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The North Face Cat's Meow 20

The North Face Cat's Meow 20

Scored on 54 verified owner verdicts, from 100 comments read across 2 communities
TL;DR
Owners generally regard the Cat's Meow 20 as a durable, dependable classic, with several reporting bags that stayed warm and remained perfectly usable after a decade or more of use, including full PCT thru-hikes. The most consistent complaint is that its 20-degree rating runs optimistic: several owners felt cold in the 20s to 40s, with some calling it closer to a 32- or 35-degree bag. A few also found it bulky, noting it can take up much of a pack when stuffed. Warmth on clear, cold nights emerges as the recurring soft spot, though many still slept comfortably and would recommend it.

69% of 54 verified owners recommend the The North Face Cat's Meow 20, based on real owner verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube.

See the problems 3 owners report →

What 54 owners say
100 comments reviewed · scored on the 54 clearest verdicts
69%
Recommend
37 owners
25%
Neutral
14 owners
6%
Don't recommend
3 owners
Source
Score
N
Counted in the score
Reddit
69%
54
Reviewed, but not counted — and why
YouTubeiowner comments
100%
5
No clear verdictiSetup, tips & quirks
35

The headline score reflects owners (Reddit, enthusiast forums), independent lab tests, blogs with no affiliate links, and YouTube owner-comments when they line up with owners. YouTube is shown for perspective but kept out here — hover the i for why.

What owners like
  • Keeps most sleepers warm and cozy, often comfortable well below the 20F rating (into the teens with proper base layers) · 14 · 26%
  • Exceptional long-term durability, owners report 10, 13, even 20+ years of use with no tearing, fraying, or wearing out · 10 · 19%
  • Strong value as an entry-level 3-season bag, often cited around the $179 price point as a great starter choice · 4 · 7%
What owners flag
  • Warmth rating feels overstated, several owners got cold in the 20s-40s and say it performs more like a 32-35F bag than a true 20F bag · 7 · 13%
  • Bulky and doesn't compress well, sometimes too big to fit in a pack's dedicated sleeping bag compartment (e.g. Osprey Kyte 48), heavier/bulkier than comparable down bags · 6 · 11%

Top quotes, sourced

100 reviewed · 59 shown
Sentiment
Community
Sort
Reddit▼ don’t recommend

I did not like my North face cat's meow. I was very cold at 35-40 degrees in it in my puffy.

Reddit▲ recommend

Next to it are 2 North Face Cat's Meow synthetic mummy bags. They are older but still work great - classic product.

Reddit— neutral

North Face Cat's Meow from 2004ish? (This is being replaced immediately)

Reddit— neutral

Sleeping Bag: The North Face cat's meow (need to replace this)

Reddit▲ recommend

I used the north face cats meow 20° bag for both my Pct thrus and was happy with it.

Reddit▼ don’t recommend

don't get fooled by the North Face Cat's Meow..it seems like a good bag until you try packing it up and it takes up your entire backpack and only is rated down to 32 degrees.

Reddit▲ recommend

Mine has lasted for over a decade. Highly recommended.

Reddit— neutral

my feet were freezing the night it got down into the 20s

Reddit▼ don’t recommend

I think the NF is rated way wrong, it's more like a 35 degree bag.

Reddit— neutral

It wasn't always the most comfortable set up, but it worked for me.

YouTube▲ recommend

It is kept me toasty warm. A great bag.

Reddit▲ recommend

I own the North Face Cat's Meow, has worked great

Reddit— neutral

I was warm on all nights that were cloudy, but when it's a clear night I was a little chilled, but still managed to sleep well unlike my friends that were in a tent.

Reddit— neutral

I had my 20 degree North Face Cat's Meow (2010-11?) with a 8 degree liner. Other than the night at Rae Lakes we were both sleeping hot with our setups.

Reddit▲ recommend

it's still in great shape and perfectly useable

Reddit— neutral

It's definitely not the best, but it'll get you through the few days of camping that you have.

Reddit▲ recommend

I love this bag, so much.

Reddit▲ recommend

I have used this sleeping bag from -7F to 95F and with a wool cover blanket or some thick sleeping clothing, it can be warm enough.

Reddit— neutral

its so big it doesnt even fit in the sleeping bag compartment of my osprey kyte 48

Reddit▲ recommend

a North Face Cat's Meow sleeping bag. Worked wonderfully in temperatures that got down to maybe 50F?

Reddit— neutral

used my north face cats meow (20\* rating) in 20\* temperatures and been freezing

Reddit▲ recommend

I absolutely love my [NorthFace Cats Meow mummy bag](http://www.rei.com/product/807886/the-north-face-cats-meow-sleeping-bag)(20^^0 ). that combined with my [Thermolite Reactor](http://www.ems.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3909505) silk liner is insanely comfortable.

Reddit— neutral

Cheap was North Face Cats meow but its goddamn big when packed.

Reddit▲ recommend

I absolutely love my cat's meow; it's a 20 degree mummy bag from North Face for $179

Showing 124 of 59

Common problems & things to know

Practical notes owners raise — setup, quirks, and issues to watch for. They don't say whether the person likes the product, so they're not counted in the score, but they inform the pros, cons, and who it's for.

Redditⓘ good to know

So she got one, but it's not mating properly. It seems the newer zipper has the fabric bit that covers the zipper on the inside, whereas the older one has it on the outside.

Redditⓘ good to know

"Nothing" being relative to an uncompressed sleeping bag. Many bags will still take up quite a bit of space. My North Face Cat's Meow 20 compresses down to the size of a watermelon; even my fancy 900-fill-power down quilt gets only to about half that size. Sleeping bags are still one of the bulkier items.

Redditⓘ good to know

If you’re 6’ tall definitely get the long. I got the 20* for my 5’8” wife and there isn’t an inch of room left in length. I also got an awesome deal and got it for $40 brand new. But that’s a different story.