The perfect bag for almost any family outing, Kelty pulled out all the stops with the Luxor. The deluxe base-camping bag is distinguished by such features as a goose-down top for comfort and warmth, a synthetic bottom for added padding, and a bathtub-style construction that will keep you cozy during chilly fall evenings. Overall, the Luxor sports two insulations--the aforementioned 650-fill-power goose-down top and a Thermolite Quallo bottom--that combine to deliver a temperature rating of 20 degrees F (-7 degrees C). The bag's internal foot-box pocket, meanwhile, accommodates a heat pack, adding an extra degree of snugness when the mercury drops. And campers who really want to insulate will delight in the bag's differential cut, which helps maximize loft and warmth. The Luxor also offers several small storage pockets, including a welded external storage pocket for valuables, an internal electronics pocket for an iPod or MP3 player, and a pillow pocket. And if the bag proves too warm on a selected evening, campers can unzip the bag and open it flat for use as a blanket. Other details include a top baffle collar, a two-way locking blanket zipper, a zipper draft tube, a zippered foot vent, internal liner loops, sleeping pad security loops, and Fatman and Ribbon drawcords. The Luxor, which includes a stuff sack, measures 80 inches long by 68 inches wide, weighs 5 pounds 1 ounce, and carries a lifetime warranty.
About Kelty
Kelty is based in Boulder, Colorado, and uses the natural backdrop of the Rocky Mountains to test, create, and continually innovate within their diverse outdoor product families of Apex, Backcountry, Trail, Basecamp and KIDS gear. Kelty combines the best in new technology with a healthy dose of common sense to create exceptionally made, affordably priced outdoor products.
Amazon.com Sleeping Bag Guide
Sleep Well: Finding the Right Sleeping Bag
Sleeping bag technology has come a long way from the days of cowboy bedrolls. These days, there are a number of high-tech materials and designs available to keep you warm during the coldest outings. Here's a short list of things to keep in mind when you're shopping for a bag:
Buy for Cold
It's a safe bet that on at least one of your adventures, the nighttime temperature will drop unexpectedly. That's why it's smart to buy a bag that's rated for the lowest possible temperature you expect to face on your camping and backpacking trips. For summer trips, a bag rated at +35 degrees or higher will likely do the trick. If you like to camp in higher elevations in the summer, or if spring and fall outings are in your future, consider bags rated from +10 to +35. Winter adventurers should look for bags in the -10 to +10 range, while those on serious winter alpine climbs and expeditions will want a bag rated lower than -10.
Keep in mind that sleeping bag manufacturers' temperature ratings only estimate the minimum temperature at which the bag will provide warmth. Take these numbers with a grain of salt, as different folks generate different amounts of heat when they sleep. If you're the type who likes to pile on the covers even on warmer nights, go for a bag that's rated ten degrees colder. The opposite is true for "warm" sleepers--a 35-degree bag will probably work for you on a 25-degree night.
Goose or No Goose?
The most important component of any sleeping bag is its insulating material. Modern sleeping bags offer two choices: goose down or synthetic. While both materials have advantages and disadvantages, down bags are considered superior because of their phenomenal warmth-to-weight and warmth-to-bulk ratios. While providing great insulation, down is extremely compressible and light. There's a reason why geese can fly and stay warm through the winter! Down also boasts great long-term durability and will typically retain its insulating properties after years of use.
All of that said, there are many high-quality synthetic bags on the market and synthetic materials are getting better all the time. While a synthetic bag will weigh somewhat more than a down bag at an equivalent temperature rating, synthetic bags perform better when wet. (Yes, the Achilles heel of down is that it loses all insulating properties when wet.) If your trips take you to wet climates, you may want to consider a synthetic bag for this reason alone. Keep in mind, too, that many people are allergic to down--synthetic bags are non-allergenic. Finally, down is considerably more expensive than synthetic, which might tip the balance for adventurers on a budget.
Bags for All Shapes
Sleeping bags come in two basic shapes that reflect their intended use. Mummy-shaped bags offer the best warmth because they conform to the body's contours. This minimizes the amount of body heat the body must put out to maintain a constant temperature. Many mummy bags are offered in women-specific shapes and sizes, as well. Rectangular bags, while they do offer more room to toss and turn, are less thermally efficient because they contain more open air space. Also, they are typically heavier than mummy bags, and are generally not offered with down insulation, making them best suited for car camping or short backpacking trips.
Pad Yourself
No matter what kind of bag you choose, a sleeping pad is a required accessory. Not only do they provide much-needed comfort when sleeping on the ground, pads also offer crucial warmth for your backside, as the weight of your body compresses--and renders virtually useless--the sleeping bag insulation that lies beneath you.