Vango Ultralite 700 Sleeping Bag
Product Review & Walking Gear Test

	Ultralite 700 Sleeping Bag Vital Statistics: Colours: Shell Bluestone/Black, Lining Atlantic Weight: 1.225 kg SRP: £55.00

Ultralite 700 Sleeping Bag

Vital Statistics:

Colours:
Shell Bluestone/Black, Lining Atlantic

Weight:
1.225 kg

SRP:
£55.00

Vango says:"he benchmark compact, light, synthetic sleeping bag in the market place. They are ideal for the backpacker, mountain marathon competitor, cyclist or traveller who requires a product designed for their lightweight and compact requirements"

Features to Note:

Temperature Rating: to -1�C
Comfort Rating: +7�C to +25�C
Length: 225cm
Chest Width: 80cm
Foot Width: 50cm
Pack Size: 32cm Long x 15cm Diameter# Polair RSN outer fabric tough ripstop, hardwearing, fibre proof.
Polair Silky inner fabric soft, perspiration wicking, comfortable washable.
Insulite Micro filling pedigree component insulation, guaranteed warmth.
Omega construction creates more heat retention and better fit.
Double offset construction (top layer) provides additional heat retention.
4 strap compression sac further reduces the pack size.
2-way YKK Autolock zip facilitates ventilation at the top and bottom of bag.
Insulated zip baffles eliminates heat loss.
IFTH Tested provides guaranteed performance.
Filled cord sleeve improves comfort around chest and head.
225cm long will fit most users comfortably

In-use Test:

In line with the industry standard Vango describe the Ultralite 700 sleeping bag as a '2 season' bag - presumably meaning Spring and Summer. I tested this bag on a camping trip to the Lake District in June 2003 and found it wanting. Despite the temperature only dropping to 10�C or so I was simply too cold - being forced to don t-shirts and on the 2nd night a fleece and pair of tracksters.

Also, the zip baffles had a (very) annoying habit of getting caught in the zip - and then wouldn't budge.

Having said that, it is very lightweight and would be ideal for back-packing in countries where the night time temperature remains warm. You could use it in Britain if you are prepared to wear all your clothes at night - you just better hope they are not wet.

The bag is thin and effortlessly compresses down into a well designed bag with zip lock straps that can be easily stowed in a rucksack.

Buying Advice:

Vango gear is always good value - but the Ultralite 700 just doesn't cut the mustard. For camping in Britain, buy a higher rated bag (3 season minimum)

What do you think?

Have you got a Vango Ultralite 700 Sleeping Bag?

We would love to hear what you thought of it - good, bad or indifferent. Perhaps you simply disagree with the verdict above - or feel an important feature has been negelected.

Let us know by clicking this link - What I think of Vango Ultralite 700 Sleeping Bag - so we can publish your important views below.

• I used mine for a interrail trip during the summer in sourhern Europe and I was perfect for that, compact, lightweight and breathable. I do agree it won't provide confort in cooler weather. Not advised if less than 10-15°C

Susana Duarte, Olhão

• I totally agree with previous reviewers. The Vango Ultralite 700 sleeping bag does not perform even in moderate UK temperatures. I bought it for its lightweight feature, backpacking in Derbyshire and the Lake District in May and June and it was far too cold even with all my clothes on!

Angela Varley

• This is a light bag but it's not very warm, I used it once on a wild camping trip on Snowdon, I camped out at over 1000 feet and had a tent which leaked, it rained all night, was around 3-4°C and I was fully clothed with fleece on and freezing! Must admit though it was pretty water resistant, I'm about to use it again for an October trip to the peaks, I'm going to be fully clothed and wearing my Rab extreme duvet jacket so I think I will be ok, if I bought a new down bag it would weigh 1lb less than this bag and my duvet jacket combined, so I think it's worth the extra lb to have a warm jacket for the evening as well. By the way the bag ratings tests are conducted fully clothed, so if you like to sleep naked then you need to go for a much better (and heavier) bag.

Peter Rogers, Rushden