Just wondering if anyone has used this sleeping bag?
I am looking for a sleeping bag under 200 quid that is suitable for Everest base camp trek, Kilimanjaro, Mt Elbrus, and Scottish winter climbs.
3 Bags have crossed my browsing path;
Rab Ascent 900 - comfort limit of -19 price tag of 189.99 Alpkit SH1000 - comfort limit of -16 price tag of 165.00 Alpkit PD800 - comfort limit of -17 price tag of around 185 I believe?
I got one of my daughters an Ascent 700 for a Christmas present. We haven't had a chance to try it out in the cold yet. However, comparing it to my old ME Redline, it would seem to be fairly similar. I have used my Redline down to about -20 and been comfortable, wearing some clothes too. I think Rab rate the 700 down to -10 comfort zone.
I would be happy to use the 700 it in Scottish Winter conditions and for Everest BC (don't have experience of Kili or Elbrus). Don't forget that for Everest it's only the last few days when you get beyond Namche that it gets really cold at night.
So I would imagine that the 900 would be more than adequate. However, it all depends on how cold you sleep.
Yeah, part of me is telling me to go for the Rab just because it's Rab but I'm not sure because I have heard really good things about the Alpkit stuff.
I don't get how the how the fill power of the Rab is 650US 80/20 and the Alpkit SH1000 is 650EU 90/10 yet the Rab comes out with slightly better figures?
Is this purely down to the Rab using a better quality fill? EU duck down rather than Chinese goose down?
Note that you subtract 100 from US to get EU (I know this isn't exact but it shows the direction of movement) AND that alpkit offer 90% down whereas rab is 80%. AND the alpkit has 100g more down in it anyway (fill weight of 1000g compared to a fill weight of 900g on the Rab)
I think it's just to do with how they test it to be honest to get the best figures they can, there is no standard to come up with temperature ratings there are just recommendations. So that rather inconclusive answer is what I am sticking with (unless someone else can give a proper reason for it)
In terms of fill power and weight of fill the Alpkit's come out on top but when speaking to Rab they say the use mature European birds for there fill as it lofts better.
I still don't get how it can keep you warmer though - I have read alot about the differences between EU and US fill power and I understand that, which is also why I don't get how Rab can claim that it can go down to -19.
I don't suppose -2 degrees would make much of a huge impact anyway
I think it's because it doesn't actually keep you 2 degrees warmer. Just their tests using their calculations, or even their product testing maybe, resulted in -19 rating. The Alpkit testing and calculations resulted in -17. The numbers are rather abstract anyway and don't actually mean much in terms of at -19 I'm cosy in the rab but at -20 I start to get cold.
I am also sceptical of any comparison between brands' numbers to say one is better than the other.
I think that it's probably safe to say that the ascent and SH are about as warm as each other. The Rab has a better temp rating but by logic could be slightly cooler and is slightly lighter. The alpkit seems significantly cheaper and I like alpkit as a company =)I guess it's down (excuse the pun) to the other factors to make your decision really.
I do love the guys at Alpkit and I think for this reason alone I am going to buy either the SH1000 or the PD800.
The reviews Alpkit recieve are amazing and there customer service is fantastic.
I emailed Rab enquiring about the Ascent 900 last week and there Sales manager replied with some spew about the quality of the down but then said go and ask Adventure Peaks to make sure it is suitable for EBC, and I was thinking to myself nice product assurance there.
I'd agree with you. I'm holding out for a PD 400 or 600 when they are back in stock (undecided which to get first and my bank account won't appreciate me getting both at the same time) simply because I like the company, the way they do things and the value for money seems way above the rest.
Just strikes me as the way companies should be run* =)
