affordable down bag?

[saltysack]

Looking for affordable down sleeping bag for my son. Anyone use kelty down cosmic 20?

[songunn25]

I used that bag for the beginning and end of my thru-hike. I was very happy with it. Kept me toasty warm even in the late April cold snap in the Smokies when most hikers decided to head into Gatlinburg to stay warm. One of the rangers said it got down to 0 one night, but I never found out if that included wind chill or not. It is only 550 fill so it is a bit heavier than 800 fill bags, but for the price I was willing to trade some extra weight out of my pack elsewhere. I found another thru-hikers review of it here on Whiteblaze who said he used it for his entire thru-hike and was very happy with it. Mine has held up well. I just used it last week while I was out watching the Geminid meteor shower all night.

[Wise Old Owl]

There was a thread last week about a close out perhaps on Mountain Co-op on a 800 fill bag well under $200

[bigcranky]

The Cosmic got great reviews at backpackinglight.

[Drybones]

Looking for affordable down sleeping bag for my son. Anyone use kelty down cosmic 20?

I can't remember where I saw it but the Cosmic Down was on sale dirt cheap somewhere, something like $65, if I remember correctly (hey, I'm old). Watch Steepandcheap and the major outfitters for sales, check the REI and Backcountry outlets, I've seen some good deals there, also Mountaingear.com, I got a $419 bag for $289 recently from them.

[solobip]

Campmor http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___43185 $109.98 550 down fill

[UofWHusky]

Another bag to consider http://www.rei.com/product/829873/rei-sub-kilo-20-sleeping-bag-special-buy I plan on using mine on the AT in 2013.

[RodentWhisperer]

My wife (a cold sleeper) raves over her Cosmic. We've camped out nights where the lows got down near freezing, and she's never had to bundle up (except for donning her traditional fleece PJs).

I've got to add this in, to support the cottage manufacturers: if you're up to a quilt, look into http://enlightenedequipment.com -- they sell hand-crafted quilts, including the 20 degree Revelation X. Made to order, less than $200, and less than 25 oz (minus overfill)!

[saltysack]

Thx all for the input. I've never tried a quilt, I'm a cold sleeper and tend to move so not sure if that's a good fit?

[Drybones]

Another bag to consider http://www.rei.com/product/829873/rei-sub-kilo-20-sleeping-bag-special-buy I plan on using mine on the AT in 2013.

I used this bag this spring, it weighed 1 lb-15 oz when I bought it at an REI scratch and dent sale, I added 3 oz of down to improve the rating, served me well. About a year ago they had this bag on sale for $126, started to buy another but didn't, did get the wife the 15 degree version for $134...that was a bargain.

[Bucho]

So I was just reading this: "PrimaLoft is comparable to 550 fill power goose down at equal weights and densities." http://www.primaloft.com/en/performance/community/blog/primaloft-down-comparison.html Thus I'm kind of wondering, if you're going that low in fill power what's the point of using down? Looking at that Kelty bag the temperature ratings are: EN Comfort Limit: 32oF / 0oC EN Lower Limit: 21oF / -6oC Where as here's a Thermarest Haven 20 for $129.95 with comparable temperature ratings: EN Comfort Limit: 30oF EN Lower Limit: 20oF that weighs over a pound less: http://www.sunnysports.com/prod/TARH20R.html?ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=TARH20R It is a rather quirky bag, no zipper and has a whole in the bottom but maybe something to think about.

[MuddyWaters]

Plenty of people are happy with the kelty cosmic 20 down.
The fabrics on inexpensive bags are not DWR like on the high end bags
Does it matter? Maybe, maybe not.
My suggestion is usually to purchase high quality used gear, before cheaper new gear.
The reason is simple, you get to use a better product, and can also resell it for about what you paid for it.
Your actual expense is minimized while having better gear.
Win-Win. Whats not to like.
You just cannnot be in a hurry, have to take time and wait for the right item to come up.

[RodentWhisperer]

Thx all for the input. I've never tried a quilt, I'm a cold sleeper and tend to move so not sure if that's a good fit?

It's hard for me to say, really. It's always possible to get a quilt made with a lower temperature rating; EE makes quilts rated at 10 degrees and 0 degrees. What is more, a few extra ounces of overfill can boost the rating.

What I don't know is whether/not someone who tosses, turns, rolls, etc. would fare well in a quilt. I suspect you'd need a wide-cut quilt, and would need to make sure the quilt is secured to the pad.

[swjohnsey]

Kelty Light Year down bags. I used a 40 degree.

[Grinder]

I have a k
Kelty LightYear 24 deg bag. I bought it used four years ago for $60 from someone here on this site. Never been sorry. One chilly night a 17 degrees. I didn't die. Did shiver