Kelty Sleeping Bag's Cosmic 20

Product Information

Got all that? Great! Then let’s get down to business will our review of the Kelty Cosmic Down 20. Warmth Remember the trapezoid from 10th-grade geometry? Turns out, this funky ol' shape is ideal for helping sleeping bag baffles retain heat. The trapezoidal baffle construction improves on our best-selling Cosmic sleeping bag and it's just one of the reasons the Cosmic is still our favourite three-season superstar. We also love the natural-fit foot box for happier feet, and a PFC-free water-repellent coating, and recycled liner and shell fabrics for a healthier environment. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Ken Strayer noted that EN standards for testing at 20*F use an R-5 value pad; by comparison, R-2 for 50*F and R-3 for 40*F. I can't find the post right now, but I seem to recall these numbers being supported in another thread by Mr. Nisley. The point, of course, is that to determine if a manufacturer's rating is accurate, it wouldn't be appropriate to use a lower R-value pad than they use for testing.This zipper is the entire length of the bag and built for use. Large pull tabs help to locate it in the night, but it is a little more delicate than we’d prefer.

Kelty also offers the Cosmic Down construction in 40 degree and 0 degree versions. The 40 degree is great for summer use, and the 0 degree works well in sub-freezing weather. While both of these will work, we find the versatility and weight of the Cosmic Down 20 to be the best bet for most people. You can find the other versions below. Where this sleeping bag scores some points over the competition, however, is in the inclusion of the durable, anti-snag material behind the zipper.The EN rating that you will require for your adventures in the outdoors will ultimately depend on a number of factors: the season in which you plan to do your camping; where you are in the world; whether you are a cold or warm sleeper; and, whether or not you are headed into mountainous environments to camp out at altitude, where temperatures can be significantly lower than in the valleys below. It’s especially important to know them for those who don’t have so much experience in tourism. Let’s try to figure it out with specific examples and take a few sipid models: Kelty Cosmic down 20, Marmot Trestles 30, The North Face Women’s Cat’s Meow 20 and Klymit KSB 20. These sleeping bags are roughly the same class, so the comparison will be correct. To understand the variety of models, you need to distinguish a few basic principles. Purpose of the sleeping bag A sleeping bag’s warmth is quantified by what is known as the EN Rating, which stands for “European Norm.” This rating gives us a “comfort rating” that refers to the lowest temperature at which a normal sleeper—or “warm” sleeper as opposed to a “cold” sleeper*—will remain comfortable while sleeping in the bag. The Cosmic Down has put on some weight over the last year, going from a reasonable 2.71 lbs to currently 3.4 lbs, and is among the heaviest of the down bags we tested. While most down bags boast a great warmth-to-weight ratio, we are disappointed by its weight. Once competitive with other bags in weight and price, this latest version is now only competitive in price.

In addition, the bags’ shell fabrics only use environmental and health-friendly C0 and PFC-free durable water repellent (DWR) treatments. As a brand, Kelty is also strong on sustainability. It is one of the four founding members of The Conservation Alliance. The Alliance was founded in 1989 by industry leaders REI, Patagonia, The North Face, and Kelty, who shared the goal of increasing outdoor industry support for conservation efforts. They’re also soft and comfortable, thanks to a 20-denier taffeta nylon shell and lining. You get a cosy hood and a ‘natural fit’ footbox to give your toes a bit more wiggle room. In addition, features like a zipper draught tube with an anti-snag zipper design and a lofty draught collar help to keep things extra toasty. Those are design elements usually only found in much higher-priced bags.The Cosmic Down 20° sleeping bag from Kelty gives you an updated design that's well-suited to fast-moving outdoor adventures across a range of conditions.

The Cosmic Down 20 uses a traditional mummy-style shape with a substantial footbox and very practical hood that can be cinched down over your face on particularly cold nights. The tapered design maximizes thermal efficiency, leaves little room for drafts, and not a great deal of extra space for you to warm up with your body heat. Synthetic—Usually slightly heavier and less compressible than down fills but, in its favor, costs a lot less and can insulate even when damp or wet

Principles of choosing a sleeping bag 

In short, the ability of down to provide insulation is measured by its fill power, which is usually given as a number between 400 and 900. This refers to the number of cubic inches one ounce of down will fill when it has reached its maximum loft. The material used in your sleeping bag’s shell or outer layer is important for two reasons: protection and durability; and, resistance to dampness and condensation. 1) Protection and durability What we don’t: Heavier and less compressible than mummy bags (although it’s a nice improvement from the past model).