Cosmic 20 Sleeping Bag - Men's

The [Kelty Cosmic 20 Sleeping Bag](https://www.rei.com/product/231267/kelty-cosmic-20-sleeping-bag-mens?sku=2312670002&store=208) is the best budget sleeping bag that is still duck down on the market. $150-200. Look for sales. If you want to ditch down and go even cheaper with synthetic you can buy the [REI Co-op Trailmade 20 Sleeping Bag](https://www.rei.com/product/217592/rei-co-op-trailmade-20-sleeping-bag) for around $100 or less on sale. My advice would be to make a little but of an investment and go with something down. Will be lighter and more compact.

I’ve been on two trips including Colorado/Collegiate peaks with that sleeping pad and it’s been fine for me so far! We went in early July. I would swap the sleeping bag for a down one that will pack smaller. I used the Kelty Cosmic 20 Down. If I had one more layer I would’ve been perfect but it did get a little chilly at night. I would also swap the sawyer for a life straw. Flow rate is much better and it’s built into the bag. That seems a little expensive for fuel so you might pick that up at REI locally.

The Kelty Cosmic 20 is honestly a good starting point if you’re still figuring out what kind of backpacker you are. Yes it’s a bit heavier than the high-end stuff but it’s dependable, warm enough for the Sierras or the desert in shoulder seasons and forgiving when you’re still learning how to treat down. Down bags last decades if they’ve been kept dry so it’s easy to find a used sleeping bag with higher quality for the same price as a new Cosmic maybe on eBay or geartrade. [9 Best Sleeping Bags For Camping and Backpacking](https://alaskanarrows.com/best-sleeping-bags-for-camping-and-backpacking/) can help with the others Also if you’re mostly doing trips in SoCal, you’ll probably never need a 0°F bag. A 20°F down bag with a proper pad and a light fleece layer will cover 95% of nights out here.

I have the kelty cosmic down 20 and it it fantastic. Also about half the price of the ones you mentioned.

I have the kelty cosmic down 20 and it’s great. I’ve used it down to just below  freezing and was toasty at night.

10000% get a different sleeping bag. I have that exact bag and while it is very warm, it is unbearably heavy for backpacking (it’s 6lbs!). The Kelty Cosmic 20 (down filling) is much lighter and won’t break the bank

If its of any interest I have a kelty cosmic 20 thats only ever been used in my roof top tent. I can send it to ya if you pay shipping. If it works for ya you can use it for the hike or ill just sell it to ya cheap. Edit to add im in wnc in Waynesville

Kelty Cosmic 20 is a pretty commonly mentioned quality bag for the price. I’m in a similar situation as you and only go a few times a year, but mostly in the fall and late winter, and have used the Cosmic 20 with no issues. The footbox is a little narrow but hasn’t bothered me. It’s around $200 at REI depending on the length you get and you also get REIs warranty and return policy. I’ve also looked at and have been intrigued by some of the Paria products but haven’t tried any yet.

Mine compresses fine for my bag, which is a 55L Kelty Asher. Zero problems getting it in there with the provided stuff sack, and, it could compress smaller if I bought a true compression bag for it. The only other thing I have to compare it to is the Kelty Mistral 20, which was way bulkier, and a Teton 0 degree mummy bag, which was also way bulkier.