Brooks-Range Elephant Foot 15 F sleeping bag

Review by Coy Starnes

The Brooks-Range Elephant Foot sleeping bag is a sleeping bag that looks like a mummy bag that is missing the top end where the shoulder area and then hood are usually located.  And thus the use of a separate top (a hooded down jacket is ideal) is needed to complete the sleeping system.  The idea being, if you are packing a good warm jacket, then why not use it as part of the sleeping system and save weight on the sleeping bag.  The bag features 800 fill down and the shell and liner are made with a breathable, water-resistance fabric. Anyways, besides the potential weight savings, there is one more reason I am ecstatic at the prospect of using the Brooks-Range Elephant Foot bag.  I use a hammock most of the time and getting in and out of a tight fitting mummy bag is not the easiest thing in the world. I have already tried the elephant foot one night in my hammock and I can safely say, getting in and out of it is a breeze. But before digging deep into the review I think a brief look into the concept of this type sleeping system (often called a half bag) is in order.  But even before that I’d like to share a series of pictures that show how I used the bag for the first night. The first photo shows the bag and what I wore, and the next few show me getting into the bag and finally all set up for the night.

jacket, boggin, gloves and facemask needed for a cool night

pulling the Elephant Foot bag on

zipping jacket over the bag

everything on and ready for the night ahead

And now on to the concept of the half bag sleeping system.  In recent years sleeping bags have become lighter and more efficient, largely due to improved construction methods and new fabrics.  Down has not changed…but the sorting methods have, and now many of  the top end bags use high fill power down, often in the 800 to 900 fill power range.  Typically, the hiker seeking the lightest possible setup chooses a bag that will barely meet the coldest temperatures he expects but will have a light jacket to add just in case it gets colder than expected.  But this also means that if unable to hike for whatever reason, the hiker is forced to stay in the sleeping bag to stay warm, or if hiking in extreme cold, the light jacket will just have to do.  With the Elephant Foot bag, the hiker will of necessity have a heavier jacket, so stops in bitter cold will be easier to manage.  Of course the trade off might be that the jacket is too warm for hiking most of the time. But other than that, there really is not much downside to this type sleeping system that I can tell.  I’m sure testing over the next few months will reveal things I am not aware of and I will share these finding as the report is updated.

Before getting the bag out in the field I weighed it at my local post office. According to their scales the bag weighed 14.6 oz in the stuff sack and the stuff sack weighed .6 oz so the bag itself weighs 14 oz even. The advertised weight is 16 oz.  Now normally I am happy to find gear that actually weights a little less than advertised, but in the case of an ultralight sleeping bag, I really am leery because one way to have a lighter bag is for some of the down to be missing. And of course I don’t know just how accurate the scales at the post office are, so the bag may very well be closer to 16 oz than I realize. But if it keeps me warm to 15 F or even 20 F I will be tickled.  I say this partly because I have seen other bags with claimed temperature ratings only to find I was only comfortable at around 10 F warmer than they were rated.  So I guess it is a good thing that the first nights use saw a low of 27 F.  I definitely like to test a product in slightly milder conditions for the first time or two until I get used to the system.

I also took a few key measurements before using the bag.  It comes in a stuff sack that measures 11 inches long by 9 inches tall and it stuffs very easily into the stuff sack.  In fact it probably could be a lot smaller and  I’d almost be tempted to use this stuff sack for storage between trips.  But I like this stuff sack bacause I like a slightly less crammed stuff sack because it lets other gear form around it instead of being a small hard lump in my pack.  The bag measures about 57 inch long and comes up about midways on my chest, not quite up to my armpits but closer than I expected.  It measures 27 inches wide at the top and tapers gradually down to around 16 inches wide at the foot end.  I know I’m not a skinny guy at 6 feet tall and 240 lbs but I found it fit me very well.  Anyways, after letting it loft a few hours, I measured 4 inches of loft.  However, it is really hard to say how exact this measurement is because it was lower in places and higher in others, but I feel this is a pretty fair assessment.

And now for how the Elephant Foot did.  I was using my Hennesy Deep Jungle Hammock with the bubble pad between the layers of the double bottom.  I added a thin closed cell foam pad on top of the bubble pad because the low was forecast to be 25 F. I used my warmest down jacket but unfortunately this jacket does not have hood. However, I have several good winter hats as well as a ColdAvenger facemask. I also packed my warmest winter gloves.  I  wore a regular weight cotton/polyester sweat pants, a thin pair of wool socks and a thin but fuzzy merino wool sweater.  When I first set up camp it was 44 F and very windy.  By 8:30 PM when I turned in for the night it was 40 F and the wind was still kicking pretty good, making the tress squeak and leaves rustle.   The moon was also very bright so the light and the noise made sleep difficult. But getting in the Elephant Foot was as easy as falling off a log, or as the Geico insurance commercial suggest, “even a cave man could do it” but I’ll get into that more in a bit. Anyways, I woke up at around 11 PM and it was still not all that cold at 36 F but the wind was much calmer now.  My nose felt a little cool so I went ahead and added the ColdAvenger facemask to my headgear.  I went back to sleep easy enough but woke up at 2:30 with my feet feeling a little cool. By now it was 31 F. I didn’t pack any extra clothes but I did have a thin shirt I was using as a pillow so I placed this down over the bag at my feet and it seemed to help enough that I managed to go back to sleep for a couple of more hours. When I woke up at 4:30 AM it was down to 27 F and my feet were feeling pretty chilled but not unbearably so, just to the point that I was wishing they were warmer.   I was not sleepy any longer so I just decided to pack up and head home.  As I hiked home I considered my options for the next chilly night.  A slightly thicker pair of sweat pants over a medium weight pair of thermal bottoms and a thicker pair of socks would have probably been plenty.  And for real comfort, a pair of down booties might have been the ticket.   I hope to be able to find out before all the cold weather is gone.

