Kelty Cosmic Extremely 20 Evaluation

Backside Line

The Kelty Cosmic Extremely 20 is among the finest worth sleeping baggage on the market in relation to consolation, sturdiness, and options. Gear analyst Ian Krammer has totally examined this bag from late winter till mid-summer over 20 nights within the Rocky Mountains The Cosmic Extremely 20 excels with its 800-fill-power insulation and thicker 20-denier nylon shell gives a stage of sturdiness that almost all backpacking baggage can solely dream of. And this bag is function loaded, together with a big zippered stash pocket, first rate sized draft collar, and gentle materials.

That mentioned, the Cosmic Extremely 20 is among the many heavier choices we’ve examined. Whereas it represents an superior worth for budget-conscious buyers, it’s not the warmest bag on the market and it doesn’t pack down as small as ultralight choices, however it’s glorious for summer time and heat climate. Nevertheless, if price ticket and efficiency are prime of thoughts, the Cosmic Extremely 20 is a compelling and comfy bag for adventurers of all talent ranges.

Heat

The Cosmic Extremely 20 is heat sufficient for temperatures all the way down to 35°F. Its trapezoidal baffle development and lengthy draft tube work collectively to maintain warmth trapped inside, which means you’ll keep heat on these cool mountain or desert nights. Its 800-fill-power Dridown gives further water-resistance that thrives in moist circumstances and humid climates, because it dries so rapidly if the bag will get moist from climate or condensation. 

The 20-denier cloth is far more sturdy and insulating in comparison with the thinner 10D and 15D materials utilized in many ultralight baggage, and makes the Cosmic Down really feel hotter whereas including vital sturdiness. Though the draft tubes are considerably minimalist and never as vast or full of down as different baggage we examined, they successfully retain heat, cowl the zippers, and block drafts when the colder temperatures settle in.

The draw back of the Kelty Cosmic Down is, in our expertise, the consolation score is overstated. Gear Analyst Ian Krammer discovered that after 5 nights in 25°F temperatures, the bag struggled to maintain him heat, even whereas he was carrying a base layer and the bag was paired with a sleeping pad with a 5 R-value. We’d advocate this bag for in a single day temperatures between 35°F and 65°F. 

And, we want the Cosmic Down had narrower baffles. After 15 – 20 makes use of, we discovered the down in these vast baffles migrated towards the perimeters and corners as a substitute of staying unfold out evenly throughout the bag. To repair this, we needed to both manually therapeutic massage the down again into place, or wash and dry the bag extra usually to re-distribute the down.

Consolation

The Kelty Cosmic Extremely 20 is a comfortable backcountry bag. Kelty makes use of an opulent, thick, and burly 20D nylon for the shell and liner of this bag that really feel tremendous gentle towards the pores and skin, and is a pleasure to slip into after a protracted day of climbing. The 800-fill-power Dridown insulation means this bag feels lots heat, however gives stellar water resistant and fast-drying properties – good for backpacking on wet days and in damp climates. We’re large followers of the bigger footbox that simply accommodates most sleeping positions. And, the flexibility of a mummy bag design is at all times a win for consolation: cinch the hood tightly and snuggle into the bag on chilly nights, or unzip the complete bag for partial protection on heat evenings. It’s snug to hold, too, for the reason that included stuff sack packs it all the way down to a manageable measurement for lengthy miles on path.

On the draw back, this bag doesn’t have a lot of a form to it and lacks physique contouring. That straight interprets to a much less comfortable match than different aggressive mummy baggage.Many individuals will respect this, however for folk who like and desire a snugger sleep system, this bag may not be a terrific match. And, the mother hood will certainly suit your head, however it’s a lot smaller in comparison with aggressive baggage, so it’s a problem to suit a backpacking pillow comfortably inside.

