Sierra Designs Get Down 20 - Women's Review

You'll be able to get into the market of down-fill sleeping bags with the Get Down, an all-around decent product at an amazing price.

Performance Comparison

Warmth

The Sierra Designs Get Down is EN comfort rated to 23 degrees. However, we wouldn't recommend taking this out when temperatures are supposed to dip below freezing unless you have some extra layers with you. If Sierra Designs could fill it with slightly higher fill power (and higher quality) down, that temperature rating could be spot on — but right now, because the down isn't very lofty and somewhat heavy for what it is, we advise caution taking it out in 20-degree temperatures.

The Get Down has a half-length zipper. This will help keep sleepers somewhat warmer as there are no drafty spots through the zipper for cold air to get in. But it also means that you're not able to vent your feet if they're hot or sweaty, and you're not able to drape the bag over you like a quilt if it's warm out. These are things we didn't realize we missed about a full zip sleeping bag until we used the Get Down. Still, if you plan to mostly be sleeping in cooler areas, the mummy-style shape and hood that cinches down tight around your face will help keep cold air out and warm air in.

Weight

Weighing in at 37.7 ounces, the Get Down is in the middle of the pack in terms of weight. It is not the heaviest of the down models we've reviewed, and there are many significantly more expensive models that weigh more.

As we've mentioned before, if Sierra Designs could up the quality of the fill power a bit (for example, to a 650 fill power instead of 550), this would shave a few more ounces from this bag while retaining the same warmth (or it would be even warmer if they kept the same fill weight). The Get Down is light enough to take on medium to short-length backpacking trips, but we wouldn't haul it along on thru hike trips like the AT or PCT.

Comfort

This bag is a standard mummy shape and standard women's size — good for someone around 5'5" in height. It is roomy enough to move around in and to be able to add a few layers of clothing. It is not as narrow in the shoulders as some of the other mummy-style bags we tested.

The shell and liner materials are not as soft or cozy feeling as some of the other top products in this review. The materials feel cheaper and a bit rougher, but they seemed to soften up with more use over time. Otherwise, the Get Down has few additional features in the comfort realm — there are no extra zippers to open it up or things like foot vents. This bag is just a tube with a half-length zipper. Some folks might find the half zip slightly more claustrophobic because you can't stick your feet out or open the bag up fully. You also can't zip it together with another model if you have a friend you want to get cozy with.

Packed Size

The Get Down comes with a lightweight stuff sack that is relatively small. However, because it is down-filled, the bag can compress much smaller than the size of the included stuff sack.

If you purchase an after-market compression sack, you'll be able to get this little number much smaller to save room in your pack. The Get Down also comes with an included mesh storage sack, although we wish it was slightly larger because some of the down is still being compressed when you put it in this bag (something you should avoid for long-term storage).

Features

As we mentioned above, the Get Down is pretty much a tube. There are not a lot of notable features with this sleeping bag. Sierra Designs says it has a “snag proof” zipper, although it looks like a regular old zipper to us, not like the big plastic snag-proof zippers that come standard with most bags. The down fill power is also nothing to write home about, being the lowest in this review, meaning that it is heavier and bulkier for the same amount of warmth.

This bag has DriDown, meaning the feathers are coated with a water-resistant coating. This will help it retain some of its loft if you're using it in wet conditions. It also has a strange open-style pocket by the top of the zipper, advertised as a “hand pocket to use the bag like a blanket for bed-like comfort.” We don't buy it. This feels like an unnecessary gimmick that most people won't use, and they are playing off of the success of the Backcountry Bed models. The pocket is only on one side, and the bag would have to be unzipped to use it. Still, the lack of features is just fine — it means the Get Down is simple and streamlined with no extra weight added.

Should You Buy the Sierra Designs Get Down 20?

If you're looking for a great value down bag, this area is where the Get Down shines. We were surprised to see such a low price tag for a down product from a reputable manufacturer like Sierra Designs. Because this bag is warm and light enough to bring on summer backpacking trips (and possibly stretching to the edge of spring and fall seasons), it wins our praise. We do wish the down fill was slightly higher quality, which would give it even more bang for the buck. That said, no other down product we tested checks as many boxes as the Get Down at such a low price. But if you're looking for a high-end, high-performing product, this is not the one. The higher-end products in this review come with a higher price tag and also score higher for a reason. You can find a much warmer, lighter, and more versatile product if you spend more money.

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