I do want to comment just a little on the 15 F rating.  As I mentioned earlier, I got just a wee bit chilled at 27 F, especially my feet.  But I also know others might have been fine at even cooler temps and some would feel colder than I did at 27 so it really is a subjective area to comment on.  But in looking closely at the bag I see it has sew through construction instead of box baffles.  As mentioned earlier, I also laid the bag out and let it loft a few hours and it has about 4 inches of loft, but of course this is  the top and bottom combined.  I did notice that the top seems like it lofts a little more than the bottom but that was hard to determine, but regardless, more down on the top would be a good thing since the down on the bottom gets squished and is not much benefit unless I roll over.   I say all this to say, that the 15 F rating is a little optimistic in my honest opinion.  But as light as the bag is, I’m not disappointed, in fact, I’m ecstatic to have a 14 oz bag that will keep me reasonable warm down to 27 F.  And perhaps my bag is missing a couple ounces of down and it would have been warmer if it weighted 16 oz instead of 14.  One other possibility I had not even considered until another hammock user pointed it out is the possibility that my cold feet could have been because my feet are higher in a hammock then when sleeping flat on the ground. He mentioned that he had experienced the same thing and usually just wore thick socks to compensate.   And thinking back,  my legs really never were uncomfortable, just my feet.  I am leaning more towards carrying my down booties the next time to see if they wont solve my cold foot problem.

Anyways,  based on my observations from the first night I’d say this bag fits into what are normally called three season bags.   In fact I could see having a range of “Elephant Foot” bags for different seasons, a heavier bag with more insulation for real cold conditions and a lighter version with less insulation for summer use.  I would also be easy enough to even combine 2 bags for really cold weather so maybe have one slightly bigger to fit over the smaller one.  And a choice of down or synthetic would be nice, mainly because synthetic is usually more affordable but also might be needed for really wet conditions.  But back to the bag I have, it should be easy enough to adjust my gear/clothes to make do for most conditions. As I mentioned before, I really wish I had packed my down booties because for just a few ounces, they would have kept my feet toasty warm.  In warmer weather I will still probably wear  socks and at least a thin thermal bottomlayer, more to protect the bag from my toenails and skin oils than to stay warm. I should be able to pack a much lighter jacket.

And now to wrap up this first report. The idea is so elegant and simple that I am surprised  this type bag is not more popular. But the fact remains, full length traditional mummy bags continue to dominate the backpacking arena.  But for a hammock user like me, an “Elephant Foot” style bag is even more appealing just based on ease of getting into the bag.  I cant stress enough how easy it was to pull the bag up under me, then zip my down jacket up over it.  In fact, since I had my jacket on before laying down I did  not use the suspender straps except to help my pull the bag up when it was down at my feet, but once in place it never even hinted of sliding down. I’ll end by saying that after just one nights use I can truly say it is a better system for me.  Stay tuned for further updates as I continue to use and experiment with this awesome sleeping system.

About the Author

I am from northeast Alabama where I spend a lot of my time divided among several hobbies that include  backpacking and dayhiking, canoeing and kayaking, and just getting out enjoying nature.

Designed by Tim Sainburg from Brambling Design

More Pictures from the Winter OR Show:

Report by Coy Starnes

November 30, 2009

Looking for that perfect gift for the cold weather bank robber on your list…Just kidding, but now that I have your attention, let me introduce you to a neat little item from Talus Outdoor Technologies

“Introducing the ColdAvenger® Hunter made with Predator® brown deception camouflage. With the same ventilation technology as the ColdAvenger Classic, the newly-designed ColdAvenger® Hunter features a soft yet heavyweight fleece camouflage material. The mask provides hunters and outdoors people with the ultimate cold-weather breathing protection, and its wind-resistant, water-shedding and insulating fabric characteristics make it an essential hunting accessory.”

The website (http://www.talusoutdoor.com/) lists many of the advantages of the ColdAvenger line of face mask but I’ll try and sum up what I see as most important on the one I am testing.  First, my mask covers my neck, ears and most of my face from just below my eyes.  The mask has a medical-grade plastic ventilator that fits over my mouth and nose which “mixes inhaled cold air with exhaled warm air to achieve dynamic balance of warmth and humidity.” It has an adjustable vent system that allows me to increase or decrease the flow of air. Here is a close up of the adjustment mechanism. It is the yellow piece.

The face mask is made of “Heavy 380 gram, breathable Predator® Brown Deception™ fleece with a DWR finish is great for all weather and cold temperatures (~20° and below)” I find it especially interesting that the manufacture claims it “Keeps temperatures inside 40°F to 60°F higher than outside”

On thing that really impressed me was the list of users provided on the website, including several world famous mountaineers, skiers and sled dog racers.  I seriously doubt I will use my mask for anything nearly as demanding but it is nice to know it has already been tested and approved by such elite athletes.

Now for my take. I ride my recumbent all winter but sometimes wimp out on really cold days because the cold air is tough on my asthma. I am looking forward to using the ColdAvenger on my colder rides to see if the face mask does indeed allow me to breath warmer air.   I also breath heavily when climbing hills on my bike so I will see if the face mask works when I am pretty much gasping for air.  Of course I will also try it during more normal activities such as hiking and still hunting when I won’t be moving so fast and be short of breath.

Another aspect I am interested in is using the ColdAvenger while sleeping on overnight camping trips.  In really cold weather I find I can stay warm pretty much everywhere but my face, and in particular my nose.  I don’t mind covering my head and eyes with a watch cap but I am always reluctant to cover my nose because it results in a wet spot where I breath on/through the material.  I am also reluctant to do the same with my sleeping bag.  However, if my nose gets so cold I can’t sleep, I will resort to tucking my head down inside my sleeping bag where it tends to dampens everything close by.

