Rab Ascent 900 and Alpkit Pipedream 400 Sleeping Bags
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- Опубликовано: 8 сен 2024
- I've been asked recently for more information about the kit I use. Thought I'd start off with having a chat about my Rab Ascent 900 and the Alpkit Pipedream 400 sleeping bags. Both great value bags for wild camping in the mountains. Also includes a first look at the Ocoopa Hand Warmer/Power Bank.
You can also check out my Facebook and Instagram pages here -
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Many thanks for watching - Dave
Click on the links below for more detailed information and specifications for the items in this video -
Rab Ascent 900 Sleeping Bag
rab.equipment/...
Alpkit Pipedream 400 Sleeping Bag
alpkit.com/pro...
Ocoopa Hand Warmers
www.ocoopa.com
If you enjoyed this video you might like to check out another video on a couple of tents I use - ruclips.net/video/S9ET3Z2Y_lw/видео.html
"I find the colour a bit more boring, I'm more of a red person myself" He says... wearing an almost identical blue fleece!
Haha. Yeah 😄
I said the same thing myself. Hehe
Great video by Dave though.
Andy H
You can't beat experienced advice, thanks to you & all in the comments.
Another good one Dave. I love my Rab Ascent 900. So warm and comfy. Best bag I’ve ever owned.
Agreed Rob👍. Something as warm but a lot lighter will be big money. Might have to start looking tho, as I’m getting too old for dragging all this stuff up mountains in winter 😩
Like the table and chairs.
I have the same!
😁. Nice one Mike. I tend not to take them with me when I’m camping 😁
I've just bought the Rab 700 Ascent just before lock down, haven't had a chance to use it yet. Another great video mate 👍
Thanks Gary, much appreciated 😎👍
Really interesting thank you. I too have a winter sleeping bag and a warmer weather bag. My winter bag is a Mountain Equipment Snowline. It’s down-filled, weighs 1500g and cosy to about -15 degrees although you can take it lower if you’re prepared to be less than toasty. I’ve had it over 20 years and it’s still in excellent condition. It dates from the ‘olden days’ when ME bags were still made in the UK. My warmer weather bag is also a Mountain Equipment, the model is a Dewline. It too is down-filled and weighs about 680g. It’s the old style Dewline without a zip. I’m only 5’3” and about 8.5 stone so getting in and out is no problem for me. I think it was originally introduced for the KIMM. Ive never missed not being able to vent it. My husband’s summer bag is zipped though because like you, he likes to stick his legs out if he gets hot! I can’t believe this but having just worked it out, remembering which birthday I got it for, I’ve had it over 25 years. Where have those years gone? Both bags have had lots of use but are always kept clean and stored carefully. I can’t imagine being without either of them now. When my husband and I bought our winter bags, we each chose a Snowline, mine has a left hand zip and his is right hand. The idea is that they can be zipped together to make a bag for two. We did this only once, in a bunkhouse on the Snake Pass, when we first had the bags. The draught down the gap between us was uncomfortable all night. We both agreed never again! 😀 Your RAB bag looks really good
Can’t remember what I paid for them but it seemed an awful lot at the time! ME used to be quite pricey. Don’t know what they’re like now.
Wow. That’s brilliant Lily 😎👍. I’m sure you could teach me a thing or two. I do like ME stuff. Always seems good quality and value. ATB - Dave
I think we all learn from each other as we go along 😀@@TheSoloSummiteer
I have a Mountain Equipment Dragon Series { Green Dragon } which I got back in the 80's. Brilliant then and still is ! Washed carefully once probably . Heavy compared to modern bags but its my go too for bivi bagging if not taking a synthetic.
Yo tengo el rab900 y es como dormir en una nube, pero si hace frío, si no es un horno y luego es bastante grande y pesado, pero todo no se puede.
Thanks Dave, good info on the gear. Stay safe, looking forward to your next mountain video on release 🙇♂️👍
Cheers Dave 😎👍
Great timing. I have been googling/reviewing the 900 all day. No bigger really than my Leviathan so might go for it. Thanks David, great presentation again.
