REI Down Bags -- Kilo Plus +0 or REI El +10?

[ashw_justin]

So I want to buy a down bag, and from browsing the selection at REI I narrowed it down to these two:

 

REI Kilo Plus 0 deg

700 down

43 oz

nifty little compression sack

$240

 

REI El +10

700 down

49 oz

El waterproof/breathable shell

$240

 

I'd be using the bag with a lightweight bivi sack. Right now I'm still using the crapo REI one, because it is super light.

 

I know they are rated for different temperatures, but hanging on the rack the +10 actually looks like it has more loft than the +0. I'm guessing they're about the same really. So the real difference is for 6 ounces, you get the waterproof/breathable shell. I would look at other manufacturers but I have to take advantage of that 20% dividend deal.

 

So what do you think? Which one would you go for? Or does another company sell a similar bag that I should look at?

[cracked]

Get the Kilo Plus. The waterproof covering will just trap moisture. The bivy will do the same job, better.

[ashw_justin]

However, when it rains on my crappy REI bivy, my current bag gets wet...

[cracked]

I think that if it rains, NO bivy will keep you dry...but you should check with Amar.

[ashw_justin]

I've been told the OR Advanced stays dry in the rain, but it's 2 lbs.

 

I guess if I got the El +10 bag, it would be like having a 2-layer bivi sack (the crapo is single-layer).

[ashw_justin]

Paul, which bag did you have on the Eldorado trip?

[cracked]

Sub Kilo. It's my 'year round' bag, but I'm wearing all my clothes (minus goretex) in winter. Both Jeff and Sky have the Kilo Plus. Friggin' gapers.

[JoshK]

Sub Kilo. It's my 'year round' bag, but I'm wearing all my clothes (minus goretex) in winter. Both Jeff and Sky have the Kilo Plus. Friggin' gapers.

 

Shit, Sky didn't tell me he had a Kilo Plus. I think I'm gonna bail on climbing with him now...

[ashw_justin]

You telling me that +20 is warm enough in winter?! What are you wearing down clothing in the bag or something?

[JoshK]

I have a +15 bag (now granted, it's a marmot, so maybe their ratings are more conservative than REI's) and I use that all winter long. I have never been cold save that night I got my entire bag wet and frozen in boston basin a month ago. That was operator error

[cracked]

I'm wearing long johns, my Golite Coal jacket (polarguard, not down), and as many hats as I have. I've got the Coal along anyway, since it's great for rest stops and the like, so I figure I'll wear it to bed and use a lighter bag.

 

I mean, I just want to be like Josh.

[skykilo]

I like to get naked.

[Blake]

can't you use the 20% coupon on any one purchase?

[cracked]

I like to get naked.

Keep your eye on Sky and your ass to the wall.

 

I'm happy with my bag, but I'm fat, too. A skinny fucker might want/need more insulation.

[ashw_justin]

can't you use the 20% coupon on any one purchase?

 

Oh yeah, of course, but as far as the bags I saw at REI, those were my favorites.

[ashw_justin]

So it turns out the REI dividend deal expired April 13th Why didn't anybody tell me?

 

But I went ahead and used the divi on the +10 El. We'll see if it does any better at staying dry.

Edited April 22, 2004 by ashw_justin

[Stephen_Ramsey]

My gaper $0.02:

 

A 15F bag seems pretty versitile for winter/spring/fall use, provided you're camping at reasonably low elevations in winter. In winter, you can combine it with your parka (as a blanket), wool hat, a homemade nylon liner, and a hot water bottle, and you should be good down to really cold temperatures. In spring/fall, leave the nylon liner at home, and just use the 15F bag.

 

The exception is summer. I just refuse to lug the 15F bag up the trail in summer, and instead carry a 30F bag.

 

Bottom line-- no bag is going to be perfect for year-around use in the Cascades, unless you are either (1) truly hardcore, or (2) don't mind carrying around 8 ounces of needless insulation in the summer.

 

Incidentally, 49 oz is pretty darn heavy for a 10-degree down bag. You should be able to find one for under 40 oz.

Edited April 22, 2004 by Stephen_Ramsey

[cracked]

My wallet isn't hardcore enough to buy TWO down bags. Either that, or I'm truly hardcore.

[Stephen_Ramsey]

Paul,

 

Neither is mine. Both my bags are synthetic, bought on clearance.

 

-Steve

[cracked]

I would hate to use a synthetic 15 degree bag. Yikes! Heavy!

[Stephen_Ramsey]

Yes, it is heavy, I was cursing it every step last weekend. I'd prefer down.

Edited April 22, 2004 by Stephen_Ramsey

[marylou]

Silk sleeping bag liners are really nice, and work well both on adding a few degrees of warmth, and one keepoing your bag a little bit cleaner. They are pretty spendy (about 70$ if I remember right) so it might be worth it to try and talk someone into sewing one up for ya. Even with a liner, and not going out/up into the very worst of weather (call it 3 seasons plus) , I still need 2 down bags.

[cracked]

My bad, Steve, I thought I read on your site that you use a FF bag.

[Stephen_Ramsey]

Elain uses an Egret (20F), year round. She is more hardcore than I.

 

On my site, I recommend the Lark (10F), which I have rented before. But I don't own one (yet).

 

FF bags are very nice. Spendy, but nice.

 

Cheers,

Steve

Edited April 22, 2004 by Stephen_Ramsey

[JoshK]

WM mountaineering highlite. 16oz and 35degrees. I used it on my 4 day inspiration-forbidden tour the other two, including a 7600 bivy and an 8300 foot bivy. With clothes I was comfy warm. Downside is they are pricey once you start going with the ultralight fabrics and super-loft down. If you are doing more summer than winter stuff, I'd go with a superlight back then get some nice synth big bag on sale for winter stuff.