Sleep systems

Vinson: System 2

Like System 1 this system is a serious weight-saver. Wear the down suit to the summit, but also wear it inside the Hispar 600 and move the bag’s performance rating right up to -47°C (the bag in the system is the Wide version to make sure that the suit can loft fully). Yet the Hispar bag weighs around 600g (21.2oz) less than a standard bag rated to -47°C and packs down to about two-thirds the volume. The Hispar 600K has even more impressive stats.
Typical Operating Temperature
Guideline minimum temperature. Sleeping Bag TOT: you should get a night’s sleep, under normal circumstances. Clothing TOT: you should feel warm enough, assuming low/moderate activity. Sleep System TOT: relates to full system. For more details, see our Technical Briefing.
-47°C / -52.6°F
Schematic representation of Sleep System. Actual components differ.
“This bag has an unmatched warmth/weight ratio.”

Features

  • System Products:
    • ​Main Sleeping Bag: Hispar 600 (Wide) (Sleep Rating: -21°C / -5.8°F)
    • Plus Items:
      • Xero Down Suit
      • Xero Down Socks
  • Full System Sleep Rating: -47°C (-52.6°F)
  • Sleeping Bag Weights:
    • Hispar 600 Down Sleeping Bag (Wide): 1154g (40.7oz)
    • Standard lightweight Sleeping Bag to achieve Full System warmth: 1760g (62.1oz)

Description:

This system is very similar to the one already used successfully on Broad Peak (see Case Study), but it advises a much warmer sleeping bag. The Hispar 600 only weighs a little over 200g (7.1oz) more than the bag used on Broad Peak, but it gives a greatly increased margin for mishap or bad weather, a necessary precaution on a mountain as remote as Vinson.

As climbing kit, the Xero suit has been to 8000m summits and is rated for -40°C (-40°F). Here it doubles as the night-time booster for the Hispar 600 bag. With the suit worn inside, the  performance figure for the bag increases from -21°C (-5.8°F) up to -47°C, as in System 1, warm enough for comfort and safety in the Antarctic summer. The suit is simpler to use than the separate clothing shown in System 1, but less versatile.

K Series: The Hispar 600K Down Sleeping Bag (Wide) is available in the K Series. The exceptional loft of 1000 down reduces the weight to just 982g (34.6oz), creating a unique sleeping bag that still fulfils its -21°C rating at under a kilo pack weight.

This review relates to Hispar 600 Down Sleeping Bag

"This bag has an unmatched warmth/weight ratio ... The draft tubes undoubtedly provide the best insulation behind the zip of all the bags tested – not a trivial detail if you face harsh conditions."
— from Carnets d'Aventures Magazine's test of 18 sleeping bags for cold conditions.

This review relates to Xero Down Suit

"Fantastic ... felt toasty at -25°C even when the wind picked up. It was a pleasure to live in them day and night."
— Olga Kotova - using Xero down suit on Everest. Olga was the first woman from a Baltic State to summit Everest.

This review relates to Xero Down Socks

"I've just returned from Vinson in Antarctica where your Xero down socks made life a breeze."
— Lord Forsyth, former Secretary of State for Scotland.

Sleep system components

Works well with
From ¥186,749.15 1040g -21℃
Mountain lightweight for low temperatures and high peaks. Ideal for fast ascents and quick travel.
From ¥345,770.56 1700g -40℃
High-altitude expedition suit. Light enough for the ascent, warm enough for when the mercury freezes.
From ¥45,906.87 170g
High-altitude expedition socks. Light, compressible and comfortable. For warmth in high camps.