Mountain Equipment Xero 200

The super lightweight Xero 200 sleeping bag is designed to pack down really small. It is ideal for those who like to travel light without suffering too much discomfort. It is an excellent 2/3 season bag that works well as the integral part of a sleep system.

The Mountain Equipment Xero 200 is the central part of my sleep system. It has a comfort limit  of 2°Celsius but used with a liner you should get a good night’s sleep down to 0° Celsius. Used in combination with a silk liner and down liner I can camp all through the winter in the UK in comfort and have slept in temperatures as low as -6°Celsius (including a down jacket and thermals!). Through the warmer months I just use it with a liner.

It packs down to a very small size and weighs just 635g (7oz). Technical features include: 850+ power goose down; helium fabric which is tough and resistant to heat loss; solus collar for optimum lightweight insulation; ground level seams which maximise the insulation properties of the bag, slanted box wall construction to evenly distribute the down; baffle walls for down control and structure and a zip with an anti-snag baffle to reduce heat loss. As you can see this bag packs in a lot of features for a reasonable price.

As for the cons—there aren’t many, but I have found that the down has begun to clump a bit after a tech wash. I live in a hard water area and I think it has affected the down loft no matter how many times I rinse and tumble dry. Furthermore, I  find the hood is on the short side, so I have wriggle right down to the bottom to ensure my bonce is sufficiently covered. I am 5'9" so any taller and it may be too short.

Then there’s the ethics. It is made of down and no amount of tracking etc are going to get away from the fact it uses an animal product. With so many products available with down filling there must be some ethical concerns about how it is sourced sustainably.

So, if your conscience is OK with how down is produced and sold, this would be an excellent choice for those who like to travel light without compromising on comfort. Best left in a lofting bag or laid out flat when not in use to prolong the life of the down and get it professionally cleaned.   

Background

On trails and mountains in the UK in all seasons, weather, and conditions in conjunction with a silk liner and/or down liner.