REI Sub Kilo 20 sleeping bag opinions

I used to have a sub kilo and it was very warm. The cut is very snug. Actually a little too snug for me so I sold it and went with a Montbell SS.

I'm 6'1" 150lbs. I like REI bags because they are the slimmest I have found. I haven't tried WM or FF yet though, so they may win.

I dislike REI bags because they are so full of it when it comes to temp ratings. IMO that bag couldn't even handle a morning with a little frost.

I did like the shell material and the stuff sack though. Even if it was overkill.

I won't even consider REI bags now, no matter how cheap.

It is snug. I found it to be a 35 degree bag, and I sleep slightly cold. If took the same weight of down that is in the bag, made it premium 800-850 fill power down, and turned it into a quilt, you'd save 8-10 oz and have the slightly warmer Golite Ultra 20, which you can sometimes find for a similar price… I do realize some people prefer bags, though.

Yes the subKilo is a snug bag. If you're thin that can be a plus – a more efficient bag at less weight.
And yes, most users seem to agree that its temperature rating is overstated and its more of a 30 degree bag.

Is it a good buy? If you list what else you are considering you can be assured that we'll all pitch in with opinions :)

The catch here is the store credit issue. I too find it hard to resist making do with buying something because I have a credit or it's on sale. Sometimes it works out great and sometimes I end up wasting my money.

I have a couple of nights into my new GoLite Ultra 20 I got for $163.00 at Top Sleeping Bags on the web and I am very happy with it.

Maybe there's something else you could pick up at REI?

It’s difficult to advise what some thing is worth to you, having said that the sub kilo has a very generous twenty degree rating. At just under six feet and 160 pounds I’m very claustrophobic is the 6’ sub kilo and can just move in the 6’ 6” bag. There are additional less desirable features in this bag so since and you have store credit one alternative could be to check out the MH Phantom 30, since it is EN tested, sold at REI, offers a snug fit but a little wider dimensions, and probably just as warm.

I'd rate the bag as somewhere in the 35-40F range, and like the others said, too tight unless you are built like a pencil, or very petite like my daughter. Save a few more shekels and pop for a marmot hydrogen (or helium, as your golite ultra probably covers the same range as the hydrogen), or maybe a thermarest neoair mattress.

Some other stuff there that you can add to an ultralighter's packing list: headlamps, wool base layers, freeze-dried food, shoes, socks, Tilley's hats. Or do like I do, and use your credit to buy Christmas presents for people who aren't lightweight backpackers.

I just noticed this (maybe?) bargain, too–at the REI Outlet. $165 for a long and, of course, free shipping if sent to the nearest store.

I have a grandson who will turn 10 next spring. He's now mature enough for a down bag. The alternative would be to get his younger brother (5) a TNF Tigger, which would be the third "Tigger" in the family. The problem is, of course, that the 10-year-old will outgrow his Tigger in a couple of years. That's why I thought that a mid-range down bag would be better for the older boy–lighter, more compact and, hopefully, will last him at least through his high-school years. If, as a teen, he decides he no longer wants to backpack, it's less money down the drain, too.

Another possibility would be a Campmor 20* (supposedly) down bag, which is heavier than the Sub Kilo. It of course has lower-quality down (550 weight, I believe).

For those of you who have found the Sub-Kilo to be more like a 30-35*F bag, have you been able to take it to nearer 25*F by wearing more clothing inside?

Any suggestions are most welcome! Money is as much an issue as weight here! Maybe more!

I find that my kids sleep a bit colder (probably because the bags are roomier on them, so I'd err on the warmer side of the temperature ratings. The Marmot 600 fill down is great stuff compared to synthetic fill – and about the same price. I got my 9 year old a Marmot 15 degree womens Angel Fire ($169 on sale at REI), and it works well for him – although I have to be careful to keep it dry for him while he is entering / exiting the tent and it's raining (he seems to manage to get everything wet in about 1/3 of the tent, mostly due to transfer from his wet clothes). It fits my 11 y.o. daughter even better, and she seems to be mature enough to keep it dry on her own.

Mary,
I got Ford a REI, oh jeez, can't think of the name…..it was clearanced this past spring, a synthetic, for the most part UL, 35* bag.

Edit: I think it might have been this bags predecessor? http://www.rei.com/product/778169

Tweener boys STINK so bad from sweating I swore off down till he gets out of high school and learns what a stick of deodorant does. ;-)

Having said that, I have taken my Sub Kilo ladies bag down to upper 20's at least. You gotta have a good pad for that (my back gets cold easily) and yes, in cold temps I often sleep with my down jacket over my torso as well.

Not a bad first down bag. I wouldn't worry so much about stink; we're talking backpacking, everyone stinks after a day or two. I've still got my first down bag, which I got when I was 13, which was 38 years ago.

Like sarbar says, you should be able to push that bag about 10 degrees cooler, or to nearly its rated temp, if you add a puffy layer and use a decent pad.

Version 1 of this bag failed to keep me warm in temps in high 30s and thus it was returned. On the other hand, the WM Megalite, rated to 35 I believe, keeps me warm into the 20s before adding an extra layer.

i have one, and the fit is tight. but i love this bag. i sleep warm and have gotten to about 15 deg. without getting cold. maybe its just me, but i am very happy with the subkilo.

I just checked out the Go-lite Ultra and I am really liking it.
1 lb. 3oz. 20 degree rating. They have a short length. and I can make it as snug or loose as I want it. No useless insulation being flattened and made uselss by my body weight. The price is pretty good($225). I can get free shipping from Backcountry.com.

I can't get it from REI but I could always put the ultra on a credit card and give the REI store credit to my fiancee.

Any thoughts? Thanks

Joseph

Just an FYI, the Ultra 20 is more of an Ultra 30.

Well, I found a Coupon code for 20% off that expires in a few days. So I decided to go ahead and purchase the bag from Backcountry.com. I got it for $180 with free shipping.

Joseph

What about with a synthetic liner and Goretex bivy?

No idea. I don't use liners and I'd be in a bath in a goretx bivy.

I just got the Go-lite bag. I got into it to make sure it is long enough(I bought the small). It fits fine and I could only spend a few minutes inside before I was burning up.
I tried it with the straps under the sleeping pad(Thermarest Ridgerest short). The bottom corners were rolled up inside the sleeping bag. It also caused the pad to push the sleeping bag away from my body on each side.

I also tried it with the straps on top of the pad and I realized I could tighten them up to the point were it was a very snug fit. The bag touched every part of me but my back without compressing the insulation. I found this to be alot more comfortable and hopefully it will be warmer.

I read on the tags that the Pertex Endurance shell is totally windproof. That will be awesome in the drafty AT shelters. Any truth to the windproof claim?

I stuffed the bag into the included stuff sack which was very easy I might add. Then placed it into my pack with all the other stuff I would bring backpacking minus food and water. There is a huge void of space now in my bag. The stuffed Go-lite ultra bag is clearly half the size of my other sleeping bags. I believe I will have enough space for five days worth of food, expedition weight baselayer and a down jacket for my Rockies trip.

I plan on using this bag on a 3 day trip on the AT this coming weekend. Temps will probably be in the low 30's. I will let you all know how it turns out. Thanks for all the help guys!

Joseph