Excellent synthetic sleeping bag, easy on the budget too!
Written: May 17 '02 (Updated Dec 04 '03)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Cheap, Light, Comfortable, Compressible, you can't beat price vs. performance
Cons: Zipper gets stuck on fabric, can be a pain
The Bottom Line: If you're looking for a good synthetic bag for a low price, you won't be sorry for buying this one. Read on...
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| wvabackpacker's Full Review: The North Face Thunderhead 3D |
The North Face Thunderhead 3D
~Introduction-
Can't afford a down sleeping bag? Can't afford the super advanced synthetic bag that compresses to the size of a softball? Buy the North Face Thunderhead 3D made with industry trusted Polarguard 3D synthetic material. For price vs. performance you can't beat this bag if you're on a tight budget. I got mine for $100 even including tax. Dick's Sporting Goods and some online retailers sell the item for $79. It is the same bag sold at Galyan's under the name Ember, by North Face.
~Field Test -
-Cold sleepers
I've slept in the bag a couple times on cold nights in nothing but boxers (my preferred sleeping clothing) and I stayed warm all night. The nights were in the high 40's and low 50's--enough to make you want to use a bag.
-Warm sleepers
I slept in the bag in warmer temperatures recently, around 60-70 and I didn't sweat a river. You can unzip the bag from the bottom and the top. When it's warm I like to hang my arms out and at least one leg so this works great!
-Windy sleeping
I also slept in the bag with constant wind outside under the stars. Not only was it windy, but it was chill also. The bag kept the wind out and the warmth in.
~Features-
-The Zipper
When I first brought the bag home the zipper got stuck on the fabric several times and took 30 minutes to fix it. I took it back and exchanged it and haven't had any trouble since...just zip it up slowly when you're not in the bag to avoid zipper situations.
-The fit (size)
It is a little tight up at the shoulder/chest area if you are a big guy (I weigh 240). But it works and keeps me warm. I had to get the long version because I needed the extra width at the top. The regular bag will accommodate a regular sized person up to 5'11". But if you're "big boned" like me, opt for the long version. There is a little bit of room in the feet since the long version was designed to fit 6'6", but I like it, it allows me to slide up and down in the bag and scrunch it up for more cushion.
-Comfort
Recently on a camping trip my trail partner forgot his sleeping bag so I tried to sleep on just my ridge rest mat...not enough cushioning alone. So I got out my sleeping bag and it filled in the gaps, heck, it was more comfortable than the ridge rest! So you can sleep in just the bag on a ground sheet (for protection) if you want and the bag will provide a ton of cushioning for your back and body.
-Movement
I tend to sleep on my side when I sleep and sometimes on my back (usually a mixture of both through the night). The bag's material seems to be distributed evenly on the bottom and top (some bags put more material on the top than on the bottom, usually 2:1) so if you roll over with the bag on a cold night, you will stay warm. Take note, a man of my size CAN roll over on his side in the bag without turning the bag over.
-The hood
The hood is great. I am a right handed person and I got the left handed bag since it was the only one they had left. So the bag is designed for a left handed person to zip up and adjust...this can be tricky, but not impossible. I can easily reach up and tighten the hood against my body or loosen it. The draft tube seems to be sufficient keeping most of the wind out and the heat in. Personally, you don't need the hood unless it gets really cold. So what I do is take a compressible pillow and shove it in the hood and tighten it. That way it doesn't fall out in the middle of the night. Then I stick my Platypus water bottle under my ridge rest for even more head support.
-Thoughts
This bag is very comfortable, after spending several short treks in the bag I sometimes miss the feeling of the bag. Maybe I'm crazy or maybe it's just a great bag for a great price. The bag weighs around the bottom side of 3lbs (3lbs 3oz exactly) and compresses nicely to fit into most packs. You can even buy Granite Gear compression sacks and compress the bag down to football size, very nice for people wanting to make things smaller.
-Tips
Remember to store your bag properly. Leaving it compressed all the time can cause the synthetic fibers to not work properly (meaning you could get cold...). My bag came with a strong-large plastic bag with holes in it specifically for keeping the bag expanded. If you didn't get one, drape your bag over a clothes hanger and keep it in your closet--it won't take up much room. Also be sure to keep your bag dry and clean it out after every trip...dirt is a sleeping bags worst enemy. But remember to follow the cleaning instructions precisely. Some detergents and some dryers can damage your bag--wash it little as possible to extend it's life. Shake the dirt out and use a damp cloth the clean, then dry the bag inside out.
As always, if I encounter any new experiences with this bag I will post them immediately. I'll be doing some winter camping with it this coming winter, check back then to see how it holds up at 20 degrees F, the bag's minimum temperature rating. Last updated 6/4/2002.
Please rate my review honestly! Check back occasionally for updates if you're really interested!
***Update 04 Dec 2003****
I still have this bag and continue to use it on camping and backpacking trips. It has performed well down to about 35F. Below that temperature and you'll want to add a silk liner and wear some extra clothes.
~Conclusion-
Even though I have switched to a down bag for most of my trips, I still highly recommend this sleeping bag for people on a tight budget or beginners unsure of whether or not they really like camping or backpacking. For $79 you can't go wrong having this bag as a spare to keep in your vehicle or to loan to friends on outings.
© 2003 WVaBackpacker (Jeremy W. Hays)
Written for http://www.epinions.com 17 May 2002
~Other Backpacking/Camping Reviews by WVaBackpacker-
--Backpacks-
Gregory Shasta Backpack
Dana Design Glacier
--Tents-
REI Half Dome Plus 2
Mountain Hardware Trinity
Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight CD
--Sleeping Bags and Pads-
The North Face Thunderhead 3D
The North Face Kilo Down 32F
Cascade Designs Therm-a-Rest Luxury LE Self-inflating Mattress
--Hydration-
MSR Dromedary Bag
Platypus Big Zip
Sweetwater Walkabout Microfilter
SweetWater SiltStopper
--Misc Gear-
Black Diamond LED Hybrid Headlamp
--Destinations-
Heart Lake, Yellowstone National Park
Keyhole State Park, Wyoming
--Books-
The Backpackers Handbook
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
wvabackpacker
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Member: Jeremy Hays
Location: Columbus, OH, USA
Reviews written: 40
Trusted by: 46 members
About Me:
Maybe I'll write another review someday...lots of new gear...
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