Page 33 - SA Mountain Issue 62

Okay, I thought, let me put this
through its paces and see what comes out the other end. So off we went to Montagu for a long weekend of climbing. And anybody who has spent time in Montagu during the winter months will know that it gets extremely chilly
at night, with
I do?
temperatures regularly dropping
below zero! Most mornings we are greeted with long icicles hanging from our roof gutters. So, come Friday night, I announced to my wife that I would be sleeping outside on the veranda to test how warm and effective
the
Latitude really is. For
a thin sponge mattress and in only a pair of thin shorts and a beanie – nothing else. I must say, it was very hard to leave the warmth of the replace and comfort of our queen-size bed and uffy duvet for a breezy, cold, tiled veranda oor, but hey, it’s my job. What can
When I got into the bag, the inner fabric felt soft against my skin and warmed up to body temperature in less than a minute – impressive! The bag itself has a lavish amount of stuf ng, so it feels very downy and quite thick, giving it
a super-cosy
feel, almost as though
giving you a soft gentle hug.
The full-length zip has got a generously
padded baf e, so no cold air gets in through
the test,
cuddly puppy
I slept on
the bag is
also
has a
ore than
nary
and cuddling up to my wife before you say ‘icicle’.
Other things I liked was the inside Velcro pocket, which is great for stashing your phone, or iPod, etc. That way you can keep it warm, and save on battery life. And the stuff bag –
room
ye
nough
to
stuff the bag
ease, but with cross over compression straps to squish it down to size.
To be honest, I would not take this bag on a long mountain trek, as it is a shade too bulky, but for car camping, festivals, adventure trips
and short hikes (or indeed slack packing trails),
the Latitude 300 is the perfect choice, and will keep you as snug as the proverbial bug.
Also available is the Latitude 200.
R
drawstring to pull it close around
your head was so effective.
The other important thing in a sleeping bag
is space – the Latitude has a square foot box, which gives your feet oodles of room, and the chest area is 78 centimetres wide, which is
16
9
5
Vango Latitude 300 sleeping bag by TONY LOURENS
Latitude 300
R1495
rammountain.co.za
The reason I like down sleeping bags is because they are warm, compressable and oh
so very snug. So, when I
Latitude 300 synthetic lled bag to test, I was a little sceptical to say the least . . . until I took it out of its stuff sack, that is. The bag felt soft and cosy, and the inner was gentle and skin- friendly to the touch.
was given Vango’s
has a draw
Latitude 200
that avenue, and there is also a fat wraps around your shoulders and
string to cinc
warmth.
So, there I was at about 10.30 pm, with the
temperature around 4 or 5 degrees and feeling rather comfortable and warm. In fact, I had to remove my beanie, as the comfy cowl, which
h it
baf e that neck, that
in close for added
m
am
ple, unless you
pumping hulk.
Well, come 3 am, with the temperature
hovering around minus 3 or 4, I still felt quite warm and cosy in my synthetic cocoon, so I felt I had done enough for one night, and with
a shiver nor tremble I was up and inside
are a steroid-
in with relative
could
SPECIFICATIONS
• Off-set seams prevent cold spots at the stitching lines
• InsuliteTM Helix – a blend of hollow
and multi-channel bres which regulate temperature and transfer moisture away from the user.
• Polair Experience diamond ripstop polyester – durable, water resistance and breathable.
• Thermal-Reverb – aluminised layer re ects radiated body heat back for maximum warmth
• Thermal Embrace System – makes the bag gently conform to the body. Reduces cold spots and increases loft
• Hanging loops at the foot of the bag Weight: 1.8 kg
Pack size: 29 cm x 24 cm
Suggested temperature range: -4° to 20° Shape: Mummy, with hood
Fill: Insulite Helix
Internal length: 205 cm
Internal chest width: 78 cm
Internal foot width: 48 cm
Performance: 3–4 season
Easier, Safer, Drier
Nikwax prolongs the life and enhances the performance of clothing, footwear &
View our full range at:
rammountain.co.za equipment.