Minimus Down Sleeping Bag: K Series

Warmth to weight at the limit of possibilities with this 'K Series' version of our classic lightweight bag. Minimalist design cuts weight, but not warmth.
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.
5°C / 41°F
Weight
For clothing, weight is for size: M. For sleeping bags, weight changes with selected length/width. N.B. there may be some variation in the weights of finished products.
380g / 13oz
Price
£573.00
Minimus Down Sleeping Bag: 'K Series'

First class. Weight was impressively low - less than all the other bags I saw [in the Atacama Crossing race]. The performance was spot on...helping me finish as the top British runner and third overall.

Size
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Features

  • PHD 'K Series': Ultimate warmth / weight performance
  • Unique PHD 1000 fillpower down
  • Superlight MX outer fabric
  • Inner: Superlight 10X fabric. Down-proof, wind proof and super soft
  • Box-wall construction for max loft
  • Hood draws up close around head
  • Packed size*: 13 cm x 21cm
  • Footpiece: Ovoid shape to fit naturally to feet & avoid pressure; multibox section covers whole foot area
  • Straight-wall baffles for lightness
  • Stuff-sac & mesh storage bag supplied
  • Colour: Black
  • Options:
    • Ultrashell water-resistant outer. An excellent balance of weight, water-resistance and breathability
    • Waterproof Dri-LX outer fabric shell (+220g)‡
    • Long or Short zip (protected by single draft tube)
    • Slim, Wide and Extra Wide widths†
    • Short, Long, and Extra Long lengths†

 

*Please note: we make our stuff sacs big enough to allow fairly easy stuffing rather than reducing the bag to the tightest minimum.

‡Please note: The optional waterproof Dri-LX outer provides an extra seam-sealed outer shell to the bag. While a shelled sleeping bag is not designed to be used alone in heavy rain (the hood area is open to the elements) the shell does protect the bag when it is used outdoors without a tent.

†Please note: For all length and width options we change the amount of downfill to keep the warmth (TOT) the same.

Description:

This K Series product has been created for one single reason, to take warmth-for-weight performance to the limit of what's possible. Unique 1000 down, super-light materials, and specific design features mean that the word Ultralight now applies to this wide range of gear that will take you to the Poles as well as on a Sahara Marathon. More on the K Series...

This K Series sleeping bag has the same design brief as the original Minimus bag: to provide effective warmth at 5°C for the least possible weight. But the Minimus K introduces a step-change in warmth-weight performance by using our phenomenal 1000 down and our 10X fabric to achieve the same warmth rating while cutting the total bag weight to a startling 380gm.

Just like the original Minimus it has been stripped down to the simple essentials for performance: there's no collar, no zip, no side block baffles. Box walls eliminate the cold lines of a stitch-through, but they're kept very small to save weight, while the box spacing is narrow to ensure good down control.

The optional waterproof Dri-LX outer provides an extra seam-sealed outer shell to the bag. While a shelled sleeping bag is not designed to be used alone in heavy rain (the hood area is open to the elements) the shell does protect the bag when it is used outdoors without a tent, for example in a snow-hole or under a tarp.

'Best in Test', Trail Running Magazine, Super light sleeping bags test

 

 

Dri-LX (weight: 64 gsm)

At just 64gsm, Dri-LX is our lightest 2-layer breathable waterproof rip-stop nylon fabric. Its remarkably low weight not only makes for a lighter load, but also reduces pack size. Its excellent waterproofing qualities are in part due to how it can be taped at the seams to create a waterproof shell for sleeping bags and clothing.

Ultrashell (weight: 40 gsm)

One of the lightest of PHD's coated materials. This ripstop nylon provides complete wind block and good water resistance at minimal weight. Ultrashell gives an excellent upgrade to performance with very little weight penalty.

Superlight MX fabric (weight: 32 gsm)

A mini-ripstop nylon with excellent tear strength, MX is the pick of the superfine 15 denier downproof materials. We have tested lighter fabrics, but most have had significant drawbacks, while our confidence in MX is based on several years of extensive use in both our ultralight and our high mountain gear.


Ultralight 10X fabric (weight: 26 gsm)

10X, PHD's first 10 Denier Fabric. 9,000 metres of the yarn used to weave 10X weighs just 10g, that's about the same as a £1 coin! For all its thinness 10X is amazingly downproof and with reasonable care will go on giving you good service for years.

Sleeping bag zips

  • No zip: The standard design on our lightest bags with open hoods. The simplest/lightest system which is a must for adventure racers. Up to 140gm (5oz) lighter than a full zip with draft tube.
  • Full zips: Full zip bags ventilate well, so they can be used over a wider range of temperatures.
  • Short zips: Short zips are lighter and pack smaller than full zips. A short zip & draft tube is up to 85gm (3oz) lighter than the full version.
  • Our full briefing on sleeping bag zips.

