Reviews You Can Rely On

Slumberjack Boundary 20 - Women's Review

The cheapest bag in our review, the Boundary 20 is great for summer car camping, and those on a budget
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Slumberjack Boundary 20 - Women's Review
Credit: Slumberjack
Price:  $60 List
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Manufacturer:   Slumberjack
By Jessica Haist ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Aug 12, 2016
56
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Warmth - 25% 5.0
  • Weight - 25% 6.0
  • Comfort - 20% 6.0
  • Packed Size - 15% 6.0
  • Features - 15% 5.0

Our Verdict

The Slumberjack Boundary 20 - Women's is one of the lowest priced sleeping bags you'll come across. If you are looking for an inexpensive bag that you can throw in your car for any summer front country excursion, from camp-outs to music festivals, the Boundary is a good choice. With the cheap price tag comes cheap materials, and the 20-degree temperature rating is overestimated by far.
REASONS TO BUY
Inexpensive
Lightweight for synthetic
Durable
REASONS TO AVOID
Cheap materials
Not warm
If you are seeking a more quality bed for your tent, you won't find anything in the same price range. For twice the price, you can get Kelty Cosmic 20, which presents a far higher value with higher quality materials and more warmth. The Cosmic is our Best Buy winner and we think it provides more bang for the buck than the Boundary.

Our Analysis and Test Results

An inexpensive and durable sleeping bag, the Boundary can be thrown in your car for any summer excursion; it will keep you warm in temperatures down to the low 40s.

Performance Comparison


slumberjack boundary 20 for women - we would not trust the boundary to keep us warm in 20 degree...
We would not trust the Boundary to keep us warm in 20 degree temperatures. We think it is great down to the low 40s.
Credit: Jessica Haist

Warmth


This contender is rated to 20 degrees Fahrenheit but is not EN rated. This rating feels more like a guess than science. It has decent feeling synthetic fill, but we would not trust it to temperatures as low as 20F. It kept us warm in the low 40s, but we are skeptical that it would keep us warm in temps any cooler than that.

Weight


We are pleasantly surprised that the Boundary only weighs 2.9 lbs, making it a great midweight option. It stands out as the lightest of the synthetic bags, but not as warm as other contenders. As a result of its less than lightweight construct, it's a decent choice for backpacking trips that will only last for a night or two.

Comfort


The Boundary is a pretty standard sized and shaped mummy bag, but it provides enough space inside to move around. We think it is relatively comfortable, and like the lofty, cushy feel of its synthetic fill, but think the shell material feels rough.

slumberjack boundary 20 for women - pair the boundary 20 with a cushy sleeping pad and you should have a...
Pair the Boundary 20 with a cushy sleeping pad and you should have a comfortable night's rest.
Credit: Jessica Haist

Packed Size


Slumberjack includes a medium sized stuff sack for the Boundary, but not a larger storage sack. This is a problem because you should never leave your sleeping bag compressed, as it crushes its loft and makes it less warm over time. With a better compression sack, the Boundary could be compressed slightly smaller than with the stuff sack provided, but it is still quite bulky.

Features


This bag is fairly bare bones, as it should be for the price tag. We like the two different drawcords for the hood and chin so you can differentiate between the two in the dark when it is cold.

We had to laugh when we read that one of Slumberjack's selling features for this bag is a “Unique 'flip over' hood [that] can be turned inside-out for the option of a flat or contoured hood.” Classic! You could do this with any mummy bag, but Slumberjack is just the only company to point out the obvious! The model does not have any other bells or whistles, and no small stash pocket is included.

slumberjack boundary 20 for women - we like the boundary's different draw cords for the hood and chin...
We like the Boundary's different draw cords for the hood and chin. It helps when it's dark and you need to make adjustments.
Credit: Jessica Haist

Best Application


The Boundary is a great choice for any activity where you don't want to risk damage to an expensive bag. We think it is best suited for a child or teenager's sleepovers, music festivals, and front country camping in warm weather.

slumberjack boundary 20 for women - the slumberjack boundary 20, seen here in the black diamond mesa tent.
The Slumberjack Boundary 20, seen here in the Black Diamond Mesa tent.
Credit: Jessica Haist

This bag's synthetic insulation will help keep you warm when things get damp, but otherwise, it is not very versatile because of its weight and bulk.

Value


The Boundary's price tag can't be beaten. It is a great value for a sleeping bag.

slumberjack boundary 20 for women - the slumberjack boundary 20 is an inexpensive bag you can take with...
The Slumberjack Boundary 20 is an inexpensive bag you can take with you for all your summer front country camping needs.
Credit: Jessica Haist

Conclusion


Great for all your car-camping needs, this inexpensive workhorse of a sleeping bag is a no-brainer. Keep it in your car for emergencies or get one for your child's back-yard campouts; just don't plan on taking this one on extended backpacking trips.

Jessica Haist