Update: During 2014 Cumulus was rebranded as Criterion Sleeping Bags, as such references in this article which were orginally Cumulus have been changed to Criterion.
To follow on from the Criterion Ultralight 200 review, the following considers the performance of the Criterion Quantum 200 sleeping bag, similar in many ways but quite different in many more. If you are looking at an ultralight sleeping bag this would be an excellent comparison so do make sure you read the other tests and review.
Criterion Quantum 200 Down Sleeping Bag Features
Firstly, let’s start with the technical specification of the Quantum 200, features include:
- Extremely lightweight without stinting on features.
- Tiny stuff sack
- 200gms of 96:4 Polish Goose Down insulation with 870 fill power;
- Fill Volume: >5800 cubic inches;
- Pertex Ripstop Quantum 30gms/m², with DWR treatment;
- Top side construction: Boxwall;
- Weighs 495g. Packs down to 11 x 11 x 25 cm.
- Length: 217cm
- Comfortable for people up to 6’1″ tall
- Width Shoulders / Foot (cm): 75/50;
- Comfort Temp. = 0°C
- (Temperature rating confirmed by independent lab testing at Leeds University)
Features common to all Criterion Sleeping Bags:
- Full length YKK two-way zip with zip together compatibility (even different models);
- Anti-snagging, insulated zip baffle;
- Cowl hood and 1 hand operated drawcords;
- Inside pocket & hanging loops;
- Compact fully-featured stuff sack;
- Mesh storage bag.
Sleeping Bag Construction
The Criterion Quantum 200 takes advantage of an advanced form of construction, called Boxwall design. Boxwall sleeping bags benefit the user by avoiding cold-spots, typical of stitched through construction. Other sleeping bags from the Criterion Quantum range are constructed using the marginally better again trapezoid design.
Goose Down Filling
The Criterion Quantum range uses what is the best quality down available. Diamond Grade, white, Polish Goose Down provides the best warmth to weight ratio available in any form of down.
Pertex Outer and Inner
The outer is made from Pertex Ripstop Quantum, a featherweight form of Pertex which has the best strength to weight ratio of any sort of Pertex. It is 25-50% lighter than other forms of Pertex, soft as silk and has the smallest packing volume of any form of Pertex. A superb material.
Quantum 200 Review and Tests
The Criterion Quantum 200 bag is a spectacular sleeping bag, and having tested it in a variety of conditions, it’s clear to see the value too.
Test 1: 28th October, Stoodley Pike, Pennine Way, 402m altitude, Temperature 8°C or less. Sleeping in a tent and on a Thermarest.
The conditions on this particular dry were very, very windy which as you know always seems to reduce the temperature to what your thermometer reads! These were great conditions for testing a sleeping bag of this nature. The overall impression by the tester was that the pack and stuffsack size were both excellent, as were the features and cosmetics, although for a larger build person it was a little snug – this is typical though of ultralight sleeping bags, and should only be a concern for someone with an atypical build. In the conditions, the testee was more than comfortable and the temperature could well have fallen some more before that would have changed.
Test 2: 22nd July, Great Hill, West Pennines, 381m altitude, Temperature 10°C or less. Sleeping in a bivi bag on a Thermarest
At the start of the night the sky was very clear and it only started raining at dawn. using the sleeping bag in a bivi bag would be a very typical example of how a serious lightweight backpacker might decide to use it, so we thought that this test was excellent. There was nothing during the night that made the testee think that the sleeping bag would not be comfortable to 0°C or even less.
Test 3: 23rd September, Pendle Hill Summit, off Bowland, 577m altitude Temperature 12°C or less. Sleeping in a tent on a Thermarest.
The weather conditions were very foggy, with strong winds and heavy showers, although being in the Criterion Quantum was more than a match for anything thrown at it. As snug as a bug in a Criterion Quantum 200! Feedback was excellent in regards to it’s appearance, tiny stuffsack, pack-size and it’s features.
Conclusion
This is a sleeping bag with an exceptional list of features – one which any serious backpacker, or someone seeking an ultralight sleeping bag with top-spec qualities, would appreciate. For a backpacker with a fuller figure it might be a snug fit, but take a look at the measurements first and you should be fine. Pair it up with a bivi bag and a Thermarest and you’ve got yourself an incredibly warm, lightweight, compact sleeping bag – a truly highly recommended sleeping bag! If you need any more details on the Criterion Quantum 200 sleeping bag, or any other down sleeping bags for that matter, please do not hesitate to contact us.
CheapTents Outdoor Gear Blog 
I love my Cumulus Quantum 200! I’ve even used it just below freezing during a cold spell up in Lappland during summer and I stayed warm enough to sleep, though not exactly comfortably meaning that I did wake up a few times. Note – I was wearing fleece, jacket, waterproofs over my trousers and hat and wool gloves. For a lightweight backpacker who needs extra comfort and can’t bear the idea of a quilt but don’t mind having to wear all their layers if the temperature unexpextedly dips in the night, I’d heartily recommend this bag! I bought it as it fits in with the 3 for 3 rule perfectly – tent, sleeping bag+mat and rucksack for 3kg in total, the lightpacking rule of thumb!
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