Occasionally I get an out-of-the-blue inquiry about testing outdoor gear. I try to stick to hammock- and backpacking-related items as much as possible, so when I was approached this past summer by Ohuhu, I thought it would be a good diversion.
Ohuhu Sleeping Bag
- Manufacturer: Ohuhu, made in China
- MSRP: US$50
Available Features/Specifications
Features and Specifications
- Compression stuff sack
- Lightweight, simple construction (no baffles, chambers, or quilting)
- Nylon outer
- 100% polyester fabric batting
- Double zipper pulls; perimeter zipper
- Temp rating: 48°F (9°C)
- Listed Dimension: 33.5×75 in (85×190 cm)
- Measured Dimension: 31.5×72 in (80×183 cm)
Weight
- Listed: 27.5 oz (780 g)
- Measured: 29 oz (817 g)
Product Description
The Ohuhu sleeping bag is a value bag. It’s made in China and it is clear, with a basic Internet search, that the bag is being mass produced and sold under various brand names. You can find the bag for sale as low as $20 on some websites. The overall construction is surprisingly good, with no loose threads or product flaws. The build is very simple, with a “sandwich” layering of outer fabric enclosing a continuous polyester batting filler. The rectangular sleeping bag has a small (and somewhat useless) patch of hook-and-loop fabric to hold the head end at the zipper closed. As a simple summer bag, there are very few extra features: no baffles, no hood, and no cinch cords.
Recommendations and Review
As I do with most all my gear reviews, I took a few weeks to give the Ohuhu sleeping bag a fair shake. I went into this test knowing it was a value bag with a summer rating, but I had my thoughts on whether this would be good for camping, specifically with hammocks. Indeed, inexpensive sleeping bags are great candidates for deconstructing and repurposing into top quilts or under quilts. I’m often asked by folks looking for inexpensive insulation solutions, and the Ohuhu fits the bill.
The outer nylon fabric is really quite stunning for a bag in this category. The tight ripstop material feels very similar to the ENO quilts I reviewed. It has a nice hand and is actually pretty comfortable. Indoors, the Ohuhu was very usable, so in temps above 60°F (15°C) it was fantastic. I waited until the temperatures were consistently dipping into the upper 40’s°F (4°C) at night to camp outdoors. On one such night, it reached 48°F (9°C). I brought along a few extra sleeping bags in case I got cold, but to my surprise and delight, I stayed comfortable all night. I never needed the extra insulation. I only wore some light nylon pants and a long-sleeve shirt and I did have a down under quilt, but I only used the Ohuhu on top, quilt style. There were a few times during the night I could feel that I was reaching the bag’s lower limit, but it was never bad enough to need anything more. I was honestly surprised.
Staying warm is more complicated than just having a warm sleeping bag. Your body’s metabolism, caloric intake, activity level, hydration, and environmental conditions all play a part in how you stay warm. For me, the conditions were just right. I wouldn’t risk taking this bag when conditions were consistently lower than 50°F (10°C) unless I was prepared with more clothing layers or a liner.
As a rectangular bag, it makes a great candidate for building a DIY hammock under quilt. In fact, you increase the temperature rating by leaving the bag folded over and doubling (or even quadrupling) up the insulation before using it as a quilt. To deconstruct, you’d want to remove the zipper and then sew a channel on the short ends to help gather and seal up the quilt on the ends. Sewing loops and attaching shock cord complete the task. Check out my instructions for making a Poncho Liner Under Quilt as the process would be very similar.
Disclosure of material connection: The author (Derek Hansen) was provided with a free sample from the manufacturer for testing and evaluation purposes. The comments in this post (written & spoken) are of my own opinion, which I formed after personally handling the gear. I was under no obligation to publish a review of this item.
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