Nice oone Mick. Many thanks 😎👍
Two great quality bags Dave, I like the clever little zip pocket ..you get what you pay for .. we own one of the hand warmer power packs wife loves it while out walking
Nice one mate. Won’t be long before we’re back out. 👍🏻
🤞
The rab looks a great winter bag although very big and heavy for us gram counters lol ... I had the alpkit 400 but sold it and went down the quilt line . Handwarmer looks ok I am always cold on the winter camps, and autumn basically all the time lol atb dave
Hi Dave. The Rab is a bit of a lump but I still think it’s a great bag for the money. Maybe need to start saving for something lighter. I’m too old to be dragging big weight up a mountain in winter 🤔 ATB - Dave
Very informative, thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for watching NL 😎👍
Great vid as always I've just got myself a ugq bandit quilt for summer and a alpkit skyhigh 700 for the colder nights
Nice one Shawn. Sounds good 😎👍
@@TheSoloSummiteer hopefully it won't be long until we're all be back out
Hi Dave, All I use is the pipe dream 400 and the alpkit cloud cover use them both all year round, doubled up for winter or on there own. Works well for me👍
That’s interesting Stephen👍. I’ve never look at a quilt 🤔
Really helpful video! I was set on getting a Rab Ascent 900 but now not sure I want that volume and weight. Like you I can’t wait to get out wild camping again-I’ve been camping out in the garden recently doing a few gear tests 😊 Thanks for the video! Have subscribed 👍
Thanks Kaz, much appreciated 😎👍 It is a bit of a lump, but also very warm. Compromises, compromises Good luck with whatever you choose 👍
Really interesting educational stuff Dave. Chris at MCM Outdoors reviewed the hand warmer also. Highly recommended it. Love the bag info, really useful. Sick of this lock down nonsense now. Merry 🎄 🎅
Thanks J 😎👍Yeah, it’s becoming tedious.
Hi, J H, Thank you loving our Ocoopa rechargeable hand warmer
@@ocoopaofficial no probs, credit where credit’s due. Might get one for the wife for Christmas 🎄
Good review mate. Looking at Rab ascent 1100 just now. Currently got Rab Neutrino 400 XL. Love it.
We have both been working through it a too. Look forward to rest of your videos. Stay safe mate
Nice one 👍. Neutrino sounds 😎. ATB Dave
@@TheSoloSummiteer Yeah it's good mate,Light and comfort to -1. Good balance. Look forward to more videos.
Stay safe 🤪
Great video Dave, very informative (for me). We go camping as a family but this wild camping lark does appeal to me. I don't follow many people on RUclips or Facebook about wild camping as I don't want my interest to be watered down by drinking beer etc. I guess what I'm getting around too is a video my what the basics are would be ideal. I don't feel like splashing the cash on items not needed incase it's not for me!
Keep up the great work mate and stay safe...😎
Cheers Stu. I still consider myself a beginner if I’m honest. Aye, if I want to drink beer I don’t need to cart it up a mountain. Thanks man 👍
Just recently brought the rab900 .only used once in the peaks. It does seem a bit large for me. I’ll see how it goes. Great videos mate, a joy to watch. ATB Andy
Cheers Andrew 😎👍
I'm not a fan of mummy bags, although I do have and use one. However, like you I'm a side sleeper so I tend not zip my bag up, preferring to use it as a quilt.
Same 👍
I’ve just got the 700 can’t wait to try it
Nice one Zero 👍. Is the the Rab or the Alpkit?
The rab accent 700. Price match in go outdoors . Seized for the princely sum of £155.00 over the moon with it . The wife got the accent 900 for herself I’m hoping the 700 will do me year round with my xtherm
Sounds awesome 😎👍. Good luck with them and ATB - Dave
Thanks Dave happy travels mate look forward to watching some more from you
Look up Wiggys pal,probably 1 of the best sleeping bag systems in the world I imported 2 from Colorado USA 🇺🇸 where they are made,my bag is the light weight core bag and the over bag which takes it to -40 which obviously in the UK we will hopefully never get down to. Made from Lamilite Insulation and is advised to machine wash after use with a lifetime guarantee
Nice one AJ. Thanks for the info 👍
It’s weird, I sleep hot, and I’m out all the time (pre covid 🙁 anyway) up Munros in all weather. Never EVER had a down bag in all my years. I have a fear of getting them wet and they tend to roast me alive. No doubting the advantages, but synthetic brings something to the party too, especially when you live up here. Tell you what though, those weights and temp ratings on the down are impressive. Good vid mate, hope you guys get back out soon 👍......a wee while for us yet. Stay safe.