So Far, it has not been really cold yet but I did wear it outside for a few minutes while the temperature was around 32 F.  I fed my dogs and cats and then scraped frost off my windshield as I prepared to go to work. I took it off on the ride to work after my truck warmed up but put it back on again at work while I did the outside part of my initial plant check. I have yet to wear it on a recumbent ride as the past few rides have been afternoon rides with temps in the mid 60s.

So far I have found the mask does indeed warm up and moisten the air I am breathing. It is very easy to put on and take off. And last but not least, I can talk while wearing this face mask because the part over my mouth and nose does not touch them. So I can freely say “Stick-um-up”. Had to get in one last comedy attempt…and failed miserably…  I’ll close by showing the ColdAvenger Hunter on me with a few different headgear arrangements.

Stay tuned for updates in the next few months and see how the ColdAvenger performs as winter makes its presence felt.

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ColdAvenger Update

January 28, 2010

Author out for a hike in the snow with the ColdAvenger Hunter

When I first got the ColdAvenger, winter was just hinting of things to come. My first few uses were on some chilly mornings and a couple of night-time recumbent bike rides because mid-day temps were just not cold enough to justify using the face mask. Then, in late December 2009 and into early January 2010, we had some record setting cold weather. In fact it never got above freezing for a week straight which is unusual for north Alabama.  It was 7 F one morning and 8 F and 10 F on two more.  It was during this time period that I truly came to appreciate having the ColdAvenger as part of my winter clothing arsenal.

And now for how the ColdAvenger worked.  When I was reading about how the mask actually works, I was a little worried that breathing air mixed with my exhaled air would not provide sufficent oxygen when working hard, but my worries were for naught as they never materalized.  I won’t go so far as to say that breathing with the mask on was as free and easy as with it off, but the warm verses cold air made up for the slight air restriction.

The first real test was on a bike ride that started at 7PM when the temperature was already at 40 F and it cooled down to 37 F by the end of the ride some 2 hours later.  I know 40 F does not seam real cold, but it is when on a bike going 15 to 20 mph, trust me!  Anyways, after riding 7 miles I decided to take the mask off to see if indeed it was helping. I was in for a shock after breathing the warm moist air the ColdAvenger was giving me.  After a quick drink I was off again.  It didn’t take long (maybe half a mile) for me to decide to put the mask back on for the rest of the ride.

The one problem I did have was with my glasses fogging a little, despite the fact that the vents for the face mask are out the front at the noses area and down near the bottom under my mouth. I think the problem was a results of the mask not fitting my face perfectly.  In other words, I have a big nose.  I could feel a little air coming out from above the gaps on each side of my nose when breathing hard, and of course it was obvious when my glasses fogged up.  I’ve only had a chance to ride a few more times since that ride but the ColdAvenger has been a big help in making my winter rides more enjoyable.

The ColdAvenger was a homerun when used on one very cold overnight campout. I used it during several miles of hiking, then while I set up camp and then to bed.  It was 28 F when I first left out at 3 PM and a couple of hours later it was already down to 22 F as I was setting up camp, and getting colder by the minute.  It dropped on down to 14 F by the next morning.  I broke camp in the dark at 5 AM after realizing I could no longer sleep due to going to bed so early.  Plus, my water bottles were frozen solid and I was ready to get home and get a drink.

This was also the longest time in which I wore the ColdAvenger almost continuously.  I took it off long enough to get a drink a few times before my water bottles froze and also to eat a few snacks but otherwise, I had it on the whole time.

I will admit that it got a little bothersome wearing it almost constantly for 14 hours straight but it never itched, and for the most part, I forgot I had it on. I did wake up at around 2 AM to find the mask had slid down off my nose but when I woke earlier at around midnight and back up at around 4:30 AM, it was in place. I may have some how pulled it off in my sleep the one time as there is not much reason for it to move without intentionally doing so. And for the record, I also get tired of wearing gloves and a boggin for long periods of time, so it is more of a natural reaction from wearing things I don’t wear on a regular basis for an extended period than a reflection on the ColdAvenger.

During the same time period as the overnight campout, we had a week and a half of very cold weather in which I wore the mask nearly every time I went outside, including several fairly long day hikes.  One such hike was 6 miles while it was snowing. I did not wear my sunglasses because it was cloudy but went on another hike of about 3 miles the next day and needed them. And, as I had discovered during my few recumbent bike rides, I had some issues with my sunglasses fogging up when breathing hard.  I ended up taking the face mask off while climbing back up the mountain and I could definitely tell the difference in how the air felt. I was glad to put the ColdAvenger back on once I reached the top and had caught my breath.  And for the record, when I was breathing more normally, I had no problems with fogging.

I will note that when wearing the mask, the rubber part gets damp on the inside.  This never proved to be a problem, and after each wearing I usually rinsed the inside of the rubber part off once back home without getting the fleece very wet at all.  After several uses I went ahead and dunked the whole mask in some water in a bowl with just a tad of dish-washing liquid.  I don’t think it was necessary but this was after the overnighter when I had breathed in the mask a lot.  I have used it several times since then and it is as good a new, not that it was not good to go with just a quick rinse.

Summary:  I have camped out in cold condition before and had major problems breathing cold air.  I don’t exactly know how much difference the ColdAvenger made in how warm I felt, but I went to sleep much easier and really felt like I was in a much warmer place than what the thermometer indicated.  I commented to my wife the next morning that it really was not a lot different than going to sleep in the house.  I’m not sure how she took that comment…

For walking, recumbent bike riding and just being outside in cold weather, the ColdAvenger does indeed make the cold easier to deal with.  I’m not sure if I stayed out any longer than I would have otherwise, but it sure was nice to be able to breathe warm instead of cold air!

And another thing, I don’t have snow goggles but I’d like to see if a pair would solve the fogging issues I had with my sunglasses.  When walking, my sunglasses are not that important, but when riding, they are needed to keep the cold air off of my eyes. Maybe I will find a pair to try but they (snow goggles) are not that common around these parts.