Weight & Packability

Weighing 2 kilos, 5.6 ounces for the common measurement and a pair of kilos, 14 ounces for the lengthy measurement, the Cosmic Extremely 20 is heavier than the ultralight choices we examined and in addition has a decrease warmth-to-weight ratio. However, don’t let that cease you – that is nonetheless an excellent weight for brief and average backpacking journeys! We’ve trekked a whole lot of miles with this sleeping bag and didn’t assume twice concerning the weight – plus, the bag stays extremely packable and simple to hold. If weight is a priority however staying inside funds is essential, contemplate complementing the bag with a light-weight sleeping pad to steadiness the load. 

The good thing about a barely heavier weight? Superior sturdiness and one of the feature-rich backpacking sleeping baggage on our checklist. A thick 20-denier nylon shell contributes to the heft of the Cosmic Down. Certain, it’s a bit cumbersome to retailer and carry, however its lifespan is longer than the skinny 10D and 15D materials utilized in many different baggage. Which means a longer-lasting product. The bag’s bulk is likely to be a disadvantage for ultralight hikers, however its affordability and sturdiness make it a robust contender for folk searching for a high-quality, cost-effective possibility.

Options

This is among the most feature-rich down baggage on our checklist. Not like many pricier, minimalist choices, it has a zippered inside stash pocket good for storing a cellular phone, headlamp, or chapstick. The anti-snag zipper is among the smoothest within the recreation, and infrequently snags on the fabric when getting into or exiting the bag. The bag features a stuff sack that makes packing up straightforward, though Kelty doesn’t embrace a mesh storage sack to take care of the bag’s loft when it’s not in use. The comfortable hood is crucial for glorious protection and heat, making the Cosmic Down appropriate into the low 40s and higher 30s, and we like that the cinching mechanism is simple to entry from inside and out of doors.

Our solely complaints come all the way down to the design of sure options. The draft tube, although useful, is a bit flimsy and underfilled in comparison with different high-end fashions, so it’s not as efficient at blocking chilly drafts and retaining heat. And, the hood is small, so it’s not as suitable with backpacking pillows. That mentioned, at this value and high-caliber high quality, we predict the Cosmic Down is an superior bag for novices or budget-conscious backpackers who need the complete spectrum of options with out breaking the financial institution.

Ought to You Purchase the Kelty Cosmic Extremely 20?

The Kelty Cosmic Extremely 20 is our best choice for budget-conscious backpackers and novices who want a dependable, sturdy sleeping bag with out spending a fortune. Its 800-fill-power Dridown insulation and beefy 20-denier nylon shell provide glorious heat and sturdiness, so it’s a terrific bag for every little thing from base camps in excessive alpine environments to week-long thru-hikes within the desert. Options like a zippered inside stash pocket, anti-snag zipper, and a spacious footbox make this mannequin really feel über cozy and useful.

Nevertheless, ultralight hikers and long-distance backpackers who need the bottom weight sleeping bag will need to hold purchasing. Its bulkier design and heavier weight in comparison with different fashions can be much less interesting if you happen to’re counting each ounce and gram and wish the smallest sleeping bag on the market. Additionally, the absence of a mesh storage sack and the considerably flimsy draft tube might impression efficiency in very chilly circumstances.

What Different Backpacking Sleeping Luggage Ought to You Think about?

NEMO Disco 15 Limitless Promise Evaluation: The NEMO Disco 15 Limitless Promise, just like the Kelty Cosmic Extremely 20, gives an analogous temperature score, a spacious footbox, and many options. Nevertheless, it stands out for its distinctive Spoon Form design, which is extra snug for various sleeping positions and is simply a bit heavier.

REI Magma 15 Evaluation: The REI Magma 15, just like the Kelty Cosmic Extremely 20, options high-quality down insulation, fill energy, and general weight. It could be a greater possibility if you happen to’re searching for a extra packable, heat, and barely roomy possibility, so long as you’re prepared to pay extra for it.

Marmot Trestles Elite Eco Evaluation: The Marmot Trestles Elite Eco is comparable in relation to weight, heat, and sturdiness. However, if you happen to’re searching for a bag with artificial insulation that dries very quick and prices considerably much less – with the identical dependable efficiency and options – the Trestles Elite Eco is an superior different.