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Reviews > Sleep Gear > Sleeping Bags > Valandre Mirage > Edward Ripley-Duggan > Test Report by Edward Ripley-Duggan
VALANDRE MIRAGE SLEEPING BAG
CLICK HERE TO SKIP TO THE INITIAL REPORT, MARCH 2 2007 CLICK HERE TO SKIP TO THE FIELD REPORT, MAY 14 2007 CLICK HERE TO SKIP TO THE LONG TERM REPORT, JUNE 29 2007 TESTER INFORMATION
I enjoy walking in all its forms, from a simple stroll in the woods to multi-day backpack excursions. Though by no means an extreme ultra-light enthusiast, from spring to fall my preference is to carry a pack weight (before food and water) of 12 lb (5.5 kg), more or less. In recent years, I've rapidly moved to a philosophy of "lighter is better," within the constraints of budget and common sense. Product information and specifications Manufacturer: Valandré [Belcaire, France] Year of Manufacture: 2007 Manufacturer's Website: http://www.valandre.com Fill: Goosedown, 800+ loft power, 95/5 [i.e. 95% down, 5% feather] Size: Large [as stated on card tag; presumably, this means long] Zip: Left Drawstrings: Two, collar and hood MSRP: n/a Manufacturer specifications from website Down load: 350 g (12.3 oz) Stated weight: 680 g (24 oz) Inside circumference: 158/135/97 cm (62.3/53.2/38.2 inconversion taken from website) [shoulder/hip/foot] Inside length: 200 cm (6 ft 7 in) for the long size Stated rating: -5 C (23 F) extreme [N.B. Valandré is not using the European Union's definition of "extreme" here. In the E.U. standard, the lower extreme rating of a bag is defined as "...where the risk of health damage by hypothermia occurs (related to standard woman and in standard conditions of use)." According to the manufacturer (private communication), the extreme figure quoted here is the lowest temperature for comfortable sleeping, based on user input. Indeed, it will not remain constant for one user, varying with fatigue, food eaten, etc. Bag ratings in general should only be used to compare models from one manufacturer, not real-world performance.] Measurements Measured weight: 710 g (25 oz) [the difference from the published weight is likely due to the fact that this bag is a large/long, not a regular] Stuff sack weight: 28 g (1 oz) Loft, foot: 25 cm (10 in) Loft, midsection: 13 cm (5 in) Loft, collar: 18 cm (7 in) Zip length: 33 cm (13 in) YKK zipper Stuffed size in manufacturer's sack: 15 cm (6 in) diameter, 23 cm (9 in) long Other details Exterior fabric: Asahi KASEI Impact 66 Polyamid rip stop, silver-gray, 37g/m2 (1.1 oz/yd2) Interior fabric: Asahi KASEI Impact 66 Polyamid rip stop, black, 37g/m2 (1.1 oz/yd2) The Valandré Mirage
Warranty
The manufacturer states on their website that all Valandré products are built to last and guaranteed against any manufacturing defects throughout the lifespan of the product. Further, "Damage due to wear and tear can be repaired at a reasonable cost set on a price offer suggested by Valandré. We will deal with any repair option, including a complete renewal of the down or changing down density in one or more chambers." However, this does necessitate return of the product to Belcaire, France. Packaging The sleeping bag arrived in a mesh storage bag, substantially uncompressed (protected in transit by a hefty cardboard box). The storage bag also contained a small stuff sack. There was no literature other than a bilingual (French, English) hang-tag, with information on the warranty and general care instructions. The sleeping bag arrived with some loose down on the exterior, but this seems merely to have been some stray fluff that got in the box when shipped. There was no evidence of it having escaped from the interior of the bag. It was interesting to see, howeverpure plumules of down, with no feathers evident. Manufacturer instructions These are very straightforward. Storage without compression in a clean, airy place is recommended. For cleaning, a water temperature of 35 C/95 F is advised (hand or machine), with natural or down soap. Dry cleaning is not advised. Several rinsings are suggested, followed by a spin-dry on "delicate." Drying at the lowest machine temperature is recommended, with hanging to dry (out of direct sun) as an alternative. Initial impressions The silver-grey fabric of the shell is enormously attractive, almost chic. The lining is black, with a soft and rather luxurious "hand," in the argot of textiles. The bag is startlingly light for its loft. The baffles (of which there are many, in a complex structure) are quite wide, and are not bulging with down, but are certainly adequately filled. This is, in my estimation, good, as it gives the down space to expand without constriction. The baffle structure (which I'll discuss in detail later) seems designed so that the down will not shift within the compartments. The stitch-count of all sewing is high, and the craftsmanship extremely neat, with no loose ends of thread etc. In short, the construction appears impeccable. The down, which is gathered from farms not far from where the manufacturer is situated, has a faint, sweet odor (not especially poultry-like) that I find pleasant. The bag closely matches, in appearance and specifics, the product as advertised on Valandré's website. Features, construction, and design The Mirage is, at first glance, a rather minimalist sleeping bag. It has no draft tube or draft collar, and the zip is extremely short. However, both the materials used, and the details of construction, tend to belie this first impression. The simplification involved appears informed by a very refined sense of sleeping bag design. The shell is a high-tech textile from one of Japan's leading mills. It repels the direct application of water extremely well (I ran it under a tap). My testing will determine how well it handles the more insidious problem of dampness from prolonged contact with, for example, condensation from tent walls. Valandré's design offers continuous baffles that wrap right round the bag. These are are twelve major tubes of down, separated from each other internally. The fabric is joined by seams (inside and out) running along the center of the bag's top, resulting in the lengthwise line of stitching that can be seen in the photograph below. Most of these baffles are about 13.5 cm (5.3 in) in width, becoming a couple of inches wider towards the foot. The hood is differentially cut, with the interior smaller than the exterior. This style of construction, in my experience, results in a snugger, warmer and more comfortable fit than the alternative, a flat hood that's mechanically curved by a cord. The hood has three down chambers, and the center bears Valandré's simple and discreet orange logo. The extremely lofty footbox has two chambers, separated by a baffle.
The short zip moves smoothly. While there is no tape reinforcement, it is likely enough not needed, as the zipper shows no tendency to catch. The advantage of such a short zip is that there will be commensurately little loss of heat along the side of the bag resulting from drafts penetrating the zip, or conduction of heat to the outside. Nor is there a need for a draft tube, which adds weight. The possible downside is that the bag may prove awkward to enter and exit. I'm especially concerned how this will work in my small winter tent. I will examine this aspect of the bag's construction very closely.
The tension of the hood and the collar of the bag are controlled by spring-loaded toggles. In Valandré's signature fashion, these snap together. They are identical to those used on another bag by the firm that I own, so I can already vouch for the fact that having both cords in proximity in this manner is convenient. It saves much wiggling around, trying to find a "missing" pull that I'm probably lying on. They are detached from each other by pressing a small button (and the bag can't easily be exited until they are separated). Each cord is tipped with a rubber-like pull. It's a simple but elegant arrangement.
The cut of the bag is very roomy around the chest (and I'm not exactly skinny). There is more than enough space in there to wear an expedition-weight down jacket with a full hood. I have verified this by wearing a Moonstone Uber Down Jacket in the bag, a garment that has massive loft. In fact, even then there is enough room for still more chest insulation, without risking compressing the down of the bag.
The cut of the bag tapers quite sharply towards the legs, although there is still room for insulated pants. The footbox has more than enough room for down booties or boot liners. Given this spaciousness, I expect to be able to take the bag well below its rating by using layers (the Uber Down may be overkill for most conditions, given that it doubles the loft). I consider this a huge plus, as many sleeping bags are rather skimpy in cut, and wearing a heavy down jacket would likely be rather constricting without the ample space this bag provides. While winter is still with us, I hope to test the lower limits of the bag both with and without such augmentation, temperatures permitting. The length seems adequate for the storage of water, gas etc. at the foot, although it appears slightly less than I would have expected from the 200 cm (6 ft 7 in) indicated on the website. On a final note, there are two hang loops at the foot of the bag, which I will use. (I prefer to keep my sleeping bags hung, as it keeps the down in good shape.) There is a mesh storage bag supplied as an alternative means of storage, as well as a stuff sack that is very effective in compressing the bag into a small volume. SUMMARY
From my preliminary assessment, this appears to be an attractive and very well-made sleeping bag with a highly refined design, and an impressive loft for its weight. I am especially intrigued by the possibility of using it as a lightweight option for milder winter trips, in conjunction with insulated jackets etc. I carry these in any case, for camp use. I look forward to testing how comfortable it is, and how easy it is to get in and out; how well it suits my sleeping style (generally I am a side sleeper); how well it resists moisture etc.
