User Review: Pneugear Cocoon 4

Reviewed September 10, 2006 by Bob Malahowski

Rating: rated 5 of 5 stars
Design: Oversize mummy
Fill: 650
Temperature Rating: -45F
Weight: 12
Price Paid: $1800

The bag is basically a substitute for a tent. The top of the bag inflates separately from the bottom. So the bottom is essentially a down filled air mattress. Unlike an air mattress there is some sort of special batting that prevents the down from shifting around.

The top of the bag is also inflatable - and this is what you use to regulate the comfort range of the bag. When it is fully compressed, the bag is fairly comfortable up to warm temperatures (of course if it is that warm - you can just sleep on top...)

There are dual zippers that seal the bag very well from the wind. The bag uses Boston Valves and has a small nylon bag at the end of each valve that is used for inflating the sleeping bag.

The bag is oversized so you can change clothes while you are in the bag. This is a real advantage when it is ice cold out and you don't want to get out of the bag until you are well protected. Because these bags don't breathe, you can't duck you head inside when it is cold. Instead, Pneugear supplied a separate hood that you wear to keep your head warm.

I got my bag with all the bells and whistles and it includes a liner that can be used in extreme cold plus there is a small tent feature that you put on the top of the bag in rain along with a mosquito net that fits over the length of the bag if you are in an infested area and want to sleep on top.

The bag is VERY comfortable.

The only problems with the bag are: It is bulky. I backpack with it, but you have to use an external frame pack because you can't stuff the bag inside the pack itself. It has to be rolled and stowed externally. It is heavy - about 12 lbs for the bag and another pound if you bring the tent and mosquito net attachment. Also, you have to be careful when you are inflating in the rain so no moisture gets into the down.

It takes about 10 minutes to inflate with the hand inflation bags and another 3-4 minutes for the tent attachment. Figure about 10 minutes to break it down and roll it up in the morning.

The biggest problem: Pneugear went out of business back in 2002 - so the only place you're likely to see one of these is on E-bay.

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