Teton Sports Mammoth 0-Degree Sleeping Bag Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I do a lot of camping in very cold weather and I'm not exactly a tiny person. Neither is my husband. We both fit in this tent very comfortably being the size we are and in 22 degree weather we were VERY warm in this sleeping bag. It was well worth what we paid for it and then some. Before we got this sleeping bag, we didn't sleep well camping because it would be so cold we would shake all night, but this time other people came out of their tents saying they didn't get a good nights sleep because it was too cold. And we got good sleep!
So, this sleeping bag is wide enough for bigger folk (200+) and warm enough for REALLY cold weather.
Another cool feature it has is this piece that you can pull over your face and head if you want to, and it has this slight indention to where you can still breath, or tunnel as I call it. So your nose and mouth doesn't freeze.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Teton Sports Mammoth 0-Degree Sleeping Bag

The perfect bag for any family outing, the Teton Mammoth bag is comfortable, warm, and large enough to accommodate almost any camper--and sometimes even two or three. The Mammoth sports a soft cotton flannel lining with a temperature rating of 0 degrees F, helping campers stay cozy in almost any family camping locale. The bag's shoulder baffle and pair of full-length zipper draft tubes, meanwhile, help keep warmth in and cold out, a must on chilly fall evenings. And campers who really want to insulate will delight in the adjustable mummy hood, which pulls down tight for extra warmth.
But the real attention-getter is the Mammoth's massive size, which can comfortably hold a pair of adults plus one small child, or as many as four young children at once. The large sleeping pocket makes this bag ideal for family trips to the beach, backyard sleepovers, and a ton of other people-intensive situations. Plus, should campers need to get out of the bag without disturbing their partners, they can simply use the full-length zipper on either side to make a quick exit.
Other features include internal storage pockets on both sides for holding keys, wallets, and other valuables and an Oxford nylon compression sack that makes the Mammoth easy to transport and store. The Mammoth measures 94 inches long by 62 inches wide and weighs 17 pounds. It's also backed by a limited lifetime warranty.
Amazon.com Sleeping Bag Guide Sleep Well: Finding the Right Sleeping Bag Sleeping bag technology has come a long way from the days of cowboy bedrolls. These days, there are a number of high-tech materials and designs available to keep you warm during the coldest outings. Here's a short list of things to keep in mind when you're shopping for a bag:
Buy for Cold It's a safe bet that on at least one of your adventures, the nighttime temperature will drop unexpectedly. That's why it's smart to buy a bag that's rated for the lowest possible temperature you expect to face on your camping and backpacking trips. For summer trips, a bag rated at +35 degrees or higher will likely do the trick. If you like to camp in higher elevations in the summer, or if spring and fall outings are in your future, consider bags rated from +10 to +35. Winter adventurers should look for bags in the -10 to +10 range, while those on serious winter alpine climbs and expeditions will want a bag rated lower than -10.
Keep in mind that sleeping bag manufacturers' temperature ratings only estimate the minimum temperature at which the bag will provide warmth. Take these numbers with a grain of salt, as different folks generate different amounts of heat when they sleep. If you're the type who likes to pile on the covers even on warmer nights, go for a bag that's rated ten degrees colder. The opposite is true for "warm" sleepers--a 35-degree bag will probably work for you on a 25-degree night.
Goose or No Goose? The most important component of any sleeping bag is its insulating material. Modern sleeping bags offer two choices: goose down or synthetic. While both materials have advantages and disadvantages, down bags are considered superior because of their phenomenal warmth-to-weight and warmth-to-bulk ratios. While providing great insulation, down is extremely compressible and light. There's a reason why geese can fly and stay warm through the winter! Down also boasts great long-term durability and will typically retain its insulating properties after years of use.
All of that said, there are many high-quality synthetic bags on the market and synthetic materials are getting better all the time. While a synthetic bag will weigh somewhat more than a down bag at an equivalent temperature rating, synthetic bags perform better when wet. (Yes, the Achilles heel of down is that it loses all insulating properties when wet.) If your trips take you to wet climates, you may want to consider a synthetic bag for this reason alone. Keep in mind, too, that many people are allergic to down--synthetic bags are non-allergenic. Finally, down is considerably more expensive than synthetic, which might tip the balance for adventurers on a budget.
Bags for All Shapes Sleeping bags come in two basic shapes that reflect their intended use. Mummy-shaped bags offer the best warmth because they conform to the body's contours. This minimizes the amount of body heat the body must put out to maintain a constant temperature. Many mummy bags are offered in women-specific shapes and sizes, as well. Rectangular bags, while they do offer more room to toss and turn, are less thermally efficient because they contain more open air space. Also, they are typically heavier than mummy bags, and are generally not offered with down insulation, making them best suited for car camping or short backpacking trips.
Pad Yourself No matter what kind of bag you choose, a sleeping pad is a required accessory. Not only do they provide much-needed comfort when sleeping on the ground, pads also offer crucial warmth for your backside, as the weight of your body compresses--and renders virtually useless--the sleeping bag insulation that lies beneath you.

