Kelty sent me their Forecast sleeping bag to test out on our tour. I decided to leave it closed up in it's compression sack until it was time to sleep the first night, which ended up being difficult since we had to postpone our date twice. But we finally did it, and on the first night after I set up my tent, I popped the clips and pulled out the Forecast.

My first impression as I unrolled it into it's mummy shape was nothing but jaw dropping and drool. The blue/grey color scheme looked really good as it fluffed up really nice- I couldn't believe that this sleeping bag was in that little compression sack. The last sleeping bag I bought was probably almost 20 years ago in Boy Scouts, and there's no way in hell that that bag would've compressed into anything smaller than the size of 3 healthy babies! I was honestly amazed. Camping gear has really come a long way!

The Forecast is a three season bag, good to 20º. It's available filled with down, or Climashield Green recycled fiber. I chose the synthetic mainly for drying reasons just in case it got wet. Synthetic materials dry a lot quicker than real down and require a lot less maintenance. It's constructed with two layer offset quilting- kinda like bricks, trapping the heat and eliminating cold spots.

Sleeping in the Forecast was excellent- It's got a zipper at the foot end to stick out your feet if you want to, with a two way locking zipper that goes halfway down one side- hip length. There's also a drawstring, form fitting hood and velcro neck closure for those really chilly nights. It didn't get chilly, and I never got too warm- or too cold for that matter. This little bowl of porridge was just right.

I didn't have a sleeping pad- it was just me, the Forecast, and the bottom of my tent on top of a patch of grass each night and I was more than comfortable, and got a great nights rest every night.

Weighing in at a lightweight 3 lb., 13 oz., and very compact at 9"x16" stuffed, it made for a perfect sleeping bag on tour. It fit perfect with my tent on top of the rear rack, and when mounted just right it made for a perfect back rest!

Unrolled, it's 80" long and fits people up to 6' tall. They also make a long model that is six inches longer. Other features include a top baffle collar, insulated hood baffle, internal liner loops, external snap loops that allow the bag to be used as a liner, sleeping pad security loops, hang loops for storage, Micro Fatman and Ribbon drawcords with captured cordlock, ground level side seams, with a differential cut to maximize loft and warmth. Also included is a mesh stuff sack and storage sack.

I know I'm going camping at least once or twice this summer, and we have another tour in the works for September- I can't wait to try it out in cooler weather, and I'll report back when I do!

If you're in the market for a new bag, check out Kelty- they've got a wide selection of bags to accommodate anyone with any need, all year long.

Brandon