Spring camping is cold. Not as cold as winter camping (duh), but still it seems to always catch me off guard as how frigid it get. Well, this depends on where you live I suppose. AND, it depends on what gear you have.
Brooks-Range Mountaineering is a company that I’ve watched over the years, and have always been impressed with their products, especially their down jackets. They have continually developed solid gear that withstands harsh treatment both by its’ owner and in varying weather conditions. This was my first time reviewing one of their sleeping bags, and similarly to their jackets, I was very impressed with the Alpini 15 Degree Sleeping Bag. Impressed and warm, to be exact.
I tried out the sleeping bag last month on an overnight trip in the Cascades. The sleeping bag is 850 fill down, the best insulation you can get in a sleeping bag. The exterior is protected from rips and snares by a high quality fabric called Pertex Quantum. Not only are you guaranteed to stay warm, but also it’s super light, super durable, AND super comfy. I slept like a baby in a tent in April. I haven’t said that since, wait, since last April on the Colorado river in the Grand Canyon. I guess I do tend to sleep well in the outdoors. (It’s the fresh air. And the stars.)
Other features that I liked about this sleeping bag were the neck collar/pillow that surrounded my head while I was in the sleeping bag. It was like my whole head had a pillow, not just the back of my head and neck. I was snug as a bug in a rug, let me tell you!
Mind you, this sleeping bag is for those looking for incredibly warm, resilient and efficient gear. The zipper only opened the upper half part of the bag, and the cut is tight in order to save weight. These are huge pluses, if you are planning to summit a 14,000 ft peak in the Rockies. For an overnight camping trip in the Pacific Northwest, I wouldn’t have minded the longer zipper and extra room in the bag.
The sleeping bag weighs 32 ounces and keeps you warm in temperatures as low as 15 degrees F. It’s incredible how small this sleeping bag packs down to, and with it weighing merely two pounds, it truly is a fantastic piece of gear to own if you do major mountain climbing and cold weather camping.
The Brooks-Range Alpini Sleeping Bag retails for $369 and can be bought here on the Brooks-Range Mountaineering website.
Photo courtesy of Brooks-Range Mountaineering.