Get 31% OFF

Click here for more information about Teton Sports Mammoth 0-Degree Sleeping Bag

Read More...

Eureka Sunrise 11 Family 11-Foot by 11-Foot Six-Person Tent Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)My wife and I have four tents. For ultralight backpacking, we use the REI Half Dome, for a quick one or two night camp or early season iffy weather, we use the Sierra Designs Alpha 3. For multi-day car camping our standard tent is the Sunrise 11, and for really big campsites that don't have a lot of shade, we use the Copper Canyon 1512. I could fit 5 REI Half Dome tents in that Copper Canyon 1512, it's huge. Although that Copper Canyon 1512 is lux, unless you have a wide open meadow, it is really too big for most camp sites. Eureka also makes a Sunrise 8 and 9, but I think the Sunrise 11 is just about the perfect size for car camping in maximum comfort in most established campgrounds. We've had the Sunrise 11 for about 7 years and have spent over 30 nights in it. Overall, I really like the Sunrise 11. Sleeps 6? Maybe, but I prefer just my wife and I in a queen size air bed with plenty of room to move around and for our stuff. We can easily stand up in it. I don't like the room divider, but we just keep that rolled up. A few years ago we camped for 4 days near Taylor Reservoir, Colorado. It rained heavily non-stop, but at least there was no wind. The only water inside the tent was at one of the internal mesh storage pockets sewn into the tent wall. I thought I had seam sealed the tent pretty well, but must have missed this one spot. Luckily, my oversight only resulted in about a 3 tablespoon puddle each day. You must seam seal all tents, use a ground tarp and replace the cheap tent pegs while you're at it. This isn't a four season tent, but it has held up pretty good against some mean weather. My wife has so far stayed warm and dry, and that's what allows me to stay out there longer. I've since sealed all the seams once more and garden hose testing results were dry. Ready for another season. The Sunrise 11 is well ventilated even with the rainfly on. I'll choose less warm and airy over hefty-bag like condensation and suffocation any day. I think the primary selling point for me were the dimensions of this tent. Most developed campgrounds will have a 12 x 12 ft tent pad. I bought the Sunrise 11 because it will fit our big air bed and gear inside and still maximize the setup on a typical campground tent pad. Tent pads are square so I like square floor tents instead of hex. Setup is significantly easier with two people, but can be accomplished solo with minor swearing. Getting the rainfly on solo takes a little more ingenuity. Lay it out upwind, stake it down to keep it from flying away, insert poles, attach a rope and standing on the opposite side of the tent, pull it over. I'm not thrilled by pole sleeves because they hang up on the pole ferrules, but these aren't full sleeves, only at the very top. You clip the rest of it. Overall, I think this is a well made, stable, large, rain shedding tent and has served me well. UPDATE 06/09: We camped in high winds for 3 days at the Oasis near Great Sand Dunes National Park. I tied everything down and we had no problems. Same tent is still going strong. The tent barely fit between the trees. You never really know if a big tent will fit, but so far I've been able to squeeze this Sunrise 11 in. Its been really close a few times. (If I'm unsure, that Alpha 3 is light enough to bring as a backup). If you go a little smaller in size, like a 9x9, then it will easily fit any place I've ever car camped. For a 9x9, I might go with the Eureka Grand Manan 9 over the Sunrise 9. It looks like the rainfly offers a little more coverage and it is a more subtle color. (nothing against blue.) I'd like to give that one a try. This is why I have so many tents. UPDATE 7/6/09: We camped for 3 days at Lone Rock (#7) near Deckers, CO. I wanted to set up the Copper Canyon 1512, but it wouldn't fit. I also brought the Sunrise and Alpha because there was room in the truck. I probably should have just set up the Alpha, but went with the Sunrise. We had heavy rain, high winds, and even a little hail. The railroad tie and gravel tent pad only prohibited the rain from draining off. At one point we had about 2 inches of water under this tent. The floor felt like a water bed. Only about a 1/4 cup of water water blew through a pin hole in one corner. No big deal. Impressive considering the amount of water under the tent. This Sunrise is a great tent.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Eureka Sunrise 11 Family 11-Foot by 11-Foot Six-Person Tent

