The North Face Blue Kazoo Sleeping Bag: 15 Degree Down - 2008 BCS

The Kazoo will compress much more than the Cat's Meow. My kids use both of these bags. From my own experience, whenever I've used them occasionally, I stay warmer in the Kazoo and can sleep in a t-shirt and boxers, but need to add a layer or two in the Meow ( I'm a cold sleeper). You can get the Kazoo into a small comp sack, but it's not exactly the best thing for the down, or for having a nicely lofted bag come bedtime. From the standpoint of compressing it over, and over, and over.........day in day out, trip after trip, the synthetic may not get as small, but it doesn't lose its loft or break down like down does.

This is a great bag. Just like anything you get what you pay for. There are cheaper bags and more expensive bags. For the price you can't get any better features or quality with this bag. I have had mine over a year and love it.

This is a fantastic bag and very warm and light weight. I agree with you Phil (and your kids!). Worst thing about it is getting out on a cold morning, other than that, the Blue Kazoo is sweet and worth every washington.

Depends on when you're going, and if you're a cold/warm sleeper.

Pick a few places along your route and look up the average nightly lows for that month. If you're a cold sleeper like I am, take the lows and subtract 10-15 degrees from that low, and that will give you a good idea of the bag you should have.

If it varies wildly because you'll be in mountains part of the time, and the rest of the time in a temperate zone, you might consider bringing a 25-40 degree bag and a sleeping bag liner. For cold nights you can use the two together, and at the opposite end you can just use the liner if it's warm out.

I think a 15 degree bag is the most versatile range for 3 season outdoor use. I think it would do well if you are spending time camping outdoors, but if you are going to be hitting hostels and using it more as an indoor bag, I think something in the 30-40 degree range would be more comfortable and also save you space and weight.
Hope this helps

A fifteen degree bag can be used in all but the coldest & warmest temperatures. The Blue Kazoo will work great for lower elevation, light winter temperatures in southern Europe & you can ventilate it well for the rest of the year. A 15 or 20 degree down sleeping bag is designed for three season tent camping in the US.

Yes and Yes. I have a Mens Long Cat's Meow and my wife has a womens Long Cat's Meow and though the zippers are of a different length they mate, but the zippers on mummy bags don't go all the way to the very end of the bag, so there is still a section at the very bottom that will remain separate. Just make sure if you got the Long Left that she gets a Right zipper, or one of your bags would end up needing to be flipped upside down!