Gear Review - Argali Alpine 0 Degree Sleeping Bag

Overview:

When it comes to cold-weather camping I'm certainly not a newbie, having weathered my fair share of snow storms and single-digit nights in my backpacking and backcountry hunting adventures over the last 30 years. And, due to investing in quality gear, I typically stay decently warm and comfortable. But sometimes the conditions are just more than the gear can handle. It's not to say that it's bad, but just not suited for the job at hand. That was the case with my cold-weather (20-degree) sleeping bag, at least in more extreme conditions.

After a miserably cold backcountry elk hunting trip in Colorado with my two boys in 2023, I knew I needed to make a change when facing these type of scenarios. After a lot of research, I decided on the Argali Alpine Zero Degree Bag for my new cold weather sleeping bag when temps dip below 20.

The Alpine was named the Best Overall sleeping bag of the year by Backpacker Magazine, and is designed for comfort and warmth in a lightweight package (under 3 lbs in the Long). It is specifically built roomy for wide shoulders or those who toss and turn, like me, without sacrificing warmth or adding weight.

Specs:

• Down Fill Weight- Regular 31.0 oz; Long 34.0 oz 

• Sleeping Bag Weight- 2 lb 12.5 oz (Regular) 2 lbs 15.8 oz (Long)

• Size (Inside Girth)- 64" Shoulder / 58" Hip / 40" Foot

• Fill Power- 850+ Argali Dry Loft Down

• Fabric- 15D Pertex Quantum Fabric w/ DWR Coating (exterior); 15D polyester (interior)

• Baffle Loft- 7"

• Stuff Sack Size- 8.5"x19.5"

Features:

• 850+ Dry Loft Down- In partnership with Allied Down and Feather the Alpine features Dry Loft Down, a naturally water resistant down sourced from Eastern Europe.

• Body Mapped Baffles- Differential cut fabric and a combination of vertical and horizontal baffles with internal flow gates strategically traps warm air and prevents down migration in the baffles.

• Honest Temperature Ratings- The Alpine 0 degree bag is built and independently tested to ISO standards to keep you warm at 0 degrees.

• Ultralight, Ultra comfortable Fabric- Breathable Pertex Quantum 15D fabric with PFC-Free DWR coating prevents moisture from getting into your bag from the outside, but still allows moisture to escape from inside, while the soft 15D polyester fabric provides a comfortable next to skin feel.

• Anti-Snag Zipper- Two way YKK #5 zipper with anti-snag cover provides smooth zipper operation and prevents fabric from catching in the zipper.

• 3D Foot Box- A Footbox that mirrors the shape of your feet so you won't compress the down in at the bottom of your bag and create cold spots.

• 3D Contoured Hood- A hood that cradles your head and prevents drafting from inside the bag.

• Insulated Draft Tubes- Insulated and overstuffed neck collar and draft tubes along the face and zipper trap warm air, prevent drafting, and keep you better insulated.

• Integrated Pillow Attachment System- Connection points inside the hood allow the Elite Dream Pillow to attach so it stays put during the night (more on this later in the review).

  
  

Fit:

• Regular size fits sizes up to 6' 1"

• Long fits sizes up to 6' 7"

Retail Price: $725 Regular, $745 Long

Testing: I tested the Alpine sleeping bag in three distinct scenarios including a Michigan winter float-and-camp trip in single-digit temps in my backpacking tent with no sleeping pad, a winter camp-out in Michigan in my Seek Outside hot tipi with a thin sleeping pad in temps that were in the upper twenties, and during Colorado's Second Season Elk in the hot tipi with a good sleeping pad (R Value of 4.8), with temps dipping into the twenties.

What I Like:

Warm: First, as expected and as advertised, the Alpine 0 degree bag is plenty warm. With the exception of the winter camping trip in which I used no sleeping pad and I could feel a slight chill on my feet (not uncomfortable, just noticeable) this bag was extremely warm. In fact in just base layers, I was almost too warm at times and needed to unzip the bag. Granted I never truly tested it in zero-degree temps and two of the times I was in a hot tipi. But, anyone who has ever used a hot tipi knows the stove is primarily for quick warm ups, not an all-night burn for lasting heat.

