Super Rad! I took this bag to Aconcagua, and it was very warm the whole way. The tent was another story, but this bag is a great value

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North Face Cat's Meow

I recently camped for a few nights while mushing in the Boundary Waters Wilderness here in northeastern Minnesota, with temps down to a moderately cold -31 F. I slept plenty warm in the Dark Star, and the -40 F rating seems reasonable. The bag has the typical bulk of a true cold weather synthetic bag. It's probably too warm for temps above about 10 F. The drift collar is a bit weird, though. I prefer a traditional toggle-lock. Of course, even the warmest winter bag also requires a good sleeping pad to insulate the sleeper from the frozen ground/snow.

I bought this bag of an individual that stated he "he just didn't like it, it was to hot". Well I have spent numerous nights in this bag in cold, wet, and snow and with nothing on but skivvies...This is a wonderful bag that is unbeatable when it comes to comfort and warmth. I have five other bags ranging from Marmot, Northface, and Coleman..As great as those bags are I still always grab for this bag. It seems, althought one of the other bags may be better in warmner conditions, this bag seems to fit the bill no matter what the conditions. The only comment I could make is with the packing size and weight...hard to actually backpack with this bag, and its weight can be somewhat troublesome. But for an all around bag that will last for years you cant go wrong with this bag...

Customer Service

None needed

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Northface Snowshoe Marmot 0 Degrees Marmot 15+ degrees Coleman 20+

I hate trying to sleep went cold. So, I purchased a Darkstar for my trip to Alaska in September. This was my first time to use a synthetic bag, so I wanted the warmest bag I could find and still be able to pack it. The bag is constructed great and functions super and I was very comfortable in temperatures above +25F. But, when the temperature dropped to +20F I wokeup in the middle of the night cold, I got up and put on all of my clothes and crawled back into the bag and still got cold. Well, I thought it was a one time fluke so I decided to try it out again here in Georgia. Well, I used the bag two more times when the temperature dropped below +25F and the same thing happened, I woke up cold. Cold spots in the void spaces of the bag. I love the bag, but I get cold in it. So, back to the down until I find a synthetic bag that will keep me warm.

Customer Service

none required

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L.L. Bean 0F down bag

Another great product from TNF. Due to snoring tent mates, I slept outside my tent with only my ThermaRest @ 10,000' on Mt. Rainier last June and never even got clost to being cold--I didn't even have to cinch down the hood! Have also weathered many damp Northern Michigan winter camping trips (-10F temps) with not problems. All in all, a great cold weather bag, especially for the money!

Customer Service

Not needed--another quality product!

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Mountain Hardware
Sierra Designs

I haven't used this bag in extreme cold weather, yet (keyword, yet!) I have slept in 20F with the zipper 1/4 opened to keep from getting too hot. I like the versitility of this bag. I am a warm sleeper and expect this bag to keep me warm to -20 or -30. I also use this bag in the summer and find that keeping the zipper completely open provides a nice sleep. I am just starting to see real winter conditions in this bag and am pleased so far. It has yet to loose any loft and is VERY warm. I plan om using a bivy with this bag next summer to cut weight instead of carrying my tent on solo and partner ascents. I am confident this bag will hold up to above and below treeline conditions. My wife uses the same bag and is a very cold sleeper. She remarks about how toasty the bag is and requires some coaxing to get her out of it on chilly mornings.

Pro's - Warm, Warm, Warm!!! This bag doesn't pack as tight or light as a down bag, but doesn't cost as much either. Zips work nice, and there aren't any cold spots. I accidentally tipped a Naglene bottle on my bag, but was pleased to see the water roll off.

Con's - Kind of heavy and somewhat bulky, but worth the sacrifice for the added protection.

Pound for pound and dollar for dollar this is the best buy in a sleeping bag you will find. This is the best synthetic bag on the market. If you want a great down bag, go with Marmot or Western Mountaineering. 10 stars for value!!!

Customer Service

This is the only NF product I have and I have yet to have a problem with it.

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None

I am on my second "Dark Star". I liked my first one enough that I bought a second one so my son can join me on cold trips. I am starting to loose some loft on the older one but it still seems plenty warm. Used it in Alaska during a storm with ridiciously cold temps. and other nights at - 20 without a problem.

TNF Darkstar: I just came back from Yosemite where I bivyied in this bag in the high country for a week in subzero cold and wind. I like to sleep naked, and was warm and dry the entire time. Very durable as well. Best bag out there, especially for the $$$.

I bought this bag from The North Face outlet store for $178 (tax included). I looked at the bag very carefully to find defects but there were none I could find. I think I paid a great price for this bag.

The bag is extremely large and thicker than anything else on the market. Ofcourse it is also rated for -40F. I took this bag and stuffed it inside my TNF FUSION backpack and it fit pretty well. It is exceptionally warm. I camped at the summit of San Gorgonio in the San Bernardino mountains in southern california and this bag is what saved me from being frozen to death .....Outside my tent was a storm raging with subzero temperatures and this bag protected me as though I was in my own bedroom. I was wearing just a t-shirt and a pair of shorts and I was very comfy .... thank you North Face on creating such excellence ......

Bought the Dark Star from Campmor as a closeout. The model was advertised with 9.5" of loft for the rating. got it home and left it out for two days with an average of 6-7" of loft. Would have been angry if I had got this bag just prior to my Denali Trip.
As for the other reviewers I can't say what they experience for cold but I usually hit the Colorado north Country with sub zero temps being the norm and a 6.5" loft bag just does not cut it.

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