READERS COMMENTS

The weight distribution for the jeep is actually closer to 53/47. It is most likely due to the fact that it is four wheel drive and has a transfer case attached to the output of the transmission. Simple math will give you the weight difference to be 240lbs between the front and rear of the jeep. Divide that by two tires on either end and what you're left with is only a 3% difference between a bag under a front tire and a bag under the rear tire. So there really isn't a difference front or rear. To which I say keep up the good work Gear Lab, look forward to more from you guys...
Posted: Nov 03, 2009 John

Good catch Tee-bone. Add to that, the 150 pound driver increases the front-rear weight ratio to about 60-40%. I could applaud this video as I am guessing this is the Backpacker comedy corner. In these times, we could all use a good laugh. There is little analytic research being accomplished in these Consumer-Reports-Goes-South-Park. I just hope they don't harm Kenny. Ric NYREFUGEE2000@yahoo.com
Posted: Oct 23, 2009 NYREFUGEE

Try a Wiggy's bag, any model. W's supplies bags to Navy Seals.His Lamilite bags are made to withstand compression. Wiggy is down the road from you in Grand Junction. He'd laugh at this lame test no doubt.
Rich
Posted: Oct 23, 2009 Rich Dubiel

This was just stupid...
Posted: Oct 22, 2009 Josh

If I ever get to the Liberal Republic of Boulder again, and I did have an address on Gunpark, remind me which bags belong under the car and which around my cold body. OK? Heaven forbid fossil-fuel-guzzling, ecology-unfriendly SUV should get its poor little tires chilly. Now, what were the prices of bags?

On the positive side, if I need to squeeze my bag into my pack, I can always use an SUV and have plenty of room for other necessary gear.

Also, you guys rate very high on my Consumer-Reports-Goes-South-Park Meter. :) Just don't harm Kenny, Fair enough? nyrefugee2000@yahoo.com

Posted: Oct 22, 2009 Ric, the NYRefugee

The old adage about sleeping bags still is true. Down has not changed much. If your sleeping bag does get wet you will be cold and miserable until it dries whether it is filled with down or synthetic insulation. You will just spend more time coldand miserable if your down bag gets wet. Synthetic insulation will insulate better when wet than down but why are you trying to sleep outside in the rain? Sleeping bags were never really meant to keep you dry - that's what your tent/bivy/tarp is for. And sleeping bags made with water resistant materials generally aren't "waterproof" because they're kinda hard to seam tape or seam seal. Think of it more as extra protection from frost/condensation or from blowing rain if you like to sleep under tarp shelters. The water resistant materials add weight and most bags nowadays are treated with DWR coatings. And if you're worried about it getting wet in your backpack or portage pack get a waterproof stuff sack - Granite Gear and Sea to Summit are just two companies that make them. Besides, down bags last so much longer if you take care of them and they're so comfortable. Hope this helps.
Posted: Oct 22, 2009 Matt

Ive been contemplating a new bag for a while now but price is an issue for most people including myself, as much as loft. You should include at the least the msrp in your reviews.
Tee-bone: Newer Jeep wagons (Cherokees and Grands) have pretty even weight distribution due to the amount of sheet-metal and glass in the back half of the vehicle, approximately 52/48 to 53/47 front-rear depending on the model. From the looks of it the lighter half was sitting on the synthetic bags which have more trouble lofting anyways.
Posted: Oct 22, 2009 Jeepy84

Links to the products? and a there are 2000 lbs in a ton... not 1000
Posted: Oct 16, 2009 Matt

What a bunch of knuckle-heads. First of all in all fairness, the weight of the vehicle is not distributed evenly between the front wheels and the rear wheels. The engine and transmission are in the front of the vehicle meaning there is more weight exerted on the front wheels than the rear wheels.
Posted: Oct 15, 2009 Tee-bone

I have always heard about how useless down filled sleeping bags are in the rain. However, some recent models have rain resistan covers. Some others have some down parts and some synthetic fill part. Why don't you have gear lab test several down only, down/synthetic bags and synthetic only bags by "rain" from a hose? Then see how long it takes them to dry. See if the old adage about down bags still holds true. Thanks, Ron boivinronald@hotmail.com
Posted: Oct 15, 2009 Ronald D. Boivin

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