I have the Panyam 600 which is rated for -6 celsius comfort. And that is for me the real comfort limit while wearing base layers and pairing it with Thermarest Xtherm. I'm also a rather cold sleeper.
Panyam 450 without additional down at -16 would be extreme limit and certainly not comfortable.
Adding to this, if you're a cold sleeper I'd lean Panyam 450 over the Helium 400 unless pack size is the main priority. That little extra warmth margin usually feels worth it in shoulder season.
sleeping bag manufacturers, like Western Mountaineering, Peter Hutchinson Designs, Helsport, Cumulus Outdoor, Feather Friends, etc., who make expedition / winter sleeping bags, make goose down 800 FP (Fill Power=CUIN) 3-season sleeping bags to cope with damp, cold (weather, tent) conditions, which is the Achilles heel of a sleeping bag.
I advise you:
\- a sleeping bag 'T Comfort' rating 0 degrees Celsius, goose down 800FP, with full zip (to use the sleeping bag as blanket for warmer conditions), and hood and draft collar (for unexpected draft conditions). something like a e.g. Cumulus Outdoor Panyam 450;
\- choose the girth (hood, hip, footbox) width wisely (not to roomy, not cramped for turning in your sleep). Your body must heat up and maintain warmth for all sleeping bag dead space!
\-\[optional:\] a (ultralight) bivi / overbag to cope with unexpected / longer lasting damp, cold (weather, tent) conditions;
\-\[optional:\] an insulated overbag for unexpected / longer lasting temperature drops;
\- a sleeping mat with R-value approx. 4;
\- a sleeping bag liner (NO cotton for damp, cold weather, tent conditions). Prefferably a rectangle liner for turning in sleep;
I don't recommend a quilt for beginners, which requires learning how to properly attach to a sleeping pad to prevent drafts;
PS. I'm wearing, as a cold sleeper, a base layer in the sleeping bag. In summer, spring, and autumn, I use merino wool 175g/m², and in winter, I use merino wool 260g/m² or G-Loft 40g/m² or 80g/m².
>*Cumulus*
Looks nice. Their [Panyam 450](https://cumulus.equipment/en/eu/p/down-sleeping-bag-panyam-450) looks like it could fit the bill for OP.
What I like a little less is that they don't clearly state which measurement method they used for their fill power rating. US cuin measurement give higher ratings than EU cuin.
I'm still really happy with my [Yeti Vib 400](https://nordisk.eu/products/vib-400-right-zip-black-fiery-red) (now Nordisk) which looks similar, if maybe a little colder.
My partner has used a Panyam 450 for years, as have 2 other friends.
Partner and 1 friend are female and use the bag as you describe. - quilt in summer, then zip up as it gets cooler. Used in UK and high Pyrenees/Alps in summer-october.
Other friend is male and only uses bag in shoulder season/winter, but like me, he uses a lighter quilt in summer (250)
I have another female friend who bought a Panyam 600 (against my advice for her stated use case) because she feared the 450 might not be warm enough. She has predictably found it much too warm for summer use, though I don't think she tried it as a quilt.
Whilst a 600 would be good for colder nights, personally I think it would be insane to carry one in summer unless you are always experiencing below 5°C at night. It's just not as versatile as a 450.
For me it would be a winter bag for sub zero use. For shoulder season I use a Quilt 350 and supplement with clothing.
For versatility If you definitely want a bag as the main use item, I'd get the 450, and extend it's use with a thin synthetic over-quilt.
Personally I prefer quilts so use a 250 in summer, 350 in shoulder and only use a full bag in winter.
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