Our review: For a soft, comfortable and lofty sleeping bag, Rab's Women's Ascent 500 Down could be for you
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Rab have come a long way since their humble British beginnings in 1981. Now giants in the outdoor industry and owned by Equip Outdoor Technologies, most of their manufacture is currently done in Asia but they still fill their down sleeping bags at their facility in Derbyshire. The Women’s Ascent 500 sleeping bag is designed for two-season use and amply meets that brief.
First impressions
This sleeping bag oozes softness and comfort without any of the heaviness you might associate with thicker down bags. It weighs more than some others so would perhaps not fit into the ultralight category but it’s lofting and design make it a bag to choose when the nights start to draw in. For multi-night trips, the generous mummy proportions will be tempting but all that comfort comes at a price.
How warm is the bag?
This sleeping bag is filled with 500g of 650 fill power hydrophobic duck down. The shoulder and zip baffles are generous and filled with down to effectively prevent draughts. The zip is two-way and allows for foot venting. With its slightly wider proportions, you’ll have room to wear extra layers on colder nights without compromising on insulating air space. If you’ve ever felt the chill caused when you curl up and compress a tighter down sleeping bag, you’ll be pleased with the additional space around the hips offered by this women’s specific version.
How comfortable?
The fabrics and down insulation of this sleeping bag contribute to its lovely soft feel. Balancing weight and comfort with a mummy shape that is wider than some, this bag offers a relaxed sleeping position, especially if you like to curl up. The three-quarter YKK zip has a really effective anti-snag cover, which ensures it runs well from inside or outside the bag.
Is the down responsibly sourced?
The down in this sleeping bag is RDS (Responsible Down Standard) certified.
Sustainability?
This sleeping bag is made in the UK. Impressively, its outer and inner fabric are both recycled and PFC-free. Rab don’t use PFCs in their hydrophobic down treatment and some of their sleeping bags contain recycled down. Rab are climate neutral, which is similar to carbon neutrality but also recognises the importance of eliminating other harmful gases such as methane and nitrous oxide.
Are other versions available?
The Ascent family of sleeping bags comes in a wide range of warmth levels from the Ascent 300 Down (Rab’s own 1°C sleep limit temperature) to the Ascent 1100 Down (Rab’s own –25 sleep limit temperature). Most of these are also available in women’s specific sizes.
Is it good value?
This one is on the expensive side for its temperature ratings but super soft and comfortable with impressive sustainability credentials.
Best for:
Two-season camping. Backpacking and overseas travelling.
Similar to:
The Alpkit Pipedream, which is cheaper and lighter but has less top-notch features.
Facts at a glance: Rab Women’s Ascent 500 Down
- RRP: £270
- Shape: Generous mummy with female shaping
- Fill: 500g of 650 fill power duck down
- Weight: 1025g
- Packed size: 35cm x 20cm
- Comfort rating (European standard 13537): Comfort temperature 1°C (lower temperature -5°C)
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Looking for more options? Check out our roundup of the best sleeping bags for every camper in 2023, tried and tested by the experts at Countryfile.
