Kelty Light Year 25 Review

"My wife and I just returned from a backpacking trip in the north Georgia mountains. We each had one of the Light Year bags in conjunction with a Thermarest Expedition pad and they were great. The temperature got down to around 25 at night and we were both toasty and comfortable (even my wife who is always cold). The half zipper is a nice, non-restrictive feature, and the girth of the bag allows for a lot of room if you are a squirmy sleeper like me. Finally, the bag really does compress into a stuff sack smaller than a 2 liter soda bottle. No negatives that I can think of."

"Lousy bag would not keep me warm at 37 degrees.After one year of use it fails to loft up.It is strictly a summer bag for 45 degrees plus."

"I've only used this bag twice now...once when it was so warm out I mostly slept outside the bag, and then just last weekend. On the last hike the temp was well above freezing (didn't have a thermometer, but I'm sure it was no colder than the mid-30's) and I was COLD all night! Granted, I slept in short underwear, socks & a long-sleeve t-shirt, but I had the strings drawn completely around my face and I was chilled all night. I'm thinking of giving the bag one more chance, but if it doesn't perform again, thank God for REI's return policy.

On a positive note: This is the first true mummy bag I've owned/slept in and I was pleasantly surprised how good it felt. I'm about 6' 6" and 230 lbs. and I didn't feel constricted at all. I kinda liked having the bag turn with me when I flopped around at night. I also liked the material it's made of. When sleeping in sleeping bags I usually wear long sleepwear just so my skin doesn't touch the material of the bag, but the Light Year didn't bother me in that way. I just wish it kept me warmer!!"

"This bag does compact down to a small size and is very light. Those are the plus side of the bag. The 25 degree rating is very optimistic. I have slept in the bag down to the mid 30's and have stayed comfortable in long sleeve t-shirt and socks. But, if it get colder, watch out. I bought the fleece liner and tried to use it with long underwear and got cold down below freezing.

This bag is only should be used in temperatures above the mid-30's."

"I have used my LightYear for three years now and found it is not a summer bag.(Too Hot) I have used it in Arkansas on a night that the temperture dropped to 24 degrees. I stayed very warm. My water did not, it froze. The next bag I purchase will probably be the 45 deg. synthetic version."

"I'm sad to see all of the bad reviews about this bag because it's become one of my favorite camping/backpacking items. It's very light and has kept me warm even on cold nights. It's a very comfortable bag and I have no regrets about it."

"I have used the bag on countless nights near the freezing point.

As a warm sleeper I find the temp rating accurate.

I had low expectations with this bargin bag. The basic expectations were met.

It does what a synthetic bag should i.e. stay dry in cool moist conditions that make down risky.

If you do winter outings in the south or late springs in the inner mountain west you should be okay around 32."

"I do not know what the criteria that is used to determine the temp. rating on a bag, but if it is to be comfortable then this is not a 25 degree bag. If the criteria is that you will survive with this bag at 25 degrees than yes it is a 25 degree bag. No other complaints though, it is great 35 or 40 degree bag."