The North Face Pyxis Sleeping Bag: 0 Degree Climashield Neo - 2008 BCS

Super light weight - lighter than most of the -19C/0F down bags I was looking at. It lofts up instantly when you take it outta the stuff sack after a long day in the mountains. This is the first bag I've ever owned that didn't get zipper snags - honestly, not one! Perfect fall bag for the ADKs.

Just got the Fall 2009 version of this bag that has yet to become available and, living in the South, I can't really test this bag's temp rating during the summer (hence the 4-star rating....for now. However, I climbed into it in my [albeit dry] basement and by the time I got it zipped up fully, my whole body was sweating.). Adequate draft collar and the mummy shape hugs in close. The ripstop shell seems durable enough, and the full-zip zipper runs snagless. Where this bag really shines is the Climashield Neo insulation. I work at an outdoors/camping store, and never have I seen a synthetic insulation pack down so small, yet fluff up so quickly. No problems at all cramming it into the stuff sack, though you'll want to store this baby in the handy storage sack--that's about three times the size of the stuff sack--when not in the bush.

I bought this bag to abuse on overnight peakbagging trips where things can get cold and/or wet in a hurry, but this really seems like this would be a rockstar all-season, all-purpose bag--maybe three-season if you sleep cold. I'll edit this review after some field tests.

The bag is definitely great for winter backpacking. Small, light and durable too. Used it extensively on snow and snow caves, and it handles being wet fine. My only complaint is the lack of a chest baffel. When it got down to 0 I definitely wanted one, ended up using a fleece around my chest for one. So definitely recommend if small and light are your biggest concerns, cold sleepers might need a little more though.