rei sub kilo 15

[betsi]

any thoughts on the rei sub kilo 15 as a suitable bag for a NOBO thru? i read the thread on the WM and FF down bags and have seen the WM bags in stores (nice!); however, the sub kilo is on sale for ~$80.

also, i suspect i sleep warm b/c i'm comfy in my old north face synthetic 15-degree bag even with frost on the outside of the bag. many thanks in advance for the feedback.

[BR360]

Depends on the time of year, and the elevation.

Assuming you are ground camping (not hamocking), it'd be good for spring on the AT (with some extra clothes like a down vest to take you lower as a safety margin). Temps get down regularly in the low teens in the Smokies even in April.

It'd be too hot after the Mt. Rogers/Grayson Highlands area (SW Virginia) in the summer. You'd need a 40dF bag until you got up to VT and further north.

BTW, it's priced at $160.00 (that's $80 off list), and it is rated to 20dF.

I own one, and it's worked fine for me to 23dF. I sleep average hot-cold.

[Pokey2006]

Grab it while it's on sale. It's a good bag at a better price; it's the one I used on my long hike, and the one I still use for cold weather camping. You might need to get something else a little lighter for the summer, though.

[mark schofield]

is the actual weight of the sub kilo 15 close to the advertized weight, I'm looking for a newer lighter bag to replace a North Face Blue Kazoo long which weighs about 3lbs in the stuff sack. The REI sub kilo 20 long specs liat 2 lbs. At 170, it seems like what I'm looking for unless the bag actually weighs allot more. Thanks, Mark S

[Panzer1]

its weight of 2 pounds sounds right
its temperature rating of +15 sounds right
its cost of ~$80 sounds great

But it before they raise the Price.

Panzer
ps. make sure its the right size

[mixinmaster]

I carried a REI Sub-Kilo 20 down bag from April 9th- May 14th?, Springer to Damascus. It was enough bag in a solo Sierra Designs tent when combined with lightweight poly johns. I carried a cheap Campmor liner too.

[theinfamousj]

I can attest that the weight of the REI Kilo series (sub-Kilo through Kilo-plus) are all accurate. I own a Kilo Plus (-5*F) bag myself.

How did you find a non-long? Do they have another? :: is hopeful ::

[snowhoe]

I love this bag its a good down bag. I sometimes sleep in it when my wife is out of town.

[TwoForty]

I had the mens version a few years ago. I had NO shame taking it back to REI and replacing it with a much warmer bag for the same weight and price.

[snowhoe]

twoforty what did u get?

[Blissful]

I read the reviews and decided not get it. Most said the temp rating is not at all accurate but good to about 25 degrees, not good for a NOBO hike then, IMO

[Live the Journey]

I can say that as a very cold sleeper the comfort ratings are pretty accurate. I find them to be true, and for the price and weight, very nice. They are no frills bags, and I like that about them.
the Mens version is 5* cooler then the womens version, and the womens version has more insulation in the feet and torso then the uniform fill of the mens bag.
If you can find a kilo bag out there, buy it up, because the prices right now are GREAT!!!
I bought a womens sub kilo and a mens kilo flash.

[frisbeefreek]

I have a 20F Sub-Kilo. The 20F rating is generous - 25F is more accurate, and I sleep warm. Zipper snags (mine is a 2007 model).

Very happy with it otherwise. Been down to 10F with extra clothing on without problem. Also dried quickly after my water bottle leaked.

[gonewalkabout]

I had the mens version a few years ago. I had NO shame taking it back to REI and replacing it with a much warmer bag for the same weight and price.

I agree. I have a subkilo 20 myself. The long weighs 2 lbs 2 oz if I recall. 700 or 750 fill. I am not a cold sleeper probably average. I say the bag with light clothes is a 28-30 degree bag. With a fleece or down vest about a 25 degree bags. Its definetly not a 20 degree bag. Also the hood on mine could be stuffed better. Remember with any bag as you sleep and your metabolism bottoms out you will get colder. For me I ussally wake aroung 3 and have to put on an extra layer.

One day I will replace it with a WM or FF 20 bag at the same weight and since its not rated well I will also take it back to REI with no guilt.

BTW that I owned an EMS mointain light 20 and it was not as warm as the REI bag. Only good to 30 and that was with a BIVY over it and a down sweater on.

[gonewalkabout]

Side sleepers BTW. REI bags and most bags have less insulation un the botom. They assume you sleep on your back. if you sleep on your side you have less insulation on your back and you be colder than a back sleeper. If you get a WM or FF bag with a continous baffle you can have the same down on bouth sides and sleep warmer. Infact WM recomands that if you are a Side sleeper to get 2 oz overfill as they amount of fill is based on a back sleeper. So id you are a side sleeper subract a little from the rating.