Slumberjack Boundary 20 - Women's Review
Our Verdict
Our Analysis and Test Results
An inexpensive and durable sleeping bag, the Boundary can be thrown in your car for any summer excursion; it will keep you warm in temperatures down to the low 40s.
Performance Comparison
Warmth
This contender is rated to 20 degrees Fahrenheit but is not EN rated. This rating feels more like a guess than science. It has decent feeling synthetic fill, but we would not trust it to temperatures as low as 20F. It kept us warm in the low 40s, but we are skeptical that it would keep us warm in temps any cooler than that.
Weight
We are pleasantly surprised that the Boundary only weighs 2.9 lbs, making it a great midweight option. It stands out as the lightest of the synthetic bags, but not as warm as other contenders. As a result of its less than lightweight construct, it's a decent choice for backpacking trips that will only last for a night or two.
Comfort
The Boundary is a pretty standard sized and shaped mummy bag, but it provides enough space inside to move around. We think it is relatively comfortable, and like the lofty, cushy feel of its synthetic fill, but think the shell material feels rough.
Packed Size
Slumberjack includes a medium sized stuff sack for the Boundary, but not a larger storage sack. This is a problem because you should never leave your sleeping bag compressed, as it crushes its loft and makes it less warm over time. With a better compression sack, the Boundary could be compressed slightly smaller than with the stuff sack provided, but it is still quite bulky.
Features
This bag is fairly bare bones, as it should be for the price tag. We like the two different drawcords for the hood and chin so you can differentiate between the two in the dark when it is cold.
We had to laugh when we read that one of Slumberjack's selling features for this bag is a “Unique 'flip over' hood [that] can be turned inside-out for the option of a flat or contoured hood.” Classic! You could do this with any mummy bag, but Slumberjack is just the only company to point out the obvious! The model does not have any other bells or whistles, and no small stash pocket is included.
Best Application
The Boundary is a great choice for any activity where you don't want to risk damage to an expensive bag. We think it is best suited for a child or teenager's sleepovers, music festivals, and front country camping in warm weather.
This bag's synthetic insulation will help keep you warm when things get damp, but otherwise, it is not very versatile because of its weight and bulk.
Value
The Boundary's price tag can't be beaten. It is a great value for a sleeping bag.
Conclusion
Great for all your car-camping needs, this inexpensive workhorse of a sleeping bag is a no-brainer. Keep it in your car for emergencies or get one for your child's back-yard campouts; just don't plan on taking this one on extended backpacking trips.