2005 Zero Degree Sleeping Bag Review
By Matt Smith and John Walter

Over the past 3 months we have been testing several 0 degree sleeping bags. Because the sleeping environments for synthetic and down bags are so different, we thought the only fair way to make a comparison was to test a down and a synthetic sleeping bag from each manufacturer where possible. Many of the bags in this review are new for Fall 2004 / Spring 2005. Manufacturers temperature ratings vary wildly, as do each individuals comfort zones and metabolism, so our perception of how warm each bag is correspondingly subjective, and therefore should be taken with a grain of salt.

All of these bags have the mandatory features including insulated draft collars, draft tubes, 2 way adjustable hoods, zipper stiffeners, and baffles of various shapes. We'll do our best in this review to point out things, both good and bad that make these bags different.

EMS Mountain Light 0
The Mountain Light 0 is the first bag I have tested from Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS). The Mountain Light has 750 fill power down for insulation. The dual draft tubes on either side of the zipper do a good job keeping the breeze out. At 3 lb. 1 oz. the Mountain Light is in the middle of the pack for weight in the down bags.

I found the Mountain Light comfortable for 0-10 degree nights. By the time temperatures get up to the 20's I found it warm enough to remove the hood completely and unzip the zipper half way up from the bottom. That's when I discovered that the bottom zipper pull doesn't swing around to the inside. That made it rather inconvenient to vent the bag.

Once cinched down, the hood fit quite well, providing a hole that fit nicely from my eyebrows to just below my mouth. The draft collar was one of the best in the group. Two very large velco tabs kept the zipper side closed even when the collar was cinched down tight, and I was thrashing around in the bag.

Summary: For $259, you get quite a bit of bang for your buck, especially for a down bag. If you don't need the top of the line, and want a good compromise between cost and weight, the Mountain Light 0 is a nice choice.

For more information contact:
Eastern Mountain Sports
www.easternmountainsports.com
One Vose Farm Road
Peterborough, NH 03458
603-924-9571

EMS Velocity 5
The Velocity from EMS has Primaloft insulation with a Pertex Quantum shell. The Primaloft offers a great warmth to weight ratio while the Pertex makes it comfortable to the touch, and a bit more quiet in the tents at night. It also packs down to an incredibly small size for a winter bag.

While the Velocity is rated to 5 degrees Fahrenheit, Walt, who admittedly sleeps cold, found this bag a little chilly as temps dipped to around 10 degrees. The Velocity has a half zipper and a very small draft collar. He slept with a shirt around his shoulders on the colder nights to help keep the warmth in. The hood, however, cinched down comfortably over the face and provided ample protection. Surprisingly, the Velocity has plenty of room in the girth and a generous toebox, which made this bag very comfortable.

Summary: At only 3 lbs 4 oz, the Velocity feels like an ultralight bag for colder weather camping. It lacks many of the features you'd find on a full featured winter bag, but what it lacks in features it saves in weight. While we wouldn't recommend this as a bag for 0 degree temps, it's more than adequate for early spring/late fall trips, and at only $199, it's hard to beat.

For more information contact:
Eastern Mountain Sports
www.easternmountainsports.com
One Vose Farm Road
Peterborough, NH 03458
603-924-9571

EMS Boreal 0
Constructed with Pertex Microlight shell and Polarguard Delta insulation, the Boreal was one of the heavier bags that we reviewed, weighing in at 4 lbs. 1oz. However, don't let the weight fool you. We found the Boreal 0 to be a solid winter sleeping bag.

The Boreal 0 is offered in both a men's and women's configuration and is the only women's bag that we tested for this review. The bag has a generous draft collar, an ample hood and plenty of room in the girth. The A-Flex® construction from EMS really helps to keep the loft up for this bag, adding to the insulating ability. At temps below 10 degrees, our female testers remained comfortably warm at night. And for only $159, you can't go wrong.

For more information contact:
Eastern Mountain Sports
www.easternmountainsports.com
One Vose Farm Road
Peterborough, NH 03458
603-924-9571

Mountain Hardwear 3rd Dimension
The 3rd Dimension is a standard Mountain Hardwear sleeping bag. It has all of the features you would expect from a quality manufacturer. The ample draft tube did an excellent job sealing up the zipper, especially when the Expander zipper is zipped shut, providing a larger, second draft tube.

