Gear Box: Kelty Cosmic Down 20º Sleeping Bag

For those of us who live in the warmer, southern region of the U.S., the fall season bring relief from the heat at last. That means we get head back outside and enjoy our favorite wild space for the first time in a few months. It is also the perfect season for camping, as the days are still warm, but the nights are perfect for spending time in a tent. Recently I had the opportunity to test out the Kelty Cosmic Down 20º sleeping bag in just those conditions, and came away quite impressed. It isn't the warmest or lightest bag I've ever used, but for the price, it packs a lot of performance.

Kelty is an outdoor gear company that has built a solid reputation for making good gear, at affordable prices, that are perfect for the more casual outdoor crowd. Someone who enjoys camping and hiking, but isn't likely to be heading to the Andes or the Himalaya any time soon. Their gear is designed more for the weekend warrior than the hardcore adventure set, but over the years they have built a very loyal following who swear by their products.

With that in mind, I wasn't sure what to expect out of the Cosmic Down. After all, Kelty was promising a down-filled sleeping bag, rated for 20ºF (-6 Cº) that weighs 3.5 pound (1.6 kilograms) for around a hundred bucks. If the bag could come anywhere close to meeting those specs, I'd be quite happy.

Removing the Cosmic Down from its included stuff sack, I was pleasantly surprised at the overall quality of the bag. The fabrics were all quite nice and the zippers were solid and moved without sticking or snagging on the cloth. Rolling it out on the floor, I immediately crawled inside and was happy do discover there was plenty of room for my tall frame. Kelty had sent me the "large" version of the bag for review, and it was definitely spacious and comfortable, particularly for a mummy bag.

When put to real-world, practical use, the bag didn't disappoint either. The Cosmic Down uses 550-fill Down, which was surprisingly warm and made for comfortable sleeping with temperatures falling into the 20's, although I'm not sure I'd want to trust it much lower than that. For most three-season camping conditions, this is a more than adequate choice.

When first eyeballing the CD I was a bit concerned that it didn't have any kind of venting options on the lower half of the bag. Turns out it didn't really need them, as the well designed half-zip that runs along the side worked well when I needed to let a little air into the bag. Kelty also built in security loops to keep the Cosmic Down connected to your sleeping pad, which is a nice touch for a bag that isn't considered "hardcore."

Campers and backpackers on a budget will absolutely love this bag. It is comfortable, well made, and is a perfect option for late spring, summer, and early fall camping. Kelty has managed to create a product that lives up to its performance promises and does so in an attractive and affordable package. If you're in the market to upgrade your gear, than the Cosmic Down is a fantastic choice, as you'll have cash left over to continue shopping for other equipment as well. (MSRP: $99.95 (small), $109.95 (medium), $119.95 (long))

Checkout other Kelty gear at TravelCountry.com.

Gear Box: Brooks-Range Alpini 30 Sleeping Bag

One of the keys to a good camping trip is, without a doubt, a quality sleeping bag. You can put up with inclement weather, going days without a hot shower, and endure mediocre camp food, but when it comes time to sleep, you need to be comfortable. This is true in every season, ranging from the sub-zero temperatures of winter to the scorching hot of summer.

Recently I had the opportunity to test out the new Alpini 30 Sleeping Bag from Brooks Range and as usual with gear from BR, I found it a more than worthy addition to my gear closet. From the moment you take it out of the included stuff sack, the Alpini impresses with its design and build quality, as the bag features lightweight fabrics that are both soft and rugged, making it comfortable to sleep in, but tough enough to survive the rigors of the trail.

As the name implies, the Alpini 30 is rated down to about 30ºF (0ºC) making it a perfect sleeping bag for spring and fall camping excursions or cooler summer nights at altitude. Thanks to its "mummy" style design, which includes a hood, the Alpini is extremely versatile, allowing you to bundle up as much or as little as you need to stay comfortable. The heavy duty, high quality, zippers aid in this process quite a bit, allowing you to keep the bag open on warmer nights, or zipped up snuggly when the temperatures start to drop. Those same zippers are bi-directional, allowing you to vent your legs and feet, while remaining warmly wrapped around your torso and head. 

As someone who travels regularly, I always tend to favor gear that is light in weight and doesn't take up much room in my pack. The Alpini fits that description as well, as it stuffs down to a very small footprint and weighs less than a pound and a half. In fact, it is so light, you'll barely even remember you have it with you when you're hiking. Brooks Range used 850+ fill goose down to achieve the miracle of a warm and comfortable sleeping bag that also happens to have such a minimalist profile. 

While the Alpini is an excellent, well made sleeping bag, there are two things to keep in mind when deciding if it is right for you. First, the temperature rating system is fairly accurate, and I can't imagine using this bag much below freezing. It is a perfect cool weather bag but you'll want something warmer for your cold weather adventures. (Like the Alpini 15 perhaps!) The other thing to consider is that Alpini runs a bit on the small side, and if you're above 6 feet in height, you may find it a bit too confining. I'm 6'3" and about 200 pounds, and at times I felt the bag didn't quite fit me properly. A larger size would be appreciated, although that doesn't seem to be an option at this point. 

Those two quibbles aside, the Alpini 30 is a fantastic option for three-season camping. You'll be impressed by how comfortable and lightweight it is, not to mention how small it packs down. It is a versatile and well built sleeping bag that will serve you well in all but the most extreme conditions. 

MSRP: $319 available from the Brooks-Range.com.