comes in a squeeze bottle with a removable cap. This is the cap I used.To use on a down sleeping bag, the instructions call for half a bottle, some 118 ml (4 fl oz).As I was not restoring loft, just cleaning, I used approximately 40 ml (1.35 fl oz).
Whilst in the warm water, I gently kneaded the sleeping bag to ensure that it was completely wet through. After kneading the sleeping bag for 10 minutes, I gently compressed the sleeping bag to expel the water. When this was done, I then placed the sleeping bag inside the washing machine for a rinse and gentle spin dry. The setting was for hand washables. After the cycle was finished, I spread the sleeping bag over the clothes hoist to give support to the fill so as not to potentially damage the inside stitching that runs across the width of the sleeping bag at various intervals.
I hung the sleeping bag out at 7.30 pm in the fully unzipped mode and opened it out when the temperature was 17 C (63 F). I brought the sleeping bag back inside the next afternoon at 4.50 pm. Temperatures during the day reached a high of 30 C (86 F). The sleeping bag felt dry to the touch. I was concerned that the foot end may be slightly damp as it was the thickest part to dry as the zip does not go all the way down to enable the sleeping bag to be opened up like a blanket to present a larger surface for the sun to dry. The foot end was dry. As an added bonus, the sleeping bag smelt nice.

Things I like

• Baffle system to allow expansion and to dissipate body heat into a bigger area on warm nights.
• Follows the contours of my body for heat efficiency when not using the baffle system.
• Very soft feel of the sleeping bag.
• Very good heat retention by the fill.
• Reflectatherm layer is very effective.
• Air escapes easily through the fabric when rolling the bag up.
• Ability to shorten the sleeping bag for a smaller person for heat efficiency.
• Cleaned up very well after a wash in down cleaner.
  

• Jamming zip.
• No washing instructions.
• No rolling instructions when manufacturer states a unique rolling system.
• Unable to achieve the advertised compressed status of 152 mm x 152 mm (6 in x 6 in).
• Item falling out of internal pocket.

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