daughter moving to a down bag / quilt – looking for feedback

I have just outfitted my 11 year daughter with a down bag. My choice was driven by my own diabolical gear obsession: I just bough her a bag I wanted. She loves the bag, and I love having the option to use it on solo trips. It is a 20 degree bag and is bigger then she needs, but is still very light. When my 9 year old starts to join us in a year or two, I will have to buy myself yet another bag. I see both of my daughters backpacking with me as an endless gear buying opportunity. Oh, and a priceless bonding experience.

Since you mentioned price, I think it might bear repetition that the Kelty Cosmic Down 20 "short" is currently on sale via Sports Chalet Online, at $90. This is a 2.3lb, down bag that has received very favorable reviews from owners and by BPL (search "Cosmic Down 20"), especially including the youth I know with them.

Terry, have your daughter try using her current sleeping bag as a quilt (zipper undone and used on top) for a couple of nights. That will give you at least some idea if she will adapt to a grownup quilt before you spend the money.

My kids asked to get quilts after using mine each time I got a new one to "camp" in the front room. They used these for a couple seasons until they outgrew them.

http://tinyurl.com/bp29e79

Now I let them choose whatever they wanted for new quilts since they have seen a great many. My daughter picked the NEMO Siren as she loves the feel of it plus digs the color. My son picked the Therm-a-arest Alpine Blanket, probably because he was using one as an over-quilt this past winter to set a new personal record for low temps with one.

The weight and volume savings of them is great and helps keep kids' packs reasonable. Just pair it with a good pad. My daughter now has a NeoAir XLite (she does not winter camp) and my son uses a Xtherm year-round.

Sierra Designs Zissou 23 DriDown Sleeping Bag @ REI… Good price, weight OK, not the quality though 700 to 850 compress ability would be an issue… Just a thought…