REI Co-op - Trailmade 20 Sleeping Bag

The Zephyr is going to pack much smaller than the Trailmade. I wouldn't recommend the Trailmade for backpacking - it's just too bulky. You are asking for a hard combo... quality + cheap + warm + light Down insulation is best for backpacking. Synthetic is never going to pack as small/light as down.

If you want light weight, small packed size and good temp rating… the magma by REI is the best bang for the buck… because of the size choices. If that is to much… The Trailmade is super inexpensive, and comes in a variety of lengths and widths. It is not as light, nor as compactable. If you were in the store, I would ask a whole bunch of questions… side, back or stomach sleeper? Do you roll? Where do you normally get cold? What is the likelihood of the bag getting wet? Etc… etc… I’d ask because there are so many options and each kind of sleeper works with a different kind of bag. But if you want the lightest and most compact… and best bang for the buck… the magma is the way to go? also do not forget to buy or make a liner. No sleeping back should be used without one!

I think your thought process is great. As a greenvest, my advice is always to use what you’ve got, then upgrade when you feel comfortable doing so. To your other concerns: Weight/packed size — Go to REI and ask to put them both in a compression sack. That’ll give you a good sense of that compressed volume and weight in the hand. Water resistance - Down and outer fabrics have come a long way since the old days, so they hold up to condensation and a little rain pretty well. You don’t want to dunk a down bag in a lake, but you also wouldn’t want to do that with a synthetic. It’d be a cold, uncomfortable night either way. Couple other thoughts: - The Radiant is comfort-rated to 25F, the Trailmade to 31F. So not only is the Radiant one pound lighter, it’s a fair bit warmer. - Down will last longer than synthetic — a lot longer if you take proper care of it. We’re talking decades. Synthetics tend to degrade over time, shed microplastics and lose their temp rating. They also get stinkier.

You don't need to upgrade since you have a serviceable bag for 30\* temperatures that you don't hate, but in my opinion it would still be really worth it to get the Radiant. The trail made works and is effective safety equipment, but you start getting a nice bag at the radiant level. It's still a "backpacking mummy" shape, but it's the roomiest cut we have in that category. The material is better and feels much nicer on your skin. It's more than a few degrees warmer, and the 600 fp down will last for ages with basic maintenance. The down is treated to be hydrophobic (pretty much all down these days is) so it isn't easy to saturate unless you fall in a river and don't bother getting out for a couple minutes. The face hole-lining and the top of the footbox incorporate synthetic insulation just in case since those are frequent moisture areas. It packs up smaller and is about a pound lighter. It's a compelling buy at $200 and IMO a no-brainer at $140. You don't get perfection in a $200 bag - tbh I still like my roomier Nemo bags better. But the Radiant is fantastic and you would notice a serious difference from the trail made. If you have the cash and think a warmer, more comfortable bag would help you sleep better while you're trying out new things, I would definitely recommend it.

IF you can afford it. And IF you see a need for it, the answer is yes. The Radiant is a terrific bag for the cost. But I'm not really reading that in your post, and the Trailmade is an okay bag that likely suits your needs, and may for a couple years. Despite working for REI, I'm also wary about hyper consumerism driving everything. I agree with the others posts. Use what you already have first, upgrade when you feel comfortable doing so, or really have a true need for an item. If you have plans for a few backpacking trips, can really see the weight difference being a factor, then go ahead and pull the trigger. Otherwise, you're probably fine just saving your money. I personally like having both a synthetic and down bag. But I use down almost always. What of it's a wet trip? It actually takes quite a bit to get a sleeping bag wet, especially if you keep it in a dry bag, and only use it in your tent. You'd need to be somewhere like backpacking the Olympic Coast in spring, or in tropical downpours and humidity, where after a while the moisture gets into everything. And that takes a while.

None of those are super budget friendly, I got a rei trailmade 20 that yes is kind of bulky but was only 70 bucks at memorial day

There's a difference between comfort and limit ratings, my REI trailmade 20 is limit rated to 20°F but comfort rates to 31°F so I really don't take it into anything below 35 or so. I would get a warmer sleeping bag for colder temperatures

Prepare for a torrent of recommendations. My $0.02: buy the cheapest, and if it doesn’t work for you, or it breaks, then upgrade. Nothing wrong with an REI flash backpack, REI half dome tent for 2, and an REI trail made 20 sleeping bag