Valandré Thor

This is not a full review, but more some random notes for potential buyers. I feel there's not too much info out there about this bag. I haven't given this bag a rating since I haven't used it yet, but wanted to write this before forgetting.

I have a Big Agnes -20F (-29C) that I've been happy with. It doesn't have down on the bottom side, but you're suppose to use it with an air sleeping pad that you insert into the bottom part of the sleeping bag. This has been working fine. It's very light but I've been suffering from cold spots from below and the BA's lower limit is definitely only -20°F. That is why I've been looking for a warmer bag.

Looking for a new bag has been something I've given a lot of thought since my only experience is from my Big Agnes. The BA is made out of regular nylon and plain down. Now, many of the newer sleeping bags are sold with hydrophobic downs and some are made with different kinds of Gore shell fabrics as well.

I have been using an eVent Rab bivy bag in the last two seasons, either straight on the snow or in lean-tos. I've sometimes experienced that the bivy was moist or frozen on the inside in the mornings. I'm still undecided about the Gore fabrics. I've never tried it with a sleeping bag. The fabric doesn't seem to add too much weight to the bag.

If Gore fabric doesn't hold back any of my body vapor, then it would be a great way to deal with any frost in general, and especially inside my tent. I'm just not sure that it won't. Gore works great in jackets when it's in close contact with the body and can utilize the body heat, but as the outer layer of a cold weather sleeping bag, I'm afraid that the moist will settle on the inside of the Gore fabric and then make a frozen barrier that wouldn't transpire any vapor.

This bag is not made with hydrophobic down. I wish it was. I've only heard about one product using hydrophobic downs where there was a problem with the downs clustering together and creating cold spots. I hope there in the future will be a wash-in product that can be applied by the end user.

I bought the 200cm version. It's freakingish long. I'm 6'2", 170lb, and I was a head down. I then ordered the regular. The regular feels perfect in both length and size. I like that the regular size is slimmer as well. I should note that I normally just sleep in my base layer. I normally boil a bottle of water to put inside the sleeping bag but that's it. I don't sleep with boot liners or any other big items inside the bag, and in this case there wouldn't be too much room in the length (with the regular size).

I find it very difficult to measure the loft but this is what I measured. Foot end: 11-12",  Mid: 12" Shoulders: 14-19" The shoulder measurements is not "real" loft, since the bag is constructed in a way that makes it create an empty space inside the bag when its laying down flat on the ground. So the 14-19" is including the empty space. If I should guess, it would probably be closer to 12-14". The down distribution might be in the ballpark of 40-60%. When the bag is on its side, it still shows the same incredible loft. 

It wasn't possible for me to try this bag in a shop before buying it, and the most confusing part was to understand the neck baffle system. The system is simpler than it sounds. It consist of a neck strap and a face strap. The neck strap is elastic and the joint ends can lock together to make a more full closure around the neck. There's still used velcro on the zipper side of the bag. The face strap is not elastic. It works the same way as the neck strap.

It is somehow more cumbersome then what I'm used to but there's always the option of not connecting the 2 snaps and just use it as a regular neck baffle. I think I will use both snaps, especially in cold weather.

In the above image you can see the empty space inside the bag. This space is expanded even more when the neck baffle snaps are closed.

The zipper feels ok. It has a wind-guard and it doesn't snag (too much).

The compression bag that came along with the Thor is not what I'd have expected to come with an $1,000 sleeping bag. It's heavy. The craftsmanship is very poor, and the stitchings started to come apart the first time I used it. What I huge disappointment. I would expect nothing less than the best would be supplied with this sleeping bag, but this was a downer.

A feature that is not there but that I think would be great, is if the area around the face, say 6", and also the area at the foot box were made with a waterproof fabric like cuben. The foot-end is always exposed to the tent-side and the area around the mouth and nose is many times wet after a night's sleep. Why not make this area 100% waterproof?

Overall, I like the bag. The quality is good and I hope it will be with me for many years :)  

Again, I haven't use the bag outside yet, but I'm looking forward to it.

I purchased this bag a few years ago when Valandre was still relatively unknown (that's why it was not as expensive as they are today). Also, mine is rated to -59 deg.Farenheit not -50 like the ones today. I will say without a doubt this is the best and warmest bag that I have ever used. I own the best (most extreme) sleeping bags from most of the top names i.e. North Face, Marmot and Mountain Hardwear, but in my honest opinion, they don't even come close to the warmth and quality of the Valandre.

I've tested above the Arctic's Circle in LAPLAND, FINLAND, at below 24 Celsius. I'm still hot!

THE BEST OF THE BEST.

This franco-danish sleeping bag (bought 745 Euros Vieux Campeur, paris, france) is maybe the warmest lightweight sleeping bag in the world...u'll be really comfortable even under wet -20° to -30°C...can reach -40°C without big problem...-50°C? (with protective membrana outside and vapor barrier inside maybe...)...a pure himalayan precious stone made to fight even the temperature of the south pole...

This sleeping bag seems a little expensive. The weather rating is really high. This bag is best for the experienced backpackers and hikers. I would not recommend it.

I was really warm, even on the coldest night. It fit well enough and I am really tall. There was an easy transition.