I would be lying if I said that the first selling point for me on Therm-a-Rest’s new Questar HD 20 Down Sleeping Bag was something other than the bag’s stuff sack. I know, it’s the little things. Anyone who’s been lucky enough to camp with me will tell you that packing up sleeping bags isn’t exactly one of my shining life skills, but with the spacious stuff sack and easily compressible material of this sleeping bag, that doesn’t matter anymore. But this small piece of thought-out functionality is just the tip of the iceberg. Therm-a-Rest really outdid themselves with the many functions built into this bag. For starters, it’s super cozy and warm. Made up of 650 Fill Nikwax Hydrophobic Down, the bag feels like you’re wrapped head to toe in your favorite down puffy jacket, and ThermaCapture technology traps heat, locking in warmth all night. This bag also does an impressive job of resisting water. On a failed winter camping trip to Canyonlands National Park earlier this year, this bag held up beautifully when condensation soaked everything else on a 15-degree F night that forced us to forego the tent and rough it out in the back of my 4Runner.
MSRP: $239.95
The Therm-a-Rest Questar HD 20 Down Sleeping Bag comes in small, regular and long sizes designed to fit men and women.
Pros: The stuff sack, seriously. Followed closely by the Toe-asis™ Foot Warmer Pocket. Therm-a-Rest went and built a specific pocket inside of the foot of bag to ensure that no camper will go to sleep at night with cold feet. The sleeping bag’s heat-trapping draft collar and cinchable hood are also key components of the bag that help capture heat and keep it trapped in. The Questar also features connectors to attach the sleeping bag to your sleeping pad or mattress, eliminating shifting off of the pad in the middle of the night.
Cons: While the Questar has so many features and functions that add another level of comfort to camping, I’m a little disappointed that the Questar isn’t built as a four-season bag that can comfortably be a go-to bag year-round. The lowest temp range that this bag comfortably operates in is 31 degrees F, which some early spring and late fall adventures fall just below.
Where We Took It: Winter camping in Canyonlands National Park (in 15 degree weather) and spring camping at very windy campsite in Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.
