Product Review – Therm-a-rest Sleeping Bag: Parsec 20
“White Heat.” This is the color name that Therm-a-Rest has given the gold to white fade on their Parsec 20 sleeping bag. With such a great name, I am adopting White Heat as my sleeping bag’s nickname. I got to try out my Parsec 20 White Heat during my summer 2021 backpacking trips, and I have to say, it’s hard to find fault with this sleeping bag. Filled with Hydrophobic down, this bag dries quickly, is light, warm, and compacts well.
In this post, I’ll break down my experience with Parsec 20 sleeping bag from Therm-a-Rest – why I got it, where I used it, my favorite features, and discuss the possible downsides. If you’re on the market for a new sleeping bag, add the Parsec 20 to the list of possibilities. It rates high in my book.
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Why Did I Get the Parsec 20?
The story originates back in February 2021, when I went to Joshua Tree National Park for what was supposed to be three nights. You would think that the deserts are mild at night, but it was COLD. Never technically freezing, the temps reached the low 40’s, and my sleep system was not prepared. Each night I tossed and turned, not being able to fall asleep. After the second night, I decided to cut the trip short by one night instead of bearing the cold weather. When I got back, I researched what I could do better and learned how to build a better sleep system. Although I was doing some things right, I was also doing a lot of things wrong.
I reached out to Therm-a-rest, who graciously sent me a sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and new pillow. I’ll be writing about these items individually, as well as how they work together in my “Creating a Backpacking Sleep System” post. The sleeping bag I used in Joshua Tree is my Marmot Eco 20, a good eco-fill alternative, but trying out a hydrophobic down bag with the Parsec 20 was eye-opening in terms of how light, compact, and strategically warm a sleeping bag can be. Let’s get into more details about this sleeping bag.
Where Did I Test out the Parsec 20?
So far, I’ve taken this sleeping bag on three backpacking trips:
- Mason Lake Backpacking Trip, which included one dispersed camping night and one night backpacking.
- Backpacking Loop in Grand Teton National Park, which included one car camping night and two backpacking nights.
- Mt. Rainier backpacking, which included one night car camping and one night backpacking.
Major takeaway: it is easy to pack and unpack with the adjustable stuff sack. I was on the move with these trips and never slept two nights in the same spot. Luckily, packing and unpacking are not difficult. Simply stuff the sleeping bag into the stuff sack and pull each of the tabs until you have your desired size. At the tightened size, I fit my entire sleep system, plus a sleeping bag liner inside the bottom pocket of my backpack. Easy peasy.
At a Glance:
- Brand: Therm-a-rest
- Direct Website: Therm-a-Rest Parsec 20
- Other Websites that Carry the Parsec 20: Backcountry.com (REI.com no longer carries it)
- Price at the time of writing: $399.95 (regular size)
- Weight: 2 lbs.
- Color: White Heat
- Style: 800 Fill Hydrophobic Down
Benefits:
- Lightweight and Warm!
- Foot box and hood for extra warmth.
- Designed so that you can move around comfortably, which is excellent.
- Phone pocket to keep your phone from running out of battery. My backup battery can be too heavy to stay in this pocket comfortably, but I still like having one!
- Includes compression sack and separate storage sack.
- Incredibly stylish – although not mission-critical, this sleeping bag photographs beautifully.
Drawbacks:
- Down… I try to stay away from animal products, but you truly cannot beat the natural benefits of down.
- It doesn’t zip down to the feet, which is a tiny bit unfortunate when it’s hot out, but I was grateful for it when it’s cold.
My Favorite Features: Lightweight, Warm, and Smart
Lightweight:
This bag is only 2 lbs! That is 11 oz lighter than my Marmot Eco 20 and other bags on the market. Eco-fill has come a long way, but still a few years to go before it can compare to the lightweight and compactness of down. As I mentioned in the last section, it can compact down to a great size to fit inside the pack.
Strategically Warm:
It seems like there is an industry-standard for 20-degree sleeping bags, which is what the Parsec 20 is rated at, yet it has some strategy to keep you warm. First, zoned insulation has more fill in the middle to keep your core warm. There are also several different flaps inside to keep heat trapped – a separate foot box, a flap at the collar, and one along the zipper. I like all three flaps but noticed the zipper flap the most. I no longer have to place clothes along the zipper to reduce the chill from seeping into the sleeping bag.
