Sierra Designs Solar Flare 5

[killer deal]

Whether you’re a cold sleeper who needs a 15°F bag in 30°F temps, or a shoulder-season hiker who wants a little insurance for nights that dip into the teens, the Pyro is the economical solution. SD uses 600-fill down to make it affordable, but 30-denier polyester inside and out makes the bag more compressible than average for lower-priced models (think smallish watermelon). And it’s warm, says our tester, who particularly liked the way down lofts reliably thick over the torso area.

Testers also praised the roomy cut combined with a snug, sculpted hood, which balances roll-around comfort with heat-trapping efficiency. “It was warm in subfreezing temps,” says a tester, “yet the full-length zipper kept me from overheating on an early-summer night in Great Sand Dunes National Park. And the zipper runs incredibly smoothly, thanks to double backers that work like Crisco-slathered train tracks.” Comes with pad straps. $250; 2 lbs. 13 oz.; 15°F