FIELD LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS
Because the Mirage arrived somewhat later than expected (and given the vagaries of climate this year) I was unable to test it in conditions as cold as I had originally planned. I've used it on three outings to date, all in the Catskill Mountains of New York State, sleeping at elevations to about 3400 ft (1036 m). I consider myself a warm to average sleeper under most conditions, unless exceptionally fatigued or hungry. I usually eat some fairly high-fat food at supper, along with lots of carbs and hot liquids. A decent evening meal (hungry or not) is key to staying warm overnight. PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD I have been extremely pleased by the performance of the Mirage. It packs compactly into its nylon sack, though some care in doing so is needed, as it is a tight fit. I have decided to avoid using compression sacks, in order to avoid any potential damage to the down. It's not necessary to use one, as the bag packs to such a small size in the supplied sack when compared to most sleeping bags of this approximate rating. SUMMARY The Valandré Mirage strikes me, as I had noted in the Initial Report, to be something of a minimalist bag, though very sophisticated in its construction. In general, in the use I have given it so far, I am pleased with almost all aspects of its design, with the small exception of the lack of a "garage" for the zip where it meets the collar. The short zip (and the awkwardness getting in and out of the bag, especially in small tents) might also be considered potentially negative, but I feel it makes for a warmer bag, so at present I consider this to be a trade-off between convenience and functionality. LONG-TERM TEST LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS Unfortunately, I ran out of true cool-weather conditions in which to test the Mirage. I was able to use it for one Catskill overnight backpack, and two nights at Harris Lake (a state campground) in the Adirondacks, my base-camp for a Santononi Range traverse. For the Catskill trip, the elevation was around 3000 ft (914 m), and the lowest nightime temperature 45 F (7 C). For Harris Lake, the elevation was about 1700 ft (518 m), and temperatures were as low as 40 F (4 C) one night of the two. I was using the Double Rainbow Tarptent as a shelter in both instances. For the Catskill trip I used a Z-Rest augmented by a Bozeman Mountain Works Torsolite as sleeping pads, and for the Adirondacks a rather hefty Therm-a-Rest, as this was basically car camping. PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD
As noted in my Field Report, the manufacturer's suggested upper rating of 50 F (10 C) was generally accurate. At any higher temperature, the bag is usually uncomfortably warm, and its construction precludes ventilation. I was very disappointed not to have the opportunity to test the low temperature performance during the four month test period, and I may add to this report next winter. SUMMARY
This is, in my opinion, a superb bag, of exceptionally light weight and really superior construction. While I have not been able to use it near its stated lower limit, based on my experience in the Field Test period, I would anticipate that it will function well at sub-freezing temperatures (provided that I am well fed and hydrated before bedtime, something I am very careful about in winter conditions). I am generally delighted with it, and the only minor cavils I have (mentioned in the previous text) are trade-offs against the exceptionally light weight. CONTINUED USE
I anticipate that this will become my normal autumn and early winter bag, except during very cold periods. The weight is hard to beat, the loft is excellent, and the room that it offers to layer up clothing, especially on my upper body, is unrivalled by any other bag excepting one other I own, from the same manufacturer. Read more reviews of Valandre gear Read more gear reviews by Edward Ripley-Duggan Reviews > Sleep Gear > Sleeping Bags > Valandre Mirage > Edward Ripley-Duggan > Test Report by Edward Ripley-Duggan |