Kelty Sleeping Bag's Cosmic 20

Product Information

The three main types of insulating fill in modern sleeping bags are down, water-resistant down, and synthetic insulation. Each of these fill types has its advantages and disadvantages, all of which we’ll cover below The low end of acceptable down fill power for sleeping bags. The DriDown means it is treated to be hydrophobic (water resistant). More on sleeping bag insulation types in our Guide.

Footbox: The foot box is a fraction less spacious than in other bags we’ve reviewed but is perfectly adequate for anyone not planning on storing lots of gear down there overnight Mummy sleeping bags trim away material in the shoulders, hips, and feet for a shape that mimics your body. The advantage of having a tapered cut is there is little extra space for cold spots to creep in. And with a quality hood cinched around the top of your head, you can really maximize the temperature rating potential. If you find yourself at higher elevations or in colder temperatures, a mummy bag is a great option. Rectangular bags have the clear edge in roominess What we don’t: Heavier and less compressible than mummy bags (although it’s a nice improvement from the past model). For those interested in such things, Casey's calculation on loft can be a good starting point… However, for the numbers to be accurate that calculation assumes that the amount of down is going into the same-cut sleeping bag shell & that the shell fabric is the same weight. Given that the two bags compared have a difference of 3" in shoulder girth, and have different-weight shells, the actual "loft ratio," if we were to call it that, would be more in favor of the Western bag. Kelty also offers the Cosmic Down construction in 40 degree and 0 degree versions. The 40 degree is great for summer use, and the 0 degree works well in sub-freezing weather. While both of these will work, we find the versatility and weight of the Cosmic Down 20 to be the best bet for most people. You can find the other versions below.Sliding into a fluffy sleeping bag after a long day of hiking is one of the most satisfying experiences on the trail. The daytime is meant for traversing ravines and climbing mountains, but at night all a weary explorer wants is to shimmy into a warm cocoon and catch some Zs, swaddled snugly in a cozy cloud like a little angel baby. As a brand, Kelty is also strong on sustainability. It is one of the four founding members of The Conservation Alliance. The Alliance was founded in 1989 by industry leaders REI, Patagonia, The North Face, and Kelty, who shared the goal of increasing outdoor industry support for conservation efforts. Double, two-way zippers: These allow you to ventilate your sleeping bag at both the top and bottom and make getting in and out far easier than on models with a single zipper

Remember the trapezoid from 10th-grade geometry? Turns out, this funky ol' shape is ideal for helping sleeping bag baffles retain heat. The trapezoidal baffle construction improves on our best-selling Cosmic sleeping bag and it's just one of the reasons the Cosmic is still our favourite three-season superstar. We also love the natural-fit foot box for happier feet, and a PFC-free water-repellent coating, and recycled liner and shell fabrics for a healthier environment. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The Cosmic Down 20 is offered in a men’s bag in three sizes, and one size for women. The main differences are length, and the women’s bag is warmer (and shorter) overall. We tested the Regular. A few comments about the discussion… Field testing a sleeping bag for relative/comparable warmth is an inherently subjective undertaking, so I eliminated as many variables as possible. While realizing that some people on BPL use low-rated R-value sleeping pads, for example, I used the same pads I always do. If I had used a lower-rated pad, I wouldn't have had a good comparative baseline. Also note that there have been some great threads correlating sleeping pad R-value to temperature & sleeping bag rating. I was warm throughout the night, and the DriDown kept the moisture at bay. Keep in mind, my coldest tests were in the mid 30s and I didn’t have to pull out the super warm layers. That said, the 20 degree rating on the Cosmic Down 20 may be a bit of a stretch. Beware: this bag may not prevent cold feet. If you go in knowing this and bring the right layers, you should be fine in most temperatures down to freezing. Durability 4 StarsThis zipper is the entire length of the bag and built for use. Large pull tabs help to locate it in the night, but it is a little more delicate than we’d prefer.