I spotted these in Tesco Extra the other day so I picked one up as I thought 'how bad can they actually be?'

I've taken it out of the stuffsac and given it a really good shake and left it for 4 or 5 hours or so. I've not owned a down bag before so I'm not sure if it should have puffed up more than this, but it's certainly nowhere near as 'puffy' as my down jacket was. I know it's only a summer bag and I shouldn't expect a lot from Tesco but it does seem really thin.

Any thoughts? Damaged from storage, or expectations wrong due to being used to synthetic bags? Or is it just rubbish?

I think the amount of loft, or puffiness you get depends on the construction technique employed in the bag. Most mid to high-end down bags use 'box wall' construction, with which a series of baffles are added to allow the down to loft fully and improve insulation. I can't imagine Tesco's own to be a box wall bag.

A good bargain though, especially as an equivalent synthetic filled bag wouldn't last as long, and would be heavier and bulkier.

A bit off-topic, but anyone tried a Tesco rucksack yet?

dave, its most likely a combination of poor quality down and compression from shipping and storage,
try a cool tumble dry with a couple of tennis balls for about and hour, take it out and shake it every 15 mins,
if its still flat its because you got what you paid for, a cheap down bag,

hth

The ad.describes this as having "a 225g/m2 single layer goose down filling. " I've never seen a down bag described like this before - these are details which are more appropriate for a synthetic bag. I must admit the price is amazingly good given the manufacturing man-hours which must have gone into arranging the down in a single layer - sounds a very advanced technique which RAB and PHD haven't mastered yet. They still make their bags the old fashioned way with individual down clumps just piled one on top of another.

Seriously though Dave, its still possible that this is a perfectly satisfactory bag for the temperature range mentioned and, as you suggested, it is just your expectations based on being used to synthetic bags which are wrong. Do what gearboy suggests, then find yourself a thermometer and test it to find out what temperatures it handles for you.

My Vango Venom 225 doesn't fluff up all that much either and certainly much less than my down jacket does - it still seems to work well enough in practice though.

gearboy is probably right, there is no indication of the downs quality and how much of it is actually feather and residue. I assume it was transported in its stuff bag, which means the down that was actually in there has been crushed and damaged as well.

But then for those temperatures i wouldn't expect it to loft a huge amount.

For those interested: the label attached says it is 90% Goose Down, 10% Feather

I'll see if I get the chance to give it a go this weekend and report back.

It'll be the same quality as a Mountain Equipment/Rab/Marmot/Macpac tin of beans :o)

Ah, but is it a Tesco Value down sleeping bag or a Tesco Finest?

seen the "ultralight" dome tent - 7kg? surely shome mishtake - ed

Tesco doing the HOT ROCK rucksack for £35. Good buy?

Lots of Karrimoor stuff!!!!!!!!!!!

I had a punt on one of the Tesco bags and kipped in it last night, and it was certainly as warm as the Venom 225 I once had, [too tight and didnt like the zip] and definitely better than my Mountain Equipment Firewalker UL.[UseLess]
The outer is a light beige colour, and when held up to the light it is easy to see the down inside, which seems to be quite consistently fluffy stuff with no obvious big feathers.
My only minor dislike is the fabric, which isnt as soft and doesnt drape as well as Pertex.
As a lightweight summer bag and even as a winter bag booster I think it should do fine.

Coincidentally enough, I also managed to get out in mine last night. Compared to my other synthetic bag I'm pleased. Certainly felt comfortable enough, though it wasn't particularly chilly. I was cold in the other bag a week back but without measuring the temperature it's difficult to compare properly.

I was looking for was something that packed smaller than my other bag and was warmer, and I feel I've been successful. Thought it was worth a try for £35 and it will certainly do for what I'm likely to use it for.

So.. are we saying that for 35 squid this is a good buy.. cause 800g seems like a buzz to me and if the man, or woman from OM says 'yeh' then I'm off to T's in the morning... I'm currently using a Snugpak which is mega warm but heavy as nails...

Well don't take my word for it as I'm not particularly experienced with sleeping bags, but I was certainly comfortable in the current Cardiff weather. I was using a Tesco cotton liner in it and was wearing T-shirt and trousers, though I had been drinking so would have expected to get colder (what a telling combination, eh?). I would say I sleep cold anyway as I am quite happy with a 15 tog duvet through most of the year.

It comes with a compression sack and I reckon its slightly shorter than the claimed 30x14cm pack size without the straps done up. It stood out in the shop as being the only one that looked like it wouldn't fill up my entire rucksack...

[EDIT] Irritatingly, mine has RH zip. I assume this is standard on these? No mention of which side it is on the attached tag.

I used mine with a silk liner. Also RHzip, but doesn't bother me, as I will use it like a duvet in warm weather.
Its half the size of my GoLite Feather bag when compressed.
Considering I was after a lightweight down bag and was prepared to get a Cumulus one, I'm quite happy with it for the price.

Will go investigate after the wife computer repair man has been.. 4th time of asking.. not happy bunny.. if he don't arrive I won't get to even look.. fingers crossed... and thanks guys.. much app.

I love the ultra-precise temperature ratings & very narrow comfort range; +3.8 - +8.3.

Well I bought one, and even asked the nice lady on customer care about bringing it back if I wasn't happy.. no probs she says.. so I guess I have to think about where I might get to this weekend. ...although I see it's going to be really cold.. mmmmm we will see