Blue Kazoo Sleeping Bag

I’ve had a Northface Blue Kazoo for 25 yrs. Might be getting another this season. It’s rated for 20f but I’ve only camped in 40s. IMO it’s a great temp rating. In warm temps open and use as a blanket, colder temps you can sleep with your base layer on.

FWIW, I’m a cold sleeper and I can’t remember any time I felt too cold in my 15 deg bag. Coldest I’ve been out in is probably low 20’s. I have a TNF Blue Kazoo. Love that bag. It’s been all around the world with me.

You judge backing equipment by **weight** and **pack-size** (size when packed for carrying). Can't tell that from the pictures you shared (unless someone here works for REI and knows the specifications or just shopped for gear recently and made the same choices you're working on.) Your trips as a beginner should aim for modest goals, 1-2 nights, with lower climb/distance. Once you get started, then you'll start to learn what's what \[1\]. So you can buy low-end, and learn what you really need as you go. It's one of the joys of the sport/hobby--dialing in your gear. I read peeps here say to go for a better bag. I'm not familiar with the particular item, but I've been happy with my Blue Kazoo. It packs down to 9\*17 and weighs under 2# and will go down to freezing temps. I was comfortable in the Sierras for most of three seasons. \[1\]: That X takes up too much space. I was cold for one night and had to put on my socks and wear my long undies--and I always pack **merino wool** long top and undies. You learn stuff like that and then dial in your gear.

Sierra Trading Post has been a great to get some gear as we get away from family/group sleep and into Scouting and solo/one person per tent trips and need more gear. Sleep bags and pads, etc are quite discounted but you have to be flexible. Just got a Marmot 2P tent 60% off ($120) and Northface 20 degree bag for $45 this year. I have 3 kids, we camp for 2-3 weeks each sunmer at a beach in CT and have it down-pat. We also winter camp in freezing temps and have pieced together gear out of necessity and experience. Trial and error is huge. So many people come past our site and comment on how handy our setup is but it just took dozens of trips to figure it out. Things I always bring: pop up gazebo. Tarps. Bungie cords. Extra tent pegs, cord, those mats people use by pools (ground cover outside tent and water goes thru, easily rinseable and pack away quick). If it rains you can make all sorts of shelter options with that to keep the fun going. Bungees are a no brainer to adapt to anything and make it work. Like duct tape. I use 20lb propane tank. Splitter hose to a single burner for coffee or castiron pan and other hose to a 17” griddle. Wind guards came after some trial and error. Stainless bbq pans to manage prepped and finished food. Easy cleanup. We have a foldable wagon that helps. Can even tow wood around on a bike in it. Everyone camps differently. Anyone who tells you you are doing it wrong is an idiot. Take what you see and make it work for you. Be flexible! Be prepared to find a better way next time! Have fun. It is the best with kids. My kids are their own people out there and it is heaven.