Just bought a Kelty Cosmic with my REI Refund

I'm a little red faced posting this, because I don't want any of you to be jealous, but REI sent me a $10 member refund check and a 20% coupon. Well, the most glaring problem with my gear set is my sleeping bag. I have a 20 year old synthetic 20 degree bag from boy scouts that's got a hole in the feet (on purpose) but it's still considered a 20 degree bag. It's like 4 lbs and huge. My other bag was a 0 degree bag that weighs about 5 lbs. Can we say car camping?

I ended up going to REI's website and getting a Kelty Cosmic Down bag with my refund and coupon. It's not the best bag in the world but it's good for backpacking. Stuff sack okay for outboard carrying on my pack?

Depends on the stuff sack, but I would still use a garbage bag liner cinched tight inside it. Having gone lighter/smaller , I'm much happier always having my bag inside the pack dry and protected. It is your last defense against cold/bad nights sleep... I generally use a pack cover or a tarp/poncho.
I've also found with less volume in the pack taken up (except when using a bear can) I don't have to compress the bag as tightly, so it recuperates faster and is warmer quicker. I always wrapped mine in a closed cell pad , then strapped both on to my pack in the old days. Outboard is OK, just make sure it's waterproof, and relatively rip resistant.

In my early days of bping, all I ever had was a Sears, synthetic fill bag that my folks got me when I was a young kid, mine I believe was five pounds. It took years before I could afford a down bag from Campmor. Loved it. Something important like a sb, I have inside my pack, unless it is a five pound sb, in which case, if it was strapped on the outside, you'd notice if it fell off. I once saw someone with their down bag strapped on the outside with one strap, about to fall off. Not sure if they made it home with it. Enjoy the new lightness. Now, I like the old bags as they are more comfortable when car camping.
Duane

I never use the stuff sack that comes with a sleeping bag. First of all, they are usually heavy. More important, the sleeping bag has to stay dry "at all costs." It's your main source of insulation and your lifeline. You never know when you'll get a drenching rain that runs down your back and soaks into the pack, or when you'll slip and fall during a dicey stream ford (been there, done that!), so the sleeping bag must be inside a waterproof container. Stuff sacks are not waterproof--stick a towel in one and dump it in the bathtub, and you'll see why--the closure isn't waterproof!

That leaves you with a choice between a dry bag or a pack liner. With a dry bag, test that in the tub before using--not all are "dry"--and at least annually, and check daily for possible holes or worn spots. If you use a plastic pack liner, make sure it's 2 mil plastic (contractor's trash bag or trash compactor bag--if the latter, make sure it's unscented) fastened with a waterproof closure (generally a "candy cane" closure where the neck of the bag is folded back on itself). Also check that liner every day for possible holes or thin spots, and mend with duct tape (replace the liner when you get home).

Of course you'll want to pack your shelter where you can access it and set it up without exposing your insulation to rain. That means your shelter should be on top of your pack (outside the pack liner) or in an outside pocket of your pack. Don't open up the inside of your pack (or pack liner) until the shelter is set up and the pack is brought under cover.

Yeah, this is a down sleeping bag -- you gotta keep it dry! Get a roll up dry bag that will keep the water out. I don't even know if that stuff sack material will keep the water out (let alone the hole at the top).

By the way, I got my dad this bag for our hiking trips. It's actually a very nice bag. A great buy for the money. Very compressible and warm. Make sure to hang it up when you aren't using it -- don't let it sit compressed in the bag (it can hurt the loftiness).

I'm not sure why you'd say it's not the best bag in the world. Kelty's a good brand, with a good, solid reputation. If it keeps you warm, stores well in your pack, and is lighter than what you've got, it sounds like the best bag for your needs.

"Best" to me means that it gives you the best balance of comfort, weight, function, and cost. Where that best balance is varies widely from person to person, and nobody is right or wrong.

It may not be lightest, or the most expensive, or whatever particular quality you want to name. But if it works, and works for you, it's the best piece of gear.

That's a great post Glenn.

I really like my Kelty down bag. It's the best I've ever owned. For me the "Comfort" rating for that bag is spot on.

I agree. My Kelty Cosmic 40 is the perfect bag for me from May through September up here. I think its in the #1,10 oz range and very small when compressed. Love it.