That’s pretty much all I have to say for now.  I’ll close with this thought. I hate to assign a temperature rating or usefulness chart as everyone responds to cold weather differently. I will say that for me, using the ColdAvenger seemed advantageous anytime the temps got much below 40 but the colder it got, the more beneficial wearing it became. I know it was a big help on the 7 F morning when I was outside a little getting my early rounds at work done.

About the Author

I am from northeast Alabama where I spend a lot of my time divided among several hobbies that include  backpacking and day hiking, canoeing and kayaking, and just getting out enjoying nature.

Report by Coy Starnes

November 25, 2009

The Kaycee is a mummy shaped sleeping bag designed for serious cold weather. It features an insulation called  Retq.  The image on the left is the manufactures rendition of this insulation and what it accomplishes.  I only know that it does loft very well after being compressed inside the stuff sack.  It remains to be seen how it lofts after a few years.  My hope is that it fairs better then some of my other synthetic bags which seem to loose lofting ability after a few years of use.

The Kaycee is pretty much the standard size for mummy sleeping bags with dimensions of 82″ x 32″ x 21″.  The 82″ length includes the hood. The 32 inches is how wide it is at the chest and the 21 ” is how wide it is at the foot.  This size bag will fit the average 6′ tall individual.  There is also a long version available.  Not only is the long for taller folks, they are usually cut a few inches wider and the Kaycee follows this pattern.  I am only 6 feet tall myself but I might have been better off with the long just to get the extra width.  That said, I can zip this bag up all the way but I don’t have much wiggle room for my arms.  However, when I am in my hammock I tend to use my sleeping bag more as a quilt.  In fact, I like a bag rated a little warmer for my hammock because I loose a little of the bags insulating potential by not keeping it zipped so snug around me.  Then when it gets really cold I zip the bag all the way around me and live with the lost mobility.  And keep in mind that a tight fitting bag is usually warmer because there is lass space to keep warm but only as long as the bag is not so tight that the insulation is compressed.

I weighed the Kaycee at my local post office and it is fairly close to the manufactures stated weight.  The bag alone weighed in at 4 lbs 10 oz and the stuff sack weighed  4.7 oz for a total weight of 4 lbs 14.7 oz. The manufacture says the carry weight is 4 lbs 9 oz or about 6 oz less than what I got.  For a bag this heavy the percentage is not off by a lot.  Speaking of heavy, yes the Kaycee is a pretty heavy bag, but then again, it is rated for 0 F and there is not much way around getting any lighter in a synthetic bag.  A down bag can be quite a bit lighter but will usually cost at least twice as much and often more. A quick internet search revealed several 0 F down bags weighing from 3 to 4 lbs and costing around $300 and up.

The Kaycee comes with a very robust compression stuff sack.  In other words after cramming it in the stuff sack, there are four straps that go down the sides and around the ends of the stuff sack which can be cinched down to compress the size as much as possible and hold it.  I like this because it makes getting the bag inside the stuff sack initially a little easier than if it were as small as possible to start with.  The stuffed size is not exactly minuscule but it is pretty small for a 0 F synthetic sleeping bag. I measured the stuffed size at around 16″ x 10″ The picture below along side a basketball gives a good indication of the stuffed size.

The Kaycee has a few additional features worth mentioning.  There is a “stash pocket: on the top side up near the opening that is big enough for a few electronics.  It measures approximately 7″ x 7″ and my cell phone and small P&S camera fit inside with no problem. I like it because it helps keeps them from sliding down under me. There is another pocket on the outside under the hood for placing a pillow.  Since I usually use a hammock I really don’t need a pillow but don’t mind having the option available.  Another nice touch is the 2 way zipper which also features a zipper stiffener integrated into the draft tube to prevent snagging. The zipper goes from the hood down the right side to within about one ft of the foot.  The long left will mate with this bag as well.

I really like the way my feet have room in this bag.  The way the foot section of the bag is shaped matches how my feet want to orient when I am laying on my back.  I tried it out in my living room floor and my feet were not pushing against the sides of the bag very much which can cause the feet to get cold.  Of course when I use the bag in my hammock this same pocket may be turned a little to one side but I will see how it works.  Eureka has this to say.  ”Creates a comfortable space designed specifically for the natural forward and outward

“tilting” of your feet.”  Here is a photo from the manufacture which shows how this is obtained.

On thing I wish were included is a storage sack.  In other words, a much bigger sack than the stuff sack, for storing the bag at home in between trips.  I don’t like to leave my bags compressed any more than necessary but I don’t consider it a deal breaker as I solve this by just using a large pillow case.

Usage so far

I wanted to have at least one nights use before commenting on the bag and I was lucky enough to see a fairly cool night right after receiving the Kaycee.  For one, with a 0 F rating, using it on a really warm night would not be of much use for evaluating its warmth.  But considering I like too leave my bag unzipped but draped over me in my hammock, I like a bag with a warmer rating then the overnight temperatures I anticipate.  So far I have used the bag on two nights but only down to 35 F.  I do hope to use it at much lower temperatures later on this winter.

Any sleeping bags performance is going to depend on a good sleeping pad. I have discovered that when sleeping in a hammock the insulation under me is even more critical.  My new hammock features a double bottom so sliding a pad in under me is no problem.  For now I am using a bubble pad which is an available option with my Hennessy Deep Jungle and made to use in between the layers in this hammock.

