Kelty Sleeping Bag's Cosmic 20

Product Information

The Lower Limit means this bag will technically be comfortable to 19 degrees. However, through our tests “comfortable” isn’t really the word. Survivable is the word. This is a common issue with sleeping bags and the EN testing system, and we feel the rating should be higher. More on sleeping bag EN testing in our guide. 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.

Outdoor brand Kelty has developed a bit of a reputation in recent years for pulling rabbits out of the proverbial hat by producing high-quality products that cost a fraction of the price of comparable items from bigger-name brands. 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. 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. 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. The three main types of insulating fill in modern sleeping bags are down, water-resistant down, and synthetic insulation. Each of these fill types has its advantages and disadvantages, all of which we’ll cover below

Value

TIP: Don’t opt for a sleeping bag that offers less insulation than you might need just to save a few measly ounces/grams. As mentioned above, it’s always wise to choose a bag that will have you covered in temps at least 10 degrees below those you expect to encounter, and if this means opting for a bag that’s slightly heavier than you’d ideally like, then we’d recommend you bite the bullet and buy it regardless. Insulation Type As a ballpark figure, any sleeping bag that tips the scales at under three pounds is your best bet if you plan on carrying your camping kit long distances, though cold sleepers may be willing to go over the three-pound mark for that little bit of extra warmth.

As you might have guessed, the higher the number, the better the insulation. But, perhaps more importantly, it also means that the higher the fill power, the less down is required to provide you with insulation, meaning bags with a higher fill power will generally offer similar or better insulation than bags with a lower fill power, but at a lighter weight.

There’s no definitive answer to this one, and in most cases, the weight of your future sleeping bag will be determined by finding the ideal weight-to-warmth ratio, basing your calculations on how heavy a bag you’re willing to carry and how much warmth you will need to sleep soundly and safely where (and when) you intend to do your camping. But just how would this sleeping bag measure up to its competitors in terms of performance? And could we really expect such a cheap sleeping bag to do what we need it to do in harsher three-season or even winter conditions? The baffles on the Cosmic Down 20 are a simple horizontal pattern. This is the most common baffle type for mummy bags. More on sleeping bag baffle patterns in our Guide.

When they pitched the Kelty Cosmic Down 20 onto the sleeping bag market, accompanied, no less, by a price tag that falls distinctly into the “friendly” category compared to its water-resistant down competitors in the three-to-four-season range, we naturally had a few questions.

Kelty’s solid reputation and product warranty could stand as enough evidence to prove this bag’s quality. The fabric feels sturdy enough to withstand normal use, and you could probably sleep directly on the hard ground night after night without tearing into it.