User Review: Western Mountaineering Puma Super DL

Western Mountaineering Puma Super DL
Above: The current Puma Super DL, which may differ slightly from the version reviewed.

Reviewed April 10, 2007 by Kevin H

Rating:
Design: mummy
Fill: 800+ down (?)
Temperature Rating: -20F
Weight: 3lb 12oz

This bag works really well for brutally cold conditions. I originally purchased this bag about 5 years ago, looking to replace a 5 degree North Face bag that wasn't cutting it for me in extreme cold. So far I've used this bag about twenty or thirty nights in temperatures ranging from 10F to -20F. In my unscientific analysis of the bag's quality, it appears to loft more than some -40F bags I've seen, and the bag appears very well made.

One of the coldest nights I can recall with this bag was camping in the Presidentials in NH on a -20F night with heavy winds. With the bag fully zipped I literally slept warm in just my midweight Capiliene top/lightweight bottoms and some Smartwool socks. I would feel safe taking this bag to at least -30F, and I imagine I would still find it comfortable in those temperatures (I consider myself an "average" sleeper... not too hot and not too cold).

On the rare nights where I've used this bag above 0 degrees F, I've found it to be too warm... In my mind it really is a specialized piece of equipment that you only bring out for certain trips. But, in its element it does a great job!

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