I first used the bag on 11/18/09.  I did not get camp set up until late (10 PM) but was still in the Kaycee for at least 8 hours. It was 47 F when I first set up camp but slowly cooled off to 35 F by the time I got up at 7 AM.  I stayed toasty warm all night.  In fact, I went ahead and zipped it up all the way for just a bit and was too hot.  I left the fly off my hammock hoping to see some meteors that were forecast but it stayed cloudy all night.  I guess I was lucky it did not rain.  I was curious to see if the stash pocket would keep my phone and camera  warm and in place.  I half way expected they would work out of the pocket as I tossed and turned but the little hook and loop patch in the center proved enough closure to keep them in place.   I was also concerned that they would bug me since the pocket is located on the top side of the bag but the way I used the bag as a quilt they ended up off to the side a little, hanging just past my right shoulder.  I also noticed my feet did not fit in the foot area quite as nicely as when in the living room floor due to having the bag turned sideways but they stayed warm.

I used the bag again on 11/24/09.  It only dropped down to 44 F this time so I will be looking to test it in colder conditions as soon as the weather cooperates.  I was fine with the bag draped over me but considering I had already used it in the same manner on a colder night this was no revelation.  But the main reason I went ahead and used the bag again was to get some pictures of the bag in use.  I took some photos on the first night but inadvertently erased them before getting them from the camera.  Here is the bag spread out in my hammock.

Stay tuned for updates in the next few months and see how the Kaycee performs as winter makes its presence felt.

Eureka Kaycee Update

January 20, 2010

I was hoping to get some cold weather testing conditions and sure enough, we had some of the coldest winter weather on record just recently.  I managed to go on a short overnighter on January 2, 2010. The skies were clear and it was 28 F at 3 pm when hit a nearby trail. I hiked about 3 miles before stopping to set up camp. By this time at around 5 PM it was already down to 22 F and was down to 17 F at around 9 PM when I went to sleep.  Since I turned in early I woke up for good at around 4:30 AM and got up at 5 AM to pack up.  It was now down to 14 F an my water bottle were frozen solid, actually they had been since around midnight. I was ready to get home and get a drink.

So how did the Kaycee do?  Well, I would have to say it did just fine, in fact, I slept very well and stayed warmer than I ever remember in these conditions.  On a similar trip a few years ago, I got so cold at 11 F that I packed up early and walked  6 miles (half the night it seemed) to get back to my truck.  To be fair, I am also testing a ColdAvenger face mask, and it lets me breath fairly warm air all night, even with my face out of the bag. But I also stayed warm all over.

I did use the bag in much the same way as I did on the previous warmer nights and I was a little worried that leaving the bag partially open might cause me to get cold.  I did keep a light fleece jacket and my sweat pants on all night which proved to be handy as I kept waking up needing to pee. I think real cold weather makes me have to pee more than normal for some reason.  I also wore a medium weight base layer (top and bottom), two pairs of socks, some good gloves and a very warm bogin.  It was nice to be able to get up and go pee without having to get dressed but I cooled off very quickly and certainly did not linger to gaze at the stars.

I should also mention that I used two sleeping pads.  One is the bubble pad I had already used down to 35 F.  I knew this pad would not quite cut it alone so I added a 1.5 inch thick self inflating pad.  This pad is 25 inches wide so it works well in my hammock to keep my shoulders from getting cold.

Anyways, like I said earlier, I managed to stay warm all night. I should mention that my head did get a little cool since I was not using the sleeping bag hood, but in addition to the bogin and ColdAvenger face mask, I was wearing a rain jacket over my fleece jacket for the hike in. Once I had camp set up and was ready for bed I kept the fleece jacket on and used the rain jacket as a pillow of sorts, and ended up using it to sort of wrap around my head.

Even though I have been using the bag as a blanket in my hammock, I wish it were cut a little bigger. Even without extra clothes on it was very hard to zip up all the way, and I think that if zipped up completely, I could use the bag in even colder conditions.  For one, it would make using the hood easier and for two, the draft collar would work better, and both would be helpful on really cold nights.  And even though I was just fine at 14 F, another 14 degrees colder (down to 0 F) is a big jump.  Plus, if I ever use the bag on the ground, say in a tent or in shelter on the Appalachian Trail, being able to zip it all the way up would help me stay warmer. I say this because of the way my hammock folds around me and thus my pads sort of wrap up under me, where as on the ground, the pads stay pretty much flat.

One other thing of note, earlier this year my daughter went to a camp for two nights. I was not at home when she packed and she snuck out with my favorite down sleeping bag. It is the 30 F bag I use in the summer when doing long trips.  I have a 15 F synthetic bag and would have felt a lot better if she had taken it.  I was worried the whole time she was gone that she would spill something on the bag or somehow get it dirty, and I don’t like to wash my down bags.  I say this to bring home the point that while the Kaycee is a fiarly heavy bag, I don’t feel like I have to baby it. I have not needed to wash it yet but I wont mind doing so when needed.

I still have a few months of cold weather left so stay tuned to see how the Kaycee fairs the rest of the winter.

A Cool wrap-up  for the Kaycee

February 23, 2010

Since the 14 F night I have used the Eureka Kaycee 0 F bag two more nights.  Both nights were on hikes on some local trails I frequently enjoy.  Unfortunately, (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it…) neither night was as cold as the previous 14 F night  so I still have not tested the bag down to its lowest rating.  However, it was cold enough that a good quality sleeping bag was a must for a good nights sleep.  The low on the late January night was 26 F and just recently on February 16th it got down to 23 F .    On the late January hike, I did try using just my bubble pad in my Hennesy Deep Jungle hammock but that didn’t last long.  I had packed the same self-inflating pad I used on the 14 F night just in case and was glad to have it.  On the mid February hike it was predicted to get colder so I just went ahead and used the extra pad to start with.

