Getting Down
Choosing a sleeping bag for winter? We’ve found six of the best.
Check out how to buy the right sleep bag here.
North Face Blue Kazoo
R2 499
Temperature rating: -10°C
Insulation: 90/10 goose down, 650 inches cubed fill power
Shape: Mummy
Weight: 1,12kg
A three-season sleeping bag (by northern hemisphere standards) and the perfect year-round bag for South Africans. Its trapezoidal-baffle construction (complicated stitching and stuffing methods) keeps insulation in place, reducing the chance of cold spots forming, and it has a water-repellent finish. The fabric is buttery soft and the bag has a lifetime warranty.
K-Way Kilimanjaro II Thermashift
R2 499
Temperature rating: -7°C
Insulation: 90/10 goose down, 700 inches cubed fill power
Shape: Mummy
Weight: 1,45kg
Fluffier than the First Ascent Ice Breaker, but with a lower down-to-feather ratio. It’s also marginally bigger and heavier than the Ice Breaker.
Coleman Adjustable Comfort
R799
Temperature rating: 1°C
Insulation: Hollow fibre
Shape: Envelope
Weight: 1,778kg
This is one of my favourites – plenty of great features: loops and catches for easy rolling, an S-shaped zip opening with adjustable layers (so if it’s too hot you can sleep under a portion of the bag with the built-in sheet still covering you) and a pointed zipper to prevent the fabric catching. The temperature rating is higher than other bags featured here; dress in thermals for sub-zero temperatures. Machine washable.
Columbia Reactor 35
R1 499
Temperature rating: -6°C
Insulation: Synthetic polyester
Shape: Mummy
Weight: 907g
This high-tech sleeping bag has rain-resistant exterior fabric, reflective lining that radiates heat within the bag, a glow-in-the-dark zipper pull and it’s suitable for summer temperatures with an impressive comfort range of 10°C. It’s the lightest of the lot, but also the hardest to pack away as it’s very puffy and not easily compressible.
First Ascent Ice breaker
R2 999
Temperature rating: -8°C
Insulation: 92/8 goose down, 800 inches cubed fill power
Shape: Mummy
Weight: 1,4kg
The drawstring hood can be tightened to retain more heat, but the First Ascent bag also zips open to use as a flat duvet. Great all-purpose investment, good value for money and one of the most popular bags on the market.
Available from most outdoor retailers.
Trail – 5 degree
R339,99
Temperature rating: -5
Insulation: Hollow fibre
Shape: Mummy
Weight: 1,6kg
As a budget buy, you can’t go wrong with this compact bag. Constructed with tear-resistant fabric, the insulated zip edge and adjustable cowl hood drawstring work together to keep the chill out. Overall, a great buy for campers on a budget.
