Vango Viper 500 Review

The Vango Viper 500's design maximises warmth, whilst still being comfortable

The Vango Viper 500 is a premium sleeping bag mountain tested for three to fours season use. Filled with goose down feathers and using the top quality polair Vango fabrics, the sleeping bag is capable of the dealing with the vast majority of weather conditions. The bag specialises in remaining extremely comfortable whilst being able to deal fully with the conditions in which you use it, capable of dealing comfortably with temperatures between -5 °C and 20°C . Lower temperatures down to -18°C can be achieved, though with increasing discomfort down to that point. In total size, the sleeping bag meets the usual 215cm x 80cm length, whilst packing down to a convenient 35 x 18cm. The weight continues this convenience, being just 1100g, below the weight of many two season bags. Despite the highly specialised nature of the sleeping bag, the price remains reasonable, with an RRP of £110, currently further reduced by Outdoor World Direct.

The 90/10 down feather lining is not the only feature of the sleeping bag added to enhance comfort. The Polair silky lining of the sleeping bag is extremely cosy, as well as the shell of the Viper 500 being soft as well. More importantly, warmth is ensured through the cleverly designed omega shape to leave as little air space within the sleeping bag as possible. The layering is biased towards the top of the bag rather than at the bottom to increase the efficiency of the sleeping bags performance, whilst still allowing the Viper 500 to be packed down to a very small size for a three to four season bag. The 90/10 550+ power down filling further increasing warmth through the loft and insulation achieved. The down is held in place by the ATC system (Advanced Trapezoid Construction), an angled chevron tessellation which stops movement ruining the effectiveness of the down.

Further to the practical advantages of the Viper 500, the sleeping bag features exceptional durability. The Viper 500′s Polair shell is not only washable, but also tear resistant to prevent any avoidable damage, including water resistancy. This ensures that the value of the sleeping bag is not compromised by a short life span, especially considering the environments in which the sleeping bag is intended to be used for. This is in addition to the impressive longevity associated with a Vango product.

When compressed down, the Vango Viper 500 reaches a surprisingly small size

On the whole, the Vango Viper 500 presents an extremely effective sleeping bag with extensive capabilities. The price is remarkable considering the technology employed in the bags construction, making this item one of the most attractive accessories for advanced exploration, leaving more money aside for purchasing other essential kit. The Vango Viper range extends to the Viper 750 and Viper 1000 models, which further improve on the conditions the Viper 500 can manage, whilst continuing the good value price. Further information can often be found through camping forums such as Camping Forums UK.

Tags: lightweight sleeping bags, Vango Viper, Vango Viper 1000, vango viper 500, vango viper 750, Viper 500

Category: Camping Equipment