Spacious enough to comfortably sleep up to six campers, the Eureka Sunrise 11 dome-style family tent is easy to set up and very well ventilated with four large hooded windows and no-see-um mesh panels in the ceiling. It has triple-coated fabrics and a heavy-duty bathtub floor made of 4 ounce 210D oxford polyester that repels water.
The fly is made of Stormshield polyester, which won't stretch when wet and resists UV breakdown. It has a shockcorded fiberglass frame (two poles) that features a pin and ring as well as combination clip and sleeve system for quick assembly. Other features include:
Twin track D door with window for easy exit/entry
High/Low door vents top and bottom to aid air circulation
External guy points help secure the tent in high winds
Hanging gear loft/organizer
Two water bottle holders
Corner organizer and wall organizer with mirror
Tent, pole, and stake bags included

Specifications:
Area: 121 square feet
Floor size: 11 feet by 11 feet
Center height: 7 feet
Wall fabrics: 1.9 ounce Polyester Taffeta 1200mm coating/1.9 ounce breathable polyester
Floor fabrics: 4 ounce 210D Oxford Polyester with 1200mm coating
Fly fabrics: 1.9 ounce 75D StormShield polyester with 1200mm coating
Pack size: 8 by 33 inches
Weight: 23 pounds, 15 ounces

