Kelty - Cosmic Ultra 20

Yep, mines done 10 years in all seasons. Not as warm as it used to be (stored a lot compressed) but it’s still a go to for me.

If you can wait a bit, like November - May, you'll likely find *much* better value for money from end of season sales. If it were me and I had to buy something now for that temp range I'd probably get the Women's Kelty Cosmic Ultra 20 from steep and cheap for $150. If you're not a woman don't worry, women's just means it has more room at the hips and a bit more insulation. The Ultra version of the Kelty Cosmic has 800 FP down compared to the 550 FP for the regular version, that means it packs down more and is a bit lighter. If you sleep colder consider the Sierra Designs Mobile Mummy 15 from Kaviso for $150. This is the bag I use in the winter and I love it, IMO it sleeps a good bit warmer than it's comfort rating and the ability to use your arms or walk around without getting out of the sleeping bag is incredible for cold weather camping. Here's a video of a guy testing this bag out in 23 deg weather. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-EMsTBMVKg

Bit of long read for those who are interested in the best budget set up I’ve found for comfort/space/weight. Breif overview; Naturehike Cloud Peak 2 Kelty Cosmic ultra 20 Bestway Alpinelite sleeping mat Nature hike down pants Fire Maple FMS300T stove Trekology Trek-Z poles Mini reviews below. Just had a brilliant weekend around Buttermere. Managed to put a few bits of new kit through testing and due to it all performing/holding up, ended up having the best couple of nights I’ve had since taking up the hobby.. We bagged the usual suspects of Red pike, High stile and High crag. We ended the first day at Seat and took an absolute battering by the wind from Stepping foot onto Dodd, until we landed at Seat. It was a rough night of wind and rain, but the tents held up well and the rain stopped in time for us packing away The second day was a lot easier going, with a gentle stroll back to Buttermere, a re-supply and a pub meal in Keswick, then I headed solo to Honister for a steady bimble up to Fleetwith Pike. The beauty spot at Fleetwith was already claimed by a family whose kids looked absolutely ecstatic to be there, I really hope they had a great night! I moved onto Black Star and pitched, nicely tucked away and happy with the alternative spot. There’s not much room for a tent on the top but with a careful bit of jigging about, I made it work and had an excellent night. Gear; I swapped out my well used Banshee 200 for something that I could actually sit up in and cook in without laying in cramp. I ended up with the new budget favourite, the Naturehike Cloud Peak 2. Despite its flaws, there’s plenty of mods to improve it and the main criticism of the zips snagging was easily cured with silicone spray. Even in the 40mph gusts, they didn’t cause any more grief than any other tent would. One day I might be able to afford the Hilleberg Soulo, but until then, I can just pretend in this. It really is a great tent for the money! The sleeping bag was my next step to upgrading gear. I purchased the Kelty Cosmic Ultra 20 when it was on sale for £110. This has definitely made the biggest difference in pack weight/space after switching from my Synthetic North Face Eco Trail 20. It got down to lows of around 6c and I was comfortable in just shorts and a t shirt, even a little too warm at times! It packs down really well and held me (I’m 50” around the chest for reference) quite comfortably. To lay my sleeping bag on and rest my tired 18 stone ass upon, I went with the hyped Bestway mat (wide). I didn’t have high expectations but for less than £40, it was worth a punt, since I’ve managed to have every mat (4 in total) fail on me and ruin more than a hand full of camps. It held up and didn’t loose any air on either night! I did feel a cold spot on my hip but since I’m a side sleeper and the mat isn’t particularly suited to those, I can’t really complain. It was really warm and doesn’t make as much noise as i expected, in fact, it was really quite quiet. It wasn’t as comfortable as the Trekology UL80 but it’s nowhere near as thick. All in all, a great bit of kit and I really recommend it as a good budget mat. Just make sure the rubber disk on the one way valve is centred or it WILL leak. Naturehikes down pants do the job. Warm, comfortable, highly packable. They could do with a longer length drawstring though! Another good value buy for the frugal campers that would like to enjoy a little luxury of being warm and comfortable. The FMS300T stove and cheap titanium pot, combined with a 100g canister saved me over half a kilo of unnecessary weight coming from the OEX Tacana while only costing an extra minute of time to boil some water. Well built, simple, small and light. Perfect for dehydrated meals and a cuppa. May take a while for you guys who like a steak though! Last, but by no means least. The Trekology Trek-Z poles. If you haven’t used poles and are considering it, just do it. I’m fairly fit late 30s and in the gym 4 days a week, but I still wheeze up the inclines and I find absolutely no enjoyment in enduring those tough energy sapping climbs, when I’m red faced and gasping for o2. Poles made the direct route to Red Pike more of a pleasure than a pain. Ascents are easier in general and descents are easier on the knees. The poles were easy to adjust, have metal clips and although are tad heavy, felt sturdy with my weight bearing down on them. They come in a storage bag and fit nicely in the stick slings on my pack when partially collapsed. I will absolutely not be leaving these behind on my future peak walks. They’re a game changer. I hope this post can help someone who is looking into the budget end of wild camping, I’ve been at this for a few years now and whilst not a seasoned veteran, I know I like my gear to last and be reliable whilst also returning a reasonablet length of service. I believe I’ve just about got it right with my current set up (although the Osprey pack will be going soon in favour of a Seirra Designs Flex Capacitor).