When zipped open, the Expander provides an additional 8 inches of girth in the bag, while only sacrificing a little warmth. The extra room is nice, especially on warmer nights, of if you have a large frame. The extra insulation and zipper come at a small price, the 3rd Dimension weighs in at 3 lb. 11 oz., one if the heavier synthetic bags in the group.

The hood was moderately comfortable, but I found the distance between the draft collar and the end of the hood was a little short. This may have been because I was in a regular length bag, and at 6'-0", I am pushing the high end of the size range for a medium bag. Another tester who is slightly shorter found he had the same issues with the 3rd Dimension. This is probably due to the constuction of the cinch cord for the hood. Elastic cord was used under the chin while nylon ribbon was thread through the hood. Invariably the ribbon would slip and it felt like the bag was riding up under the chin too much.

I slept a little cool at 10 degrees. I wasn't so cold that I couldn't sleep, but when I woke up in the morning, I was anxious to get some warm oatmeal down the gullet. While my feet weren't crammed into the bottom, there wasn't any extra room. This probably comtributed to me sleeping cool.

Summary: At $209, a name brand bag like the Mountain Hardwear 3rd Dimension is a good buy. You get the quality and experience of a professional grade company at an entry level price.

For more information contact:
Mountain Hardwear
www.mountainhardwear.com
4911 Central Avenue
Richmond, California 94804
510-559-6700

Mountain Hardwear Phantom 0
At 2 lb. 10 oz. the Mountain Hardwear Phantom 0 is square in the middle of the pack for down bags. With 800 fill power down and ultra light shell fabric, the Phantom falls in the ultra light category. It packs down surprisingly small for a 0 degree bag.

I slept incredibly warm in the Phantom, even in the frigid Alberta winter. Wither temperatures dipping to 5 degrees, I didn't even have to cinch down the hood all the warm. Though I always take a beany to bed with me, I never had ocassion to take it out. I found this bag was one of the warmest in the group. The long size fit my 6' frame excellently, and I had plently of room to move around and get comfortable.

Summary: This bag is excellent quality, and was among the top 5 tested in this group. At $390, it isn't a Scout bag, but for the price you get a front range expedition grade bag. If you do a lot of late fall through early spring trips in temperatures around 0 degrees, I would seriously look into the Phantom 0.

For more information contact:
Mountain Hardwear
www.mountainhardwear.com
4911 Central Avenue
Richmond, California 94804
510-559-6700

Marmot Lithium
The Marmot Lithium is a great bag. Weighing in at 2 lb. 8 oz., the Lithium is the second lightest bag in the group. The 900 fill power down packs down smaller than most of the other down bags in the group. Consistent with Marmot's standard of quality, the Lithium has as much luxury as you can cram into an expedition sleeping bag. The Marmot Face Muff continues to be one of my favorite features. There just isn't a more comfortable traditional hood out there.

I took the Lithium on the same test trip to Alberta, Canada as the Sierra Designs Flash and the Mountain Hardwear Phantom 0. I found all three bags to be roughly equivalent for warmth. Though I did sleep with the hood on, I never got cold enough to cinch the hood down snug.

The draft collar and draft tube are over stuffed and comfortable, keeping the chilly air out, and the warm air in.

Summary: The Marmot Lithium is the most expensive bag we tested at $439, but don't be fooled. The price gets you a lot more than just a name. This bag is in the top 3 of the group in my opinion. A excellent late season bag.

For more information contact:
Marmot Mountain Ltd.
www.marmot.com
2321 Circadian Way
Santa Rosa, CA 95407
707-544-4590
info@marmot.com

Sierra Designs Flash
I won't keep you in suspense any longer. The Sierra Designs Flash is my favorite bag in the group. There are a few unique features that make the Flash different than the rest of the bags we tested, down or otherwise. First, the hood is not the traditional shape, integrated into oblong lines of a typical mummy bag. Instead, it fits like a hugely overstuffed hoody. Cinched down tight, it fits much more like a coat hood than a sleeping bag. The stuffed draft tube around the hood seals comfortably around your face, without creating the usual "blow hole". Hands down, the Flash has the most comfortable hood I have EVER slept in.

Second, the bottom of the foot features a small zip sometimes seen on summer bags. This may seem counter intuitive, but with the 1/2 length zipper, it is essential to provide ventilation to the bottom of the bag. I tend to have warm feet, so the ability to hang my toes or even feet out the bottom gave me a lot more versatility. I was able to sleep comfortably in 20 degree Wasatch nights with the vent open, and in 0 degree Alberta nights with the vent closed.

