The North Face Darkstar

Review Date
October 1, 2004

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5, 2 votes

Reviewed by: steve Dunham ,  Climber

Price Paid:  $279.00 at Individual

Summary:
I bought this bag of an individual that stated he "he just didn't like it, it was to hot". Well I have spent numerous nights in this bag in cold, wet, and snow and with nothing on but skivvies...This is a wonderful bag that is unbeatable when it comes to comfort and warmth. I have five other bags ranging from Marmot, Northface, and Coleman..As great as those bags are I still always grab for this bag. It seems, althought one of the other bags may be better in warmner conditions, this bag seems to fit the bill no matter what the conditions. The only comment I could make is with the packing size and weight...hard to actually backpack with this bag, and its weight can be somewhat troublesome. But for an all around bag that will last for years you cant go wrong with this bag...

Customer Service:
None needed

Similar Products Used:
Northface Snowshoe
Marmot 0 Degrees
Marmot 15+ degrees
Coleman 20+

Review Date
December 27, 2003

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: varmint(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $290.00 at Cabela's

Summary:
I hate trying to sleep went cold. So, I purchased a Darkstar for my trip to Alaska in September. This was my first time to use a synthetic bag, so I wanted the warmest bag I could find and still be able to pack it. The bag is constructed great and functions super and I was very comfortable in temperatures above +25F. But, when the temperature dropped to +20F I wokeup in the middle of the night cold, I got up and put on all of my clothes and crawled back into the bag and still got cold. Well, I thought it was a one time fluke so I decided to try it out again here in Georgia. Well, I used the bag two more times when the temperature dropped below +25F and the same thing happened, I woke up cold. Cold spots in the void spaces of the bag. I love the bag, but I get cold in it. So, back to the down until I find a synthetic bag that will keep me warm.

Customer Service:
none required

Similar Products Used:
L.L. Bean 0F down bag

Review Date
August 1, 2001

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: Bentley Whitman(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Petoskey MI

Price Paid:  $185.00 at Campmor

Summary:
Another great product from TNF. Due to snoring tent mates, I slept outside my tent with only my ThermaRest @ 10,000' on Mt. Rainier last June and never even got clost to being cold--I didn't even have to cinch down the hood! Have also weathered many damp Northern Michigan winter camping trips (-10F temps) with not problems. All in all, a great cold weather bag, especially for the money!

Customer Service:
Not needed--another quality product!

Similar Products Used:
Mountain Hardware
Sierra Designs

Review Date
October 15, 2000

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: JOE(Unregistered User) ,  Mountaineer , from Englewood, CO USA

Summary:
I haven't used this bag in extreme cold weather, yet (keyword, yet!) I have slept in 20F with the zipper 1/4 opened to keep from getting too hot. I like the versitility of this bag. I am a warm sleeper and expect this bag to keep me warm to -20 or -30. I also use this bag in the summer and find that keeping the zipper completely open provides a nice sleep. I am just starting to see real winter conditions in this bag and am pleased so far. It has yet to loose any loft and is VERY warm. I plan om using a bivy with this bag next summer to cut weight instead of carrying my tent on solo and partner ascents. I am confident this bag will hold up to above and below treeline conditions. My wife uses the same bag and is a very cold sleeper. She remarks about how toasty the bag is and requires some coaxing to get her out of it on chilly mornings.

Pro's - Warm, Warm, Warm!!! This bag doesn't pack as tight or light as a down bag, but doesn't cost as much either. Zips work nice, and there aren't any cold spots. I accidentally tipped a Naglene bottle on my bag, but was pleased to see the water roll off.

Con's - Kind of heavy and somewhat bulky, but worth the sacrifice for the added protection.

Pound for pound and dollar for dollar this is the best buy in a sleeping bag you will find. This is the best synthetic bag on the market. If you want a great down bag, go with Marmot or Western Mountaineering. 10 stars for value!!!

Customer Service:
This is the only NF product I have and I have yet to have a problem with it.

Similar Products Used:
None

Review Date
May 26, 2000

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Robin Curtis(Unregistered User) ,  Mountaineer , from Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada

Summary:
I've never been cold in this bag. i used to back country snowboard using this and a tarp with a 3/4 length thermarest and was fine. i've now upgraded to a bivy and believe this is a great combination if you are a light weight winter camper. When I hike in the spring/fall in the Alberta Rockies I still take this bag and just use it opened up if its too warm. The added weight and bulk I find is worth the quarantee of being the warmest hiker in the group. I definitely recommend this one. If you want down then go with the Inferno (TNF) I'm sure you can't go wrong.

Customer Service:
Never had to return an item.

Similar Products Used:
TNF Cornice. Few other brands but only summer bags.