​​Kelty Cosmic Down Sleeping Bag | Review - Outdoors Magic

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​​Kelty Cosmic Down Sleeping Bag | Review

An affordable range of down sleeping bags that are a solid choice for year-round camping, whether you’re pitching up at a campsite or just off-trail

Why We Chose It: Excellent value, solid performance, responsibly-sourced down and PFC-free fabrics

Though Kelty isn’t quite so well known in the UK, across the pond it’s one of the biggest outdoor brands in the US – right up there with global mega-corps like Patagonia, Columbia and The North Face. Kelty is best known for its range of rucksacks and tents, but their sleeping bags are also highly regarded, particularly for budget-conscious adventurers. That’s because Kelty gear is well known for providing exceptional bang for your buck, and the Cosmic Down range of sleeping bags is no exception.

Available in 0, 20 and 40° Fahrenheit ratings (that translates to -17, -6 and 4 degrees Celsius respectively – although note those are lower temperature limits), there’s an option for you whether you’re strictly a warm-weather camper or a winter warrior. For us, the most versatile option is probably the Cosmic Down 20, which is a genuine three-season superstar. Stuffed with cosy 550 fill power duck down in a soft yet hard-wearing nylon taffeta shell, this bag offers both warmth and comfort, aided by a draught collar and chunky hood help to lock in the heat.

What Is The Cosmic Down Sleeping Bag Best Suited To?

The Cosmic 20 is rated with an ISO Comfort of 32°F or 0°C and a lower limit of 21°F or -6°C, so it ought to keep you warm even if temps dip just below freezing. That makes this a decent bag for three-season campsite camping or backpacking long-distance trails. It’ll also work well for most wild camping adventures from spring through to autumn, though admittedly, things might start to get a little chilly if you’re high in the Scottish hills.

Photos: Chris Johnson

Weighing in at just over a kilo and with a pack size of 20 x 33cm in the regular length (they also do a long length if you’re north of six foot), it’s going to be a little heavier and bulkier than premium ultralight down bags. On the other hand, it costs just £130, which is half the price of a higher-performance bag. And if you wrestle it into a compression sack, it’ll still pack easily into most backpacking rucksacks without taking up too much space.

Eco Credentials

Here’s where the Cosmic Down series really shines, particularly in comparison to many other budget down bags. Unlike most low-cost rivals, Kelty down is exclusively sourced from Allied Feather + Down, which in turn is an RDS (Responsible Down Standard) certified supplier. The down in the bags can be tracked via Allied Feather + Down’s Track My Down programme, ensuring full traceability.

In addition, the bags’ shell fabrics only use environmental and health-friendly C0 and PFC-free durable water repellent (DWR) treatments.

As a brand, Kelty is also strong on sustainability. It is one of the four founding members of The Conservation Alliance. The Alliance was founded in 1989 by industry leaders REI, Patagonia, The North Face, and Kelty, who shared the goal of increasing outdoor industry support for conservation efforts.

“These bags are all about versatility and value.”

Since its founding, the Alliance has contributed over USD $23 million to grassroots conservation groups throughout North America. The Conservation Alliance funding has helped save more than 73 million acres of wildlands, protect 3,575 miles of river, stop or remove 35 dams, designate five marine reserves and purchase 17 climbing areas in the US.

Construction and Performance

Most entry-level down sleeping bags use stitch-through construction, which saves weight, complexity and cost in manufacturing terms. However, the Cosmic Down series employs an innovative trapezoidal baffle construction. This results in greater thermal efficiency and fewer cold spots – so the bags sleep much warmer than you might think given their 550 fill power duck down fill.

They’re also soft and comfortable, thanks to a 20-denier taffeta nylon shell and lining. You get a cosy hood and a ‘natural fit’ footbox to give your toes a bit more wiggle room. In addition, features like a zipper draught tube with an anti-snag zipper design and a lofty draught collar help to keep things extra toasty. Those are design elements usually only found in much higher-priced bags.

The full-length zip has a two-way slider for ventilation in warmer weather, while there’s even a handy internal stash pocket. This is a great place to keep your phone, power bank or camera batteries, helping the lithium ion cells inside your devices to stay warm and prolong battery life.

Verdict

These bags are all about versatility and value. You get incredible quality for the price and we’re struggling to think of a comparable sleeping bag with similar specs for the money. In fact, they’re a bona fide bargain – especially given the solid eco credentials. That should also help you rest easy, since (unlike many other budget down sleeping bags and jackets) you can be assured that the down inside your sleeping bag hasn’t been live-plucked from some poor duck.

Kelty Comic Down

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