Has anybody out there used this bag before? Comments? I'm looking at similar bags from Western Mountaineering and Marmot. The Sub Kilo doesn't have continuous baffles and weighs a little more, but I could save $100.

Thanks in advance!
blazin'brush

Never used it, but if it were me, I would spend the extra 100 bucks (if I had it) to get the western mountaineering/marmot and save on weight....
Yeti

But what if the $100 (actually $90) doesn't save any weight?

I'm currently trying to decide between the REI sub kilo and the Western Mountaineering Apache. They both weigh 1 lb 14 oz (for short) and they're both rated at 20*. The big difference, like blazinbrush said, is that the sub kilo doesn't have continuous baffling. Oh yeah, that's one big difference, the other is that the WM is $270 while the REI would be $180 after member discount. So, Trail Yeti, and anyone else, is continuous baffling worth $90? Or maybe just the brand name Western Mountaineering is worth the $90 in confidence in the workmanship and temperature rating?

thankyouthankyou!

Buy one that has a lifetime warranty. THAT matters. My Sierra Designs 16 year old bag was recently refilled with down by them for free.

The Weasel

This is an older thread, but thought I would put my two cents in.

I used this bag this year on what ended up being a long section hike (850+ miles). Good bag, very warm, which is one thing I was concerned with (I'm a cold sleeper). Only problem I had was that I would wake up with lots of feathers on my clothes. I reported this to REI and they said that I could exchange the bag as it obviously shouldn't do that. Great customer service. BTW- I had one of the first versions of the Sub Kilo, so it has changed a little.

This is the bag that I will be using for my 2003 thru hike.

It is generally unwise to trust the manufacturer's temperature rating or stated weight. I bought a Marmot Never Winter last year. Supposed to weigh 1 lb 15 oz. Mine weight 2 lb 6 oz. Suppposed to have 4 inches of loft. Mine had 3.5 inches. Supposed to be good to 30. Good to 35 in a tent, 45 in the open. And Marmot is supposed to be one of the more truthful companies. There are lots of good gear reviews at http://www.outdoorreview.com. Many claim that REI bags are rates very optimistically.

i crawled into a sub kilo bag at the REI store in philly last year. was too tight around the shoulders. i'm 5'11, 210 pounds with a fairly wide shoulder girth. it also seemed to me like the down would have a tendency to shift around in the baffles. i had a TNF blue kazoo which was constructed like that and i had major cold spots out on the mountain in the middle of the night. needless to say, i dont have the blue kazoo any more.

I have a sub kilo and I'm fairly happy with it after using it on about 6 trips. I have noticed that the down tends to shift, so if I don't shake the bag up before I get into it at night I have cold spots on top. One seam has started to rip a bit, and requires minor repairs.

The temperature rating is a little optimistic. However, I slept in it under a tarp on a very cold trip in early November. Temps were down into single digits. Once I had on all my clothing and was completely ducked down into the bag, I stayed toasty warm. This is good enough for a 20 degree bag, in my opinion.

I have found the shell material to be water resistant and vapor permeable. I did notice moisture condensing on the bag and freezing on single-digit nights when I was completely in the bag and so my breath wasn't able to escape. However, it evaporated off very easily during the day, even when I wasn't able to lay the bag out in direct sunlight.

I am 5'6", and bought the 5'6" bag to save a few ounces in weight. It is _just_ long enough - I have just enough spare room so that if I lie carefully the down at the top and bottom doesn't get compacted. In retrospect, I wish I had bought the 6" bag, so that I'd have room for water bottles or boots in the bottom. The circumference is fine for me.

Overall, it's not perfect, but it's an affordable lightweight bag and a great value for the money. I'm currently planning on using it for my 2005 thru.

Have owned mine since 2001. Used it on my hike in 01 and again on this years thru. Have never had an issue with the bag. I tend to sleep on the "warm" side so the 20 degree rating was more than enough. I used it from Springer to Pearisburg and then again from Glencliff to Katahdin. One thing I do with all my bags is NOT to compress them down to the smallest possible size for backpacking. I used a mid sized silnylon stuff sack and laid the bag across my back at the bottom. At night the it lofted back out almost immediately and I'm certain that had a lot to do with the comfort I received from the bag.

I worked for an outfitter for over 5 years and have extensive experience with a number of different manufacturer's bags. I agree that you can't just assume a bag is going to work because of the rating. But whichever bag you choose ...do yourself a favor and store/carry it without excess compression. You'll be a happier camper.

Bunchberry, thanks for the info about the length. I've been considering the sub-kilo and may be in a similar circumstance for sizing (just a size larger). I'm a shade over 6'1" and I've been wondering if I will really need to go to the 6'6" size or if I can get by with the 6'0" bag. Either way I'll be climbing into both sizes before I make a decision. REI had a regular (6'0") for sale online yesterday for $145. It was tempting but I'll wait till I can go to the store and check them out in person.

Bunchberry, thanks for the info about the length. I've been considering the sub-kilo and may be in a similar circumstance for sizing (just a size larger). I'm a shade over 6'1" and I've been wondering if I will really need to go to the 6'6" size or if I can get by with the 6'0" bag. Either way I'll be climbing into both sizes before I make a decision. REI had a regular (6'0") for sale online yesterday for $145. It was tempting but I'll wait till I can go to the store and check them out in person.

hiker5, I think you'll be too tight in the 6'0" bag. Also, like I said, the extra room is nice if you have things you need to keep unfrozen. Bunchberry

I used the subkilo on my thru this year. I'm 6'0" and I have the regular length which just is OK. I think my feet compress the loft too much when I am all the way in but it's never been more than wool socks or booties can remedy.

I sleep on the cool side and I used this bag even on balmy nights in the upper 60s--I left it open like a blanket. I've pushed it as cold as 17ºF with no liner or added clothing and I just was able to sleep. I've pushed it to 20ºF after having a liner and I didn't need to go crazy putting on everything I own. I still think the 20 degree rating is optimistic. After close to a couple hundred total nights, I think I have lost some loft (I've never washed the bag) and I don't expect to push it below freezing this winter.

I've had frost, rain spray, condensation, etc. and the DWR finish worked very well for about 50 nights. It now does nothig.

To me, I'm OK with the narrow girth, but some may take issue with it. Also, the grommets on the drawstrings (both hood and stuff sack) have a reputation for coming loose. I always baby them when I pull the cords and I've never had a problem. Anyway, it's nothing that REI wouldn't fix.