The Flash packs down almost as small as the Marmot Lithium, and at 2 lb. 7 oz. it is the lightest in the group. You might think with all these unique features the Flash would be overly expensive, but among the down bags, it is actually in the middle of the pack at $389 for the expedition grade bags.

Summary: This sleeping bag is my favorite of the year. It is lightweight, innovative, and very warm. If you are looking for a quality, versatile bag, and have a couple Ben Franklins to spare, I would definitely put this bag on my short list.

For more information contact:
Sierra Designs
www.sierradesigns.com
2011 Cherry Street Unit #202
Louisville, CO 80027
800 (635-0461)

Sierra Designs Santa Fe
While the Santa Fe isn't a cadillac like it's elder brother the Flash, in its own right, it is a very functional sleeping bag. Intended for less technical adventures in cold weather, the Santa Fe has 600+ Down, and weighs in at an even 3 lb., which is quite light when compared to the other 650 down bags in the group which all more at least a half pound more.

The hood on the Santa Fe is par for the course. It fit well enough to keep me warm. I didn't note that it was either exceptionally comfortable or uncomfortable. In fact, I wouldn't say there is anything overly unique about the Santa Fe. It met my expectations for warmth and comfort.

I found the Santa Fe to be less warm than many bags in the group, and was starting to feel cool at around 10 degrees. I was thankful the pre-dawn chill wasn't any colder, or I probably would have been.

Summary: With a very reasonable price of just $239, the Santa Fe is among the least expensive bags in the group. It would make an excellent bag for someone who does some fall and spring camping, but rarely ventures into the depths of winter.

For more information contact:
Sierra Designs
www.sierradesigns.com
2011 Cherry Street Unit #202
Louisville, CO 80027
800 (635-0461)

Moonstone 650 Great Divide
Moonstone is famous for their high quality down sleeping bags and the 650 Great Divide doesn't disappoint. This bag is constructed with a 40D Pertex Diamond Rip shell with a DWR finish and a 50D Taffeta liner. Instead of a draft collar, the Great Divide has a shoulder yoke that fits snugly around the shoulders and neck to seal off any cool draft that might blow down the bag. Moonstone uses a variable fill plan for the down to concentrate more down in areas that need more insulation. With only 650 fill down, this bag sports a full 10 inches of loft. The hood cinches down comfortably around your head and is easy to adjust using the dual cords-one for the top of the hood and one for the bottom.

The Great Divide also has what Moonstone calls Ground Level Side Seams which are exactly what they sound like. Instead of the side seams of the bag running laterally down the bag in the middle, they've move the seams to be at the ground level. This allows for more insulation on the sides which tend to have dead spots in most bags. While using ths bag in the Wasatch this winter, Walt found that it kept him warm to 10 degrees-when temps were hovering at 0 then he was a little too cold for comfort. Although the draft tube is well protected and stays out of the zipper, it seemed a little skimpy. That's really the only thing we can find about this bag that we didn't like. The 650 Great Divide has a suggested retail price of $250 and weighs in at 3lbs 1oz.

For more information contact:
Moonstone Mountain Equipment
www.moonstone.com
1700 Westlake Avenue North
Suite 200
Seattle, Washington 98109
800-877-8878

Moonstone Delta Maxima
The synthetic alter ego of 650 Great Divide is the Delta Maxima, which uses Polarguard Delta for the insulation. Polarguard Delta is a continuous synthetic fiber insulation that compresses better than regular Polarguard. This increases the warmth to weight ration of the bag as well. Using Polarguard Delta in their synthetic bags this season allows Moonstone to make a bag that has the same comfort rating, while lowering the weight and increasing the compressibility of their bags.

The Delta Maxima is the latest iteration of the original line of Moonstone bags. While the Great Divide is a full featured bag, the Delta Maxima has a few less features that give it better pricing. The most notable difference is instead of a shoulder yoke, the Delta Maxima has a draft collar around the top of the bag. The draft collar has a drawcord to pull the collar close around your body to minimize drafts. It has the same design in hood and drawcords, sports the same Ground Level Side Seams, and glow in the dark zipper pulls.

