Rab Ascent 500 Down Sleeping Bag

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Rab’s Ascent range uses 650 Fill Power down contained in technical baffles to create sleeping bags with very respectable warmth to weight ratios despite them being a more comfortable shape than the more performance orientated bags.

Rab says:

A 650FP duck down sleeping bag with a recycled, wind resistant Pertex® Quantum outer. Designed with a comfortable wide shape, it’s ideal for those buying their first down sleeping bag for use in spring conditions.

The Ascent 500 is a versatile bag with a comfortable, wide mummy fit. Filled with 500g of 650FP goose down and with space for wearing additional layers if needed, this bag can be used in cool temperatures. Ideal for two season use and spring conditions similar to those in the UK, New Zealand or Scandinavia.

The Ascent is built with a lightweight and durable, recycled Pertex® Quantum outer fabric and recycled nylon lining. It has trapezoid shaped, boxwall baffles that stack neatly together, encouraging the hydrophobic duck down inside to loft fully and reducing the appearance of cold spots. Hand-filled in the UK, all our down bags benefit from never having had their down compressed before use, maintaining the down’s loft and warmth.

The generous mummy fit with wide foot box provide a spacious feel for an easy night’s sleep, and the close-fitting neck baffle keeps the heat in when the temperature drops. It has a ¾ length main zip with a down filled baffle to keep out the draught.

Practicalities are taken care of with an internal zipped stash pocket that easily fits a phone or a headlamp, a cotton storage sack, and a compression stuff sack to ensure a manageable pack size and protection on the road. Exploring with a partner or want extra space? Pick up a left and a right zipped bag and you can zip them together.

Our Verdict

Rab’s Ascent 500 Down Sleeping Bag fits in the Ascent series which are filled with 650 Fill Power down contained in a trapezoidal boxwall baffle construction with a differential cut to eliminate cold spots. The slightly lower down quality compared to their premium bags makes these bags more affordable but they are still a technical bag.

Built with a more comfortable and spacious shape these are ideal for those people who like a bit more room in their bags. The weights are still suitable for backpacking and trekking and many will be happy to carry the extra weight for a slightly bigger bag.

The shell fabric is wind resistant Pertex Quantum, this equips the sleeping bag for general use. The rest of the bag is up to Rab’s high standard with features and construction to a very high standard.

– Reviewed by Ultralight Outdoor Gear

Features

• Trapezoidal boxwall construction with differential cut, to maximise loft and warmth 
• 3-dimensional shaped neck collar to seal in warmth
• YKK 3/4 length main zip with down filled baffle to trap warmth
• YKK Anti-snag zip insert and anti snag internal zip guard 
• YKK zipped internal stash pocket 
• Angled foot box for relaxed sleeping posture 
• Left and right hand bags can zip together 
• Drawcord stuffsack included
• Zipped cotton sack with water-resistant base for home storage 
• Outer: 100% recycled polyamide. Lining: 100% recycled polyamide. 
• Wide mummy shape

Specifications

Temperature Rating (EN(13537:2012)

• Comfort: 1°C / 34°F
• Comfort Limit: -5°C / 24°F
• Extreme: -22°C / -8°F
• Rab Sleep Limit: -5°C / 25°F

Regular Specs

• Weight: 1060g (excludes storage bags)
• Fill weight: 750g
• Packed size: 35 x 20cm
• Overall length: 215cm
• Height of user: 185cm
• Internal shoulder girth: 160cm
• Internal hip girth: 134cm
• Internal foot girth: 108cm

Long Specs

• Weight: g (excludes storage bags)
• Fill weight: 540g
• Packed size: 35 x 20cm
• Overall length: 230cm
• Height of user: 200cm
• Internal shoulder girth: 162cm
• Internal hip girth: 136cm
•  
• Internal foot girth: 110cm

Regular Wide Specs

• Weight: g (excludes storage bags)
• Fill weight: 540g
• Packed size: 37 x 24cm
• Overall length: 215cm
• Height of user: 185cm
• Internal shoulder girth: 180cm
• Internal hip girth: 146cm
• Internal foot girth: 116cm

Extra Long Wide Specs

• Weight: 1194g (excludes storage bags)
• Fill weight: 580g
• Packed size: 37 x 24cm
• Overall length: 230cm
• Height of user: 200cm
• Internal shoulder girth: 182cm
• Internal hip girth: 148cm
• Internal foot girth: 118cm

Material & Construction

• Shell: 30D Recycled Pertex® Quantum (50gsm) with fluorocarbon-free DWR
• Lining: 20D Recycled Nylon (38gsm)
• Fill: 650FP RDS Certified European Duck Down with Nikwax fluorocarbon-free Hydrophobic Finish

Help & advice:

• The Ultimate Guide to Lightweight Sleeping Bags
• Time-Saver Guide to Choosing a Sleeping Bag
• About Rab
• Rab Down Sleeping Bag Range Explained
• The EN13537 Standard
• All About Down
• Hydrophobic Down
• Responsible Down Standard
• Recycled Content in Outdoor Gear
• Rab Sustainability and Responsibility