North Face Cat's Meow Sleeping Bag Review
The North Face products are renowned for their sleek
contours and cutting-edge features, and their Cat’s Meow sleeping bag is no
exception. So named because of
its apparent status as the greatest sleeping bag of its temperature and
activity class, the Cat’s Meow has garnered many praises from satisfied
users. The latest iteration of
this popular The North Face design is indeed a beauty to behold, and its
manufacturers promise nothing less than premium, toasty warm comfort in
frigid temperatures in the vicinity of 20°F.
Loaded with features that are essential to its function, as well as
nifty details that users are pleased to have, the Cat’s Meow appears to have
earned its status as a multi-awarded sleeping bag that consistently ranks
among the top bags preferred by consumers.
The Cat’s Meow is a mummy-style sleeping bag that
retails for between US$159.00 to US$169.00.
For this price, you get a compressible mountaineering bag that
features overlapping shingle construction, tough multi-layer synthetic
fabric, a soft silk inner lining, and an enveloping hood, all of which are
primed to trap heat and keep the slumbering user cozy in winter, fall or
spring conditions. The Cat’s
Meow is widely appreciated by users for its consistent sturdiness and
longevity. Older versions of
this The North Face mainstay have survived the activities of their owners
for at least five years, which provides testament to the durability of the
most recent model.
To provide additional convenience to the user, the
Cat’s Meow model boasts a snag-resistant zipper and a zipper pull that glows
in the dark, so one doesn’t needlessly struggle with adjusting or closing
the bag in the evening after a trek, when light sources are limited and the
user just wants to focus on getting to sleep.
The bag also comes with a pocket at chest level to place watches,
jewelry or other important small items.
Once the user resumes his outdoor adventure, the Cat’s Meow easily
stows away in a carry case for maximum transportability.
Though the Cat’s Meow is a strong, comfortable bag that
is relatively easy to take around, the opinions of its users are mixed as to
whether or not it is actually suitable for its temperature rating.
Critics of the Cat’s Meow’s resistance to the cold say that they are
unable to actually sleep when out in the temperature conditions prescribed
for the sleeping bag, and end up freezing unless they switch bags with their
companions. Apparently, the
bag’s design features, though theoretically optimized for warmth retention,
may either be dependent on a person’s actual cold tolerance, or simply do
not work as well as they should.
Also, some buyers have complained that the bag feels cramped, almost
claustrophobic, though this is perhaps more a trait of mummy bags in general
than the Cat’s Meow in particular.
All in all, the Cat Meow is a satisfactory bag for its
cost, although your mileage may vary when using it in frigid climes.
Its combination of portability, features and comfort ranks it among
one of the best sleeping bags available.
Return to Sleeping Bags Guide Home Page