ALPS Mountaineering | Zenith +30° Sleeping Bag

Oh boy, where do I start? I bought this ALPs bag as a replacement for my old one, which tragically met its doom in the washing machine. The down in that one bunched up into a stubborn clump and no amount of tennis ball therapy could bring it back to life. A quick backlight test proved that the down had given up on its job of evenly spreading warmth. Now, imagine my surprise when this brand new ALPs bag showed a strikingly similar pattern under the light! It was like déjà vu, but not the good kind. Needless to say, I'm far from impressed. This bag and I, we're parting ways.

I'm genuinely puzzled by the low ratings this bag has received. My only gripe? It's so toasty that I can't zip it up entirely at night! This bag is incredibly lightweight and packs down to a compact size, making it perfect for my spring and fall trips. As for the comments about it being too thin, here's a tip: Shake it out as soon as you remove it from the compression sack and let it sit for a while. This allows the down to fluff up to its full loft. Yes, it's not a 'jump-in-and-go' kind of bag, but in my experience, this is true for all down bags. All things considered, this is hands-down the best bag I've used till date.

This 30-degree bag did good job for me. First ever backpacking trip I take it, no complaints from me. If hammocking, use sleeping pad recommended. Otherwise, body heat you will lose fast from bottom. Bag liner use also recommended for extra warm and keep inside clean. It was light weight and compacted nice.

I've got to say, this bag is pretty sweet. The way it compresses down to almost nothing is pure magic! I tested it out in Michigan in September and boy, was it cozy. I'm pretty sure it'll hold up even in late fall. The only thing that gives me pause is the zipper - it's a tad finicky and catches sometimes. I just hope I don't pull too hard and cause a snag. But hey, so far, so good!