Down is a remarkable material. Usually taken from a goose, it is one of the most warming natural products. It’s just incredibly efficient at trapping heat. So much so that no other synthetic material has come close. There are disadvantages of course: When it’s wet it doesn’t insulate very well and it can take a long time to dry – a problem in jackets. But in a sleeping bag, during the winter there are few reasons to choose synthetic insulation over down if you’re pretty sure you’re going to keep it dry.

Buying down sleeping bags can be a complicated experience with all the talk of down fills, season ratings and temperature limits. Trust Alpkit then to simplify things. With the PipeDream 600, they’ve created a lightweight sleeping bag that can be used through the autumn and well into winter – unless of course you’re heading out into the wilds of Alaska. It’s more than comfortable at sub-zero temperatures. The -12 degrees C sleep limit is the minimum temperature you’ll be comfortable at, which is more than enough for all but the coldest expeditions.

“With the PipeDream 600, they’ve created a lightweight sleeping bag that can be used through the autumn and well into winter.”