Cheers Del👍. Interesting info on the synthetic bags. Might have a look at them. ATB - Dave
@colin o'neil haha, you know what?, bought an Alpkit one on sale two months ago....price too good to refuse. I’m a total convert now, been out twice in Southern Uplands (lowthers skyline and broadlaw/dollarlaw camp). You save 500g and stay warmer. Dare not get it wet though.
Great video mate. I'm currently looking at picking up a new sleeping bag for colder nights and the Rab certainly seems to fit the profile. Like you I'm a side sleeper but I have a tendency to move around during the night and find that most sleeping bags move with me rather than me moving inside the bag.
I’ve recently converted to using a Cumulus quilt David. So much lighter and smaller pack size but still warm. Worth checking out 👍
@@TheSoloSummiteer I'll take a look at that, sounds like it might be a bit better for me
@@TheSoloSummiteer Dave. Great video. Thanks for sharing. Which Cumulus quilt did you get?
@@madcat1007 cheers. I got the Cumulus 450 and love it. Used it all through winter in combination with a good insulated mat, as you can see in my videos. ATB - Dave
Got exactly the same 2 bags! 😅. The 900 was great on Kilimanjaro. Going to use the Alpkit 400 more this year in the lakes. Got the hunka xl bivvy too and Alpkit small tarp ordered. Also considering the Msr nx 1 man. Cheers for the vids. Graham Sheffield
Did you end using the alpkit400? I’ve just bought the msr nx 2 and now looking for a sleeping bag for it. I’m from hull and wild camp mostly in the lakes 🙂
@@paulkemp8784 yes I've had it a while. They do a long version too Which I got, but it has the same amount of fill in it so it reduces the rating, but I also got an oex furnace liner to go in it should I need to....obvs dont need the liner this time of year. Also check out the thermarest bags.... Friends got one and is very light. I got the Msr nx 1 but have yet to use it, although friends have it too and seems bullet proof. I'm from Sheffield and spend most every other weekend in lakes..... But going to Wales this Weekend to do nantlle ridge. Cheers
@@grahamambridge2856 great! I’ve ordered alpkit. Price, weight, size and rating is hard to beat comparing to others. Looking forward to trying it out.
Nice one man, very useful!
Many thanks OA 👍
Hi Dave , I'm using the Alpkit pipedream 600, lovely bit of kit, slightly heavier than the 400 but it takes you in to 4 season territory . I'm still waiting to get out in the snow , here's hoping we can .
Nice one Marc. Alpkit seems decent stuff, good value 👍
I'm not sure which one to go for I use a bivvy bag so like to think I'd get away with the 400. Any advice?
Hi R90. You need to think of your bag and mat as a partnership. With a higher insulated mat you could go for a lesser insulated bag, and vice versa. For extreme cold obviously you need both. Don’t forget, things such as insulated jackets and warm clothing can also be used as part of your sleeping system to keep warm. What sort of camping you doing and what conditions?
@@TheSoloSummiteer - I've only ever camped in warmer conditions, we did a 3 day hike in the Scottish Highlands just after the first lockdown but I'm wanting to dip my toe in to winter camping. I need something that packs down small that will be useful for when I'm out on my motorbike, that's why I'm leaning slightly towards the 400.
@@LITTLEbigREG some people are warm sleepers some people are cold sleepers. I think I’m somewhere in the middle and, combined with the Thermarest mat, the 400 is fine for me down to about zero degrees centigrade. What mat do you have?