So from my experience I can say that Argali's "honest temperature rating" holds true; I would have no hesitation taking this bag on backcountry trips where temps could reach zero degrees and maybe even lower. That being said, using a proper sleeping pad with an appropriate R Rating is still important and should not be overlooked. Note: For slightly warmer outings, the Alpine is also offered in a 20-degree bag as well.

Cut/Comfort: One of the things that drew me to this bag in particular was the way it is cut. A little roomier in the shoulders, hips, and even footbox. As a side/stomach/toss-and-turn sleeper having a bag that could keep me warm, not add weight, and still give me a little room to wiggle around and not feel like I was trapped in a straightjacket or tied up in a knot was a big plus. I can tell you that the Alpine is significantly more comfortable from that standpoint than any bag I have ever owned.

Light: This one is relative, you can get downright silly with the weight on sleeping bags these days, but for the roominess and true warmth the Alpine provided it is very lightweight, tipping the scales at under 3 lbs, even in the Long. All in all the Alpine 0 was lighter, warmer, and more comfortable than my previous cold-weather sleeping bag.

Pillow: I'd be remiss if I didn't at least make a mention of the Argali Elite Dream Backpacking Pillow ($46). This pillow was a great addition to the kit, featuring a soft face fabric and built-in pillow cushion on top. At 3.5 ounces, the Elite Dream is designed to be stuffed with your favorite jacket or shirt(s) to customize the volume of the pillow to your preferred fill. And it features hidden buttons on the back side that attach to the inside hood of any Argali sleeping bag, so it stays put inside the hood of your bag. Note: I did not attach mine and stuffed it with my compact puffy glassing jacket and loved it. Like sleeping bags, I've tried a LOT of backpacking pillows and found this one to be my favorite by a mile.

What I Don't Like:

Bulky: While the Alpine 0 degree is lighter than my previous cold-weather bag (despite being wider, longer, and warmer), it does have a lot of loft (which provides the warmth) and doesn't pack up as small as my last bag – perhaps 25-30% larger, as you can see in the side-by-side picture. So, while it isn't considerable, it does take up a bit more pack room, at least in my case, which is something to be aware of.

Color: I love the looks and material of the Alpine 0, but it's light, white/silver color tends to show stains and dirt. When you are living for several days or even weeks in the outdoors, often sleeping in environments with no floor or even eating in your bag in the morning or at night, you are going to collect some dirt, and it will show on the Alpine. That being said, Argali does provide care/wash instructions for their bags here.

Price: Look, I'm cheap, and a sleeping bag that starts pushing over the $700 mark is a lot of money in my mind. That being said (as I often do with quality gear), while the price is considerable, the product is still a value for what it delivers. And it's difficult to put a price on warm, comfortable sleep in the backcountry. (Also, don't forget to add the pillow, you'll thank me).

Sizing: This isn't a negative, just more of a heads-up. Like the true temperature rating, this bag's length sizing on the website is accurate. I'm 6'1" and I have always ordered my sleeping bags in Long from other brands. With the Argali I definitely didn't need to – the Long is rated for someone up to 6' 7" and I think that's very accurate. I have PLENTY of room to spare, in fact I almost swim in the Long.

So, when ordering, keep the length in mind. In my opinion the regular is probably a good choice even up to 6' 3" and I could have easily gone with it, saving myself a few dollars, a little weight, and likely a little of the bulk.

Perfect For: The Argali Alpine 0 Degree Sleeping Bag is the perfect choice for extreme cold-weather backcountry hunting and camping where weight and comfort are considerations. Paired with the pillow, the Alpine will allow you to get a great night's sleep in the harshest of conditions – keeping you in the field longer and making your outing that much more enjoyable. For slightly warmer weather, consider the Alpine 20-Degree Bag instead.

Rating: 4.5/5

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