Sleep systems

Kilimanjaro: System 1

This system combines the superb Hispar 500 sleeping bag with the box-wall Yukon jacket. Wearing the down clothing inside the Hispar bag at night will boost the whole system to -30°C, so no need to worry if the temperature drops. In the daytime the Yukon with its -15°C (5°F) rating offers full protection for the summit and you'll be glad of the trousers around camp if the weather's cold.
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.
-30°C / -22°F
Schematic representation of Sleep System. Actual components differ.
“The loft [of the Hispar 500 bag] really is astonishing.”

Features

  • System Products:
    • Main Sleeping Bag: Hispar 500 (Sleep Rating: -15°C / 5°F)
    • Plus Items:
      • Yukon Down Jacket
      • Minimus Down Trousers
      • Minimus Down Socks
  • Full System Sleep Rating: -30°C (-22°F)
  • Sleeping Bag Weights:
    • Hispar 500 Down Sleeping Bag: 915g (32.3oz)
    • Standard lightweight Sleeping Bag to achieve Full System warmth: 1250g (44.1oz)

Description:

The Hispar 500 bag will be warm enough by itself most of the way up the mountain. Whichever route you are taking, it will only be at the last camp or two that you might experience temperatures low enough to make you look for extra warmth. No matter – wear the down clothing inside the bag and you have a system that will cope with -30°C, colder than anything you will encounter on Kilimanjaro.

It is the same on the ascent. The routes on Kili start from about 3000’ above sea level and you will not need the down gear in the lower half of the mountain. When you start wearing it will depend on the weather you encounter, but the Yukon jacket will cope with -15°C on summit day and the Minimus trousers might also be welcome at the high camps.

K SeriesThe Hispar 500K Sleeping Bag is available in the K Series: performance is the same, but the exceptional loft of 1000 down reduces the weight of the bag to an amazing 770g (27.2oz).

Review relates to Hispar 500 Down Sleeping Bag

"The lightest bag tested yet warmer than some ... The Hispar 500 really does deserve the description 'Ultralight' ... The loft really is astonishing for such a lightweight bag ... the Hispar 500 is my favourite of the bags tested."
Chris Townsend, Winter Down Sleeping Bags test, TGO Magazine.

Review relates to Yukon Down Jacket

"Many thanks for the jacket that you supplied me for the Yukon Arctic Ultra. [It] performed perfectly in temperatures down to -35°C. The light weight and small size was also a huge help and helped me gain second place in the race. I ... am now the second fastest person over the course and the fastest European."
Dr Stuart Gillet (wearing a prototype Yukon jacket).

Review relates to Minimus Down Trousers

Backpacking Light - Highly recommended

"Overall Rating: Highly Recommended. These down pants are simple and light, just the way we want them. They have the most loft and highest loft:weight ratio of the three pants we tested; I couldn't ask for more. I found that I could extend the warmth of a 30°F (-1°C) sleeping bag to 15 °F (-9°C) by wearing these pants and a lightweight down jacket inside."
Will Rietveld, Backpacking Light. Read full review.

Review relates to Minimus Down Socks

"The Minimus trousers and socks are amazing. The combination of weight, compressed volume and insulation properties is outstanding. With down I was able to reduce my pack weight significantly."
Thim.

Sleep system components

Works well with
From 967.53 915g -15℃
Mountain lightweight for cold conditions. Ideal for fast ascents and quick travel.
From 203.32 90g
Unbelievably light down-filled sock for warm feet in cold tents.