Sierra Designs Cloud 15 Sleeping Bag Review

by Adam B · Published August 27, 2012 , 2:32 pm · Updated December 17, 2024 , 6:14 am

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The new Cloud 15 sleeping bag from Sierra Designs tips the scale at less than 2 pounds (1lb. 12oz. for Regular size). “Wow, that’s light for a 1 or 2-season bag,” you say? Well surprise, surprise, because this bag is a legitimate 15-degree bag that will get you through some pretty chilly nights in the backcountry.

The key feature of this ultralight stud is the super warm 900-fill down, arranged in a unique looking vertical baffle construction. The vertical baffle construction helps to prevent down migration. This is paired with Sierra’s Flex technology – stretch material sewn into baffle seams which allow the bag to hug your body more while still allowing it to move and flex with you. The cut of the Cloud 15 is also unique – the ‘footbox’ and upper torso of the bag are shaped ergonomically, which allows a bit more room for your dogs and increases comfort and warmth. The collar of the bag is sculpted to conform to your shoulders and neck for better fit in these areas, and to help trap heat inside the bag.

The material used in the construction of the Cloud 15 is the same on the inside of the bag as out, and is a very soft satin-like nylon that provided great comfort, but we’re interested to see how it holds up to several seasons of abuse. It shows no wear after a half-dozen or so uses, however.

The result of these technical features working together is superior warmth and comfort – the bag is amazingly warm and very comfortable. The Cloud 15 does, however, lack the sophisticated collar/scarf system that some bags in its class are equipped with these days, and leaks a bit more heat at the neck than some others when the temperature dips extremely.

The zipper runs all the way up to the collar, and we felt that its anti-snag material could be wider and more effective. The hood portion of the Cloud 15 has a drawcord with pull on the outside of the bag, which made it slightly difficult to operate from inside the bag. It packs into the included stuff sack which is only 6″ in diameter, by 16″ long. The Cloud 15 even comes with a larger sack for uncompressed longer-term storage, to preserve down loft.

The Sierra Designs Cloud 15 comes in only one color–light grey. The material’s light color made it a challenge to tell whether it was wet or not after a chilly night. The down is visible inside the bag, and this sometimes can look like moisture. We’d like to see it offered in some other color combinations, perhaps less likely to show soil after use.

We tested the Sierra Designs Cloud 15 bag on a 4-day backpacking trip, camping each night above treeline in temps that dipped into the 20s, and never felt chilled. We were most impressed with the packability and lightweight of the Cloud 15. We’ve tested other bags of similar weight that was rated for 40 degrees or more!

For the serious ounce-counting backpacker looking to get into potentially cold weather adventures, the Sierra Designs Cloud 15 Sleeping Bag will keep you toasty at night and hardly weighs more than your socks! For more information on the Cloud 15 and other Sierra Design products, visit www.backcountry.com or www.amazon.com/sierradesigns.