Rab Ascent 700 £270 +

Reliable performance, value for money, good temperature ratings

- Only 650 fill power, quite heavy, not very compact

There is nothing particularly spectacular about this bag. No bells or whistles, or innovative designs and ingenious features. Instead it just focuses on doing all of the basics very well at a decent price, making it a great 3-season choice for the average UK wild camper. The down’s fill power is a slightly disappointing 650, but there’s a lot of it – 700g to be precise, which ensures a solid -2°C comfort rating. The adjustable hood is well-shaped with good coverage, there’s a thick and close-fitting neck baffle for sealing out the cold, and the Pertex Quantum outer fabric is more durable and tougher than the shells of many other bags. The mummy cut is quite wide, striking a nice balance between freedom of movement and a secure, warm feel. You also get a ¾-length zipper with anti-snag zip guard, internal collar, angled footbox, and the Nikwax down used is hydrophobic, meaning it retains heat better when wet. The Ascent 700 also comes with a compression stuffsack and cotton storage sack. At 1290g it’s on the heavy side but many will happily overlook this, content with reliable performance at a good price.

■ Fill 700g of 650 fill power duck down

■ Temp rating -2°C comfort, -8.5°C comfort limit

■ Weight 1290g

■ Packed size 40x27cm (regular)

■ Sizes Regular, extra long, women’s

Verdict

A mid-range, affordable down sleeping bag that’s reliably warm – but Rab has more technical offerings.