Kelty Light Year
What sets the Kelty Light Year sleeping bags apart? Two things: new materials and colorful, exciting graphics. Who says sleeping bags should be boring after all?
This year, sleeping bag manufacturer Kelty has overhauled the design of its Light Year models, giving backpackers and campers a choice between 600-fill down insulation and ECOPET, a synthetic but recycled insulation that keeps sleepers warm with minimal environmental impact.
Designed to be fully featured with less weight, the Kelty Light Year mummy-shaped bags should be everything that a minimalist backpacker would want in a sleeping case, at a price that’s affordable. With prices ranging from $110 to $250, Kelty Light Year sleeping bags are a good investment, considering they will be used year in and year out.
What Kelty Light Year sleeping bag fits you best? Find out here:
Light Year Down 0
Best for 3-season camping, backpacking, and cold conditions, the Kelty Light Year Down 0 has a 600-fill insulation, 40D nylon ripstop shell, and 50D polyester microfiber pongee lining. Features include sleeping pad security loops and 3/4 length zipper. Because of this bag’s 1.62kg weight, backpackers have found it a bit bulky and heavy, but that’s because it’s designed to keep one warm even in the coldest conditions.
Light Year Down 20
This sleeping bag has been called the “Killer Three-Reason Deal” by Backpacker Magazine. In terms of quality, feature, and price, it is indeed a killer. Backpackers who have tried it swear by its heat-keeping capability, thanks to a 600-fill power down and slant baffle construction. Its 40D nylon ripstop shell has been proven to withstand the wear and tear of backpacking.
Light Year Down 40
Weighing only 0.9kg, the Light Year Down 40 is designed as a lightweight summer bag and features a hip-length zipper and a foot vent that’s also zippered. It’s thin enough to make a backpacker feel close to nature. Slant baffle construction ensures that one sleeps comfortably during the warm summer nights in camp.
Women’s Light Year Down 0/Down 20
Kelty’s sleeping bags for women are designed to fit the female form, enabling female backpackers to sleep in warmth and comfort even on the trail. Unlike male versions, these for-women sleeping bags are cut narrower on the shoulders and wider on the hips. They also offer extra insulation in the midsection and at the bottom of the bag, where heat loss happens more often. The Light Year Down 0 model weighs 1.6kg, a bit heavier than its Down 20 counterpart. Both have 600-fill down insulation and 40D nylon ripstop shells.
Light Year XP 20 and Light Year XP 40
Made of Ecopet, a synthetic recycled insulation, the Light Year XP was designed to with minimal environmental impact in mind. The XP 40 model is best for warm summer nights, when there is a chance of one’s sleeping bag getting wet. The synthetic insulation ensures that moisture doesn’t get into the bag. Meanwhile, its Light Year XP 20 counterpart was made to for three-season use. With its mummy cut design that keeps one comfy and warm and lightweight synthetic fill, this sleeping bag ensures performance without hurting the budget.
Women's Light Year XP 20
Slightly heavier than its male version, the Women’s Light Year XP 20 is wider on the hip part and narrower on the shoulders. This three-season bag is also made of Ecopet, offering ample insulation without hurting the environment. In terms of quality, this one delivers without breaking the bank. Whether you use it on chilly nights or during the late fall, the mummy-cut XP 20 ensures that one sleeps comfortably.