H18 ORR Down Sleeping
Bag Review, Sept 2013.
I had the chance to test a shiny new sleeping bag this week
in Mountain Marathon mode – H18 ORR’s 380g down sleeping bag.
I was slightly dubious about the bag on first
inspection...there’s not much to it! I have tested the 480g bag in some horrid
conditions and was really pleased with it so kept an open mind.
The main difference with the 380g bag is the lack of full
side zip – although there is a small zip at the top of the bag with a Velcro closure
over the zip stop and a draw string, so still functions in the same way as it’s
big sister and I had no trouble wiggling into the hole at the top! I felt the cut was slightly better too.
The main thing with Mountain Marathon kit is obviously to
keep weight and volume to a minimum while packed into my rucksack. The beauty
of the down- proof nylon outer construction of the bag meant that I was able to
compress the bag down to a very small size by putting it a good quality dry
bag, almost vacuum packing it by squeezing the air out. I’ve never been able to get a sleeping bag to
such a small size before so really impressed. The nylon outer is also very
quiet and doesn’t rustle, which is a bonus when trying not to wake your team
mate up trying to get comfy in the tent.
The overnight conditions were dry and relatively mild. The
bag performed really well, highly breathable, warm and comfortable and I didn’t
need to layer up with any of my mandatory MM kit, so I would feel confident
using the bag on an event in more extreme conditions.
Helen
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