For a little more info on winter sleeping systems and sleeping bag ratings see >HERE<
Temp range : Cycled and camping -5 to -30 in Sweden, Norway and Finland mid Jan to early Feb usually 4-5 nights between going indoors to dry again. The sleeping bag was used inside a Goretex bivvy bag and a moisture/vapour barrier liner was used on the inside.
Overall impression : A very nice lightweight bag, spacious and well built.
Warmth : Generally I was warm enough in the sleeping bag, often too warm. But I think the -32 rating is a little ambitious, the few nights it was close to -30 I was quite uncomfortable despite sleeping in base layer ( my travel partner that was sleeping in a Excuistic 1200 was not cold on these nights).
Comfort/size : The sleeping bag was a good fit on my standard sized body (184cm, 85kg) With enough room for some clothing and other items inside the bag to stop them freezing. The hood and collar fit well though the Velcro often didn’t hold in the night so I would have to reattach it.
Packing and storing : Naturally its quite a big bundle of sleeping bag but I can still fit it and a bivvy in my front pannier so I’m happy. The stuff sack that it comes with is almost impossible to use at low temperatures. The stuff sack is just too small when trying to pack the sleeping bag at -20 with gloves on. Luckily I had an extra dry bag I could use. The hanging loops are great for drying on a coat hanger on days off as is the storage bag for use at home (nice little extras).
Pocket : I found the pocket the perfect size for my phone, though the modern larger phones won’t fit. And we all know how important phones are for people nowadays J
Zip : Good to see that these bags have the anti snag strips near the zips. The zips worked fine throughout the trip.
General appearance : The Cumulus sleeping bags look the part and now that the Logo is sewn instead of stickers(which pealed of with time on my other Cumulus bag) they look even better.
Generally I’m just as happy with this sleeping bag as my others from Cumulus: The price/quality/weight/durability ratio is perfect and the customer service is great. Though you don’t get the one click shopping of a webshop or rush hour traffic getting to a good outdoor shop, its nice to chat via email with people who know what they are talking about and believe in their product. . . .
interesting to read a first impressions and practical use review of this bag. but you made a mistake, cumulus does not rate the excuistic 1000 at -32C, its rates -26. the 1200 is rated -32. wich explains why your chilly in your 1000 around -30… =)
Well spotted