Sierra Designs Zissou Plus 700

The shell and liner are both made with a 30D ripstop polyester to ensure your bag is not only comfortable, but durable enough to make it through all your adventures un-scathed. Horizontal baffling combined with side wall baffles create an ergonomically shaped bag designed to maintain loft and keep you warmer by minimizing the shifting of the down insulation. The mummy hood has a draw cord so you can batten down the hatches when it gets cold, and the full length, snag-proof zipper has two zipper tabs in order to allow for ventilation when you need it. A shorter zipper on the right side of the bag creates part of the “integrated comforter”, and both zippers include draft tubes to keep the drafts to a minimum.  

The “integrated comforter” adds a little versatility to the traditional mummy design. By adding a second zipper on the right hand side of the bag and having extra material on the outside of the zipper, they have created what ends up feeling more like a comforter than a sleeping bag. When the zippers are undone, the result is an over-sized semi-rectangular shaped “comforter” that allows you to get comfy like you would in your bed at home. When the zippers are done up, the corners are tucked inside the bag they not only act as over-sized draft guards but make for a pretty cozy cocoon.

The Sierra Design Zissou Plus 700 with its small zipper open and below that both zippers fully opened. 

In 2012, Sierra Designs launched Dridown with the goal of eliminating the one disadvantage of down: the property of losing insulation value when it comes in contact with moisture. Dridown is a molecular level polymer that coats the individual down plumes and fibres giving them more structure and making them more hydrophobic (not liking water). This provides 3 main benefits over untreated down: it stays dryer 10 times longer, it stays warmer because it retains loft 2.7 times longer, and in the event that it does get wet, it dries 33% faster. All these properties actually make Dridown™ more durable than untreated down, leading to longer lasting gear. To top it all off, the polymer used has been evaluated by an internationally recognized third-party, and has been rated as non-hazardous to the health and safety of both humans and the environment. This evaluation includes the chemical manufacturing, finishing chemical, and down processing thus ensuring that standards for health, safety, and environmental sustainability are being either met, or exceeded.

Sierra Designs has been designing and distributing outdoor gear since 1965 when George Rudolph and Bob Swanson began sewing products in Point Richmond, California. After a few tough years, they eventually began making gear for North Face, which was labeled “Made Expressly for North Face by Sierra Designs”. This was their first big account, and since then the company has grown into one that is known and trusted by many. Bob and George left the company long ago to pursue other endeavours, but the company has continued to maintain its reputation for great gear. The company produces much of its gear in China and Korea, and has headquarters in both Canada and the U.S, as well as other partner locations worldwide. 

The company ensures the factories which manufacture their products are in compliance with the American Rec Code of Conduct, which safeguards human rights and aims to improve working conditions for all workers. They hire both an internal staff of compliance monitors and contract independent monitors to continually and rigorously conduct social compliance audits.

• 700 fill power Dridown.
• 30D ripstop polyester shell and liner.
• Draft tube.
• Draw cord hood adjustment.

• Integrated comforter.

• Side-Wall Baffles are easily seen on the foot box.

• Snag-proof zippers.

• Dual zips allow you to vent from the bottom or top.

• Built in zipper garages.

• The bag comes with both a mesh storage sack and a stuff sack. 

The Sierra Designs Zissou plus 700 is a great addition to Sierra Design mummy line. The integrated comforter provides a versatility not found in other mummy bags, and it's very comfortable too. Voted as “best sleeping bag value of 2017” by Backpacker Magazine, this sleeping bag is making waves; and for good reason. The warmth to weight ratio is respectable and the price is not one you can argue with. While similar in price and weight to the Klymit KSB over sized bag, the Sierra Designs Zissou plus 700 packs in more warmth for the weight with a ratio of -17°C/1.5kg (-6.6°C/1.4kg for the Klymit bag). While other bags such as the Sea to Summit SPIII (reviewed here), and the Big Agnes Hitchens (reviewed here) may be half the weight, they are nearly twice the price and don’t come anywhere near the temperature rating of the Sizzou plus 700. 

Considering the added warmth, I don’t think that the weight of the bag could be considered a huge disadvantage, however, it is the heaviest -9°C sleeping bag we’ve reviewed, as you can see in the comparison chart here. One could argue that the integrated comforter adds unnecessary weight due to extra materials, but I found the comforter to be a cozy touch to an already comfortable bag, and the added weight is minimal. In my mind, the only thing this bag lacks is compression straps for the stuff sack.  

If the warmth to weight ratio and price aren’t enough to sway you, the use of treated down should be a pretty convincing push. Feeling confident that you will stay warm and dry will help you sleep easy, and the use of environmentally friendly materials and socially acceptable manufacturing processes means you can do so guilt-free. If you are looking for a great 4 season bag made by a company you can trust, look no further than this creative approach to the traditional mummy design.