Kelty Light Year Down 40º

[most comfortable]

Despite its light weight, this 15°F bag is not the best choice for alpine starts, as our tester learned the hard way. “I’ve never had such a hard time getting out of a sleeping bag,” he says. “I was just too cozy.” With stretchy nylon shell fabric, diagonal baffles, and seams sewn with elasticized thread, the Hugger has the roominess of a big-boy bag, but the weight and quick heat-up time of an ultralight cocoon (an earlier version won our Editors’ Choice Award in 2009). And the 800-fill down bag has an incredible comfort range.

The overstuffed draft collar, double draft tubes, and snug hood kept testers warm in the teens (no surprise). Yet the breathability of the 12-denier nylon shell and the ventability of the three-quarter-length, two-way zipper let one tester sleep sweat-free in the low 60s in humid Vermont (nice surprise). And the DWR-treated shell is effective, says a tester: “I spent a gusty night in a floorless tent on Colorado’s St. Mary’s Glacier. Spindrift melted and pooled on the bag all night, but not a drop came through.” $379; 2 lbs. 7 oz. (long); reg. and long; montbell.us Hip length anti-snag zipper with separate zippered foot vent

External snap loops allow bag to be used as a liner.

Sleeping pad security loops.

Soft Pongee lining.

Ground level side seams prevent heat from escaping.

Differential cut to maximize loft and warmth.

Ultralight compression stuff sack included.

Warm weather, unisex bag.