Columbia Bugaboo 55 Sleeping Bag Review

There are many reasons to go camping in warm weather.  For one, there is a lot more to see as more animals are out and about, and nature’s colors are clearly visible.  You also don’t have to worry about the weather getting too cold, and hence less winter clothing need be packed.  This also means you don’t have to bring your heavy winter sleeping bag.  This is where the Columbia Bugaboo 55 degree bag comes into play. Aside from having a fun and pretty funky name, there are many things to like about the Bugaboo.

   

 

  

 

 

Since 1938, Columbia has made quality products for the adventurous mountaineer.  The Bugaboo is no exception.  The 240 gram polar fleece inner lining makes it very soft and comfortable to sleep in.  The material outside the bag is also adequate as it is made of polyester with a 190 thread count and cire finish.  The cire finish is important here as this final touch on the shell “heat seals” the bag.  This means insulation fibers are contained and protected from moisture.  Construction is also of note as the offset quilting really protects the bag against cold spots and evens out the insulation, very essential in a sleeping bag.

Sometimes people complain of a feeling of claustrophobia when using mummy bags.  That’s because there sometimes isn’t enough space to move around very much.  With the Bugaboo’s rectangular shape, you can be assured of greater flexibility and freedom of movement inside the sleeping bag.  But you don’t have to completely move out of the bag whenever you need to get something.  This is why the utility pocket is a great addition for putting in your keys, cell phone, or anything else you might need.

It is also great for lightweight camping as the bag only weighs a little over 4 pounds.  There are lighter bags in the market, but they are much more expensive.  The included mesh stuff sack also allows for the bag to be compressed to a sufficient degree.  Again, some bags can be compressed to be a little smaller, but at the end of the day, it’s really the protection against cold that makes the bag.  This is what the Bugaboo does best.  This sleeping bag is rated at 55, but some people have praised it for keeping them well protected at 50 degrees F, 5 degrees below the rating.  They may have been slightly chilly, but they were satisfied. Some even state that it might do well even at 40, but this isn’t recommended.

The bag still has a problem though as it is quite thin.  It really isn’t the best sleeping on rough ground.  When used with a pad though, it does pretty well.  This thinness is also what makes this bag a great liner to be combined with other sleeping bags.

The Bugaboo may not break boundaries and it isn’t the most feature-packed sleeping bag, but seriously, all you really need is a bag that does its job.  At a little more than US$50, this Columbia offering does that job very well. You can buy it online here.

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