REI Zephyr +20 Sleeping Bag - Long - '09 Special Buy

Comments about REI Zephyr +20 Sleeping Bag - Long - '09 Special Buy:

I bought this sleeping bag about 3 years ago, before i started backpacking, and used it primarily for camping and sleeping on friends floors. This bag is simply amazing. It keeps me so hot during cold conditions that i find myself nearly getting nude while my friends all have to layer up in their bags. I also don't take the greatest care of my bag either and it still works like a charm. Ive kept it compressed for some time now, due to limited space in my apartment, and it hasnt effected it at all.

Comments about REI Zephyr +20 Sleeping Bag - Long - '09 Special Buy:

This bag seems to be well made and has some nice features, especially loops for strapping your sleeping pad to the bag so you don't roll off it. There is also a zip pocket at the chest for essentials like eyeglasses but I didn't use it since my tent has a gear loft.

The zipper does snag easily but it is easy to clear the snags. I've never had a bag where the zipper doesn't snag.

I can't comment on the accuracy of the temp rating for most people. When I used the bag the temps only dipped below 32 enough to leave slivers of ice in water bags left outside. I had to wear snow pants and 3 upper body layers to be warm. But I am a very cold sleeper.

I am going to rate this "Yes I would recommend" but with a warning about the temp rating.

Comments about REI Zephyr +20 Sleeping Bag - Long - '09 Special Buy:

I just got this bag and it was very comfortable. The fabric was very soft and fluffy for a sleeping bag but crams down to the smallest size in a sleeping bag I have ever owned. I have an REI bag that is 29 years old and this new one goes in a sack half the size. The main reason I am writing this is I am 6'1" and 215 lb and this bag fits me in the shoulders and length. Other normal size bags have not. (I couldn't zip up another bag I bought...it was too skinny - had to give it to my kid) Plus you cannot beat the price. I am mainly a spring to fall tent camper and usually in the Midwest which this bag works great for.

fyi - the 29 year old REI sleeping bag still gets used.

Comments about REI Zephyr +20 Sleeping Bag - Long - '09 Special Buy:

I bought this bag at a large discount at a local REI as the product was being discontinued. I now understand why it was discontinued. Despite being 20 degree rated, the bag was uncomfortably cold in ~35 degree conditions. I have an altimeter which includes a thermometer function, which allowed me to accurately measure the temperature inside the tent.

Why was the bag uncomfortably cold? The only thing I can think of is that conditions outside the tent were very damp. But this is a synthetic bag which should still perform well relative to down in damp conditions, and the inside of my REI ASL Arete tent was well protected from the weather. Even wearing multiple layers inside the tent was of limited help. Wind was not a factor in my tent either. I am a couple of inches shorter than the ideal height to fill this long sleeping bag, but too long for a "regular", so not much I can do about that.

Smaller issues -- the zipper sticks more than most I've had in the past, and it is not the most lightweight pack you can find for this temperature rating.

Positives for the bag are that it packs down pretty well, and recovers loft pretty quickly after being packed. It is comfortable for me, not overly constrictive, and I appreciate the pillow-pouch where I can stuff an extra jacket for an impromptu pillow if necessary (and of course, if I'm not wearing the jacket inside the bag to try to get back to sleep at 5AM).

Comments about REI Zephyr +20 Sleeping Bag - Long - '09 Special Buy:

Ive used this almost daily this winter in 25 - 40 degree Fahrenheit weather. Ive slept in it probably 60 times in temps ranging from 25 - 40. It kept me not only not cold, but warm during those times. This thing is cozy. If you need a sleeping bag in twenty degree weather, this one will keep you warm.

Comments about REI Zephyr +20 Sleeping Bag - Long - '09 Special Buy:

First things first:
**I'm 6'3", about 180lbs+ long and lean
**I generally run HOT

Those two things should be taken into account with my review.

I bought this for a 3 days+ up San Gorgonio first weekend in March but my hiking partner changed plans and so we ended up backpacking off trail in Death Valley. This bag was thoroughly satisfactory - esp. for the price paid! The difference in price between synthetic and down was enough for me to take on the extra weight - which, really, wasn't bad at all. Also, I'm suing the stuff sack that comes with the bag and haven't had any trouble at all.

Sleeping bags generally make me hot and I've never not opened one up at some point to 1. stretch a bit and 2. stop the stifling. I did not have that problem at all with this bag.

I slept outside on a windy low 40's night and was perfectly warm. I was dressed in light layers, pulled the hood to about tennis-ball tight and had a great night's sleep. (Given the wind I was also glad to be out of the noisy tent.) I was totally exposed sleeping on a rock at the edge (not immediate edge) of a ridge - when the wind really whipped up I could feel a bit of a - cooling (vs chill) - but nothing that compromised my comfort.

This bag definitely is a lot roomier than some people might prefer but I really appreciated being able to move my legs. Of course, a bigger person might find it perfectly snug.

One thing I finally realized is that, at 6'3", I'm just past the "regular" size but not quite long enough to really fill "long" size. I believe this kept me from getting overheated the first nights. However, the last night, near Telescope peak where there was snow all about and definitely below freezing all night that additional space at my feat proved too much to fill even with the excess btu's I typically put out - even sharing the 2 person tent with my buddy. I had my boots and clothes in the bag with me (so they wouldn't be so cold the next morning, but figured the next time I tried this bag far below 30 I'm going to sinch the bag at the bottom and see if that doesn't help.
*Note, I didn't bring my closed-foam pad with me and that might have done the trick but I did have the 3/4 thermarest inflatable pad in the bag with me (it stayed warm by my heat rather than cold by the ground).

The hood and zipper worked well but I did have occasions of zipper snag while closing it from the inside during the evening. I'm planning to sew a hard nylon flap inside to keep the draft tube from the zipper when I'm not perfectly flat. Still, the zipper wasn't a hassle and didn't ever get caught too horribly or catch every time. Also, I was generally turned and/or reaching awkwardly for the zipper (from curling for warmth just after reentering from the freezing outside) so that's considered.
The hood, with a separate pull for the chin and the head, worked really, really well - although, I did, the final night, envy my friend a bit for the additional draft tube at his chin. But hey, it's just a +20 bag.

Bottom line: I shop for good stuff at a lower price-point than the kid in me likes but this bag did not let me down. I believe I'll be happy for a long time with it. I'd say this size is good for folks up to 6'8"+ and certainly would perform well for people a lot bigger/wider than me. Oh, and sleeping on that rock? I didn't see any visible wear on the outside of the bag at all even though I moved a good 2-3ft over during the night.

You won't be doing yourself wrong going with this bag.

Comments about REI Zephyr +20 Sleeping Bag - Long - '09 Special Buy:

I used this while tent camping in the winter in the mountains of North Carolina. It got down into the negative numbers but the sleeping bag was still warm with a set of baselayers on and socks. The bag is very lightweight and is great for the hiker that dosnt want to spen $300 on a sleeping bag. The zipper snags every now and then but what zipper dosn't?