GoLite Ultra Sleeping Bag: 20 Degree Down

Just used this bag for the first time in the Pecos Wilderness and I was cold in the 40 degree nights at 12,000 feet - even when wearing my fleece jacket, capilene long johns, etc. True, it was damp outside and I was just under a tarp.... But even though the bag stayed totally dry, I was cold.... Since I am usually in warmer weather, I will keep this VERY light top bag but will add a fabric bottom to it for ease of use. I didn't like the straps, which kept sliding around under the pad whenever I moved.

take note, this isn't a "bag". Its a quilt, and not for everyone. I have made my own quality down quilts both for top and hammock bottom insulation, and have compared the Ultra directly to brands like Nunatak and Jacks-r-Better. The Ultra is at least as nice as those two, but is made in China which swayed my dollar to find its way to a "cottage" gear maker. still the Ultra is a valuable piece of gear and Id give it a performance rating of 4 out of 5. Catch it on sale, you wont regret it.

I was skeptical at first on how well the Ultra 20 would last in cold weather after hearing mixed reviews. I recently bought this quilt from this site and tried it in Yosemite. It got down to freezing temperatures and I woke up with frost on my bivy sack. Surprisingly I was quite warm for the most part, but my toes were a little cold. This was due to not changing my socks before going to sleep and the perspiration around my feet rapidly cooling (my fault). I was wearing most of my warm clothing to sleep, which is what you're supposed to do with a quilt like this, and it worked quite well. The Ultra 20 is super light and when used correctly will keep you warm at night. Another great product from GoLite.

The light weight and reasonable price are unreal & it translates into poor performance. I've tried this bag in the 30 degree range a few times and it was really cold. Very disappointed with this bag. I plan on going with a Montbell UL SS Downhugger #1 & using this bag over it to bring it to sub-zero ratings. Lesson learned is that it's worth spending the cash for the right stuff. Would avoid this bag if you're looking for an "all around" bag unless you plan on using it for 45 degrees or warmer.

The light weight and reasonable price are unreal & it translates into poor performance. I've tried this bag in the 30 degree range a few times and it was really cold. Very disappointed with this bag. I plan on going with a Montbell UL SS Downhugger #1 & using this bag over it to bring it to sub-zero ratings. Lesson learned is that it's worth spending the cash for the right stuff. Would avoid this bag if you're looking for an "all around" bag unless you plan on using it for 45 degrees or warmer.

Since this quilt is new to me I haven't had the chance to push it to its limits yet. But, it has been used down to the low 30's and is toasty, at 20 degrees it might be pushing this quilt for me as I'm a cold sleeper and love lots more insulation then I really need, wearing extra cloths works for me. The nylon taffeta used on the inside feels soooo much like silk it's like sleeping at a 4 star hotel in the middle of the wilds, and the views are so much better. I have yet to sweat out the down or have the bag exposed to more than a slight drizzle but so far the quilt has stayed dry and the very little dampness from normal sleep dries up within minutes of flipping the bag inside out in the morning. This quilt also cuts about a pound and a half from my comparable sleeping bag and packs much smaller, about the size of a 2 liter bottle without the neck. I have used a spray bottle on the Pertex Endurance parts and the water beads up and rolls off easily so I'd trust this quilt in a tarp in most weather except possibly torrential downpours where I'd be using a bivy sack anyways. The loft is between 2.5" and 3" so it's 20 degree rating is pretty close to spot on depending on your personal biological heat engine. So far I have no dislikes about this quilt. It works with many different sizes and shapes of sleeping pads and the eyelets for the sleeping pad straps work brilliantly- when I turn in my sleep the eyelets slide along the straps so no airways open up to chill me awake. I've even taken to using it at home as it is far more indulgent then my normal quilt. Only one wish though, it would be nice if it had a cinch closed foot box to help heat regulation a bit more and allow for more uses around the campsite. All in all this is now my favorite sleeping bag/quilt and absolutely brilliant when used in a hammock or on the ground. This quilt will get a five star rating if it's still doing its job well in a few years but for now it's a close to a five as I've yet encountered. Light, packs small, toasty warm, easily adjustable, feels so good against the skin, normal dampness dries quickly so what more could you ask for? Okay it would be nice if 800 down were cheaper but at this price compared to comparable rated sleeping bags it's close to half the cost anyway, so pony up the baksheesh and sleep like a king/queen while everyone else is still cursing the weight and zippers of their traditional sleeping bags.