I Want My Mummy
Five Cold Weather Bags
By Rhett Olson

This month's Field Test takes a closer look at cold-weather sleeping bags. Our crew's curiosity stems from several of last year's winter trips where munching on late night snacks, wearing thermals and thick socks, and taking a warm water bottle to bed were our only actions that kept us from becoming human popsicles overnight. Bag testing occurred in the snow-filled Wasatch Mountains of Utah, where overnight temperatures dropped below zero. We also took them to Southern Utah in December, where clear desert skies brought overnight temperatures down close to 5 degrees Fahrenheit.

Each of the bags offers at least two sizes. I elected to list weight and price specifications for the regular fit bags. Three of the bags are down filled, the other two insulate with Polarguard 3D.

We reviewed the following cold weather bags:
L.L Bean Expedition Series Winter Camping Bag
Feathered Friends Widgeon Bag
Moonstone Liberty Ridge
Sierra Designs Jesse James CS Bag
The North Face Tundra 3D

L.L Bean Expedition Series Winter Camping Bag Temp Rating: -20
Weight: 4 lbs. 4 oz.
Retail Price: $365
Fill: Down

Although we jokingly referred to the Winter Camping Bag as "the Bean Bag", its performance was no joke. The 725-fill-power down ideally suits it for backpacking during the winter months. The down fill results in lightweight and high compactability, especially when stuffed into a compression sack. Unlike the other bags tested, the shell is made of a densely woven polyester microfiber and treated with a water-repellant finish. L.L. Bean claims this creates a very soft, durable, breathable and water-resistant shell. We found all of these to be true.

One of our testers felt the bag offered plenty of room for his arms and legs, permitting him more freedom to toss and turn. Conversely, he said that the extra room allowed cold spots to form where he was not in contact with the bag. I discovered the bag to provide ample warmth and comfort. In length, the regular size seems too short for those over 5'10" tall-I recommend the Long bag for taller buyers, despite the extra five ounces its adds to the weight.

The Winter Camping bag features an insulated draft tube at the collar and along the zipper. Although they worked just fine, we noticed that the collar draft tube connected at the zipper rather than connecting back on itself. This design slightly hampers the adjustability of the bag around the shoulders and neck. The non-elastic draw chords were liked by all as they made it easier to cinch up the bag around the head.

Summary: This roomy mummy from the L.L Bean Expedition Series is steal at $365 if you want all of the warmth and comfort of down without a lot of bells and whistles.

Contact L.L. Bean at 800-555-1173 or www.llbean.com/

Feathered Friends Widgeon Bag
Temp Rating: -10
Weight: 3 lbs. 5 oz.
Retail Price: $514
Fill: Down

If the Feathered Friends Widgeon had a middle name, it would be "versatility." The bag's design allows it perform well across a wide range of temperatures. This versatility results from the bag's down lining within a continuous baffle. Also, the insulation in the draft collar removes for those times when higher temperatures are expected, a feature unique to this bag. Steve rated the Widgeon one of his favorite all-around bags because of its comfort at both cold and warmer temperatures. He tested the Widgeon on several fall trips before the snow started to fall.

To counteract down's poor insulation when wet, Feathered Friends added a Gore DryLoft shell for moisture protection. In the tradition of Gore, the DryLoft laminate does an excellent job at repelling water, while maintaining breathability. This allows more body moisture to exit the bag rather than collecting in the down.

The Widgeon uses buttons on the flap at the top of the zipper that helps connect the hood to the body of the bag. We found ourselves fumbling with buttons more than the Velcro closures of other bags. Testers also had problems with the zipper. Instead of incorporating a stiff material into the draft tube, the material is separate from the bag and sits directly behind the zipper. This method was also used on the L.L. Bean Winter Bag and Sierra Designs Jesse James. We frequently caught the bag lining in the zipper on all three of these bags.

Summary: After choking on the price tag, we found the Widgeon to be one of our favorite bags because of its lightweight and comfort in an amazingly wide range of temperatures.

Contact Feathered Friends at 206-328-0887 or www.featheredfriends.com

Moonstone Liberty Ridge
Temp Rating: -10
Weight: 3 lbs. 7 oz.
Retail Price: $510 (Dryloft Shell)
Fill: 800+ Down

The Liberty Ridge's 800+ goose down fill keeps you warm and cozy when the temperatures hover near zero. The bag comes with the option of 40 Denier Taffeta or a Dryloft fabric shell. Because wet down insulates so poorly, we recommend getting the Dryloft. (The bag reviewed had the Dryloft shell.) In all of our nights out testing bags, we never had any moisture-related problems with the Dryloft shells on any of the bags.

