User Review: Kelty Men's Light Year Down 0

I bought this bag mainly for my wife who sleeps a bit could. We backpack mainly in NM, CO, AZ, UT where spring/fall temps can be ~15F at night.

I tested this bag for three nights on a 20 mile hike in the Gila Wilderness this past Dec. Night time temps, as measured with an old REI keychain thermometer, were as follows: 1st night was 0degF, 2nd was 10F, 3rd was 15F. Thermometer accuracy is probably about +/-3degF. I slept atop a Thermo-Rest Expedition under the open sky at an average 8500 ft elevation. Ground was either snow covered (4-6") or frozen. I wore Patagonia Capilene 3 top and bottom and socks.

1st night I awoke early in the morning rather cold. Thick layer of frost on bag. Tore open a heat pack and managed to fall back asleep.

2nd night, same story but with thicker frost (canyon bottom). Only the shell was frosted, bag dried off quickly.

3rd night -fine, no heat pack required.

Bag evaluation:
-craftsmanship/design is adequate, not as good as Marmot or Sierra Designs, no leaking feathers. Polyester shell material seems to be permanently wrinkled. The light silver color lining will show oily body dirt around head and neck rather easily. Loft is adequate, could use more in draft tube. Zipper will snag but is no worse than any bag I've owned.

-breathability is excellent. This has always been the main criteria for my personal bag selection. I don't care for too much coating of any kind, traps body moisture and decreases down efficiency.

-temp rating, this is always subjective, I'm old and cold so I'll rate it at a 10degF max. The frost was not a defect with the bag, frost will decrease any bag's temp rating.

I subtracted half star for design and half star for temp rating. Overall, not a bad bag for the money, 3lb is manageable; it'll keep the wife warm in the spring.