Therm-a-Rest  Polar Ranger -20 Sleeping Bag

Background: I purchased this bag last winter to be my winter bag for sleeping in New England during backcountry ski camping trips. Previously I was getting by with a system of a massive comforters and 20 degree mummy. This was fine for car camping and short hike ins with a pulk, but for trips deeper into the woods or higher up the mountains, that wasn't cutting it for me. I wanted something that I could carry in a backpack. I bought this bag as I liked the special features (mostly the snorkel) as well as the rating. I am also a fairly short stocky dude (60" height, 19" shoulder, 41" chest,34" waist) and tend to find the survival rating for bags to be MY comfort rating. Review: Firstly, I would like to say that this bag is properly warm. For all but the coldest of polar blasts, this bag has handled the typical 0 degree to -15 odd degrees temps common in this climate. Obviously additional insulation would be needed for those nights that get down to-20 or -30. The bag might feel a bit lacking those that need warmer bags in the same temps as others. The bag is reasonably light and packable, but nothing special. I found that the stuffed volume specified to be realistic. I could crush the bag farther but I began to become concerned for longevity at that point. Down is very durable, but its not indestructible. I never had issues with the bag wetting out, but truly never have that issue in the winter anyway, so that is a bit of a moot point. The special features that this bag has work and prove to be more than just a gimmick.The chiefest amongst these features, the snorkel is great and truly bears consideration. If you have ever found yourself diving into your sleeping bag or pulling the cover over your face in the night, you will love this. The snorkel does help trap warm air next to the face, pre-warming it and keeping removing the impetus to hide hide the face in the bag. For longer trips where one might be concerned about wetting out their bag from breathing inside of it will appreciate this feature. The snorkel really is cozy. The side vents/arm holes are nice. They allow one to sit around camp in the bag and do some chores, a nice feature that somewhat reduces the need for incredibly warm parkas while backpacking with this bag. With the vents open and the and the top zip closed, the bag is comfy up to temps above freezing, and with the center zip opened from the bottom, I was reasonably comfortable up to about room temperature. The internal storage pocket is in a weird spot (under the left shoulder) and runs the risk of becoming uncomfortable or crushing delicate items. The additional foot box insulation pocket that puts insulation on the top of the feet is cozy. I have low blood pressure and suffer from cold feet. I didn't feel the need for sleeping booties as acutely with these. Big fuzzy dry socks sufficed. I do wish that the bottom of the foot box had a bit more insulation, though. I do wish that Thermarest had included the pad straps of a previous iteration, the lack is sorely missed. The absence made me deduct a star from the rating. Adding in my own would also prove a bit of a pain and there are not any good seems to pick up, where one would want one. Overall, I have found my new winter bag.