Gear Review
Big Agnes Summit Park Sleeping Bag: 15 Degree Down
Could be great with a little work.
By Robert_W
Ranked #188 - 25 to 5 Degree Down Bags
June 7, 2009
First off I have to say that I absolutely love the concept of these park series bags from Big Agnes, and I think with a little work they would have a winner. They are extremely roomy, which is paramount for me as I just can't get comfy in a mummy bag, and the Summit Park is light enough to pack. But the 15 degree rating on this thing is WAY over rated.
I have now spent several nights in cold weather in this bag down to the mid 20's. Have tried multiple pads with this bag. Two inflatables and a prolite 4. The last 2 nights with an Exped Synmat 9 Deluxe rated at R-6 and approx 0 degrees. With it, a full fleece liner and a layer of Capilene 4 I was just barely comfortable on cold ground surrounded by snow with temps about 25.
The down in the bag seems to work it's way towards the edges more than it should. BA says that they have corrected this with a different baffle design but I have the new design and it hasn't. There needs to be more down over the top of the body and not around the sides. Seems that in a race to produce the lightest that they gave up on comfort. I would gladly pack another 8 oz of down that stayed in place in this thing in exchange for comfort.
Oh, and the zipper ALWAYS gets hung up.
I have spoken with BA and they are great to work with, but even they suggested a liner or heavier insulated pad. Which I already have. They also gave me the name of a company that can do alterations and add more down. What would you bet they have had this complaint before.
These companies really should be held accountable for putting out these ratings hence the 2 stars. This is a 35 degree or better bag and if it would have been advertised as such, with a good zipper, it would be 5 stars. I am using this with equipment that is designed for colder weather. We should not have to go to extremes to make their rating work. There is only one other warmer pad that I am aware of and that is the Exped 9 Deluxe Downmat with an R-8 rating. I may get one, or I may just not camp in 25 degree weather any more.
Can some one please produce a true cold weather bag 0 degrees or so that is roomy, packable and comfortable?
View Details: Big Agnes Summit Park Sleeping Bag: 15 Degree Down
Helpful Votes: 1 Yes | 0 No
Tech Specs:
- Material:
- Nylon ripstop
- Insulation:
- 600-Fill down
- Shape:
- Mummy
- Draft Collar:
- Yes
- Max User Height:
- 6ft 6in (198cm)
- Shoulder / Hip / Foot Circumference:
- 80.5 / 74.5 / 66in (204 / 189 / 168cm)
- Stuff Size:
- 10 x 10in (25 x 25cm)
- Stuff or Storage Sack:
- Both
- Degree:
- 15F (-9.4C)
- Weight:
- 3lb 8oz (1588g)
- Recommended Use:
- Camping, backpacking
- Manufacturer Warranty:
- Lifetime
Change me.
2 Comments Last Reply: November 9, 2009 By: Andrew Brandt
As a follow up now that we are into the colder season again I tried one more time....in vain to make this bag work. It does not and is being sent back. If you try to use it in cold weather...anything below 40 or so for me...even with under layering...you will be awakened by the cold and have to get up and shake the bag to reposition the down because inevitably it works it's way to the sides and then you only have the bare nylon covering you with several inches of lofted down along the sides. It is a good concept, love the roominess and pad being held in place, but it is an extremely poor design. I've also notice the occasional feather working it's way through. It needs a better zipper and baffle design....800+ fill down instead of the cheap 650....and lots more of it. If you're looking for roominess, warmth, and light weight...spend a few more bucks and get a Jacks R Better or Nunatak quilt instead. Both of which are hand made here in the USA and offer far superior quality over this mass produced Chinese junk.
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes | 0 No
I would wonder with your references to using a few different types of pads, if they were 25" width or not. I see the exped 9 deluxe which looks to be 26" so perhaps it wasn't the gap between the non-insulated bottom width of 25" and a standard 20" pad. Had you tried any of the other Park series with synthetic fill to see if they shifted as badly?
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes | 0 No