Synthetic Sleeping Bag Guide

What sleeping bag do I need?

There are 9 options in the First Ascent sleeping bag range. But which one do you need? Are you spending 5 nights in winter in the Drakensberg, or adventuring through the Fish River Canyon? We have an option to suit every adventure.Purchasing a correctly specified sleeping bag is fundamental to ensure you sleep well, and safely.

This guide will assist you understanding our range, and ensure you equip yourself with the best sleeping bag option for your trip.

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By answering the below questions to ensure you understand what type of sleeping bag you need for your next adventure.

How much weight will I be carrying?

Weather can be incredibly unpredictable – especially in South Africa. One moment we have sunshine, the next cloud, rain and high winds. Besides weather changes, usual day into night temperature fluctuations can swing wildly from a hot sunny day to a frigid below zero night, even in summer.It is therefore very important to understand the weather conditions on your trip as this will determine what comfort temperature rating of sleeping bag you will need to sleep well.

How warm does the sleeping bag need to be?

Now that you know what conditions you will be sleeping in, it is important to know how warm your bag will need to be to sleep comfortably.The primary number you must consider is the comfort rating of the sleeping bag. This rating is based on a person having a comfortable night's sleep (it is not advisable to purchase a bag based on the transition rating).The trick here is that everyone has a different metabolism and will need a slightly warmer or cooler bag to sleep comfortably. As an example, your friend might need a 5⁰C bag but you might need to add a thermal liner to the same spec bag to sleep comfortably.

How much weight will I be carrying?

Seasoned adventurers understand how important it is not to carry too much weight and having to make compromises on what to take vs what to leave.One item you should never compromise on is the sleeping bag you take with you. The last thing you need is to have your trip ruined by poor sleep by either being too cold (insufficient sleeping bag insulation) or too uncomfortable while trekking (sleeping bag is unnecessarily heavy).

Do I need down or synthetic insulation?

The type of insulation fill in a sleeping bag is the primary factor that affects its temperature rating.

Down	Synthetic
Greater warmth-to-weight ratio	Synthetic insulation performs better when wet
Highly compressible and packble, perfect for travelling	Dries quickly
Long-lasting if taken care of	Easier to care for

Synthetic Sleeping Bags

Our synthetic sleeping bags are designed and engineered with state of the art Thermoshield insulation and feature a soft-touch Microtex fabric outer, ensuring that you are kept warm and comfortable during your outdoor explorations.

Amplify 900 Synthetic

Ideal for

Hiking/Camping in cool conditions

When space and weight are concerns, the Amplify 900 Synthetic Sleeping Bag is the answer. Ideal for summer or spring backpacking and hiking with new Amplify (expand) technology in knee and hip area to minimize heat loss. This is a great three season sleeping bag up to 2°C. It also features a reflective zip puller and internal pocket for valuables.

COMFORT RATING	WEIGHT
7°C	0.97 kg

SYNTHETIC FILL	SEASONS
100g/m2 Thermo-Shield	Spring/Summer

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Amplify 1500 Synthetic

Ideal for

Hiking/Camping in cool conditions

The Amplify 1500 Synthetic sleeping bag sports Thermo-Shield insulation with a soft touch Microtex lining for unmatched comfort on overnight adventures. The Amplify (expand) technology in the knee and hip area, combined with the Illuminate warmth reflector ensures that minimal heat loss takes place, making this the ideal sleeping bag for three-season comfort.

COMFORT RATING	WEIGHT
5°C	1.52 kg

SYNTHETIC FILL	SEASONS
200g/m2 Thermo-Shield	3 Season

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Amplify 1800 Synthetic

Ideal for

Hiking/Camping in very cold conditions

Thermo-Shield insulation and a soft touch Microtex lining combine with Amplify (expand) technology in knee and hip area to minimize heat loss, as well as layer of Illuminate warmth reflector - makes this a great four-season sleeping bag with a comfort rating of 0°C. It also features a reflective zip puller and internal pocket for valuables.