Other than that, I don’t have a lot to add since I really didn’t break any new ground (establish a new low testing temperature).  I will say that this sleeping bag has worked very well as a quilt, but I do wish it were cut a little bigger so that zipping it up all the way was easier.  Speaking of which, I think there is a niche most sleeping bag makers are missing.  And by that I mean,  I (and perhaps other big folks like me) don’t want to have to buy a “long” mummy bag just to get a little more elbow room.   I’ve noticed time after time that the sleeping bags sold as a “long”  are listed with an extra inch of girth (circumference) in the chest, hip and foot areas.  And it is amazing how much difference an inch makes because I’ve tried out a few in the regular and then the long version, and the long felt a lot more roomy. But enough of that, maybe I just need to loose some weight…

Conclusion

I realize I went a little negative when talking about how tight fitting the Kaycee “regular” is.  But this is true for me with most “mummy” sleeping bags in the regular length.  In fact, if you were a very small or skinny person, you might have the opposite problem.  So with that out of the way, I’d like to share my final thoughts.  First and foremost, the Kaycee is indeed a very warm sleeping bag.  I know this because it had to be to keep me warm at 14 F without being zipped up all they way.  It also packs relatively small for a 0 F synthetic bag.   I have seen other 0 F synthetic bags that were a lot bigger once stuffed.   I also really liked the foot box design on the Kaycee as it gave my feet plenty of room even when turned slightly sideways when using it as a quilt.  And lastly, it is an economical solution for a serious winter backpacking bag.  You can go lighter and smaller with a down bag but it will cost  a lot more, usually around twice as much, and many are several times the cost of this bag.

About the Author

I am from northeast Alabama where I spend a lot of my time divided among several hobbies that include  backpacking and dayhiking, canoeing and kayaking, and just getting out enjoying nature.

Sounds easy enough, right?  So why do so many folks venture out unprepared and under dressed for the conditions they encounter?  The fact that hypothermia kills more outdoorsman than all other natural factors combined should get our attention.   And by natural factors, I mean things like drowning, snake bites, lighting strikes, bear attacks etc.   So apparently, folks are still underestimating the danger, or more likely, they go out dressed properly, but not for unexpected changes in the weather or an unforeseen extended duration, such as getting lost and having to spend the night.   It is also surprising to learn that nearly all cases were in temperatures between 30 and 50 F.

But aside from the fact that hypothermia can kill, I personally just enjoy the outdoors more if I am warm.   And lucky for me, there have been many improvements in the way clothing is made.  But before delving into the ways to dress to stay warm, a basic understanding of the ways in which we loose heat might be helpful.  We lose heat in five basic ways and often in a combination of several.

1: Conduction is the transfer of heat directly from one object to another.   A good example would be setting on a cold rock or sleeping on the cold ground.

2: Convection is the loss of heat through moving air or liquid.  Ever notice how cool it feels after working up a sweat, then resting and a breeze comes along?

3: Evaporation occurs when a liquid changes into a gas. Sweat drying on the skin or from clothing is a good example.  The wind (convection) usually speeds it up

4: Radiation is heat traveling through the air from warm objects to nearby colder objects. It is also known as infrared energy.  We usually notice this in the opposite direction like when standing in front of a space heater.  Notice how your clothes or skin get very warm really fast but the air in between does not.

5: Respiration is another way we loose heat.  Most folks probably don’t think about it but I’ll bet most of us have breathed on our cold hands to warm them up. That same warm breath is constantly taking heat away from our body.

It is also helpful to know that heat energy is always trying to equal out.  Colder objects warm up while warmer objects cool off.  And remember to eat and drink so that the body does not run out of fuel.  Clothes do not produce heat (not counting some chemical hand warmers and battery operated socks etc), but instead help preserve the heat the body produces.

And now for ways to dress for the cold.   Layering is the biggest key to success in my opinion because over dressing can be just as bad as under dressing. With layers it is easy enough to take off something to avoid overheating, which leads to sweating, which can be dangerous in very cold or windy conditions.    There is an old saying that cotton kills, and while it is not necessarily always true, cotton clothing does tend to absorb moisture and is not great at wicking it away from the skin.  Wool and recently developed synthetics do a better job at wicking moisture away from the skin. Also keep in mind that the core areas of the body should be protected at all cost.  Remember that heat rises so the old saying that if your feet are cold, cover your head, has a lot of merit.  When layering, it is also advantageous to keep weight and bulk at a minimum.  It is just not much fun to walk around looking like the Michilan man and for certain activities like bow hunting, bulky clothing can interfere with success.

So let’s start with the base layers. I personally like wool but some can be itchy.  However, I have had excellent results with merino wool.  I have also had good results with synthetics but do find they hold odors more so than wool. That is not to say that wet wool does not have an odor, but it does not seem to amplify body odor as much.  There has also been some success in treating synthetics to lessen the odor.  A good base layer offers two fold protection.  First would be insulation by trapping body heat.  As a general rule, the thicker the material, the warmer it will be.  And the ability to trap air helps keep insulation lighter as trapped air is also good insulation as long as movement of said air can be minimized.   Of course the ability to wick moisture away from the body is important.

I think socks fit in well when discussing the base layer.  Again, I like wool or a wool blend in socks but recently discovered that socks may also be made with a PrimaLoft Merino Blend Yarn.  They are offered by such companies as LL Bean, Lorpen, Fox River or The North Face.  The socks are said to be soft and the combination of both fibers (merino wool and PrimaLoft) creates a great moisture management system that transfers moisture vapor away from the skin and pushes it out for dry and comfortable feet.  I just recently got a pair of Lorpen socks that use this yarn but it has not been that cold yet so I can not really comment on their cold weather performance.  I will say that they are very comfortable socks.  Look for a separate review on these socks on this site soon.

While discussing socks, I guess it is logical to bring up boots.  Boots are highly subjective as some prefer heavy winter boots while others are happy with a much lighter boot.  I have even read of folks using trail runners and using bread sacks between two pairs of socks.  I am in the middle camp.  I like a good waterproof but fairly light weight boot for most winter conditions I encounter.  If I am going to be sitting a lot, such as when hunting or fishing, I will swap to heavy boots or even a pair of  Pac Boots from Sorel I have owned for years.  However, I never liked walking far in these boots and just recently discovered the comfort and warmth of Muck Boots.  I have a pair called the Edgewater which are now my primary cold weather boots, especially when I am going to be around water much.  They are completely waterproof and stand 16 inches tall.  But what I really like is the fact that they are very comfortable.  I would not use them for a real long hike but they are okay for a few miles.

