How to Choose Sleeping Bags for Backpacking
Therm-a-Rest Saros 20F/-6C Sleeping Bag
$219.95
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A perfect choice for backcountry trips that start with a shaky forecast, the Therm-a-Rest Saros 20°F/-6°C is a 3-season sleeping bag that's quick-drying and weather-resistant.
Key Details
Fill
eraLoft polyester hollow fiber
Weight
Long: 3 lbs. 9 oz.
Compressed Volume
12.2 liters
Temperature Rating (F)
20 degrees (F)
- eraLoft™ insulation is efficient and compressible; the water-resistant insulation uses hollow fibers to reduce weight without sacrificing warmth
- eraLoft synthetic insulation is quick-drying and weather-resistant, making it ideal for backpacking and mountaineering in wet weather from spring to fall
- The fit of the bag has been perfected in the Therm-a-Rest onsite cold chamber to create the With Additional Room for Multiple positions (W.A.R.M.) fit
- W.A.R.M. fit allows room for multiple sleep positions without compromising thermal efficiency
- SynergyLink™ Connectors—ultralight, removable straps—create a secure bag-to-sleeping-pad connection that optimizes the comfort and thermal efficiency of your sleep system
- SynergyLink Connectors function best with regular-width sleeping pads (not included) that are 3 in. thick or less when inflated
- Zoned insulation maximizes warmth and saves weight by intentionally placing insulation where you need it most
- Toe-asis™ foot warmer pocket is a baffled pocket of insulation that rapidly warms cold feet
- Quilt and blanket loops let you customize your sleep system by layering Therm-a-Rest quilts or tech blankets (not included) for increased warmth
- Heat-trapping draft collar; full-length zipper draft tube; snag-free zipper; cinchable hood; external zippered pocket
- Designed to fit both men and women
- Compression sack and storage sack included
Imported.
Temperature ratings are intended as a guideline to help you compare products, rather than a guarantee of warmth, since many different factors contribute to your comfort while you sleep. Backpacking bags are typically rated for temperature according to an independent testing protocol—currently International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 23537, though some older items followed European Norm (EN) 13537. Testing is based on a person wearing one base layer and a pair of socks, sleeping on an insulated surface with a minimum R-value of 5.38.
Each bag then gets 2 ratings: the Comfort rating is the lowest temperature at which the bag will keep the average "cold sleeper" comfortable, and the Lower Limit rating is the lowest temperature at which the bag will keep the average "warm sleeper" comfortable. Some brands determine their own temperature rating by aligning to the Comfort rating for women’s bags, to the Lower Limit rating for men’s bags, or somewhere in the middle for nongendered bags.
View all Therm-a-Rest Backpacking Sleeping BagsEach bag then gets 2 ratings: the Comfort rating is the lowest temperature at which the bag will keep the average "cold sleeper" comfortable, and the Lower Limit rating is the lowest temperature at which the bag will keep the average "warm sleeper" comfortable. Some brands determine their own temperature rating by aligning to the Comfort rating for women’s bags, to the Lower Limit rating for men’s bags, or somewhere in the middle for nongendered bags.
| Best Use | Backpacking |
|---|---|
| Tested Lower Limit | 20 degrees (F) - ISO |
| Tested Comfort | 32 degrees (F) - ISO |
| Temperature Rating (F) | 20 degrees (F) |
| Temperature Rating (C) | -6 degrees (C) |
| Weight | Long: 3 lbs. 9 oz. |
| Ultralight | Yes |
| Shell | 20-denier polyester with durable water repellent (DWR) |
| Zipper Location | Left |
| Insulation Type | Synthetic |
| Fill | eraLoft polyester hollow fiber |
| Fill Weight | Long: 2 lbs. 9 oz. |
| Sleeping Capacity | 1-person |
| Lining | 20-denier polyester taffeta |
| Sleeping Bag Shape | Mummy |
| Fits Up To (in.) | Long: 78 inches |
| Shoulder Girth (in.) | Long: 66 inches |
| Hip Girth (in.) | Long: 64 inches |
| Stuff Sack Size | 9.5 x 24 inches |
| Stuff Sack Volume | 27.9 liters |
| Compressed Volume | 12.2 liters |
| Gender | Unisex |
Buying Advice
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Hatchetman
great wet weather bag
7 years ago
this is a fairly light, warm wet weather bag, there is lots of ground fog and rain coming off the lakes where I roam. theres not much to complain about with the bag, but I have 2 comments that are probably specific to me. the bag is a little tight across the shoulders. i'm only 5'10"" so the standard bag is perfect in length but I have to roll on my side to get the zipper up and even that is a chore because I'm larger across the shoulders, the other problems is the mattress straps. i bought the camper SV XL for the extra width at the shoulders. there is no way your stretching the straps around that. longer straps would be helpful.
