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UOG TOP PICK - Lightwave's Firelight Series Sleeping Bags - High Warmth to Weight ratio with full features - Lightwave's Firelight sleeping bags offer amazing warmth for weight, there's no mystery though, they use the very best quality ethically sourced down in a box wall constructed bag.
Lightwave says
The Firelight 150 is a high quality, ultra-lightweight down sleeping bag that is ideal for use in temperatures down to 10°C. Manufactured wholly in Poland, the Firelight 150 is filled with the famed Polish white Goose down that is 100% ethically recovered. The down has a fill-power of 900 cubic inches as measured by the EU norm (and is equivalent to 970 cubic inches using the US standard).
The Firelight outer and liner are made from Lightweight ripstop nylon fabric. The foot area is protected by a lightweight water-resistant Pertex Endurance fabric.
The Firelight 150 has a full length zip that lies on the top of the bag. There is an adjustable drawcord in the hood, but no neck or zip baffle as these are not necessary for the temperature range it has been designed for.
The Firelight 150 comes in two sizes and is supplied with a compact stuff sack and a large storage bag.
Our Verdict
Both the quality of construction and the quality of down in Lightwave's Firelight range of sleeping bags ensure that these bags achieve superior ratings when tested to the European EN 13537 standard.
Aside from this obvious quality we like some of the design features, for example the full length zip is on the top of the bag rather than the side - this seems easier to use somehow - when testing a Firelight 450 I could find the zipper much more quickly, and because it starts at the top of the bag I was less likely to turn over leaving it underneath me.
Another curious point was the lack of zip snag, every bag I have ever used snagged at some point, but the Firelight never did. I could quite work this out - but I note the zip is a smaller gauge than usual - which could be it.
Lightwave's Firelight 150 is really a bag for those who are travelling extremely light and do not expect cold nights, or in instances such as mountain marathon races, are cutting weight as much as possible at the expense of weight. Another use is to boost the performance of a heavier bag by using it as a liner.
- Reviewed by Ultralight Outdoor Gear
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Features
Construction
The construction describes how the down is held in place (otherwise all the down would fall to the bottom) and what features are incorporated to maximise heat retention or, conversely, regulate your temperature. A bag as light as the Firelight 150 does not need any additional baffles – such as for the neck and zip – as these features simply are not necessary for temperatures of ten degrees (above zero) or higher.
- Baffles: Box wall throughout
- Hood: Adjustable cowl
- Neck: No baffle
- Zip: Full length #5 YKK
- Zip baffle: No Baffle
Fabrics
Lightweight fabrics allow the down to loft and reduce the weight of the bag. Although there are lighter-weight versions of the Pertex Quantum fabric we are using, they offer a negligible saving in overall weight and, having a lower tear strength, are easier to damage.
- Shell: 29 g/m² 15 denier nylon (Pertex Quantum)
- Lining: 29 g/m² 15 denier nylon (Pertex Quantum)
Lightweight fabrics allow the down to loft and reduce the weight of the bag. Although there are lighter-weight versions of the Pertex Quantum fabric we are using, they offer a negligible saving in overall weight and, having a lower tear strength, are easier to damage.
Specifications
UOG Weights
- Medium bag weight: 392g
- Large bag weight: 438g
- The total weight does not include the stuff sack or storage bag
Lightwave Specs
- Left hand zip only
- Packed size: 20cm x 15cm, 3.6L
- EN13537 Comfort rating: 12°C;
- EN13537 Lower Limit rating: 7°C;
- Fill weight: 150 g (size M)
- Fill power: 900 EU (970 US) white Polish Goose down
| User Height | Fill Weight | Total Weight | Zip Length | Internal Width | Internal Length | |
| Medium | 170-183cm 5'7" - 6' | 150g | 420g | 150cm | 80cm | 190cm |
| Large | 183-200cm 6' - 6'6" | 175g | 550g | 175cm | 80cm | 215cm |
EN13537:
Although there are four different measurements, the two most useful (and in our experience reasonably accurate) ones are:
- EN13537 Comfort Rating: Temperature at which a standard adult female can have a comfortable night’s sleep.
- EN13537 Comfort Rating: The lowest temperature at which a standard adult male is deemed able to have a comfortable night’s sleep.
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