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Kelty Galactic 30 Review

Down-filled and rectangular, this is a rare bag and we love it
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kelty galactic 30 camping sleeping bag review
Credit: Kelty
Price:  $170 List
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Manufacturer:   Kelty
By Jason Wanlass ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  May 18, 2022
63
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#8 of 11
  • Warmth - 35% 6.0
  • Comfort - 30% 6.0
  • Features - 25% 6.0
  • Packed Size - 10% 9.0

Our Verdict

Discovering a traditional, rectangle bag filled with high-performance 600-fill down is truly a rare find. We love the Kelty Galactic 30 for its simple design, fluffy down insulation, and multi-purpose abilities, earning it our Top Pick Award for being the best down option. This bag is lightweight, warm, compressible, and is perfectly suited for anyone from backyard campers to summer backpackers heading into the wild. The Galactic has a higher price tag than some of its peers. However, we feel the extra cost is worth it. See it ranked against other top products in our article on the best camping sleeping bags.
REASONS TO BUY
True all-purpose bag
Rare-to-find down-filled rectangle bag
Warm
Lightweight
REASONS TO AVOID
More expensive than synthetic bags
Loses all insulation when wet
Editor's Note: This review was updated on May 18, 2022 to inform of updates to the down insulation and aesthetics of this sleeping bag.

Compare to Similar Products

 
kelty galactic 30 camping sleeping bag review
This Product
Kelty Galactic 30
Awards Top Pick Award Editors' Choice Award Top Pick Award Top Pick Award Best Buy Award 
Price $169.95 at REI
Compare at 2 sellers
$170 List
$164.99 at Amazon
$130 List
$97.49 at Amazon
$210 List
$189.95 at Amazon
$47.00 at REI
Compare at 2 sellers
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Bottom Line In a world of synthetic car camping models, this down-filled bag stands out and performs wellDesigned with cozy warmth and top quality in mind, this bag is best traditional camping bag on the marketThis feature-laden model is versatile, cozy, and adaptable to varying tempsBeyond cozy for couples or starfish-sprawling solo sleepers, this model lives up to its nameIf you are on a tight budget, this bag gets the job done and saves quite a bit of cash, with some drawbacks
Rating Categories Kelty Galactic 30 ALPS OutdoorZ Redwood TETON Sports Polara... Kelty Tru.Comfort 2... Coleman Brazos
Warmth (35%)
6.0
9.0
8.0
7.0
6.0
Comfort (30%)
6.0
9.0
8.0
8.0
4.0
Features (25%)
6.0
7.0
8.0
8.0
5.0
Packed Size (10%)
9.0
3.0
5.0
5.0
7.0
Specs Kelty Galactic 30 ALPS OutdoorZ Redwood TETON Sports Polara... Kelty Tru.Comfort 2... Coleman Brazos
Claimed Temperature Rating 30 F -10 F 0 F 20 F 20 F
Measured Weight 2.1 lbs. (long) 11.7 lbs. 8.3 lbs. 8.8 lbs. 4.1 lbs.
Style Rectangular Rectangular Rectangular 2-person Rectangular
Draft Tube Full length Full length Full length None Full length
Neck Baffle No No Yes No No
Shell Material 50D Downproof Polyester Taffeta Canvas Taffeta 75D 210T High Filament Poly Taffeta Polyester
Lining Material 50D Downproof Polyester Taffeta 100% cotton Inner bag: 100% Brushed Poly Flannel
Outer bag: PolarLite Fleece
75D 210T Poly Taffeta Tricot knit
Insulation 600 Fill Dridown TechLoft SuperLoft Elite Hollow Fiber Cloudloft Insulation Polyester
Measured Size L x W 73" X 34" 38" x 80" 82" X 36" 90" X 60" 75" X 33"

Our Analysis and Test Results

Product Update Note — May 2022
Since our test period with the Galactic 30, Kelty has changed the down filling. The previous version we tested (above, left) was insulated with 600 fill power DriDown, which Kelty has nixed on the updated Galactic (above, right), opting instead for 550 fill power down without waterproof treatment. It's also available in some new colors, and the price has increased. We're linking to the updated bag in our review.

Feathers and fabric: There isn't much to it, but that's the whole point. Its simple, down-insulated design makes the Kelty Galactic incredibly practical, very warm for its weight, and relatively friendly to the pocketbook (when you consider it's a down bag). We feel its simplicity makes this bag very versatile.

This bag is simply amazing when it comes to its applications. Perfect for everything from a backyard sleepover to a backcountry trip in the Tetons, the Galactic's rugged exterior and down insulation make it a perfect stuff-and-go bag for many occasions. This bag is not designed for cold weather camping but is a perfect bag for late Spring, Summer, and early Fall. It is also a viable option for summertime backpackers who desire a down bag but don't like the confinement of traditional mummy bags. The only drawback we found is the bag's width. Users with larger body types will most likely find this bag's 34-inch width to be a little confining.

Performance Comparison


kelty galactic 30 camping sleeping bag review - this bag is super thin but very warm for its weight and size -- all...
This bag is super thin but very warm for its weight and size -- all thanks to feathers.
Credit: Jason Wanlass

Warmth


The Galactic received generous marks for warmth. Our reviewers found the bag's down insulation to be entirely adequate for its 30-degree rating. In fact, we feel the bag outperformed its warmth rating. We also found it has enough room to slip in a combination of a down puffy jacket and base layers to increase the bag's warmth considerably. The Galactic isn't the warmest bag on the market, but it isn't designed to be. Down insulation makes it lightweight and allows it to easily compete against its larger and heavier synthetic peers for warmth.


