Cairngorm Treks Review - Yeti Passion 5
Posted by Cairngorm Treks on Aug 14, 2017
Tested in the Cairngorms
Tested extensively by Cairngorm Treks from May 2017 to July 2017 during multi day trekking in the central Cairngorms, including high wild camping at over 1200 metres in temperatures below freezing.
Passion is not necessarily something that springs to mind when choosing an ultralight sleeping bag, so when we tested the Yeti Passion 5 we weren’t too sure what it would lead to.
First impressions of the packed-down Yeti Passion 5 sleeping bag are pretty impressive, delivering a good size for its suggested warmth rating. The stuff sack could be better. As with many other sleeping bags, it seems to be an afterthought, which is a real shame as suitable ‘packaging’ can make a real difference to multi-day lightweight trekking. Although it looks waterproof, the seams are unsealed so a dry bag would be recommended to ensure the sleeping bags dryness.The colour palate of brown and black isn’t instantly eye-catching, but with prolonged use, these colours will allow the bag to ware well and age gracefully.
First impressions of the packed-down Yeti Passion 5 sleeping bag are pretty impressive, delivering a good size for its suggested warmth rating. The stuff sack could be better. As with many other sleeping bags, it seems to be an afterthought, which is a real shame as suitable ‘packaging’ can make a real difference to multi-day lightweight trekking. Although it looks waterproof, the seams are unsealed so a dry bag would be recommended to ensure the sleeping bags dryness.The colour palate of brown and black isn’t instantly eye-catching, but with prorogued use, these colours will allow the bag to ware well and age gracefully.
Weight in relation to warmth is always the key issue for us and the Yeti certainly delivers on this with a pack weight of just over 800g (size large) and a generally accurate comfort rating of -2 degrees.Wearing basic thin merino base-wear and being a cold sleeper, the Yeti Passion 5 delivered on its temperature rating as comfort was easily delivered in temperatures around 0 degrees. The high quality 800+ cuin Crystal Down (the most voluminous European goose down) plays its role well, although not hydrophobic so this would be a piece of kit you would need to keep pretty dry despite the ‘Next to Nothing’ outer being water repellent. However, this outer is also breathable, windproof and, importantly, is such a fine weave it doesn’t leak down.
We didn’t experience any cold bridges and put this down to the excellent H Box construction. Weight is also reduced by a light but surprisingly full-length robust zip, which is thinly but efficiently baffled. When night temperatures dropped, cinching the hood and using the shoulder baffle by using the colour coded cords, really helped maintain body heat. All in all it easily stood the test of thelate spring tundra cold of the Cairngorm Plateau.
Of course after warmth the Yeti Passion 5 needed to deliver on comfort and it did this without problems being a genuine ‘softy’ and with plenty of room for broad shoulders and turning without tying yourself in knots. The foot width is also generous and at no point was the sleeping bag claustrophobic or constricting. Once used, the highly compressible down fitted well into its small bag.
Our Verdict
Lightweight trekkers should be passionate about this sleeping bag as it does what it says ‘on the tin’. Light, warm and comfortable, it is constructed to a high quality with some market leading materials. Compared to other similar comfort rating sleeping bags we’ve used, that pack at a larger size, the Yeti performs just as well.
Cairngorm Treks is a small family business based in the picturesque village of Tomintoul in the North East region of the Cairngorms National Park. They provide bespoke Mountain Guiding for Single Day Walks and Lightweight Multiday Trekking experiences, including wild camping, in the stunning Cairngorms wilderness and surrounding areas. Whether in the high mountains or lower valleys, their Multiday Treks are equipped with high quality, lightweight camping and trekking gear. They only work with small groups and, whatever your ability, pride themselves on designing your outdoor experience completely to your needs and with professional guidance and expertise. Adventure is waiting...
Passion is not necessarily something that springs to mind when choosing an ultralight sleeping bag, so when we tested the Yeti Passion 5 we weren’t too sure what it would lead to. First impressions of the packed-down Yeti Passion 5 sleeping bag are pretty impressive, delivering a good size for its suggested warmth rating. The stuff sack could be better. As with many other sleeping bags, it seems to be an afterthought, which is a real shame as suitable ‘packaging’ can make a real difference to multi-day lightweight trekking.