Feathered Friends Widgeon

Review Date
September 16, 2000

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Value Rating
 1 of 5

Reviewed by: john(Unregistered User) ,  Climber , from Anchorage Ak

Summary:
I purchased this bag the first year it was avail buying into the down/gtx hype. After 3 nights bivying on rt in snow/rain/sleet, the gtx shell did not breath well enough trapping body moisture and the down soaked up all the external wet of being in an alpine blow. And yes I was inside a gtx Wildebeast bivy sack. The bag weighed so much from all the moisture sucked up into the down, I thought the stitching would rip when I stuffed it. The shell was light purple, the lining was pink. Back in camp, I spent 2 more cold-damp nights sleeping waiting to leave. The bag took 4 days of drying at home. I no longer own this bag selling it just after it dried.

Customer Service:
Talked to several at the factory and all were helpful. But, I did buy into their talk of down/gtx bags. Why they would add a pink lining is beyond me. Delivery time was about 3+ weeks.

Similar Products Used:
First bag was NF, then FF, then I discovered Integral Designs.

Review Date
February 12, 2000

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Reviewed by: Andrew Wang(Unregistered User) ,  Mountaineer , from Los Angeles CA

Summary:
I had this bag for 3 years. I was very surprised of the wide range of temperature it can be used. I use it anywhere from winter to very early spring.
The only improvement I could suggest is to make better zipper guards because the zipper keeps getting caught in the fabric.

Review Date
February 8, 2000

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Dale(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Colorado

Summary:
I've had my Gore-Tex bag for six years anc camped in snow, rain, 60mph windstorms and have been totally satisfied with this bag. The lining is extremely comfortable against the skin, the bag lofts up relatively quickly and maintains it well. With the variety of baffles around the head/neck I can adjust the ventilation pretty well for widely varying conditions. It's a great bag!

Review Date
January 26, 2000

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: Jameson(Unregistered User) ,  Mountaineer , from Houston, TX

Summary:
I have a Widgeon that has the nylon shell, no gore-tex or anything like that. I also got it with the 800+ fill down. I had it overfilled 1 ounce so it is good down to about -20 F. It is very well made and has plenty of room for those who like to move in their sleep. The hood seals in the warmth very well. For a -20 degree bag it packs down very small and fits inside my pack no problem. I've had it down to -10 and felt as though I was sleeping in my own bed. Needless to say my friend had another bag (name brand) and sat their shivering all night. I would reccommend this bag to anyone who wants a serious winter bag that isn't too overkill.

Customer Service:
The people are friendly, although sometimes not to helpful.

Similar Products Used:
North Face Super Kazoo

Review Date
October 14, 1999

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: Mike B.(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Clinton Twp., MI

Summary:
Picked up a Widgeon last winter. Very comfortable fit for me. I like to move around at night. Haven't had it below +10, but doing well so far...

Customer Service:
My widgeon took about 10-12 weeks to get to me after ordering. The people at the store were completely cool, considering how much I pressured them to deliver it sooner...

Similar Products Used:
None