1000 fillpower down

This rarest of all downs we reserve for the K Series. European goose down of unique quality. 1000 provides the highest warmth-for-weight performance possible from down. More on our down insulation.


Construction

This bag has an insulating straight wall baffle system throughout (no straight-through stitching). Straight wall is the lightest of all baffle sytems. In cross section it looks like this:

More on sleeping bag construction.

Minimus K Series Reviews:

"I am sending a well overdue message to say thanks for your help with the sleeping bag. The run across the Atacama was an amazing adventure and the sleeping bag was first class - one of my favourite and best performing bits of kit. The weight was impressively low - less than all the other bags I saw out there - which helped me have one of the lightest packs there. The performance was spot on - most nights it was plenty warm enough even though the temperature was below the 5 degrees rating, and on the couple of nights it was at -4 degrees, wearing a down jacket made for a good night's sleep. All of this helped me not just finish the event but finish as top British runner and third overall."
Jonty Cowan..

"I was backpacking in the Yorkshire Dales with your Minimus K bag with the Ultrashell fabric. At around 9.45pm we found our tent had collapsed (ground was waterlogged and pegs not holding) and my sleeping bag was soaked. Initial panic as wet down is never good! But the water just poured off the bag like off a duck's back, leaving damp fabric but dry down inside. Miraculous!
Wanted to let you know how utterly fantastic that Ultrashell is....I got it as we have a single skin tent prone to condensation but never expected it to allow my down bag to survive a soaking! Above and beyond expectations. I was already impressed with the bag which is amazingly warm for the weight"
Tina D.

"I have been delighted with this bag and I can't believe the warmth it provides for the weight!"
Markus Waddoup.

Reviews of the standard Minimus bag, which is 85g heavier

"Over the past twenty five years have tried and tested many bags but as yet I can honestly say, have not found a more comfortable bag."
Jeremy Hastings, Islay Bushcraft..

"Some winter climbers venturing into the high mountains may want the extra mental and physical comfort of a sleeping bag ... [and] super lightweight bags are the way forward. Bags like PHD's Minimus ... [are] perfect for this kind of thing."
Andy Kirkpatrick.

"I wanted to thank you for super-quick service in supplying me with my Minimus sleeping bag in time for the OMM, despite me ringing up only 3 days beforehand. You even modified the one you had in stock to add a zip! Amazing responsiveness and very helpful and friendly customer service. The bag itself performed brilliantly on a very wet and windy Scottish night on the OMM, and I look forward to using it next time."
Bill Welch.

"I have just completed a TGO Challenge, coast-to-coast, crossing Scotland with my Minimus bag. The bag performed superbly, easily coping with temperatures that were nudging towards zero. A very impressive - and very light - piece of kit. Thanks a lot."
Andy Howell.

"I used my PHD Minimus Down Sleeping Bag. I was very impressed with the bag's versatility - whatever conditions I used it in, I was always comfortable. And of course the lightness and compactness are a great help when packing your rucksack for a multi-day outing."
Robin Jones - Imperial College Reru Valley Expedition (Zanskar Himalaya, India).

"Proud owner of a Minimus bag for several years now. Used on various mountain marathons and last May on the TGO Challenge ... comfortable every night including several above the snowline at 700m. Fantastic piece of gear."
M.B.

"Just to say thanks for another comfortable night in my Minimus bag. Did the KIMM with it last weekend, and woke in the morning to thick ice on a nearby pond, but still warm. Fantastic warmth to weight ratio!"
R.P.

"Both the [Minimus] sleeping bag and [Minimus] vest are of superb quality and great value for money, wouldn't change them for anything, thanks for great products."
R.M.

"The Minimus has been/is a terrific bag. I feature the bag when I do training for the Appalachian Mountain Club and for REI. Even though I get pro-deals on equipment working at REI ... I can't help but buy the best designs! Nice work."
C.K.

"I took it on a 9 day trip ... on a section of the Great Divide Trail ... Coldest temp was 0 and with sleeping gear on I was just warm enough. Size and weight made it a good value for a summer bag for the Canadian Rockies ... I will definitely continue to make a part of my regular summer gear."
T.B.

"[Your] Minimus is such an excellent product and will be ideal for my Great Divide race ... the longest unsupported mountain bike race in the world."
Bruce Dinsmore.

"I have been extremely impressed with this bag especially its lightness [it] was the envy of everyone [during the Marathon des Sables]. I can highly recommend this sleeping bag, I wish I'd had one years ago."
Mary Hawarth.

"I've just received a Minimus sleeping bag which I'm delighted with!"
Suze.

"Thank you for ... my Minimus sleeping bag ... it is a very good product with an after sales service to envy. Rest assured I will let all my friends and colleagues know the quality of your company. Thanks again."
P.T.

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