Cosmic 20 Series

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.

I froze my ass off with the Kelty Cosmic in 2024

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.

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.

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