The first time I went to Ely, Minnesota, was the night before my first time in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and Wilderness. It was February, and we planned to camp around Moose Lake that weekend.

The night we arrived, my friend Mack and I stopped at a local bar. It was late. There was a whole three other people in there, not including the lone bartender. In between drinks and playing pool, we eventually got to chatting with the few locals in the bar. One of the guys in there was originally from Florida. I told him that we were planning to camp in the BWCA. He looked at me dead in the eye.

He said something along the lines of, “You know people lose their noses doing stuff like that, right?”

I knew that. I’d heard about it all over the news in the past. Plus, my co-workers had reiterated the same thing to me when I told them what I was doing. Frostbite is nasty business, and if you’re not prepared for it, it will take your nose, toes and fingers too.

I have The North Face Aleutian 0 sleeping bag to thank for keeping me toasty during that winter excursion and the ones since. While it’s big and bulky, it’s also warm and cozy.

Why I Bought This Bag

Having lived in the Midwest my whole life and experiencing winter after winter, I knew that I would need solid gear to keep me warm and, more importantly, alive during the coldest of months. But, starting out I didn’t want to shell out hundreds of dollars on a bag that I’d use maybe once a season. Maybe twice.

Shopping the deals at REI, I lucked out and found The North Face Aleutian 0 for a whopping $100 (normally around $130). I was pretty hyped to say the least.

I needed a good, reliable sleeping bag that would keep me warm in Minnesota’s harsh winter climate, while also being durable so that I didn’t have to worry about it performing in the field. For $100 on sale at REI, I totally found that in this bag. Score.

What a Bargain. Seriously… how?

How is this bag so cheap when others are double or even triple the price at the same temperature rating? Great question. Glad you asked.

Probably the biggest reason for this bag being such a darn steal is because it’s made with Heatseeker™ Eco synthetic insulation, rather than the typical 800-fill goose down. Down stuff, including clothes, tend to run higher than synthetic material.

Outside of the that, this bag is comparatively heavy and mega bulky than others rated for the same temps. The regular size of this bag is just under 6 pounds. Comparing apples to apples, other sleeping bags rated for the same temperature can get down to around 3 pounds. What’s more, the bag takes up over 30 liters when compressed, taking up the same amount of room as bags rated for much colder temps. Kind of a bummer for backpackers. But, in my opinion, those aren’t deal breakers and here’s why:

1. It’s frickin’ warm, man. Like really warm.

2. It’s comfortable as ever.

3. It’s manageable.

It’s Manageable

The weight and bulk is a bit of a downer, but it’s totally manageable especially for the price. Knowing that this bag is a bit heavier and bulkier leads me to pack accordingly. Just as in summer, only doubly so in winter, every ounce counts and every piece of gear should work hard. I tend to be more honest with myself about what I bring out on the trail in winter, so sacrificing luxuries becomes much easier when I know I’m doing it for a toasty warm bag like this one. What that means is that I end up leaving some gear behind when I bring this bag along. And, I pair this bag with a fitting compression sack to give me more room.

It’s Comfortable As Ever

During my last camping trip in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, this bag was a warm welcome at the end of the day. Sliding into the bag, I dozed off without trouble and stayed fairly cozy all night. The temperatures overnight were consistently below 0, with wind chills as low as 15 below. I’m sure I could push this bag to 10 or even 15 below (standing air temp), especially if paired with a summer bag or warm clothes.

This bag allows for a good amount of wiggle room, given its mildly tapered shape and the half-zip feature. On one side, you can totally unzip the bag so that it lays flat. I dig this, because I end up stashing extra gear by my feet. Since I can unzip all the way, I can get to my stuff easier in the morning. Coupled with the half-zip feature on the opposite side of the bag, you can sit up, let cold air in if needed, or just resituate more easily. It’s just a well-thought-out design that makes this bag extra comfortable.

It’s Frickin’ Warm, Man. Like Really Warm.

The part that matters most is how dang warm it is. My first time using this bag was during my first time in the BWCA. The overnight low was a delightful 0 degrees. What a coincidence that I just so happen to have bought this bag right before that trip. After chatting with co-workers and that random dude in the Ely bar, I was a bit nervous about my sleeping arrangements. I just didn’t want to lose my nose to the cold.

Both of my tent-mates for the evening had doubled down on sleeping bags, and I was taking on one cold night in the wilderness with this bag. I hadn’t tested it before in warmer temps, which would've been smart, and I only trust online reviews so much. Luckily, me and my nose lived to tell the tale. I woke up the next morning with a nice frosty ring around the opening of the bag, while I was cuddled up on the inside as if wrapped up at home. I’ve been full of appreciation for this bag since.

Part of what kept me so warm was the cozy draft collar that paired so nicely with the hood. Cinching all openings to a comfortable spot, I had sealed out the bitter cold and kept all that warmth inside. The real power came from the fill, though.

That night, I only brought a Therm-A-Rest Z Lite Sol sleeping pad. Along with that bit of insulation from the ground, this bag kept me warm with very mild cold spots. Really, they weren’t bad at all. I’ve had worse experiences at much warmer temps.

Would I Buy This Bag Again?

This is my second bag by The North Face, and both have performed. This bag in particular has been a real treat to use, and I picture it lasting me a long time. Would I buy it again? Yes, yes I would. However, I think this bag fits a particular type of camper better than others.

Who is this bag best for? Check it:

• Sleeping at temps from 10 to -10 (likely with another bag) ☑️

• Ultralight weight isn’t necessary ☑️

• Campin’ on a budget ☑️

• Bulk isn’t an issue ☑️

If you’ve checked those boxes, I think this is an excellent bag to go with. I tend to love budget-friendly gear, but I know it comes at a price. Knowing what I know about this bag and how it’s performed in the field, I’m definitely a fan of sleeping bags by The North Face.

That said, the next bag that I buy will likely be for longer excursions in the backcountry, with variable terrain and weather conditions. While this bag meets those demands from a warmth standpoint, having a lighter, more compressible bag will become more important the longer I plan to stay out.

I think something like the Guide 0 or the Furnace 0/-18 sleeping bags might be more in line with my next purchase. Yes, they’re more money. But, they’re not that much more and they offer some of the perks that techier, more expensive bags do. As in, they’re lighter weight and more compressible.

Before I keep going on and on, just know that you can’t really go wrong with this bag. It’s a hell of a deal for a sleeping bag that works hard and keeps you warm.

Have any recommendations on zero-degree sleeping bags? Leave a comment below. I’d love to hear your thoughts.