Kelty Sleeping Bag's Cosmic 20

Product Information

A sleeping bag’s warmth is quantified by what is known as the EN Rating, which stands for “European Norm.” This rating gives us a “comfort rating” that refers to the lowest temperature at which a normal sleeper—or “warm” sleeper as opposed to a “cold” sleeper*—will remain comfortable while sleeping in the bag.

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. The material used in your sleeping bag’s shell or outer layer is important for two reasons: protection and durability; and, resistance to dampness and condensation. 1) Protection and durabilityAnswer: The 20-degree rating on this bag means it straddles the ground between the two, representing a very warm three-season bag or a four-season bag in warmer climates. Question: Is there a sleeve for a sleeping pad?

The two pads I used for testing were the Thermarest Women's Trail Pro (R-5.1) & Exped DownMat 9 (R-8). The R-8 pad, sufficient for subzero *F temperatures, was the pad I used on the cold-sleeping night in the teens. It was clear that all variables were unchanged except for the daytime/nighttime temperature swing.

Size

Thing is, sleeping in a cloud would be awful if you think about it. You’d be wet and cold, not to mention hundreds of feet in the air. Feathers are more comfortable, especially DriDown-treated feathers. Trust me. So, rather than clouds, we suggest the Kelty Cosmic Down 20 sleeping bag. For the price, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better bag. As a ballpark figure, any sleeping bag that tips the scales at under three pounds is your best bet if you plan on carrying your camping kit long distances, though cold sleepers may be willing to go over the three-pound mark for that little bit of extra warmth.

But just how would this sleeping bag measure up to its competitors in terms of performance? And could we really expect such a cheap sleeping bag to do what we need it to do in harsher three-season or even winter conditions? I've only given it 4 stars for the moment because I haven't truly tested the performance of it quite yet and plan on updating this review with further thoughts once I use it properly. The Cosmic Down 20 uses a traditional mummy-style shape with a substantial footbox and very practical hood that can be cinched down over your face on particularly cold nights. The tapered design maximizes thermal efficiency, leaves little room for drafts, and not a great deal of extra space for you to warm up with your body heat. The 600-fill of hydrophobic down is wrapped in a durable 50D polyester taffeta liner and a ripstop shell, all of which is shaped into a mummy-style bag that hugs your body in the right places. Features such as the adjustable hood, draft collar, and draft tube work well to hold in your warmth. Clouds? They just don’t come close.

An Outdoor Superstar

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. Although a sleeping bag’s warmth is usually quantified by the EN rating mentioned above, the fill power and loft are the two most important factors in determining what that rating will be. Got all that? Great! Then let’s get down to business will our review of the Kelty Cosmic Down 20. Warmth A few added features can make your sleeping bag all the more comfortable and convenient. The most notable of these include: If you’ve ever had a pad deflate or slept directly on the ground in cold weather, you know firsthand the importance of an insulated pad beneath you. Further, when you lay on a sleeping bag, you compress the insulation, which impacts its ability to warm you (this is particularly true for down fill, but does impact synthetic as well). As a result, it’s important to choose a sleeping mattress or pad that will protect you from the ground if you’ll be camping in cooler temperatures (typically under 50-60 degrees). Don't head out camping without a quality pad or mattress