Great vid dave hope your keeping well. I use a rab neutrino pro all year round. It's a winter bag and lightweight. I though if i get hot in the summer i'll just unzip it or lie on top and it's been great. A bit pricey but i've never been cold yet plus it saves buying two bags. ATB Paul
Thanks Paul 👍. The Rab Was my first bag so I didn’t want to spend too much. The Alpkit complements it nicely. Wouldn’t mind a lighter 4 season tho, but will cost quite a bit more. Take care
Thank you Paul B.
I am interested in the neutrino 600 as a 4 season bag. I sleep in tents mainly...do you think the pro is preferable to the ordinary neutrino or not?
Thanks
Imran
@@trytheoutdoors hi Imran I’m not sure tbh I think they will more or less be the same. It’s a great sleeping bag. I did a camp not so long back and it was -8 and I wasn’t cold.hope you get sorted mate 👍
Dave is the alpkit wide enough for side sleeping you didn't mention it when reviewing the alpkit. Hope to hear from you. Enjoying the content on your channel. Thanks
Cheers. Yeah, I’m a side sleeper myself 👍
pipedream claim comfort of 4.2 negative degrees
seeing how thin the bag is i very much doubt it would be warm in minus 1..
Yeah. I agree. I always wear thermal clothing inside my sleeping bag.
Wow.. the alpkit is tiny! Sold.
Great vid as always mate...just go out who's gonna know bud...ps. I'm an east lancashire lad to pal atb 👍
Cheers Jonny 👍
Hi mate ,just bought the rab accent 900 from go outdoors on offer for just under£200 ,it’s left side zip but that’s not a problem for me,can’t wait for lockdown to end and start using it.interesting comparison with the alpkit bag,both top bits of kit🏔⛺️👍
I’m sure you’ll be fine with the Rab, Paul. I don’t think you can beat it for the money 👍
Great video Dave. I too have a Rab Ascent 900 and i have noticed that the under side of the bag that sits under your body it has less down by comparison with the top side which feels like it has more down, is that norm and, did you notice that as well?
Regards, Florin
Really interesting Florin, I did not know that 👍. Thank you and glad you enjoyed the video. ATB Dave
Most sleeping bags tend to have less filling on the under side because the companies try and reduce the weight as an insulated mat or pad can be used to keep the back warm. It's a tad annoying because I don't like to use a mat in a hammock and underblankets are massive.
@@Poopidpeople Hi Grim91, I have thought that could be the case , I bought one Rab Ascent recently and I thought it was faulty. I do understand why it can be annoying particularly when you use it with a hammock, all the best.
Regards ,
Florin
Do you still use the RAB in Winter temps? I’ve been a summer camper but debating getting a winter bag and have been looking at this and the alpine down 800 for temps down to -10c any advice appreciated.
I don’t Roger. Although very warm I find it too bulky and heavy for the sort of camps I do in the mountains. I now use a Cumulus 450 quilt. Rated to -7degC and half the weight of the Rab 900. Hope this helps 👍
I combine this with a pair of Rab down pants when it gets really cold.
@@TheSoloSummiteer Thanks, I have an EE Revelation 30 quilt but testing it on the terrace in minus temps it was pretty drafty, maybe I should just get a Lighter sleeping bag and layer them, cheers.
Hi.
Nice reviews.
What do you wear in them,please?
Regards.
Hi there. I tend to wear some merino long Johns in summer. In winter I add a pair of Rab down trousers 👍
@@TheSoloSummiteer Ah,down trousers.
Thank you. What about on your top?
I would imagine some sort of fleece, maybe?
Forgive me for my questions,but I am just entering the world of wild camping.
I did a Bivvy night at Crooks Peak on the Somerset Mendip Hills,on Saturday just gone,an d although the temp was around 6c,I didn’t feel at my comfiest.
I bought a ‘four season’ OEX sleeping bag,which may of well been a paper bag. I guess you get what you pay for…
Morgan Freeman voiceover: 'The Lockdown was not to finish in a couple of weeks'.
Ironic to be more of a red person whilst wearing blue haha
Haha 🤷♂️😁