After 2 months of travel time due to Covid, my Antarctica RE sleeping bag from Snugpak FINALLY arrived today. First, let me say that this is Snugpak's coldest rated bag with a range between -4° & - 58°F. Now, that's obviously a HUGE range between comfort and extreme , but Snugpak did confirm that the lower limit is for extremely experienced users in an Arctic climate and is correct.
My first impression of this bag is that it's design would absolutely be suitable for the most extreme conditions that one might ever potentially face. It has a massive zipper baffle, a well designed no snag center zipper, a huge draft collar that seals around your neck to completely block air from entering the bag, the footbox is made with a stronger material to facilitate wearing boots inside the bag, and the list goes on. It's also made with Snugpak's Reflectatherm technology inside the insulation that reflects an additional 15% of the users body heat back into the bag.
One other neat feature is the addition of 2 tabs sewn inside the footbox; all of Snugpak's bag liners have matching loops of cordage sewn into the outside of their footboxs as well. The two are then attached to keep the liner from twisting and bunching up while in use. I can't say that Ill ever get to test it's lower limit, but having a bag that can comfortably take the average user well below zero is a great piece of gear to have it you enjoy deep winter camping I think. I'll post my video review as soon as I get a chance to film it. Here are some pics of the bag, neck collar, reinforced footbox and of the tabs with & w/o my Snugpak TS1 bag liner attached. SORRY for the lighting but it was just too hot to take it outside.
Here are some stats & its page on the Snugpak website :
https://www.snugpak.com/outdoor/softie-antarctica
Weight:
Adult - 2950g / 104oz
Extra Long - 3200g / 113oz
Comfort Rating: -4°F
Low Rating: -58°F
Packsize: 30cm x 25cm / 12" x 10"
Outer Fabric: Paratex Steelplate 100% Nylon
Outer Fabric, Multicam® Option: Paratex® Micro 100% Nylon
Inner Fabric: Paratex Light 100% Nylon
Inner Fabric 2: Reflectatherm 100% Polyester
Insulation: Softie® Premier 100% Polyester
No stitch-through construction to reduce the risk of cold spots
Exclusive Softie® Premier insulation
The internally reinforced foot allows you to keep your boots on
Insulated shoulder baffle to help retain warmth
Elasticated drawcord-adjustable hood
Two-way quick-release centre zips with insulated baffle behind
Anti-snag zipper webbing tape
Internal drawcord foot loops to attach a sleeping bag liner
Supplied with a compression stuff sack for easy compact carrying
Webbing tabs on the bottom of the sleeping bag to allow for easy airing and drying
Origin: Made in the UK
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