Customer Reviews

Big Agnes Crystal Sleeping Bag: 30 Degree PrimaLoft/Down

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As a precaution I test out my camping gear at home before I take it out in real use.
The temp. was forcasted to be 30 degrees for the night so I camped in my back yard to try out my new tent and Big Agnes Crystal Sleeping Bag. The temp. forcast was perfect (29 degrees) but the bag lacking. I liked everything about the bag except it did not keep me warm at 30 degrees. I put a wool hat on and then a thin down vest on which helped but I was still cold. My feet (cotton socks worn) were particularly cold which maybe added to my overall discomfort.
To say the least I was very dissappointed and felt very let down.

This was my third BA bag and I now own four [Moon Hill 0F, Crater 15F, Mystic 30F, & Nugget 45F]. I am a fan of the BA sleep system, :-)

Though it's not for everybody, I can say that it works for me. I am a moderately warm sleeper, YMMV.

I have owned this bag for nearly two years and having slept comfortably down to 26F [A temp significantly below the forecast..lol]

This was with LW base layers, a hat & a BA Insulated Air Core pad
Big Agnes Insulated Air Core Sleeping Pad
- Which I always use as this bag {Like all BA bags} has no insulation on the bottom. That's what the pad is for.

Whether using a 1 or 2 person tent or a bivy I have not been cold [Read: sleep interrupted due to temp] in appropriate weather.

BA bags tend to be cut a bit large{wide} [Speculation: to accommodate the pad] And this is no exception being a squared off mummy bag but since I am a stomach sleeper I appreciate the room as I do not sleep well 'Coffin style'.

The only reason I rated this four instead of five stars is that due to it being a hybrid bag, It is a bit heavier and it does not compress/pack as well as a down bag. That comes with the territory w/ synthetics though and this is insulated w/ both down and synthetic Primaloft.

Granted, Synthetics retain some of their insulation value when wet.
[Some minimal amount - not all & down does
NOT insulate when wet, Either way a wet bag is an express route to hypothermia].

I have never had the bag wet through, I have had heavy condensation in my bivy but the bag only ended up with surface dampness.

The previous reviewer did not mention using a pad, This is a REQUIREMENT with BA bags though I don't know if it was omitted from the experience or just the review.

If both, NO pad = You will be cold. No doubt about that.

Side sleepers [or if you tend to roll a lot] should also note that this system is not especially effective for you as the bag does not roll with you due to the pad being in a bottom sleeve. You may end up either with a large airspace or [If you manage to turn the bag with you] an uninsulated spot above/next to you.

I would buy it again in a heartbeat as comparable down bags from BA would only save 5oz... At this point that is not worth it to me.

For the price [Less here than I paid for mine] it is tough to beat.