Walt tested this bag and has this to say:
"This was the first bag that I tested and like a temperamental first love, I had a hard time letting go of the Moonstone Delta Maxima, even when I felt like it wasn't showing me the love. While testing this bag in single digit temperatures I felt chilly, feeling as though I was getting the cold shoulder from the smaller draft collar. If I stayed in temps from 10-20 degrees Fahrenheit, then I slept a little more comfortably. Probably the reason that I was so loyal to this bag is that it took good care of me when I found myself feverish and tent bound on one of my test trips. Bottom line: this definitely wasn't the warmest or most comfortable bag that I tested, but it was adequate for all but the coldest of winter nights."

For more information contact:
Moonstone Mountain Equipment
www.moonstone.com
1700 Westlake Avenue North
Suite 200
Seattle, Washington 98109
800-877-8878

Bask Mustang XL
Bask, a Russian mountain equipment company has been producing mountaineering and recreational equipmentd for quite some time, but is just beginning to get serious distribution in north america. The Mustang is the first sleeping bag we have ever looked at from Bask.

My initial impression was that the Mustang was like a work truck, lacking some of the gadgets and luxuries of a touring sedan, but boasting plenty of low end power. A quick examination of the bag confirmed quality construction.

The Mustang features all of the expected draft tubes, anatomic hood, and zipper. I was impressed with how roomy the hood seemed even once I had cinched it up, minimizing the claustrophobic effect I got in some of the bags. The girth at the shoulders was ample, giving me more room than most of the other bags, which I appreciated.

The Mustang is definitely among the warmest bags in the group. Rated with a comfort zone from -10 C to +10 C (15 to 50 F), I was sweating at 20 with the zipper half way down and the hood loose around my head. I didn't even zip it all the way up until the temps dropped to around 10.

Summary: If you are looking for warmth, this bag has plenty to offer. The generous cut made sleeping quite comfortable. At $359, the Mustang is on par with some of hte nicer bags in the group in terms of both price and quality, though it is a little on the heavy side, weighing 3 lb. 15 oz.

For More Information Contact:
Bask Canada
www.BaskCanada.com
6412 180 Street
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
T5T 2J6
780-487-1672
thebask@telusplanet.net

Kelty Zephyr
Kelty has long filled the void between the expensive professional brands, and the ratty department store brands, offering recreational outdoor products, much cheaper than most competitors. The Zephyr is the flagship in a compeltely reworked line of Kely sleeping bags.

The Zephyr cradles you in 650 fill power down, which feels especially good when you realize you only had to pay $140 for the bag you're sleeping in. While some of the finishing touches like smooth seams and easy operation of the zipper at the curved hood were a little lacking, it was easy to overlook them based on the price.

I stayed warm in the Zephyr in the low teens, but not so warm I would have wanted it to get much colder. For me, I think that somewhere between 5 and 10 degrees would have been the comfort threshold.

Summary: If you're on a tight budget, and need a functional bag without a lot of frills, the Zephyr is a great choice. You'll get many of the same features offered on more expensive bags, without emptying your checking account.

For more information contact:
Kelty
www.kelty.com
6235 Lookout Road
Boulder, CO 80301
800-423-2320

Slumberjack Baffin 0
When I pulled the Baffin out of it's stuff sack, I thought to myself, "this feels like a sheet". The down felt loose and free inside the baffles, and the fabric on the outside was incredibly soft. Soon the down lofted up and I was surprised at how big the bag got.

The draft collar on the Baffin 0 is overstuffed, oversized, and exceptionally comfortable, as is the draft tube. Unfortunately a chinook was blowing through when I tested this bag in Alberta and temperatures barely dipped below freezing. Subsequent testing in the Wasatch revealed the Baffin was plenty warm to deserve the 0 degree rating.

With temperatures around 10 degrees, I was completely comfortable with the hood cinched lightly. It felt like the cut was just right, without extra volume where it wasn't necessary, but loose enough through the hips and shoulders to be comfortable.

Summary: At $199, you can't beat the price for this 650 down bag. For early and late season trips for the value minded outdoorsman, this would be an excellent bag.

For More Information Contact:
Slumberjack www.slumberjack.com
PO Box 7048-A
St. Louis, MO 63117
800-233-6283

Matt Smith is the canyoneering specialist at GearReview.com, and dislikes finding fish and other such oddities in his sleeping bag.

John Walter is the Managing Editor and Climbing Specialist at GearReview.com, and always offers to carry the heaviest pack.