Gear Review: Wilderness Technology Wildy Down 700

Value Rating: 10 Durability Rating: 9 Overall Rating: 9

Location of Test: Lake Billy Chinook Area, Oregon Duration: 3 Days

Product Name: Wildy Down 700 Product Brand: Wilderness Technology Best Use: Cold Camping with Shelter, Backpacking Sizes Available/Specs: 700 Fill Down Mummy Shape Length 195cm (I think this is a Long as I had a full 8 inches to spare) Cold Temperature Rating 15-25 F Net Weight 2.87 lbs Nylon shell & lining, blue with black outside, black inside. Right Side Zipper (Left Available Too) Exterior Loops for Bivy Full hood with down-filled gasket Interior collar with draw cord Internal zipper pocket for headlamp, switchblade, chapstick, etc Includes compression sack & cotton storage bag (with lots of instructions). Lifetime Warranty

Other Options: Available in assorted colors: green, dark & light blue, red Regular Length is 180cm, Long is 195cm Wildy Down 500 (temp 30 to 40 F) Wildy Down 700 (temp 15 to 25 F) Wildy Down 900 (temp -5 to 5 F) Wildy Down 1200 (temp -15 to -5 F) The Full Review What a fun weekend in the high desert! Campfires are finally allowed. This is one of our final trips for the season before the nighttime temperatures become unbearable. I have to be honest and start with the fact that I am a lady who is always cold, so I end up sleeping while camping in at least 2 layers of clothing. My latest trick is double-bagging, where I use a 0 bag inside a 40 bag (both synthetic fill and relatively cheap). (This is why I opted for a lower rated bag even though temps didn't get that cold). I am hyped! I was so comfortable. I am a down convert. The bag it weighs less than my synthetic bag and takes up less space. And I was so cozy. It is totally worth the extra investment is you are a cold sleeper. Unfortunately on this trip the temps were not as low as I hoped for a full test. The first night was 35, the lowest of the trip and my baseline for this review. I slept on a mattress in a non-insulated building. I slept in only a wool-blend base layer. The Good: I was totally WARM!!! This is a miracle. I'm actually considering more trips this season armed with the knowledge that I will finally be warm enough at night. The hood, collar and other features work great, no drafts, no hat required. The hood is a good shape and doesn't get in your face. I wiggle a lot at night; everything stayed put and I didn't get twisted up. The compression sack is not too small and it is easy to pack. The price is also a bonus. The Bad: I struggled with the zipper getting stuck a bit. There is a solid strip of webbing along the zipper, most people will probably be fine. I have zipper issues. I struggled a bit trying to hop out of the bag for a quick WC run (which had nothing to do with any adult activities that happened the night before I swear). The internal collar has awkward velcro where it crosses the zipper. If it was cold enough to need it I would have been annoyed. The Bottom Line: This is a fantastic down bag for the price. If you are a cold sleeper I HIGHLY recommend it. The Wildy Down 700 has all the features of the name brand bags out there without the price. I'm so excited about this purchase. Game changer.