Steve mentioned that he spent a very warm night in the Liberty Ridge when the temperatures dropped down to approximately five degrees. Although, he he had difficulty getting his feet warm, after he put on fleece socks he stayed toasty. Because of this experience he questions whether the bag would keep you warm at -10 degrees. Unfortunately we were unable to get temperatures that low for testing.

Testers noted a great fit and easy adjustments. Steve said, " I could pull the hood or collar tight, open or close the zipper, and pull my arms in or out from inside without lots of repositioning, tugging, or binding. Once inside and all secured, I could move around (e.g. roll over) without twisting the bag." Others also noticed that the chest area was very spacious. Everyone liked the Liberty Ridge's zipper design featuring a stiff material in the lining adjacent to the zipper. We had no problems catching the zipper on the lining.

Summary: Weighing in at just under three and a half pounds, this light 800+ goose down filled bag packs in the heat. It also offers loads of room and easy adjustments.

Contact Moonstone at 800-390-3312. or www.moonstone.com

Sierra Designs Jesse James CS Bag
Temp Rating: -15
Weight: 4 lbs. 10 oz.
Retail Price: $250
Fill: Polarguard 3D

The Jesse James is one of two bags in this review insulated by Polarguard 3D. Among synthetic fibers PolarGuard ranks high in warmth-to-weight ratio. It also holds heat well when wet, especially when compared to down. To protect the lining from moisture, Sierra Designs used a nylon twill ripstop shell. We never had any problems with a wet lining due to moisture while sleeping in the bag.

Testers' comments indicate a high comfort level because of generous spacing in the shoulders and legs. They were also pleased with the fit of the hood. Sierra Designs offers the same bag for women. The Belle Star CS boasts all of the same features as the Jesse James, but is more narrow in the shoulders and wider in the hip region. They also added extra insulation in the footbox for extra warmth.

Although our testers stayed warm in near zero-degree temperatures, most felt the Liberty Ridge, Widgeon, and Tundra 3D would perform better in colder conditions.

The bag's zipper design is much like the L.L. Bean Winter Bag and Feathered Friends Widgeon. A stiff material lies directly behind the zipper, but separate from the draft tube. This design allows the zipper to catch on the inside of the bag. Although not burdensome, Polarguard 3D insulation means a bulkier and heavier bag than down. Of the two synthetic bags, the Jesse James requires a larger stuff sack, making packing the bag more difficult in limited space.

Summary: The thoughtful design and solid construction of this bag far outweigh any of the problems that we had with its zipper. The Jesse James offers ample warmth to about zero degrees. At an inviting $250 retail, the Jesse James offers a lot of bang for your buck.

Contact Sierra Designs at 510-450-9555.

The North Face Tundra 3D
Temp Rating:-20
Weight: 4 lbs. 13 oz.
Retail Price:
Fill: Polarguard 3D

From The North Face Alpenglow series comes a bag designed for extreme alpine conditions, the Tundra 3D. This classic bag has been reworked with many new features for the 1999 season.

The North Face uses Firestorm & Diamond Lite fabric for the bag's shell which we found to be very durable, breathable and water resistant. The Polarguard 3D lining kept our reviewers warm, even on the coldest winter nights. We also found the Tundra to compact well. Testers packed it down considerably smaller than the other Polarguard bags.

We were especially impressed with the improved pull tab attached to the zipper. This three-inch long tab makes it very easy to find and slide the zipper. A small stuffed section at the tab's end improves your grip, especially when wearing gloves. Jeff mentioned he thought the mesh pocket on the Velcro latch strap (over the zipper on the outside of the bag) was a great idea. He found it a useful spot to put his watch while sleeping. When his alarm sounded in the morning, he could count on hearing it because it was right next to his ear, rather than buried under gear.

Our reviewers wrote mixed comments on the stuff sack sewn onto the inside at the foot of the bag. Jeff said he really didn't mind having the bag at his feet-when mountaineering you don't have to worry about the sack blowing away. On the other hand, I found it bothersome and uncomfortable. I prefer the comfort to convenience.

Our reviewers also appreciated the soft flannel-like material covering the drawstring on the draft tube collar. It made having the bag cinched around the neck more bearable. Reviewers also liked the stiffened sides adjacent to the zipper. We never had any problems with catching the bag in the zipper.

Summary: This bag belongs in the mountains. All of the additional features, such as the Velcro latch pocket, extended zipper pull, and softened draft collar set this bag apart from all of the others.

Contact North Face at 800-719-6678 x155.

Rhett is a Contributing Editor for GearReview.com, the leading independent source for online gear reviews at www.gearreview.com.