The North Face "Blue Kazoo"

“My outfitter has a North Face "Blue Kazoo" bag on sale for $100. It's supposedly a 25 degree down bag with 550 fill. I'm thinking of getting it to replace my heavy Kelty Clear Creek.

Is the Blue Kazoo true to its 25 degree rating (for comfort)? What are its downsides? Think it's worth $100 when I already have a fairly decent (but heavier) synthetic?”

“Dude, down is soooo much nicer. I've never used that bag but just go to the store and climb in. I think that would sell ya on it. Not to metion the weight savings and longevity.”

“i have a blue kazoo, it is 600fill rated 20 degrees.
i really love this bag, really light and packs small.

i was toasty in it during the night at the windy, frigid shining rocks one nighter :/ and i think it was below 20 with the wind chill..i was wearing fleece pants and vest in the bag tho , i think that was the coldest night i have ever been camping in 25 years!, i was warm...til i got out of the bag! yikes........
.normally tho, i cannot wear much of anything in that bag because it gets way to warm for me and i will sleep on it rather than in it sometimes...
the hood keeps your head warm and stays put and snug during the night and there is a flap on the underside that you can stuff your fleece jacket in for a comfy pillow. i love my sleepy bag...:)
i think that price is great for a down bag too... dont you?”

“I too use a Blue Kazoo. Great bag for the weight. Last winter I had it "down" to 13 degrees and did fine. I'm a warm sleeper though. Well worth 100 bucks.

One thing, if you're a big person you may want to try one on first. It's not the roomest of bags.”

“Mine is rated 20 deg also. My most cherished piece of gear. I've slept comfortably in it at 0 with all my clothes on. It's gotta be 7 or 8 years old and still going strong. Highly recommended.”

“Geez, an actual gear thread! I want to upgrade my sleepy bag. Is there a rectangular down bag that some one could recommend? I can't do mummy bags, way too claustraphobic.”

“I have a blue igloo (the woman's version of the blue kazoo). It's 600 fill and rated to 15 degrees. (newer ones say 20 degrees). I really like it. It keeps me toasty and warm even on chilly nights.”

“Pamster - A rectangular bag, really? Have you looked into the Sierra Designs stretch bags? Even an oversized mummy (gimme a sec to find a link) would give you more space to thrash about, and still be warmer.”

“I use a B Kazoo 15 degree bag. It is great.. And with a cacoon liner, it lowers the temp rating another 5 to 8 degrees. I would recommend it anytime. I have been out with the temp at 10 degrees and was toasty warm. Of course I was on a thermorest and in a tent. But hey who is checking. LOL”

“Okay, click EQUIPMENT, then BAGS-DOWN, then BLUE OX.”

“Got the bastad! That nox 2 POUNDS off my pack weight!!!

TNF Blue Kazoo: 2 lbs. 14 oz.
Old bag, Kelty Clear Creek: 4 lbs. 15 oz.

The bag is rated down to 25 degrees (according to the website; says 15 on the tag) compared to 20 for the Kelty.

This bag is DOWN and the Kelty is synthetic.

This bag rolls up to about HALF the size of my bulky Kelty synthetic.

At the outfitter there was a girl who said she's had one for about 3 years and is comfortable down to 20 degrees. Laying in it for a couple minutes I started getting hot, and I wasn't even thinking about the chick.

Oh, and the cost: $99 ($108 with tax).”

“My bet is you'll never go back to synthetic again...”

“aint it amazing how light and small it gets?.....hot too!”

“Campmor has the TNF ultralight on sale for $189. 0 deg, 3 1/2 lbs, down fill. Item # 44039”

“Great bag. I've had one for years.”

“A down bag will last about 10-15 years longer than a synthetic, but you must look after it.
*use a liner
*wash it in Nikwax TX-10 it'll make it almost waterproof (the only down side of a down bag).
*store it in a large cotton bag NOT rolled up in it's stuff sac.
*a down bag can be washed and rejuvenated with a top up of extra down.
*if it doesnt have a side baffle, you can push the down from underneath to on top to give you a few degrees extra (or vice versa if it's getting too hot)


Pamster, have you slept in a Mummy bag?
They aren't as restrictive as you might think.”

“OOPS, sorry for the pun.”

“Pamster, check out the Marmot Arroyo bag. It's very warm and roomy.”

“I'm a tosser and turner. The SD stretch bag is excellent for those who feel too confined by a conventional mummy.”