Next up for discussion is the mid layer.  This layer may also be used for the base layer in milder conditions.  The same qualities that make for a good base layer apply here as well.  In other words, clothing that traps heat, but also lets moisture escape.  However, this layer should  be able to withstand rough treatment since it will often be the outer layer.  In other words, pants good for sitting on rough rocks or crashing through briers.  Shirts might not need to be quite as tough but still need to be durable.

Hats and gloves are really an outer layer but I wanted to discuss them separately.  A good toboggan (watch cap) is probably one of the lest expensive yet most effective articles of clothing you can wear in cold weather.  Wool is good, but I have used cheap acrylic ones without any problem.  Of course if it is going to be raining, some provisions should be made to keep the head dry.  One of my favorite hats for cold wet weather is a bomber style hat in camo.  It has a layer of thinsulate under the cap part and a soft fake fur like material for the inside part of the ear flap.  The outside of the hat is made of a tough nylon with Cordura and incorporates a Gore-Tex membrane.

While on the discussion of hats, remember when I listed respiration as a way we loose heat.  Another interesting product addresses this problem head on.  Head on…get it!  I am referring to something I can wear on my head (okay face to be more specific) called the ColdAvenger face mask.  This mask is basically a mask that warms the air you breath.  I won’t go into the scientific side of the product but I can say that I am keen to see how it works because I like to ride my recumbent in the winter and it can be tough riding when the temperature drops down to near or below freezing.  I have a ColdAvenger face mask on the way and will be reporting on how it works in another article so be sure and watch for it.  In the meantime, feel free to check them out here.

Gloves are important because cold hands can make doing even simple task like moving a zipper or buttoning a button impossible.  There are many styles but I like the ones made for hunting because they usually come in camo and are made with some type of waterproof outer material.   I just pick a pair for the expected conditions.  If it is really cold and I have on a pair of thick gloves it is simple enough to take my gloves off long enough to complete any dexterous task.

The outer layer is usually the layer we think about most when thinking of cold weather clothing.  I have a big puffy down jacket I really like for cold dry conditions.  It has the most warmth for the least amount of weight but does have its limitations.  For one, it is very susceptible to moisture.  And when down gets wet it tends to clump, which diminishes the insulation it offers.  For those times when I think moisture will be a problem I like synthetic insulation.  I have several hunting jackets and insulated overalls which use various synthetic insulations.  Most also have a waterproof breathable membrane.  I also have several synthetic sleeping bags.  The one downside I have observed is that after several years of hard use the bags do not loft as well and are not quite as warm as when new.  Strangely, I haven’t really noticed this as much with my hunting jackets even thought they see even more use.

Another key function of the outer layer is protection from wind and rain. In fact, a good waterproof breathable jacket does not even have to be insulated to be effective. In other words, it can be worn over other layers and will help keep those layers dry and not let the wind carry away the warmth they have trapped as easily.  One of my favorite such garments is my Frogg Togg jacket.   I find it help tremendously on cold mornings.   I will also grab the jacket for quick rest stops if it is cold and or windy and I am feeling chilled.  I also have the matching pants but don’t wear them very often.  However, they are very light so I nearly always pack them in the winter.

I did not intend to make this article about a particular type of insulation or specific brand of clothing.   However, I recently emailed Primaloft and they kindly responded with some very in depth information about the products they offer.  As expected, the information is very complimentary to their product line but it is still good information to know when choosing an article of clothing like a coat or a pair of gloves.  And rather then try and reword the reply I am just going to use what they sent me.  I am not endorsing Primaloft as better than other brands because I think there are others which work just as well.  But as you will see, Primaloft does offer quite a range of products designed for different applications and many companies use their insulation.  I own several PrimaLoft insulated garments myself plus a couple of sleeping bags.

“PrimaLoft was originally developed for the U.S. Army as a replacement to goose down because when down is wet it looses its thermal properties.  The goal was to develop an alternative to down with equivalent thermal performance to goose down that could also repel moisture.   The unique composition was patented and PrimaLoft evolved into a family of products to meet specific needs for outdoor enthusiasts.
Leading outdoor brands using PrimaLoft in their line of outerwear, footwear, gloves, sleeping bags, socks and accessories include: Arc’Teryx, Big Agnes, EMS, Patagonia , Merrell, Cloudveil, Marmot, The North Face, Swany, Dakine, 180s, Lorpen, LL Bean, and many others.

* PrimaLoft products:
PrimaLoft offers a range of specialized insulations:

PrimaLoft ONE:
PrimaLoft ONE is an ultra fine microfiber insulation that is as warm, soft and lightweight as down.  PrimaLoft ONE insulation offers superior water resistance and dries faster than down.
Applications: outerwear, gloves, hats (and sleeping bags)
Partners:
Most of all glove companies: 180s, Dakine, Gordini, Grandoe, Marmot, Swany, Hotfingers, Manzella, and many more

Outerwear companies include: The North Face, Merrell, Mountain Hardwear, Patagonia,  Rab, Cloudveil, Eddie Bauer, EMS , LL Bean, Sierra Designs, Sherpa Adventure Gear and many more…

PrimaLoft SPORT:
PrimaLoft SPORT is a unique blend of ultra fine multi-diameter fibers that is thermally efficient, water resistant, breathable, lightweight, compressible and wind resistant.  The ultra fine fibers create a high-loft insulation that keeps the body warm, dry and comfortable even in extreme conditions.
Applications: outerwear (and sleeping bags)

Partners: include Arc’Teryx, Brooks, Integral Designs, Loki, Marmot, and many more

