Does anyone have experience comparing an REI Sub-Kilo to an REI Halo 25? I picked up both on clearance and the Halo is 4oz heavier. I'm wondering if it's actually warmer to justify the added weight.

Spec-wise, they're both men's regular, both 750-fill. the Halo has 3oz more down (17.2oz vs Sub-Kilo's 14oz.) The Halo is also a little larger, (shoulder/hip) 59"/55" over 57"/53". The fabric on the Halo *feels* a little stiffer. The Sub-Kilo is a 2009 model. On my scale, the Halo weighs 33oz to Sub-Kilo's 29oz.

I know the Halo was essentially an updated Sub-Kilo and, side by side, they look very similar. I'm trying to figure out which one to keep but don't want to have to actually use them as I'd would prefer to return them new/unused. The Halo is more expensive but with the 30% coupon, price is essentially the same. The bag will be for my 13yo son.

keep in mind that REI revamped all their bags when they en-rated them ... most of them i believe got heavier to account for the more conservative ratings

so its quite possible the heavier bag is the properly rated one ...

>> so its quite possible the heavier bag is the properly rated one ...

Yes, I realize that the Halo is post-rating successor to the SubKilo. We have a SubKilo long and agree that it's not really a 20* bag and I'm fine with that. He needs a 30* bag and I think the SubKilo is probably pretty close. The Halo 25 is EN-rated to 23* with a comfort rating of 34* which is also just about right.

The Halo has 3 more ounces of fill but it's also bigger. My question is whether that translates into a warmer bag or whether it's just a slightly bigger bag with the same warmth. (I don't think the EN-rating, or the lack thereof, is going to answer that question.)

is 4 oz gonna kill him?

id rather take the warmer bag with more fill for trips later on in colder temps ...

a good down bag should last over a decade taken care of ...

I'd say it's warmer- compare the WM Ultralite and Alpinlite. They have a 5" girth difference with a 3oz fill difference for the same nominal temp rating. The Halo only has a 2" girth difference so I would expect it to be both warmer and larger than the sub kilo.

Andrew

@eric, no it won't kill him if it is, in fact, a warmer bag... which is what I'm trying to determine. He's a skinny 13yo and doesn't need the extra girth, so no point in paying the 4oz hit just for the size.

@Andrew, thanks for pointing out the WM example. Based on straight math, I figure that the extra 2" needs for about an ounce of down (2" x 4" loft x 77" length = 616 cubic inches.) So, theoretically, the other 2oz of down just adds warmth. Just not sure that's reality, however.

you need to plan ahead ;)

that skinny 13 year old boy will still be using the bag hopefully when hes a strapping 23 year old man ...

feed them milk and they grow =P