Criterion Sleeping Bag and Clothing Reviews
Independent Criterion Reviews
Our sleeping bags and clothing reviews section details industry reviews on our products, we firmly believe in the quality of our sleeping bags and clothing and provide you with totally independent reviews as well as where possible external links to them. We do not pay for reviews or advertorials, nor do we give testers free products. Some of the external links on this page refer to our sleeping bags under our old brand name.
If you have purchased a Criterion product and would like to leave you own comment then please navigate to the appropriate product page, where you can leave a review.
2024 Reviews
Quantum 200 Down Sleeping Bag (Spine Race January 2024)
At around 500g I was slightly concerned that something so small and light could be warm enough to keep out the chill of the cold and damp January night. But to my surprise, it did just that!
As I shuffled down into the bag I could instantly feel it trapping the heat from my body. I pulled up the zip that snuggly encased my body like Tutankhamen in his sarcophagus and wriggled around to get comfortable. For something so light I was amazed at how quickly I warmed up. In fact it was so warm, I had to unzip it and take off my T-shirt to stop me from sweating.
Full Review from Run Ultra (Opens in a new window)
Sam Hill – Run Ultra Gear Review February 2024
2022 Reviews
Criterion Quantum 450
Performance
I used this bag on a winter backpacking trip where I slept on snow and the temperature dropped to zero inside my two-skin tent, which probably means it was slightly below zero outside. I slept on a Thermarest Xtherm mat which is one of the warmest available and wore bed socks and a long sleeved baselayer. I usually sleep cold, i.e. if its minus 5 out I need a sleeping bag with a comfort limit of minus 10 to be sure of keeping warm.
As previously mentioned the temperature fell to zero and I was very warm, I could easily imagine the temperature dropping another five degrees and still being warm, perhaps even further. My view is that the rating of this bag is spot on.
Overall
Criterion clearly make excellent bags, of which this is a good example, they use high quality ethically sourced down and the highest quality materials, and they use appropriate construction techniques. The result in this case is a bag with one of the best warmth to weight ratios available – they achieve this by using a performance sizing model and intelligent weight saving design.
Full Review from Ultralight Outdoor Gear (opens in a new window)
Ultralight Outdoor Gear 10th May 2022
2020 Reviews
Criterion Quantum 200
The weight of this package is a very respectable 530g and it will happily pack down to size of 11cm x 11cm x 25cm should you be inclined to use the included stuff-sack or around 2.5 litres and the stated comfort rating is 0c. Now, ratings are always a heavily debated topic and something else we can’t always agree on. There’s so many factors at play that any figure will always be a guide and not definitive. However, as someone who sleeps reasonably cold, my initial trials would indicate that zero is quite realistic. Obviously, a rating of 0c, doesn’t place the Quantum into what people might consider the 4 season category but it comes tantalisingly close and we know that the addition of some suitable clothing could tip the scales and allow year round use
Full Review from Bear Bones Bikepacking (opens in a new window)
Bear Bones Bikebacking 13th March 2020
Criterion Activity Hydro Jacket
“It’s hardly a name that rolls off the tongue, but Criterion’s newest down jacket does exactly what it says on the tin. It’s an ultralight jacket that is exceptionally warm for its size and it makes use of hydrophobic down to provide warmth. This is a marked improvement on last year’s model, which proved vulnerable during the rainy days we all to often find ourselves encountering on the British Isles.
Despite feeling substantial and cosy while worn, the jacket fits easily into the included stuff sack and weighs 325g (size L). This makes it perfect for trips away: just throw it into your bag and pull it out when you need to keep warm in between climbs, while belaying, at the campsite in the evening or while stopping for lunch on a hike.
It’s not just warm and comfortable too wear though, Criterion has also ensured it’s practical while out and about. Tabs on the zippers allow easy use while gloved up, the handwarmer pockets are large, and the oversized hood should take a helmet, although you may want to size up to ensure it fits, especially as the jacket has a rather snug fit overall.
Criterion has clearly put plenty of thought into making this jacket as comfortable as possible, but also warm enough for winter adventures.”
Adventure Travel Magazine Jan/Feb 2020
Criterion Quantum 350
it weighs in at a very respectable 695g with a packsize of just a little smaller than a football. Not bad at all. The outer of the sleeping bag is made using Pertex Quantum, a lightweight shell fabric that’s constructed from fine yarns that trap air and help improve insulating efficiency. It’s supremely soft and has an excellent strength-to-weight ratio. Inside that, you’ll find 350g of 870 FP ethically sourced Polish Goose down, which is contained by trapezoid baffles to help prevent cold spots. The full-length, two-way zip (which offers zip-together compatibility) is backed for its length by a substantial baffle, ensuring no cold spots from there, and its anti-snag feature works very well.”
- Weight & Pack Size: 9
- Warmth: 7
- Features: 7
- Value for Money: 8
- Overall: 8
Adventure Travel Magazine Gear Test – Jan/Feb 2020 (Full Article)
2019 Reviews
“This is a well-priced bag when you consider it is slightly warmer than some other bags here (it has a -3°C temperature rating) and comes with a very good weight and small packed size. It’s made with 700 fill power down and a Pertex nylon shell with a water-repellent treatment like other quality bags. Importantly you also have trapezoidal construction to keep cold spots at bay along the seams. The zip is full-length, so you can vent the foot area in warmer weather. Get inside and it fits very close, with a hood that can be drawn in further with a drawcord. Overall it feels great for lightweight backpacking.”
Trail Magazine “5 of the Best Summer Sleeping Bags” – August 2019 – 76%.
Criterion Ultralight 350
“The Criterion Ultralight 350 is handsdown the most packable sleeping bag in this test, taking up as much room as a small loaf of bread might. This is fantastic for those looking to reduce the size and weight of their packs (it’s the lightest sleeping bag too, at just 800g”
Adventure Travel 3 Season Sleeping Bags Test – Jan/Feb – 8/10. (Full Article)
