How to Choose Sleeping Bags for Backpacking

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A 3-season superstar for nights when temps dip to subfreezing, the men's Kelty Cosmic 20 sleeping bag's thermally efficient trapezoidal baffle construction and 550-fill-power down keep you warm.
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Imported.
| Best Use | Backpacking  | 
|---|---|
| Tested Lower Limit | 21 degrees (F) - ISO  | 
| Tested Comfort | 32 degrees (F) - ISO  | 
| Temperature Rating (F) | 21 degrees (F)  | 
| Temperature Rating (C) | -6 degrees (C)  | 
| Shell | 20-denier nylon  | 
| Zipper Location | Right  | 
| Insulation Type | Down  | 
| Water-Resistant Down | Yes  | 
| Fill | 550-fill-power duck down  | 
| Lining | 50-denier polyester  | 
| Sleeping Bag Shape | Mummy  | 
| Gender | Men's  | 
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I bought this sleeping bag in may of 2023 and used it on 2 over night trips. Really enjoyed it but one of the seams started to come apart and have lost lots of down and it is continuing to come apart poor craftmanship for such an expensive sleeping bag. Tried to return at the REI in Folsom California and received little help. Usually feel supported with there is a defect in a product but did not feel that way today.
I needed a new 3 season bag to replace my tired old Slumberjack. After 20+ years it was time. The first trip with my new bag was promising. The bag packs down really well with a compression bag (not the stuff sack that comes with the sleeping bag- I purchased an appropriately sized compression bag). Nighttime temperatures dipped down to the low 30s and I was comfortable all night. I am 5'11''/180 lbs. I had plenty of room in the sleeping bag, both in length and width. I will use this bag for Spring, Summer, and Fall backpacking and paddling trips. I anticipate another 20+ years of adventure with this bag.
Only tested this once during a camping trip, but I'll say this was a majorrrr upgrade for my first "big boy" sleeping bag purchase. I upgraded from the super cheap $30 50 degrees F sleeping bags that you can get super cheap at other stores. I tested it for a trip where temps got down to low/mid-40s and I woke up sweating and having to take clothes off cause I was so hot. I love that you can unzip from the top and the bottom so I unzipped from the bottom and let my feet breathe while keeping my upper body warm and wrapped up. I also love that it packs even less than the stuff sack's volume. Give me extra room to shove in my pillow into one stuff sack. Light, warm...love it.
I own all three cosmic down bags and love them. The 20 is my go to for spring/fall in Colorado. Packs up small, it's light, and keeps me warm and cozy. Plenty of room to move without being baggy, even with my broad shoulders and chest
I bought this for my entry into backpacking this year, and all I can say is that I love it. It packs small enough to fit in the bottom compartment of my Osprey Rook pack (50l) and doesn’t weigh too much at all. The coldest I’ve slept with it was a 38 degree night with high humidity and it kept me nice and warm. I’m 6’ 2”, so the long version is great for people my size and taller.
Used this sleeping bag on 2 camping trips and already has a hole near one of the seams and the down spilled out. Of course I'm outside of the one year return period so REI can't do anything about it. At first it felt like a good quality bag, but now I'm disappointed with how it held up with minimal use. Hoping to get a warranty replacement with Kelty.
I took this camping and brought it to weather that was around 35 degrees and I was sweating, it was so warm! I usually run hot and I wanted to test this bag out. It was consistently 35-40 degrees at night and each night I was sleeping in a t shirt and boxers. I didn’t even have to wear socks!! I tried sleeping in my hoodie and thermals but I was too warm, that’s a pretty good thing to be while sleeping when it was cold out! I have no doubt I could have taken this bag to 25-30 degrees and be just as warm with a thermal layer.
Have used this the past 6 months on various trips. Most nights have been in the 30s with a handful of 20s and a couple 40s+. This bag packs down really nicely in a pack and is a great weight for the money. I'm a big person so it's a bit tight for me but I don't mind. The 30s are great with this as you're not too hot and not too cold. 20s I've found it gets cool for sure. Not uncomfortably cold but cool even with some hand warmers spread throughout. I wish the hood were a bit bigger to accommodate a pillow and still be able to cinch around my head. Otherwise has a small pocket for phone storage or whatever else inside. Overall I'd say good buy for the money. Minor complaints but you probably need to spend a decent bit more on something else to "fix" those problems.
First time use on a recent backpacking trip in West Virginia at the Dolly Sods. I was 100% satisfied with this sleeping bag. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a budget friendly down sleeping bag. I bought the long bag. I am 6' 1" and had plenty of room.
I was looking for an upgrade to the cheap Ozark Trail synthetic bag I’ve had for years. The Cosmic 20 packs down tight and is plenty long for a 6’3” guy. The exterior is waterproof enough to protect against condensation and I’ve had no problems with the zipper so far. Would definitely recommend!