Reviewed by: TrailTramper
I used to be a big fan of this sleeping bag, until I used it recently at about 25 degrees and found it cold despite the 15-degree rating. I was wearing thermal underwear, t-shirt, fleece jacket, and hiking socks. The main problem is the uninsulated bottom. I do not insert the sleeping pad (BA Insulated Air Core) into the sleeping bag because IT IS TOO RESTRICTING, in fact downright uncomfortable. I simply lay the sleeping bag on top of the pad. Every time I turned over during the night I discovered a cold spot where my rear end was exposed due to the uninsulated bottom. Overall, this did reduce the effectiveness of the bag rather significantly. The BA Insulated Air Core seemed marginally adequate at 25 degrees. Not bad, but also not excellent. I would not want to have to use this combination at its rated temperature of 15 degrees. I feel that the "sleep system" with the pad inside the bag is overrated. People don't realize how weird this feels. I love this bag and pad in the summer, but not in the fall.
Gear Lab: Boots Torture TestCan any hiking boot survive 15 minutes in a cement mixer filled with rocks, sticks, dirt, and bricks? Gear Lab aims to find out. |
Gear Lab: Tents Torture TestWho wants a mountain tent that buckles under pressure? Not us--so we blasted four top tents with a carwash pressure washer to see which one comes out on top. |
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Q.}
I'm a sweaty sleeper. Any tips?
Submitted by: Eddie, New York, NY
A.}
First, realize that naked is not always cooler. Bare, hot skin will stick to nylon sleeping bag liners and the feeling is very, um, unpleasant. You'll feel like a rotisserie chicken.
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