Sierra Madre Puffle 55°

A lightweight down blanket for late spring and early summer.

I was looking for a lighter weight alternative to my heavyish poncho liner and my homemade polarfleece bag, both of which weigh upwards of two lbs. Down blankets seem to be all the rage these days and, after quite a bit of research, I settled on the Puffle.

It comes in three temperature ratings; 20, 40, and 55 degrees, each in waterproof down or synthetic. The material sheds water so I opted for down as it was lighter. I got the 55-degree as I have other bags for a variety of lower temperature.

The 55-degree down weighs in at one pound. It measures 83" long and 52" wide, with eight snaps along each side to form it into a bag, or to snap two (or more) together. The foot scrunches down with barrel lock cords to make a tight seal if you so desire, and the opening at the head does the same, but leaves a nice little draft collar. There is a small pocket at the head end for keys or a wallet.

I set up camp the first night with it in a damp rain. I crawled into the Puffle in dry clothes, with no additional layers other than my long sleeved t-shirt and shorts, and was quite warm through a fifty-something damp night. The next two nights proved equally warm and comfortable. The eight snaps kept the bag tight enough, and separation was not a problem, especially when I slept with the snaps under me.

I was concerned about the narrowness, as it is only 26" wide when snapped up. That's ample room for everything up to mid-torso, but I have fairly broad shoulders and sleep on my stomach, with my arms usually bent up under my head. I was afraid that configuration just wouldn't fit in 26", but I was pleasantly surprised. There was ample room even when I had the head opening sealed up some.

All in all, I'm quite pleased with the Puffle. I'm 5'8" and weigh about 165 and, as I said, with somewhat broad shoulders. I think anyone on the larger size might feel confined with this snapped up, but it does make a nice blanket if one wants to sleep directly on a sleeping pad. And two snapped together would be almost as wide as a double bed for those with sleeping partners.

A good product, well made, and by good people.

Background

I have a poncho liner that only ties off at three spots, and weighs close to two lbs. I have a two-way zip polarfleece bag that weighs quite a bit more, and I have a 50-year-old rectangular down bag (good to about 30 degrees), that weighs close to three lbs. None of these pack down very small.The Puffle seemed like a lightweight, compact alternative to these as I get older and need to carry less weight.

Added info. I'm headed off to Dolly Sods next week with nighttime forecasts in the 40s. I'm taking a silk bag liner and polarfleece long johns to supplement my 55-degree Puffle, if needed. I found that I can snap up the first three snaps at the foot and slide my sleeping pad in, and then cinch down the foot. The rest of the Puffle can then spread open like a blanket over me, with plenty of room to twist and turn and enough overhang to to pull it around me. Ought to be more comfortable than the confined feeling I had with it all snapped up on an earlier trip. I anticipate a warm and comfy few nights.