About Eureka Though the exact year is unknown, Eureka’s long history begins prior to 1895 in Binghamton, New York, where the company still resides today. Then known as the Eureka Tent & Awning Company, its first wares were canvas products--most notably, Conestoga wagon covers and horse blankets for nineteenth century American frontiersmen--as well as American flags, store awnings, and camping tents.
The company increased production of its custom canvas products locally throughout the 1930s and during the 1940 and even fabricated and erected the IBM "tent cities" just outside Binghamton. The seven acres of tents housed thousands of IBM salesmen during the company’s annual stockholders meeting, which had since outgrown its previous locale. In the 1940s, with the advent of World War II and the increased demand for hospital ward tents, Eureka expanded operations and began shipping tents worldwide. Ultimately, upon the post-war return of the GIs and the resultant housing shortage, Eureka turned its attention to the home front during the 1950s by supplying awnings for the multitude of mobile homes that were purchased.
In 1960, Eureka’s new and innovative Draw-Tite tent, with its practical, free standing external frame, was used in a Himalayan Expedition to Nepal by world renowned Sir Edmund Hillary, the first person documented to summit Mt. Everest only six years earlier. In 1963, Eureka made history during its own Mt. Everest ascent, with more than 60 of its tents sheltering participants from fierce 60+ mph winds and temperatures reaching below -20°F during the first all American Mt. Everest Expedition.
For backpackers and families, Eureka introduced its legendary Timberline tent in the 1970s. Truly the first StormShield design, this completely self-supporting and lightweight backpacking tent became one of the most popular tents the entire industry with sales reaching over 1 million by its ten year anniversary.
Eureka tents have also traveled as part of several historic expeditions, including the American Women’s Himalayan Expedition to Annapurna I in 1978 and the first Mt. Everest ascents by a Canadian and American woman in 1986 and 1988. In recent history, tents specially designed and donated by Eureka sheltered Eric Simonson and his team on two historic research expeditions to Mount Everest, this time in a quest for truth regarding the 1924 attempted summit of early English explorers George Mallory and Andrew Irvine. During the 1999 expedition, the team made history finding the remains of George Mallory, but the complete mystery remained unsolved. Returning in 2001 to search for more clues, the team found amazing historical artifacts which are now on display at the Smithsonian.
Amazon.com Tent Guide Selecting a Tent Fortunately, there are all kinds of tents for weekend car campers, Everest expeditions, and everything in-between. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Expect the Worst In general, it's wise to choose a tent that's designed to withstand the worst possible conditions you think you'll face. For instance, if you're a summer car camper in a region where weather is predictable, an inexpensive family or all purpose tent will likely do the trick--especially if a vehicle is nearby and you can make a mad dash for safety when bad weather swoops in! If you're a backpacker, alpine climber or bike explorer, or if you like to car camp in all seasons, you'll want to take something designed to handle more adversity.
Three- and Four-Season Tents For summer, early fall and late spring outings, choose a three-season tent. At minimum, a quality three season tent will have lightweight aluminum poles, a reinforced floor, durable stitching, and a quality rain-fly. Some three-season tents offer more open-air netting and are more specifically designed for summer backpacking and other activities. Many premium tents will feature pre-sealed, taped seams and a silicone-impregnated rain-fly for enhanced waterproofness.
For winter camping or alpine travel, go with a four season model. Because they typically feature more durable fabric coatings, as well as more poles, four-season tents are designed to handle heavy snowfall and high winds without collapsing. Of course, four-season tents exact a weight penalty of about 10 to 20 percent in trade for their strength and durability. They also tend to be more expensive.
Domes and Tunnels Tents are broadly categorized into two types, freestanding, which can stand up on their own, and those that must be staked down in order to stand upright. Freestanding tents often incorporate a dome-shaped design, and most four-season tents are constructed this way because a dome leaves no flat spots on the outer surface where snow can collect. Domes are also inherently stronger than any other design. Meanwhile, many three-season models employ a modified dome configuration called a tunnel. These are still freestanding, but they require fewer poles than a dome, use less fabric, and typically have a rectangular floor-plan that offers less storage space than a dome configuration. Many one and two-person tents are not freestanding, but they make up for it by being more lightweight. Because they use fewer poles, they can also be quicker to set up than a dome.
Size Matters Ask yourself how many people you'd like to fit in your fabric hotel now and in the future. For soloists and minimalists, check out one-person tents. If you're a mega-minimalist, or if you have your eye on doing some big wall climbs, a waterproof-breathable bivy sack is the ticket. Some bivy sacks feature poles and stake points to give you a little more breathing room. Also, if you don't need bug protection and you want to save weight, check out open-air shelters.
Families who plan on car camping in good weather can choose from a wide range of jumbo-sized tents that will accommodate all your little ones with room to spare. A wide range of capacities is also available for three- and four-season backpacking and expedition tents. Remember, though, the bigger the tent you buy, the heavier it will be, although it's easy to break up the tent components among several people in your group. It's also helpful to compare the volume and floor-space measurements of models you're considering.

Get 25% OFF

Click here for more information about Eureka Sunrise 11 Family 11-Foot by 11-Foot Six-Person Tent

Read More...