Sleeping bag impressions

“Putting aside the issue discussed under "Homeland gear defense" thread...

Laid out my new Sierra Designs Sandman Flex 3D +15 sleeping bag, doffed shoes and jeans, and slipped inside to see if this Flex feature was going to measure up. Ahhhhh, for the first time since my crappy BSA cotton-covered rectangular bag (I've had two traditional mummies since), I have sprawl space. But what's da bomb is that the elastic keeps the mummy shape until you move, so there isn't dead air space (though some 'bellows' effect).

Just as they claim, I can lay in any position without feeling cramped or trapped. The second short zipper on the left side base of the hood is quite a nice option for venting or getting an arm out, and the hood is both spacious and snugs down -- so you can close it up, but still move your head around.

This should make camping out much less of an ordeal at night for a tosser&turner like me.

Next thing to try will be the pad keeper system on the bottom.”

“That sounds great!


8)”

“I've got one too, it's too big and too heavy, but it's the only bag for this thrasher. Congrats!”

“I got one too... I love mine! It has plenty of room and I sleep so much better in it and I am more rested the next day. That is how I justify the extra weight... to me it is worth it and the flex system does work. I was in mine today going through my gear. My son walked into my room with me on my thermarest and snugged down on my Sandman... He must think I am nuts but I was comfortable and "my name is Sparky and I am a Gear Junkie"

Sparky”

“The bag I use for cold weather is the slumberjack arora zero bag.I love it it's very snuggly and I love to pull it shut all the way so it's like I am a space pod.

8)”

“Last year in winter I slept in my Mountain HardWear sleeping bag, on top of a self inflating Thermarest...it still left my body impression in the snow.”

“I have just purchased my first bag and it was the Sandman also. I got about 2 weeks ago. I toss & turn like crazy so it was the best one for me. Now I can only wait till I get to try it out on a trip.”

“Did your Sandman come with the straps to hold the pad on or did you have to purchase them separately. I had looked at this bag for a while and every place I went the straps were on the bag, so I assumed (never assume..lol)they came with the bag. When I went to buy mine the straps weren't there so I complained that they should have come with the bag so they sold them to me for half price. I don't know if I got ripped off or not.”

“Well it looks like to me that you got ripped off!

8)”

“What a coinkeedink..I too have a sleeping bag.”

“Oh yeah! LOL! Them Thermorest pads are sooooooo great that you have to buy straps to hold yourself to it so your not all wadded up at the foot of your tent by morning.
LMAO!!!!!!!
Just for the record; I never slide off my Z-Rest.”

“It's true...those Thermorest pads are very slippery. One time I was camped at a very slight incline...I kept on sliding off the pad. I had to stuff my backpack on one side to brace myself.”

“I have done that also.

8)”

“Ewker, the description seemed to indicate that the straps were not included, yet mine came with them. I was suprised by that, though I couldn't find anyplace to get them separately.

As to sliding off pads, I roll around enough that the bag went with me whether I was on my Thermorest Ultralite 3/4 or on my full length Ridgerest or the various foam pads that came before. In the Sandman, I can already tell that with whatever pad slipped into the system, I will be able to move around inside the bag, not take the whole bag for a roll with me.

Like rockbuck and sparky, the comfort and better rest will surely justify the weight differential.

BTW, I coaxed my wife into it and she almost fell asleep -- she didn't want to get out. I think I may have to order another one.”