REI Polar Pod 0

Review Date
October 8, 2009

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Value Rating
 1 of 5

Reviewed by: 4x4camper ,  Car Camper

Price Paid:  $90.00 at REI

Summary:
I have a newer polar pod 0 bag. I got for my birthday in 08. This bag is highly over rated. I would rate in at a 40 or 50 degree bag. I did some spring camping. And it was about 33 or 34 degrees at night I froze my butt off. and I sleep with a fleece liner too. I was very disappointed. I was hoping to do some winter camping but now I scared to go.

Review Date
December 7, 2002

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Value Rating
 1 of 5

Reviewed by: Mike (Unregistered User) ,  Mountaineer , from Pennsylvania

Price Paid:  $200.00 at REI

Summary:
I purchased the REI Nod Pod -20 bag about 6 years ago. Even though it's rated to -20 I've always been cold at -5 or below. Each season the bag's worthyness decreases. I've never been satisfied with it's performance and the collar is a joke! I've decided to replace it with a down bag,Ptarmigan -25, from Feathered Friends. With the 800 fill upgrade option this bag is rated at -35 and weighs only 63 oz. for the long length. Back to down and happy about it!

Review Date
May 20, 2001

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Value Rating
 1 of 5

Reviewed by: Pennan(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Silver Spring. MD

Price Paid:  $150.00 at REI

Summary:
I have the older version, the Nod Pod 0. It barely works better than the quilt on my bed. I froze the first night out and I don't think it got below 30. Over the occasional use I've given it the last 3 or 4 years it has gotten progressively colder.

It doesn't keep you warm, it isn't durable.

I hope the newer Polar Pod is better. Most REI products I've used have been high quality, this one is not.

Customer Service:
REI customer service is the best.

Similar Products Used:
None

Review Date
February 15, 2001

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Value Rating
 2 of 5

Reviewed by: Peter(Unregistered User) ,  Mountaineer , from Irvine, CA, USA

Price Paid:  $150.00 at REI

Summary:
I have the old Nod Pod 0 degree Lite Loft- even right after I bought it I was freezing my ass off at 50 degrees farenheit (above zero) and have spent many a shivering night in it. It is worth noting that I sleep a bit cold, but that doesn't justify the negligence at bag building REI has exhibited. The bag is also an olfactory nightmare, even after repeated washings. I forgot it in a friend's garage and he did me the favor of tossing it. A pestilence to REI.

Customer Service:
Pretty good about customer service

Similar Products Used:
Sierra Designs- works fair

Review Date
February 8, 2001

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Jason Rumohr(Unregistered User) ,  Climber , from Renton, WA, USA

Price Paid:  $20.00 at thrift store

Summary:
I have the Nod Pod 0-degree. It is the same as the Polar Pod, just and older version where they changed their name. I also think they use different fill materials. The Nod Pod uses Lite Loft. In it's hay-day, Lite Loft was THE fill to use...nearly every synthetic bag made used it, and a manufacturer was condsidered and oddball if they didn't have at least one bag using it. Well, the test of time has shown that Lite Loft sucks. Like many synthetics, it loses its loft over time.

I bought this bag about 6 years ago at a thrift store. I found it...I couldn't believe it was there. It seemed brand new, no smell or stains. They also had two North Face bags and I'm kicking myself for not buying them too. I brought it to the checkout clerk and she said, "If you come back tomorrow, it's 30% off." I left, and agonized for the next 12 hours wondering if it would still be there. I got little sleep and showed up at opening to find it still there...now for only $20.00!!

Of course, it's been worth every penny.

It's rated at 0F. When I first bought it, it *maybe* would have kept me warm enough at that temperature, but now, definately not. The coldest I've slept in it was recently about 12F (which includes the wind chill, my tent had an icy draft) and I was warm enough, but not comfortable. I noticed some definate cold-spots on the top of the bag. It's always been hung in storage and never used in a compression stuff sack.

It's construction seems to be okay. I've yet to use a sleeping bag (even with anti-snag zipper guards) that doesn't snag the zipper. If I were in the market for a synthetic bag, I would highly consider an REI, because of the price. Unless it has Polarguard-HV (the vintage polarguard), I expect to be replacing a synthetic bag every few years.

Down bags are becoming incredibly affordable...I see REI has a Marmot 20F 600-fill down bag on sale for $129...wow.

Customer Service:
REI has great customer service. I buy a lot from them in part because of this.

Similar Products Used:
30F down sleeping bag (now retired)