APPLICATION: Golite Feather Bag - Kathy Waters

Well, here's hoping that the third time is the charm!  The Nugget was cancelled 
and La Fluma, too, so here goes!



APPLICATION FOR GOLITE FEATHER BAG

Please accept my application to test the GoLite Feather Bag.  I have read the 
requirements for being a tester and the reporting requirements and I AGREE to 
comply.  I have completed the Tester Agreement and submitted it to Shane as 
required. I am also familiar with the BGT Survival Guide v. 1202.


 

Tester Biographical Information



Name:  Kathleen Waters 
Age:  54
Gender:  Female
Height:  5 ft 4 in (1.63 m)
Weight:  128 lb (58 kg)

Email address:  kathy@xxxxxxxx
City, State, Country:  White Lake, MI USA

 

Backpacking Background: My husband and I started hiking in 1998 on a gorgeous 
fall day, starting with Mt. Hahn located just north of Steamboat Springs, CO. 

 

Since then, we have returned to Colorado, mostly to the Vail Valley area twice 
a year, both summer/early fall and winter to play outdoors - we snowshoe in the 
winter. 

 

When we are home in Southeast Michigan, we make it a point to hike 2 or 3 
weekdays, usually 6 to 8 miles (10 to 13 km) and then one whole weekend day.  
Our weekday hikes generally take place in the Pontiac Lake Recreation Area, 
which is a decent mixture of moderately steep hills and flat terrain, heavily 
wooded. Our weekend hikes can end up being anywhere!

 

Field Information

 

This was the year my backpacking day trips finally expanded into backpacking 
overnight trips! I'm loving it! I am looking forward to at least more 2-3 day 
hiking trips here in Michigan through fall and winter and have a one weeklong 
trip scheduled for Sleeping Bear Dunes October 16-23.  I am also hoping to be 
back in Colorado for the Christmas holidays also where I would like to get in a 
2-3 day trip to Pike's Peak.

 

Hiking will take place in terrain that will include the sandy lakeshore dunes 
of Lake Michigan in western lower Michigan, the rockier shore areas of Lake 
Superior in the UP and the alpine forests of Colorado in the Rocky Mountain 
National Park.  Elevation will range from 177 ft to 11,160 ft (54 m to 3420 m) 
and I anticipate that temperatures over the remaining days of fall and winter 
will vary from 20 F to 75 F (-7 C to 24 C).  I'm sure to experience cold, wind 
and rain and maybe even a bit of early snow in Rocky Mountain National Park and 
most likely Pike's Peak.

 

 

Proposed Test Plan

 

If I am accepted as a tester for GoLite Feather Bag, it will be my first choice 
of sleeping bags for the whole testing period.  I sleep "warm", so I'm fairly 
confident that the GoLite Feather Bag will work fine for me for the entire 
4-month test period.  

 

I will also test the sleeping bag in the comfort of my own home to get 
additional testing results at warmer temperatures as needed.

 

The GoLite Feather Bag will be tested for the rest of fall and into winter in a 
wide range of weather and locations.  Most of the testing will be 2-3 day trips 
in western and northern Michigan on lakeshore trails, ranging from sandy, open 
areas, to rocky, heavily treed terrain.  The sleeping bag will most likely get 
damp, if not wet.  

 

Comfort is my primary concern in a sleeping bag and I will thoroughly test for 
comfort as well as overall utility.  Never having had a down-filled bag, I will 
be interested in how differently it behaves versus synthetic fillers.  Another 
novelty will be the lack of a full-length zipper.

 

I will be testing GoLite Feather Bag for comfort in temperature control.  

 

Will I be warm enough in colder temps?  Down to 20 F (-7 C)?  Lower?

At what point will I need additional insulation? 

Will I be too warm in warmer temperatures?  

At what temperature (if any) is the bag totally uncomfortable?  

How well do the dual draft tubes really keep out drafts?

Is the face gasket so tight as to be constrictive to keep out the breezes?

 

I will be testing GoLite Feather Bag for comfort in construction.  

 

Is there enough "cushion" in the filling?  

Does the stitching system keep the filling from shifting over the testing 
period?  

Are there any flat or cold spots?

What does "Foot Vent" mean?

What does a "5 piece ergonomic hood" mean?

Is there enough wiggle room?

Do I feel claustrophobic with the zipper fully engaged?

Can I sleep on my side without suffocating?

How comfortable is the lining?

 

I will be testing the GoLite Feather Bag for utility and truth in advertising.

 

Is the reported weight accurate?

Can I "stuff" the bag back into the stuff sack easily?

What is the stuff size?

Is the "SmartFit" sizing accurate as listed on the website?

 

I will be testing the GoLite Feather Bag for sturdiness and wearability.

 

Does the baffle stitching keep the filling stable?

Does the stitching stay intact after repeated use or will breaks in the threads 
occur over time?

How well does the sleeping bag repel dampness?

Is the zipper easy to use and snag-proof?

Does the outer envelope snag under normal use?

How long does it take to dry out when wet?

Will the zipper pull break under normal usage?

Does the sleeping bag retain odor?

 

  

I will also report any other issues that arise during the testing period.  

 

If I am lucky enough to be chosen to test the GoLite Feather Bag, I will need a 
size "Small-Trim".  Thank you for the opportunity to apply to test GoLite 
Feather Bag!

 

Kathy Waters

 

Current Tests include:

 

Granite Gear Nimbus Latitude Ki 3800 - Women's Pack - IR & FR uploaded, LR due 
November 8, 2005

 

Eisenhower Tunnel Shelter - IR & FR uploaded, LTR due January 3, 2006

 

 

Completed Test Monitor for:

 

Dunham Waffle Stomper Terrastryder-Mid Fast Packing Trail Boot - all LTRs 
uploaded.

 

Current Mentor for:

 

 Skye Schell

 

 

Previous Completed Test Reports include:

 

Rocky Gore-Tex Socks 

http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/Clothing/Socks/Rocky%20Gore-Tex%20Socks/Kathleen%20Waters/

 

Muttluk Dog Boots

http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/Animal%20Companion%20Gear/Dog%20Boots/Muttluk%20Dog%20Boots/Kathleen%20Waters/

 

 

Owner's Reports include:

 

Bumble Bee Ready to Eat Meals - posted to OR queue

 

Patagonia El Cap Jacket

http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/Clothing/Jackets/Patagonia%20Womens%20El%20Cap%20Jacket/Owner%20Review%20by%20Kathleen%20Waters/

 

Patagonia Capilene Mock-T

http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/Clothing/Shirts/Patagonia%20Capilene%20Mock-T/Owner%20Review%20by%20Kathleen%20Waters/

 

Burton Women's Day Hiker Backpack

http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/Packs/Frameless%20Backpacks%20and%20Day%20Packs/Burton%20Womens%20Day%20Hiker%20Backpack/Owner%20Review%20by%20Kathleen%20Waters/

 

Yukon Charles Winter Systems Snowshoes

http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/Snow%20Gear/Snowshoes/Yukon%20Charlies%20Winter%20Systems%20Snowshoes/Owner%20Review%20by%20Kathleen%20Waters/

 

 

 


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