Like mentioned, they don’t have a 4 season do all specification. It’s like trying to find a winter coat that can also be a summer jacket. Hopefully my failings in buying a bag for the first time will aid you! I bought a synthetic The North Face eco trail as my first and as warm and comfortable as it was, carrying it and packing it sucked. Always go down filled, a -7c bag will take up massive amounts of space and weight if it’s synthetic, a down bag of the same rating will knock off a good 30-35% of the space and weight. I’ve just spent two consecutive nights in - [this](https://www.outdoorgb.com/p/kelty-cosmic-ultra-20%C2%B0-800-dridown-sleeping-bag---long/?currency=GBP&country=GBR&SelectedBundle=214395&SelectedItem=987465&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD_euQeU-vVn0B3toBfC8t1rXeZde&gclid=EAIaIQobChMItaaDkIqhjAMVdJFQBh2I5BnWEAQYASABEgKG3_D_BwE) - and it’s been a fantastic bag, albeit a little too warm for this weekend in the Lakes! Good luck, there’s plenty of great help in this sub and YouTube. Maybe also look at quilts.

You're not gonna touch a decent sleeping bag for under $70. Heck, the Kelty Cosmic Ultra 20 is considered a step above budget, it has an ISO Comfort rating of 31f, weighs 2lb2oz but cost $140-$150 You need to reset your expectations.

If you're not into making your own synthetic quilt as suggested above, some sleeping bags come in both a right hand zipper and a left hand zipper and can be joined together at the zippers. Looking now I'm seeing fewer options that do this than before. ☹️ For example the Women's and Men's Mountain Hardwear Bishop Pass bags are left and right zipper respectively, but neither the Kelty Cosmic Down 20 nor the REI Magma bags seem to come in alternating zipper sides. Mountain Hardwear Lamina Eco AF comes in both left and right zips. It's a synthetic bag so it's cheaper but will be a bit heavier and take up more space in your pack than a down bag. But so would a MYOG quilt as described elsewhere.

I bought 2 sleeping bags this year. I'm just not a quilt person. However my summer bag (37°), bought a Chinese brand Qezer on Amazon under $100. My winter down bag Kelty Ultra Cosmic 20 also on Amazon for under $160. Now I'm not suggesting these are the best or necessarily for you, but I'm satisfied with both of them and don't feel that they broke the bank. However, they are both made of down, significantly lighter than synthetic, and pack down to a reasonable size for my pack.

Gnarly! Sounds like some top tier "type B" fun. Early on in backpacking, after several uncomfortable, borderline worrisome nights sleep in my 20°f Kelty bag I learned the advertised temperature ratings of sleeping bags are actually the "survival rating,", meaning you won't lose any appendages to the elements. The comfort rating is always significantly warmer than the survival rating and you often have to research equipment in advance to find thst figure. I'm PNW-based, and personally, fall-winter I use a rei magma down 15 bag & neoair xtherm pad. I might not ook like Jeremiah Johnson all bundled up but I sleep like a baby. Risking death chasing the bushcraft aesthetic in a cold, damp environment isn't worth it if you lack the ability or materials to craft an adequate sleep system.

Kelty sleeping bag rated for 20 degrees. Base layer, sweats, socks, beanie. I also have a Coleman insert that’s basically like a thin blanket sewed into a sleeping bag shape for extra cold nights.

First, I would say used higher end gear is in many cases better than new cheap gear. r/ulgeartrade is your friend and so is eBay and facebook marketplace. Second, the used versions of these will probably be better than new what you have… Naturehike 65L 40.96oz $120 -> this is really big, I bet you can get away with 55L if you really want to go UL -> you can get a used kakwa 55 for like $150, just make sure you get the right size Featherstone 20 Pad 26.3oz $109 -> neoair nxt, 16oz, three season all day, I got used on Facebook marketplace for $100 Ampex 2p 64oz $170 -> noooooooo. Used xmid 2p same price. Much better, half the weight at 32oz, if you want new than lanshan 2 Kelty Cosmic 20 Mummy 39oz $180 -> if you want to go UL, need to get comfortable with quilts -> new $230, used probably $180 -> https://hammockgear.com/product/burrow/

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

I second the Kelty Cosmic 20. Great lightweight down bag for the price!! I’m from SLC and camp/backpack in the Uintas constantly and it has never let me down and always been warm enough (even in a hammock)