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Incredibly eager to start this year's winter camping season, I headed to the Cairngorms for this year's first glimpses of snow. I wasn't planning to camp on the plateau itself, and the expected temperature was supposed to hover around 0° throughout the night. I arrived at the Corrour Bothy at about 3, pitched my tent, The Hillerberg Soulo, next to the river Dee, and settled in for a reasonably long evening in the tent.

I was here to test out some winter kit, notably the Exped Ultra 7R Sleeping mat, which you can read more about here, and the Exped Ultra -5° M Down Sleeping Bag. Always one to be on the side of caution when it comes to a good night's sleep, I was keen to take a bag rated lower than the expected temperature. The bag has a comfort rating of 1°C and a Comfort Limit of -5°C; this, coupled with the Ultra 7R Sleeping mats' impressively high 7.1 R-value, meant I was confident of a good night's sleep.

The bag (for context, I was using the long version of the bag) uses 480g (the regular uses 450g) of high-grade 850 Fill Power down as its insulation, and the “I-beam” construction of the baffles allows for maximum loft and warmth. The 15D lining nylon is incredibly soft and smooth and makes for a lovely material to swaddle yourself in. The Pertex Quantum out shell has been made from 100% recycled materials and treated with a plant-based PFC to protect the bag and the down. It is worth noting that the down has not been treated with a Hydrophobic coating. So some care must be used in wet conditions, though, the sleeping bag is provided with a waterproof stuff sack.

The 3D triangle foot box kept my feet warm and toasty and allowed plenty of room to move without feeling too constricted. It was reassuring knowing that I could also open the dual YKK zip from the foot end of the bag to aid with ventilation if needed. The offset zip creates a flap that prevents cold air from entering the bag and is once again 100% recycled. I was impressed with the adjustable elliptical draft collar as it nestled nicely around my neck, minimising drafts from entering and heat escaping from the bag.

The temperature had dropped even further overnight, and a layer of frost covered everything in the morning. Still, I had stayed warm and comfortable all night thanks to the sleeping bag and mat working harmoniously. I awoke feeling refreshed and well-rested, ready for my trip down the Lairig Ghru, heading towards Aviemore.

The mat and sleeping bag pack down incredibly small. The bag itself weighs only 849g (for the long mat I was using, the regular weighs 792g) and comes with a waterproof stuff sack, but if you wish, the bag could be compressed even more with a dedicated compression sack.

If you are looking for a bag to use on the fringes of winter or the “shoulder season.” this is an excellent choice. The Ultra -5° Down Sleeping Bag and the Ultra 7R Sleeping Mat proved a brilliant combination for this time of year. The meticulous design and construction of the sleeping bag demonstrated exceptional insulation capabilities. Using recycled materials and a plant-based PFC showcases a commitment to sustainability without compromising performance, something Exped should be applauded for. 

Andy Neil
Andy has been a keen long-distance hiker and wild camping enthusiast since he completed the Cleveland Way in 2015. Since then, he has walked thousands of trail miles all over the UK and is an active member of the Wild Camping UK community, being an admin of the largest wild camping community on Facebook. He strongly advocates for responsible wild camping and believes it is important to leave no trace when camping in the wilderness. He joined the UOG team in 2021 and works as a website developer and content creator. Read more from Andy Neil