Gear Review: Kelty Ignite Down DriDown 0 Sleeping Bag
Keep warm and dry at a bargain with the Kelty Ignite DriDown 0.
[bargain warmth]
Insulation is like computer RAM—the more you want, the more you’ll spend. But the Ignite breaks that rule. This value-priced bag features 600-fill DriDown, which is more water-resistant (and faster-drying) than regular feathers. The treated down helped our tester survive a soggy night at Big Sur beneath a tarp: “The bag got plenty wet, but loft didn’t suffer, and I was impressed by how quickly the damp spots dried,” he reports. During a wind-chilled, 11°F night on the Grand Canyon’s rim, he enjoyed consistent warmth without cold zones.
A plump draft collar and zipper tube sealed in heat whether testers slept on their sides or backs. The microfiber lining feels warm when entering the bag, and the cut earned props for being both efficient and comfortable. “There was plenty of room for my shoulders, but not so much space that it was slow to heat up,” reports our 6’2” tester. The 600-fill down (cheaper and bulkier than the premium stuff) and low-cost construction techniques (like using simple box baffles) keeps the price low. (Down migration can be a problem with box baffles, but Ignite testers reported no problems.) Minor gripe: Shoulder space is tight when the draft collar is fully cinched. $260; 3 lbs. 9 oz.; 0°F; kelty.com