User Review: The North Face Men's Cat's Meow

My gal and I just bought the Cat's Meow (she got the women's version) and we took them on a overnight camping trip to try them out. We thought it would be a good test since the forecast was clear with a low of 35 degrees.

To sum it up... I was toasty and she got a little cold. I was surprised to hear her say it so thought I would check the weather when I got home. To my surprise the actual low was 29 with a 4 hr avg of 30. So my review is... very good bag.

I think if it's going to be warm at 20 degrees you will need a good underpad with strong R-rating and a silk liner. We only camp below 40 degrees twice a year so this is going to be a great bag for us.

Enjoy!

Update: October 18, 2011

I agree that a bags temp and comfort level can change from person to person.

I use a Sea to Summit Thermo Reactor liner with a Therm-a-Rest Base Camp pad (if on the ground).

I have used my Cat's Meow camping for a week in 15 degrees at the Grand Canyon and countless nights from 20-30 degrees in cool damp conditions both on my pad and in my Eagles Nest hammock.

In ALL of those situations — by hit and miss — I find myself wearing my Under Armour cold weather base, and a heavy REI fleece (tops and bottoms) along with my SmartWool socks and a beanie. I try to always know what the temp is going to be and can layer to control comfort and usually sleep very well.

I know I'm pushing the limits of this bag on some nights, but based of my sleeping temp, the conditions I camp, I would say this bag is not comfortable for me at 20-25 degrees in just a base layer on a pad. For 25 or below, I need my liner, a base layer, and the fleece.

That aside, this is a very nice bag, has held up very well and looks and feels as good as the day I got it. I would definitely recommend the bag but think my next bag is going to be a 0 degree bag that I can use for camping in 10-20 degree weather.

Call me cold!  Call me Sally!

Cheers!