Picked this up on sale after reading up on the benefits of merino wool and couldn't be happier with my choice! At first I wasn't sure if I'd like the zipper, but this shirt can get pretty toasty when you're active and the 1/4 zip is great to help regulate temperature! I went out early April for a weekend backpacking trip in far northern Minnesota with temps in the 40's. At the trailhead I put my hoody on over this because of the cold, about a 1/3 of a mile down the trail I had to take it off again because this shirt is WARM! I load trailers at UPS and after one night of wear, my synthetic shirts REEK! 2 days of backpacking and there's no smell whatsoever on the Stoic.

I love the fit; it fits me perfectly. Washes up great; Theres no pilling so far after a few weeks of use and washing. The zipper is good quality, hasn't gotten stuck and it seems like it'll hold up well. In conclusion I've started replacing all my synthetics with merino. Solid shirt from Stoic! I also picked up the Stoic 150 weight merino 1/4 zip from SnC and another slam dunk!

I'll start off by saying I'm a big Stoic fan, but I would NOT buy this bag for the full $300, I got it on sale and paid under $200, which I think is a fair value for this bag.

As far as pros:
- Crazy light
- Extremely Compressible(see photo)
- Cheap for an 850 down bag(for me at least)
- Water resistant Pertex shell

Now that what I love is out of the way, you should know what you're getting. The 30 degree rating is pretty misleading to me. I spent a 40 degree night in northern MN, with a silk liner that should add about 10 degrees, and I was a little chilly. Now I was sleeping on an Inertia Xframe pad, which dont exactly insulate but use the bag's own insulation, so that may have contributed. I was also wearing a lightweight merino wool baselayer. So plan on wearing an extra layer at night if you're going to be in colder temps. (My buddy has the same bag and wore an extra layer that night and he said he was perfectly warm) But honestly, with such a lightweight bag that's expected.

I didnt have any problems with the zipper hitting me in the face, there's a piece of fabric that you're supposed to tuck the zipper under and it keeps it off your face just fine. I also wish the included stuff sack would be a little more water resistant considering it's a down bag and all. I upgraded to a compression dry bag because I'd rather be safe than risk a soggy sack of feathers at the end of a long day.

In conclusion, if you're looking for a lightweight, ultra packable, cost effective down bag, this is your bag. Just keep in mind that it's not quite as warm as advertised and you'll be totally satisfied. I know I am!