It's important to note that Galactic's main warmth advantage could also become its greatest disadvantage. By nature, down looses nearly all of its capabilities to insulate when it becomes saturated with water. Although rare for this to happen, it is one potential drawback to down insulation. That being said, the manufacturer uses a high-performance down, called DriDown, to insulate this bag. The DriDown product is 100 percent down plumes that are treated with a spray-on polymer, which helps the down resist water, maintain loft and dry faster than normal, untreated down.

kelty galactic 30 camping sleeping bag review - offering the warmth and comfort of down, the galactic is also...
Offering the warmth and comfort of down, the Galactic is also rectangle. This allows for more wiggle room for morning stretches than down mummy bags can offer.
Credit: Jason Wanlass

Comfort


Given its thinner design, the Galactic has minimal natural padding. Therefore, sleeping right on the ground with this bag most likely isn't your best option. However, when combined with an RV bed or sleeping pad, this bag's down design creates an incredibly cozy sleep system. When compared to synthetic insulation, we found the Galactic's down system offers a more pleasant feel. Down is softer, cozier, and tends to encapsulate the shape of individual body types more easily.


One minor drawback we discovered is the bag's overall width of 34 inches. Many of the bags we tested have this same width. However, given the fact that down is much lighter, we feel the manufacturer could have made the bag a little wider without adding much weight or volume. Many of our testers felt a wider Galactic would simply offer a nicer, all-encompassing, luxurious fit.

kelty galactic 30 camping sleeping bag review - its greatest feature is high-performance, 600-fill down. however...
Its greatest feature is high-performance, 600-fill down. However, our next favorite feature is the Galactic's effective drawstring opening, which is very effective at retaining heat.
Credit: Jason Wanlass

Features


We've already hinted at the fact that there's isn't much to this bag in terms of features. It offers a very simple, lightweight design. There is an ample, full-length draft tube, which effectively blocks cold air from entering through the zipper. The Galactic also has a drawstring opening, which allows users to cinch the top of the bag tightly around their shoulders and necks.


We still gave the bag relatively high marks for features based solely on the fact that it's insulated with 600-fill high-performance down. The fact that the Galactic is one of only a handful of traditional, rectangle bags that incorporate down fill, makes it a rare find and very unique. One simple feature this bag lacks is an internal storage pocket. We feel this is a simple addition that the manufacturer should have considered.

kelty galactic 30 camping sleeping bag review - we crammed the galactic into a generic compression sack (blue) and...
We crammed the Galactic into a generic compression sack (blue) and placed it above last year's model to show how effectively it packs up. In short, it has one of the smallest packed sizes of any traditional, rectangle bag on the market.
Credit: Jason Wanlass

Packed Size


Lightweight, compressible down almost always equals high scores for packed size. We found the Galactic to be a dream in this area of study. Designed by the manufacturer to be ideal for car camping or backpacking, this bag has the smallest packed size of any traditional, rectangle bag we've ever tested. The Galactic has very few, if any, rivals for packed size.


We did find the stuff sack to be a little on the tight side, requiring just a little extra effort to pack the bag away. That said, once the bag was completely stuffed, it can be compressed even further through the use of a compression sack, making it a legitimate backcountry bag for backpackers who don't like the constrictive design of mummy bags.

kelty galactic 30 camping sleeping bag review - the galactic's compressible down and silky taffeta materials make...
The Galactic's compressible down and silky taffeta materials make stuffing this bag a breeze.
Credit: Jason Wanlass

Unless you can't get down with a mummy-style or quilt sleeping bag, we generally recommend backpacking-oriented models when heading out into the backcountry. Our review of backpacking sleeping bags will help you keep costs low but reduce some pack weight and bulk for campsites further afoot.
Related: Best Backpacking Sleeping Bag of 2023

Value


Versatility, warmth, size, and weight make this a nearly perfect grab-and-go bag. It packs up small, is rugged, and boasts 600-fill DriDown insulation. We feel the extra cost for a high-performance down bag of this nature is justifiable — especially when we consider its insulative capabilities, 2.3-lbs packed weight, and small packed volume. This bag is fairly priced for buyers who value the benefits of down insulation and are excited at the opportunity to own a rarely made, feather-filled rectangular bag.

Conclusion


Throughout our testing, we repeatedly compared the Kelty Galactic 30 to popular down jackets like The North Face Thermoball or the Patagonia Nano Puff. These jackets, and others like them, have become a household standard for outdoor clothing. We feel the Galactic offers a sleeping bag version of their function, style, and versatility. Simple in design, this bag is perfect for nearly any outdoor adventure, including everything from a simple backyard sleepover to a multi-day backpacking trip. The Galactic is a much-needed addition — and a complete standout — to the already saturated list of traditional camping sleeping bags.

kelty galactic 30 camping sleeping bag review - it's rare to find a traditional, rectangle sleeping bag that offers...
It's rare to find a traditional, rectangle sleeping bag that offers high-performance down insulation. The Galactic offers the best of both worlds for basic camping and adventures.
Credit: Jason Wanlass

Jason Wanlass