the_fish_guy
2010-11-22 20:01:34 UTC
Below is my LTR on the Dreamwalker. I couldn't really think of anything new in the LTR period other than the laundering experience, probably because it saw a ton of use under a lot of conditions during Field Testing. I'm certainly open to any ideas as to where I might beef it up if I've missed or not thought of something!
HTML can be found at http://tinyurl.com/ExpedSynDreamMikeC
Looking forward to your edits!
Mike C.
LONG-TERM REPORT
LONG-TERM TEST LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS
I have used the Exped Dreamwalker Syn 133 Sleeping Bag on 5 additional nights during long-term testing. All trips were in the Olympic National Park and Forest of Washington State. Overnight temperatures have ranged from 32 F (0 C) to approximately 55 F (13 C). Precipitation has included light rain on two nights.
PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD
The Exped Dreamwalker Syn 133 Sleeping Bag has continued to perform very well. All components have continued to operate as designed, and the fabrics have held up very well with no signs of wear or damage. No new performance observations relating to design or materials were made.
The one significant new event during long-term testing is that I laundered the bag. Upon returning from a trip the bag was absolutely rank with accumulated body odor (worse than I've ever experienced in a bag . . . I was almost unable to sleep in it the last night!). I harbored some worry that I wouldn't be able to get the nasty smell out. Upon my return I laundered it according to the manufacturer's instructions using a cleaning agent designed for DWR finished goods. I tumble dried the bag using an extra-low heat setting.
After drying, the bag smelled great with absolutely no detectable residual odor. I also noticed that the bag had not only regained lost loft, but actually seemed loftier than when I originally received it.
In my use after laundering I did not notice any difference in warmth. The insulation seemed perhaps slightly more flexible (less stiff) than before, which was a plus, but was slightly more bulky around my waist when worn as a jacket, which wasn't a plus. The DWR finish did not seem impacted by laundering.
SUMMARY
Overall the Exped Dreamwalker Syn 133 has performed exceptionally well. It offers tremendous convenience in terms of being free to move around, offering many different ventilation options, and being comfortable in a large range of temperatures. It also performs very well even when damp. The only down side I see is that it can be rather bulky around the waist when the bottom is raised.
CONTINUED USE
I most certainly will continue to use the Dreamwalker Syn 133 sleeping bag on many trips in the future. It has been a solid performer, and offers tremendous convenience in allowing me to move about, make breakfast, relieve myself, and other tasks without having to leave the comfort and warmth of my sleeping bag . . . I will definitely take advantage of this when I'm expecting cool mountain mornings!
I would like to thank Exped and BackpackGearTest.org for the opportunity to test the Dreamwalker Syn 133 sleeping bag. My long-term report will be appended to this report in approximately two months. Please check back at that time for additional information. This concludes my Field Report.
This report was created with the BGT Report Generator.
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.
------------------------------------
HTML can be found at http://tinyurl.com/ExpedSynDreamMikeC
Looking forward to your edits!
Mike C.
LONG-TERM REPORT
LONG-TERM TEST LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS
I have used the Exped Dreamwalker Syn 133 Sleeping Bag on 5 additional nights during long-term testing. All trips were in the Olympic National Park and Forest of Washington State. Overnight temperatures have ranged from 32 F (0 C) to approximately 55 F (13 C). Precipitation has included light rain on two nights.
PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD
The Exped Dreamwalker Syn 133 Sleeping Bag has continued to perform very well. All components have continued to operate as designed, and the fabrics have held up very well with no signs of wear or damage. No new performance observations relating to design or materials were made.
The one significant new event during long-term testing is that I laundered the bag. Upon returning from a trip the bag was absolutely rank with accumulated body odor (worse than I've ever experienced in a bag . . . I was almost unable to sleep in it the last night!). I harbored some worry that I wouldn't be able to get the nasty smell out. Upon my return I laundered it according to the manufacturer's instructions using a cleaning agent designed for DWR finished goods. I tumble dried the bag using an extra-low heat setting.
After drying, the bag smelled great with absolutely no detectable residual odor. I also noticed that the bag had not only regained lost loft, but actually seemed loftier than when I originally received it.
In my use after laundering I did not notice any difference in warmth. The insulation seemed perhaps slightly more flexible (less stiff) than before, which was a plus, but was slightly more bulky around my waist when worn as a jacket, which wasn't a plus. The DWR finish did not seem impacted by laundering.
SUMMARY
Overall the Exped Dreamwalker Syn 133 has performed exceptionally well. It offers tremendous convenience in terms of being free to move around, offering many different ventilation options, and being comfortable in a large range of temperatures. It also performs very well even when damp. The only down side I see is that it can be rather bulky around the waist when the bottom is raised.
CONTINUED USE
I most certainly will continue to use the Dreamwalker Syn 133 sleeping bag on many trips in the future. It has been a solid performer, and offers tremendous convenience in allowing me to move about, make breakfast, relieve myself, and other tasks without having to leave the comfort and warmth of my sleeping bag . . . I will definitely take advantage of this when I'm expecting cool mountain mornings!
I would like to thank Exped and BackpackGearTest.org for the opportunity to test the Dreamwalker Syn 133 sleeping bag. My long-term report will be appended to this report in approximately two months. Please check back at that time for additional information. This concludes my Field Report.
This report was created with the BGT Report Generator.
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.
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