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I started working for Criterion in 2016 and was the point of contact for every bit of customer feedback. I know that people who invest in the products are overwhelmingly positive. Liking product performance and customer service. It was always good if someone was happy to share their feedback as it helped promote the brand.
Now as the owner of Criterion and after trials of 2023. It is more vital than ever for me to ask people to share their stories and experiences. Every comment, story or image about using Criterion Sleeping Bags and Accessories helps to make outdoor users aware of us.
Richard is one such person who has reached out to share his experiences. I am grateful for the time he took to do this, as well as the images he shared showing some of his adventures in Victoria and Queensland (Australia).
When Richard found out Criterion was closing he reached out, as did some other long-term users, to offer best wishes. This support and loyalty helped me decide that I needed to try and keep Criterion going.
Best Wishes
Gareth Lyons
A few years ago I went camping on a remote beach in the middle of winter. And had a really uncomfortable, bitterly cold night (but had a great time all the same). I decided I needed to sort out my cold-weather hiking setup and started searching for a warmer sleeping bag.
My sleeping bag requirements were a legitimate temp rating down to -5°C, minimum weight, minimal packed volume, well made, reasonably priced, and made ethically. After months on and off web searching and thinking and procrastinating, I decided Criterion’s Quantum 350 was the best fit for me. A couple of emails and another several months delay (me procrastinating again!), and my Quantum 350 arrived.
Buying Decisions
Ethically made? Yes. Very light? Yes. Small packed volume? Yes. Good design and well-made? Yes. Reasonably priced? Yes. And the people at Criterion were great to deal with. I’ve been using this bag about 3 years now and have had some sub-zero (Celsius) nights with my stuff frozen in the morning and always been comfortable. So the -6 degree rating I’d say is legitimate. I wouldn’t say I’m a cold sleeper, but I’m certainly not a warm sleeper. I liked this bag so much a later bought a Quantum 200 for milder conditions. And regularly use both of them. Sometimes I car-camp and sleep under a tarp in the back of my ancient Hilux. But mostly I’m a minimalist hiker either tarp or hammock camping. I’ve been so impressed with these sleeping bags I recommend them to everyone. I probably annoy a few people with my enthusiasm.
So the specs… Yes, the Polish goose-down filling is excellent. Yes, the design and construction is first-rate. The zipper is a generous sized YKK so it’ll probably outlast me. And the shell is made from Pertex Quantum. Stay with me here… this stuff is not just a fancy nylon fabric. Quantum fabric feels and behaves differently to any nylon fabrics I’ve used. It never feels cold, even when it is cold. And it never feels damp or clammy, even when I am. It’s really comfortable, breaths better than anything similar I’ve tried and its water-repellent coating works well. I had the bag stuffed in the bottom of my pack on one particularly nasty, wet, windy day. Although water got into my pack and wet my mattress and sleeping bag, it still lofted quickly and fully and appeared dry a half hour later. And was instantly warm when I went to bed that night. So yeah, these Criterion Quantum bags are seriously good kit!
Rick from Australia
