down sleeping bag question(s)

They have a good return policy and have been around forever. If you buy something you will get their catalogs until they day you die.

A buddy of mine has their down jacket with the 550 fill. I did not weigh it but it was very fluffy. The shell material was very resistant to the heavy wet snow that was falling on us. It seemed well made with good fabric and no issues with the zippers.

I have this bag, so in the interest of research I pulled it out of the closet to give it a once over. This used to be my only bag and I've used it extensively, but since I bought a summer bag, I haven't used it much. (I can't find winter camping partners)

Stats: Long mummy, fits to 6'4"
weight: 3lbs, 6.4 oz
double layer loft 7"
single layer loft 4.5"
(bag is 15 years old, so it may have lost some loft)
Bag has a nice draft collar and a fat draft tube. I am a broad shouldered guy,and I can wear a patagonia das in the bag with no compression of loft. I don't have puffy pants, but I think you could wear those in the bag as well. The hood cinches down well, although it lacks a draft tube, so it's a bit uncomfortable on the face when fully compressed.
it's definitely not on a par w/feathered friends or WM, but overall very good. (15 years old with only one hole, caused by a spark from a campfire)

I have used this bag for winter camping down to -5ish in a lean-to shelter with a ridgerest and a thermarest underneath, I started out wearing a synthetic jacket to bed, but woke up several hours later too warm. I stripped down and spent the rest of the night relatively warm, although I got a bit cold in the early a.m., but there was a good breeze blowing into the shelter and I had no bivy. I tend to sleep a bit on the cold side.

I would say that this bag is a good value. You could go lighter of course and there are nicer bags with more posh fill, but for the money, this is a great bag.

hey guys thanks for the good info. i think my main criteria has to be performance. even though i'm not going to be testing it anywhere near zero, usually upper teens is the coldest i'll go anyway, i still want it to perform well. josh, you were reading my mind when you said it's not on par with a WM because i've got my eye on their kodiak bag which is a bit pricey but ultra posh but is probably more than i need for this season's trips. a buddy has one and it looks posh as all get out.

if anyone has a suggestion that blends economy, alot of comfort and a light weight lemme know.

Take a look at this one.
I think its the perfect blend of performance and price, especially when they go on sale for $199. It'll save you about a pound over the campmor bag. If you don't like it you can't beat REI's return policy.

http://www.rei.com/product/731682

I got mine on sale about a year ago. It has served me well. I just gave it it's first wash and the loft is good as new. Mine weighs in at 2lb 7oz. It wouldn't surprise me if it went on sale right after christmas. Also, if you buy it and it goes on sale within 30 days, call up their customer service and they'll give you back the difference.

Why don't you just deep a good eye out on the gear swap section.
You can get a lot better bag at that price than you would buying new.
I'll bet if you even asked it that way, (Looking for a 5* bag for $200) you would get some offers.