Review of Sierra Designs Van Winkle Sleeping Bag
By Matt Smith

I like to sleep on my stomach; and then on my side; and then on my back; and then on my stomach again. I also like to sleep with my arms above my head, or with one knee bent up towards my chest to stretch out my back after long days with a heavy pack. In conventional sleeping bags, all the movement described above is a problem.

Mummy bags simply aren't designed to acommodate people who won't lie perfectly still on their backs. That is the beauty of the Sierra Designs Van Winkle. The entire bag is sewn with stretch panels to allow incredible freedom of movement. The hood is sewn extra large and rectangular so you can sleep on your stomach with your arms above your head. There is also an accessory zipper on the opposite side as the main zipper. This makes it so your can turn your face to either side and still be able to breathe fresh air.

The Powerfill 600 goose down insulation lofts up fairly quickly, and provides a soft, comfortable cocoon. Now all this comfort comes at a small cost, weighing 3 pounds for the 15 degree rating. This is slightly heavier than other 15 degree bags, but still quite reasonable. Surprisingly, the Van Winkle stuffs down into a fairly small sack about 7 inches by 14 inches. Costing about $225, the Van Winkle is a good value for the quality you are getting. With a little care, this bag could very well last you a lifetime.

Summary: This Bag is incredibly comfortable. If you tend to move a lot, and aren't worried about carrying a few extra ounces when you backpack, the Sierra Designs is an excellent all-around bag. I would recommend it for scout use as well as general backpacking and camping.

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For more information, contact:
Sierra Designs
2011 Cherry Street, Suite 202
Louisville, CO 80027
(800) 635-0461

Matt Smith is the canyoneering specialist at GearReview.com, and likes that the Chevron in Laverkin has good condiments.