Finishing Touches:
In addition to the strategic warmth and lightness, a couple of other details made the Parsec 20 feel lovingly thought through. Details include a fabric lining next to the zipper that reduces snagging, the external pocket for easy phone access, a hood that sinches closed, an extra bag to store the sleeping bag loosely, and stuff sack. The last finishing touch is the sleeping bag connection, which I didn’t get to test.
Let’s Talk About this COLOR!!!
I love this color. The Parsec 20 is a vibrant gold color that fades into white, aptly named White Heat. The interior is a light gray neutral. I had a great time taking White Heat around to photograph and show it off. There are a few reviews concerned that the bag would show dirt easily, but a slick exterior that helps repel dirt. The times I have gotten it a little dirty are when I have been photographing it outside my tent, but those are not normal backpacking activities. Overall, I would be more concerned if I was doing more cowboy camping.
I would be interested in trying the Therm-a-rest Questar sleeping bags in the future, but If I’m candid, I was seduced with Parsec 20 color.
Features that I still Need to Test: Links, Loop, and Wet Down
The feature I still need to test is the sleeping bag’s different connection abilities – called the Synergy Link. There are straps on the back that you can wrap around your sleeping pad, which is great if you tend to get tangled up in your sleeping bag. I tried it at home with my sleeping pad and struggled to get it on. It was tight, and I decided not to bring the straps with me while backpacking because I didn’t want to struggle in my tent. There might be a trick that I haven’t quite figured out. I also don’t have an issue with getting tangled in my sleeping bag.
There are also tiny loops that could connect to a thermal rest quilt or blanket. I’m excited about the option to be even warmer! Not that I needed it on these particular backpacking trips, but if I ever want to think about camping later in the fall, earlier in the spring, or in winter, I would have the ability to add to the sleeping bag. Very cool.
And finally, I didn’t face super wet conditions this summer, so I did not get a chance to try out the Nikwax hydrophobic down. Here are the benefits listed on the tag for the Nikwax hydrophobic down:
- Stays drier and maintains loft 60 times longer than untreated down when exposed to water.
- Absorbs 90% less water and dries 3 times faster than untreated down.
- Maintains performance for 5 washes and is fully retreated when washed with Nikwax Down Wash Direct.
- Water-based formula is safe for you and the environment.
Parsec 20 “Downsides”
There are no deal breakers for me with the Parsec 20. I love the color but could see how it might show dirt quicker. At times I wished that the zipper reached the foot box. But at the same time, I am not sure the insulated foot box would work as well with the zipper. Being a cold sleeper, I would sacrifice the zipper! As I mentioned earlier, getting the straps to fit around the sleeping pad was a struggle. I don’t know if that’s operator error (likely), if the sleeping pad is too big, or if they would even be useful for me.
And finally, the only other thing I could think of is the fact that it is down. It makes me feel better that Therm-a-rest is Responsible Down Standard Certified, which means the waterfowl involved in cultivating the down was treated humanely. I still need to research what that means, but I feel like this is a good start that Therm-a-rest is thinking about the animals involved.
Overall Thoughts: Therm-a-rest’s Parsec 20
Therm-a-rest’s Parsec 20 is a smart sleeping bag that is compact and ready for action. As I mentioned, the color and strategic warmth won me over and I’d easily recommend it to others. I will say it time and time again that I am a cold sleeper! I find it hard to sleep when I am chilled, precisely what happened to me in Joshua Tree National Park. But I’m stoked to have the misery in Joshua Tree because it pushed me to upgrade my entire sleep system to be lighter and warmer. The sleeping bag is only one part of my sleep system. In addition to the sleeping bag, I will be reviewing my new sleeping pad and pillow – check those blog posts out below: (I will link them as I post them)
- Review: Therm-a-rest NeoAir Therm Sleeping Pad (the real game-changer)
- Review: Therm-a-rest Airhead Pillow (a surprising comfort)
- Shop Therm-a-Rest.com
Do you have the Parsec 20? What are your thoughts on the sleeping bag and White Heat color?? What adventures have you taken it on? Let me know in the comments, so I can check it out!
Happy Travels,
Hanna
