Since I started backpack hunting in the early 2000s, there has been a lot of gear that has come and gone. Back then, I bought most of my camping equipment at stores like REI from brands that were more commonly associated with thru-hikers and hippies than it was to hunters. In more recent years, it’s been good to see companies within the hunting space begin to build technical shelters and sleeping bags for hunting.

Argali is the newest hunting company to come out with a sleeping bag, and there are a lot of reasons why I like it, and I think you will too.

Having had the opportunity to spend a number of nights using the sleeping bag this past fall, I’ll offer some thoughts and the specs.

Overall, if you are in the market for a new sleeping bag the Argali Alpine is a solid choice at a good price point.

First up, the specs of the new Argali sleeping bags

The Argali Alpine is a high loft down sleeping bag that is available in a 20° and 0° option, with long and regular versions available for both. Down has always been my preference in regards to providing insulation and warmth. Down is lighter weight, and it compacts down to a much smaller package that is easier to put in your pack. When you are on a multi-day backpack hunt, space, and weight in your pack are critical, and down is hands down the better option for most hunts.

Argali has chosen to utilize an 850-900 down-fill power sourced from Eastern Europe. The fill rate is important when considering a down sleeping bag because the higher the fill rate the more lofty the clusters of down are. Loftier down clusters equate to more air space between clusters that trap and hold heat. Additionally, because high fill power down is loftier, you can reduce the amount of down and still meet the temperature rating you are looking for. That makes the sleeping bag lighter in weight while still being warm, which is exactly what we are looking for as hunters.

In recent years, many companies have chosen to treat their down with a water-repellant chemical, while Argali has chosen not to treat the down in the new Alpine sleeping bag. While there may be some merit in treating the down before stuffing it in a sleeping bag, I was always somewhat skeptical. I remember having a conversation with another company that produces high-quality sleeping bags, and in talking with them, they stated something to the effect of “Why would we treat down that comes from a goose that spends a lot of time in the water, down already has naturally water repellant oils in it. Washing out and applying a water-repellant chemical removes the natural oils.”

To me, that made sense, and over the years, having owned both types of sleeping bags, I do feel like the sleeping bags that are not treated have retained their loft better. Argali feels the same way. Hence, the down in their new sleeping bag has not been treated, and personally, I think it will yield a lofty sleeping bag that will retain it over time better. The following table will break down for you the weight, size, and fill weight used in the four different options.

As noted, these are available in two temperature ratings, Argali Alpine 0 Degree Sleeping Bag and theArgali Alpine 20 Degree Sleeping Bag. One part of the marketing packets from Argali states that the temperature ratings for their sleeping bags are based on ISO-tested comfort ratings, not survival comfort ratings. ISO testing basically involves tucking a heated manikin that has been fitted with sensors into the sleeping bag and then placing it in a cold chamber on a basic foam mat.

As the temperature drops in the chamber, they monitor the sensors looking for when the manikin’s heat accumulates in the sleeping bag, the range where its temperature remains steady, the point at which heat begins to be lost, and then when it is lost at a rate where continued use of the sleeping bag would put the user at risk. After the test results are recorded, they assign the bag a comfort rating, transition range, and extreme range. Some companies market their lower end as the temperature rating, meaning that most people that buy and use that sleeping bag will find themselves surviving and sleeping cold when the temperature hits their advertised rating.

It’s important when you buy a sleeping bag that you explore those parameters and know what you are getting before you buy. In saying all this, personally, I feel like Argali is honestly marketing the temperature rating on their bags.

I spent several nights in late October in the 20° sleeping bag where the temperature was between 18-25°, and I felt like I slept well. The above image is the buck I was able to take when I used the Argali Alpine sleeping bag. Everyone is different in terms of how hot or cold they sleep, but I feel like the Argali sleeping bag is accurate in their temperature ratings for me.

Other great features of the Argali Alpine Sleeping Bag

Anti-snag zipper

There are a few other features that are worth noting but likely do not need a deep dive. Those include an anti-snag zipper. The sleeping bags also have two zippers where you can open a portion of the bag for added ventilation which I like.

Baffles and treatment

The neck and draft baffles are overstuffed, which will keep drafts and cold air from creeping into the main body of the sleeping bag. The exterior fabric is a DWR-coated Pertex lightweight fabric, which prevents moisture from getting into the bag while allowing the bag to still breathe relatively well.

Roomy but not too roomy

The proportions of the sleeping bag were included in the table above, but that may not mean much to you unless you’ve tried a number of different bags. My observation is that the shoulder and hip girth is a bit wider than most mummy style sleeping bags out there. I don’t feel like it’s as roomy as the Stone Glacier Chilkoot 15 Degree Sleeping Bag but it’s wider than the Western Mountaineering Versalite 10 Degree Sleeping Bag which has been one of my favorite bags over the years. It’s a good middle-of-the-road width, and I found it to be really comfortable. It’s got enough room, but it’s not so roomy that there is wasted space, and thus sleeps colder than it should. I liked the dimensions and found the Alpine to be really comfortable.

A cell phone pocket and the Elite Dream Pillow

A couple of other features that I have not seen in other sleeping bags are an internal designated cell phone pocket and the Argali Elite Dream Backpacking Pillow. The cell phone pocket seems like a no-brainer, and it’s hard to believe that other companies don’t have one. When the temperature dips, you should keep your cell phone inside your sleeping bag to help preserve the battery life. The issue has been that it can migrate all over your bag in the night, and when your alarm goes off at 5 am, you struggle to find it. The simple pocket in the Alpine bag makes it easy to store and consistent to find.

The Dream pillow is a relatively simple pillow. It has a velvet-like soft microfiber on one side and is lightly stuffed to provide some cushion. One end of the pillow has a zipper so that you can open it and stuff it with additional items like a down jacket or pants if you prefer a bit more cushion. The pillow has two small buttons, one on each end, and on the inside of the Alpine sleeping bag, there are two small receiving tabs where you can button the pillow into place and keep it from moving at night. The pillow weighs in at 3.5oz. Personally, I felt like the pillow was a little understuffed for my liking, but after stuffing a down jacket inside, it was perfect. The button system that holds the pillow in is a nice feature since it’s not uncommon for me in the past to have the inflatable pillow I’ve been using slip out, and I’ve even had it blow away in the wind.

The weight difference between the Argali pillow and the Sea to Summit pillow I have been using is about 1.5 ounces, with the inflatable one being lighter. What the Argali does offer over it, though, is that it’s more comfortable when paired with a down jacket, it’s washable, and it can’t deflate if it gets a hole in it or the valve fails.

The Argali Alpine sleeping bags are the right price

Lastly, and perhaps the thing I like the most about the Argali Alpine sleeping bag is the price. While it’s not inexpensive, it’s less expensive than many other sleeping bags made by hunting companies or top-tier outdoor recreation and camping brands. At $585 and $605 for the regular and long 20° versions and $695 and $725 for the 0° versions, I believe there is good value there.

I’ve often said that I believe a sleeping bag is one gear item where it makes sense to buy a quality bag because they will last decades as long as you take care of them and store them properly. The Alpine sleeping bag offers you a top-tier sleeping bag and a price that is a bit less than other options. Having spent many nights in it, I can honestly recommend it. Well done Argali, well done.