PrimaLoft ECO:
PrimaLoft ECO is an earth-friendly insulation for performance and comfort.  PrimaLoft ECO is a 50/50 blend of virgin fibers and recycled fibers.  The recycled fibers are produced from post-consumer products.  PrimaLoft ECO is a high loft performance insulation that is thermally efficient, lightweight, water-resistant, quick drying and with superior softness.
Applications: outerwear (and sleeping bags)
Partners: include Sierra Designs (outerwear and sleeping bags), Mountain Hardwear (outerwear), Big Agnes (sleeping bags and sleeping pads), Ripzone (outerwear),
Patagonia (outerwear), Outdoor Research (outerwear) and more…

PrimaLoft ECO Footwear:
PrimaLoft ECO Footwear is a blend of 50% virgin fibers and 50% recycled fibers (produced from post-consumer products).  It is a resilient performance insulation that is warm, lightweight, water-resistant and has excellent compression recovery.  PrimaLoft’s footwear technology combines a unique blend of ultra-fine fibers, multi-diameter fibers and recycled fibers that form a dynamic insulating structure.
Applications: footwear
Partners: basically all the manufacturers using PrimaLoft in footwear, including Merrell, Patagonia, The North Face, L.L. Bean. Big Agnes (in booties) and more…

More recently, PrimaLoft has developed a yarn technology:

PrimaLoft Merino Blend Yarn:
PrimaLoft Merino Blend Yarn is an optimal blend of fine merino wool and PrimaLoft micro denier fibers, which are half the size of typical cashmere fibers, resulting in an ultra-soft yarn with improved wicking and performance properties. PrimaLoft Merino Blend Yarn features Quick Draw Technology™, PrimaLoft’s proprietary moisture management system that transfers moisture vapor away from the skin.

Applications: socks, sweaters, accessories (base layers and blankets)
Partners: Lorpen (socks), Fox River (socks), The North Face (socks), Mountain Hardwear (sweaters), Kjus (hats) and REI (scarves, hats)”

I will close with another personal observation.   I like to look at the new lines of winter clothes and I am often impressed but the prices are often times a bit steep for my budget.  I learned a few tricks which many of you may already know but if not, listen up.  First of all, thrift stores are sometime a great place to get top of the line, barely used gear.  You just have to be lucky to find what you need in your size.  I have also had good luck shopping online at retailers such as Campmor and Sierra Trading Post.  On of my favorite shirts is a merino wool tee branded Backcoutry.com.   And of course check out end of season clearance sales.  Also,  last years model is often times sold at greatly reduced prices.

About the author – Coy Starnes
I have a lot of experience in dealing with the cold of Northeastern Alabama.  And while the name Alabama doesn’t usually usually bring bone chilling cold to mind, I have in fact been cold on more occasions than I care to remember.  That said, I have hiked, hunted and otherwise spent many a cold day out roaming the woods while staying nice and warm.  Being dressed properly allows me to enjoy even more the beauty and solitude the winter woods offer.  I also know when to pack it in…Once, I actually struck camp in the middle of the night and hiked out due too being to cold.  This night was a little colder than most with a low of 11 F but I have been cold on other nights as well.  The bottom line is, being dressed for cold weather is not rocket science, it just takes a little extra planning.  I owe myself and my family a return home safe and sound. So have fun out there, and don’t be one of the victims of hypothermia I mentioned at the beginning of this article.

reviewed by Coy Starnes

Sweve Pro sunglasses Image courtesy of Ryders

The Ryders Swerve Pro are part of the adrenaline series. My sunglasses are in the essential category which translates into the base model. Other lens are available such as polarized and photochromic, but even as the base lens, the essential is no slouch with optically-correct, shatterproof, scratch resistant polycarbonate lens that offer offer 100% UV protection. The sunglasses come with a cloth storage sack with a drawstring closure and while a hard case would be nice it is more of a luxury. There was no lens cloth but the storage bag is made of a nice soft material and I think it will suffice to keep them clean out in the field. Hear are the key specifications for the Swerve Pro-essential in the black frame and gray standard lens combination. Other frame colors and lens color/type are available. FRAME: GLOSS BLACK, DURAFLEX LENS: GREY FLASH, POLYCARBONATE, 100% UV PROTECTION TINT: 15% VLT FIT: MEDIUM FEATURES: ADJUSTABLE ANTI-SLIP NOSE PADS, ANTI-SLIP TEMPLE TIPS PRICE: $44.99

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When I first tried on my Swerve Pros I was pleased with how they fit. The nose pad is adjustable but I didn’t find any need to do any adjusting. They also feel very light on my face, almost like I’m not wearing sunglasses. Of course I’ve noticed this with several other sunglasses so maybe it is a trend in the industry. I am also pleased with the look, and according to my wife, they look better on me than most of my other pairs of sunglasses. I picked the Swerve Pro style because they remind me of the glasses I see pro bike riders wearing. Unfortunately, I’m not a pro…but I can look the part. Okay, maybe not…

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Some Interesting and Useful Features :

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The Swerve Pro sunglasses have what looks like vents at the top and bottom of the lens. I’m not sure if having an opening as apposed to having no bottom frame makes air go around the back side of the lens better to reduce fogging or not but I have noticed that vented sunglasses do tend to fog less. I think just enough air hits the frame and is forced down the backside of the lens to help reduce the fogging effect. I will find out how these work as soon as we get some sunny weather. I haven’t seen the sun since I got these and the forecast is calling for more rain the next few days. Another feature is the Hydrophilic nose-pads and/or temple tips which are found on every pair of sunglasses throughout the Adrenaline Collection. According to Ryders, the material used in these parts actually gets tackier with moisture ensuring that no matter what the conditions, the sunglasses are going to stay in place. Anyways, stay tuned to find out how they perform. I plan to use them most while riding my recumbent but also for driving and other times when I need sunglasses.

Author wearing the Swerve Pro's in the snow