REI Kilo 0F sleeping bag - any good?

[PSD]

I was looking at REI's Kilo 0F bag and while I like the price I'm worried that it isn't a real 0F bag i.e., no draft collar.

 

Anyone have any experience with this bag at 0F. Pros and Cons?

 

Thanks

 

PSD

[olyclimber]

I have one, and it has been great for me. I don't think you're going to be able to test it in Washington State (i.e. no zero degree temps here). I got mine at a discount, and it comparatively cheep.

[cracked]

any good?

Yes.

[PSD]

Cracked,

 

When you say yes - is that yes it was good to 0F? I'm worried that the bag will be a little cold w/out a draft collar...

[cracked]

No bag will keep you toasty warm at the rated temp. It's meaningless. Especially because how warm you are depends on your body type, your dinner, your level of exhaustion, what you're wearing, whether your SO is sharing the bag with you, your level of dehyrdration, etc, etc, etc. So it's really a meaningless question (I'd call it a stupid question but that wouldn't be nice).

 

I've been doing all my winter trips with a Sub Kilo (20F). And yes, I have to wear all my clothes in the thing.

[Fromage]

Last Nov when I climbed Eldo my partner and I bivied at the base of the Eldo glacier in our bags with no shelter. At bedtime the ambient air temp was 18 degrees F. She had the REI zero degree bag with a GoLite synthetic belay jacket and hot water bottle stuffed in there with her. She froze her arse. Meanwhile I was roasting mine off in my Feathered Friends -10 bag. Conclusion? The REI bag rating was excessively optimistic and the FF bag rating was excessively conservative. At least for these two people in these conditions.

 

If Lowest Common Denominator is passing off a bag with no collar with a zero degree rating they should be sued for false advertising. Some people might be warm in that bag at the stated temp, but most will not. Feathered Friends and Western Mountaineering, the two best bag manufacturers in the world (in that order) both start putting collars on bags in the 10 degree range, and FF even gives the option on 20 degree bags.

 

Spend the extra money and get a proper bag for those temps. A FF Ibis or Snowbunting would do you nicely. You will thank yourself.

[cracked]

If your partner froze her ass off with a two pound polarguard 3D jacket inside that bag then she's got issues.

 

they should be sued for false advertising

Oh pu-LEASE.

 

Hey Nick, I noticed you behind the counter at FF the other day. Sure you're not affiliated? Are you sure it wasn't your hot air keeping you warm that night?

[Bill_Simpkins]

I've spent winter nites in the Cascades in my 20 degree sub kilo. I was ok. One not was a little chilly, but not freezing. It had more to do with the sleeping pad I was using. I would feel more than comfortable knowing I had a zero degree sub-kilo with me any time of the year in the Cascades.

[Fromage]

If your partner froze her ass off with a two pound polarguard 3D jacket inside that bag then she's got issues.

 

We're talking about Jule the PowerFrau here, the same one who crawled to the summit of Rainier in winter when high winds kept knocking her off her feet. Not someone who usually balks at cold temps. If she gets cold it is probably not because of her "issues." Evidence suggests inferior gear. But if you want to continue your REIdolizing, I won't stand in your way.

 

[markb]

My wife uses an REI Kilo and she loves it. She's slept through plenty of single-digit nights without a problem.

[catbirdseat]

We're talking about Jule the PowerFrau here, the same one who crawled to the summit of Rainier in winter when high winds kept knocking her off her feet. Not someone who usually balks at cold temps. If she gets cold it is probably not because of her "issues." Evidence suggests inferior gear. But if you want to continue your REIdolizing, I won't stand in your way.

 

She once posted as OneToole, didn't she?