Originally posted on a Cascade Designs brand site
Addison
Solid Synthetic Bag with Features
6 years ago
First-things-first, I'm allergic to down, so Thermarest's down bags simply aren't an option for me. They look rad, but I can't use them. I grabbed the Saros for my 20-degree do-it-all bag, and so far I've been really satisfied. It's been through a year of use, and so far the fill hasn't packed down, the zippers are still functioning great, and I can pair it with my Proton blanket for those very cold nights. Also, didn't realize it came with the foot pocket, but that thing is rad! If I had to pick one thing I don't care for, it'd be the connectors that wrap around my sleeping pad. They just don't quite fit my pad. I'm 6' tall, and the Regular size just fits me.
Originally posted on a Cascade Designs brand site
Guider L.
Finally a compact, warm synthetic!!
9 years ago
I adore this bag! I am a girl guide leader so I go camping quite a lot in the beginning and end of season. For years I was looking for a bag that was synthetic (due to my allergy to down), and compact. They have engineered this bag to perfection! Easy to get in and out of, packs small (compared to similar styles) and comes with connectors so i don't roll off my pad! Also this bag does a great job o keeping my body at a comfortable temperature as Im actually a warm person and tended to get hot easily at night.
Originally posted on a Cascade Designs brand site
Anonymous
Roomy and warm in all the right places
4 years ago
I currently use this bag for winter camping in the desert. The comfort for me is the top sell. The price was also very workable for me. I think the trade off for the prices is the large pack size that comes with the synthetic fill. Despite the size I'm happy to have made this purchase as i know I can rely on it for the comfort and warmth. Eventually I'll replace this bag for myself with something that does compress more and pass this off to my clients which I'll be able to do with full confidence.
Originally posted on a Cascade Designs brand site
Andrew
Need wider SynergyLink connectors but other than that it’s amazing
2 years ago
Paired it with the Trail pro sleeping Pad Regular Wide. Sleeping bag has SynergyLink connectors but had a very hard time connecting it. Wish there was a wider SynergyLink connectors. It almost felt like it would rip from the sleeping bag so I ended up removing it. Other than that it’s amazing, kept warm in below 20 weather. Very happy with my purchase. Highly recommend it
Originally posted on a Cascade Designs brand site
Joshuan89
Very packable for synthetic
8 years ago
Use this mostly for camping in a damp climate. Packs down very good for a synthetic. Very comfortable and handles cold temperatures great. Draft collar and straps on back side of sleeping bag are awesome features. One thing is you will want to use this sleeping bag with a pad as there is no insulation on the bottom of the bag.
Originally posted on a Cascade Designs brand site
Response from a Cascade Designs brand site
8 years ago
Thanks for the great review, Joshua! It sounds like you probably have the older Saros design. In our newer models, we did add insulation to the back of the bag to increase the versatility of it.
Anonymous
Great sleeping bag
7 years ago
This is by far the best sleeping bag I've ever slept in. So warm and comfortable. I would recommend buying a sleeping pad to use under the sleeping bag. It's nice that the pad is kept in place with straps so you don't roll off when turning in your sleeping bag.
Originally posted on a Cascade Designs brand site
Christina T.
Saros 0° Sleeping bag
3 years ago
I think it is so pretty. I love the the colour scheme. I finally got a chance to use it this past weekend in the mountains. It was a bit confusing experience. The temp at night was probably 45°. I wore a sweater and down vest to bed ( I always do while camping). I wore long johns and 100% wool socks and at first I was toasty but then about 15 mins later my legs got really cold and my feet were freezing. I was really worried because I had no other option but to suck it up. I was freezing. I could feel air from all sides from my legs down. After about 2 or 3 hours I finally decided to put my pants on too ( just standard polyester hiking pants) and I put my jacket at the bottom of my feet and once again felt toasty and could rest for the night. I have no intentions of replacing this bag. It was expensive for me and I love the colour scheme. I plan on buying a liner and a light down mummy bag that i can use as a blanket and hopefully that will solve my problem. But I was not expecting that situation as it is supposed to be a 0° bag.
Originally posted on a Cascade Designs brand site
Erin B.
Wonderful sleeps
2 years ago
I am a side sleeper and am able to do this in this bag which I am extremely happy about. The foot pocket is a very useful feature and the no catch zipper with baffle is impressive. I am very excited about my new sleeping bag.
Originally posted on a Cascade Designs brand site
Michael
Review
1 year ago
Perhaps it will be useful. After every day using this bag during 1 year it is not comfortable even at 10 C degrees. During first 7 months it was ok, but later it’s pressed and started absolutely not warm.
Originally posted on a Cascade Designs brand site
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