Vango Supernova 5000 Sleeping Bag
Product Review & Walking Gear Test

	Supernova 5000 Sleeping Bag Vital Statistics: Colours: Vermillion Weight: 1850 gms (claimed), 1950gms with with stuffsack SRP: £120.00

Supernova 5000 Sleeping Bag

Vital Statistics:

Colours:
Vermillion

Weight:
1850 gms (claimed), 1950gms with with stuffsack

SRP:
£120.00

Features to Note:

4 Season; suggested range -13 deg C to +15 deg C; Comfort = -3 deg C.
Pack Size; 40cms x 26cms x 25cms
Max Body height: 190cms
Max chest width: 80cms
Offset, double-layer construction
Four panel, profiled hood with multi-chord closure (to reduce heat loss from head)
Thermal embrace system
Insulite ™Aero hollowfibre insulation
Polair ™ RSN Shell with water resistant finish
Supersoft, mini-ripstop nylon lining
Internal pocket for mobile phone/valuables
Hanging loops
Also available in 1000, 3000, 8000 models

In-use Test:

The Supernova 5000 is one of Vango's premium, mountain range of sleeping bags and is designed for use in colder, winter conditions. It has a synthetic fill plus the intriguingly named 'Thermal Embrace System' which is a method of sewing elasticated thread into the sleeping bag lining to 'encourage' the lining towards you. In this way, it is suggested, the loft between the outer an inner layers is increased meaning that the insulation - and therefore the warmth - is also increased.

I'm female, 5' 7'', of average build and it has to be said generally 'feel the cold'. I tried out the Supernova 5000 in an early (February) motorhome trip in place of any normal bedding and obviously without any other form of night-time heating. (This was as close to camping as I was prepared to go at this time of year!)

My pre-trip inspection of the Supernova was very encouraging. The stitching at the seams and on the body of bag was tight and even. The zip, which has a generous flap behind it, runs really smoothly and on shaking the bag I could see that the fill was staying put and not moving around at all. The overall quality of finish on the bag seems very high.

The generous hood appears to have as much insulation as the rest of the bag and the draft collar is also well padded. The lining feels really very soft to the touch. So I was quite looking forward to trying it out on our Shropshire walking trip.

Well, for me the acid test with a sleeping bag is comfort and warmth during the night. During my first night the temperature was down to about 3 deg C, the second night was rather warmer at about 7deg C.

The bag is certainly comfortable and most definitely warm. This was not a 'female fit' version but the overall dimensions for me were fine. The draft collar fitted snugly around my neck yet I didn't feel claustrophobic at all. I was also not aware of any cold spots anywhere around the bag. The second night I was probably too hot and found it necessary to open the zip at times during the night - but I'd rather that than the other way around. Having battled over the years with sticking zips on many sleeping bags, the zip on the Supernova was a joy - it just seemed to work! I did notice that the hood, which fitted well, was also certainly big enough to allow me to wear a hat had that been necessary.

Buying Advice:

Vango's Supernova 5000 is a well priced, beautifully warm sleeping bag for use throughout the year. A really good option for camping with a car or for use in a motorhome if space is at a premium; it's a lot more efficient than conventional bedding. Whilst it does fit into the standard sleeping-bag compartment on a rucksack, wild camping and/or light weight enthusiasts may find its pack size and weight a drawback. However, if light weight/small pack size are not top of your list of priorities then definitely check this out.

What do you think?

Have you got a Vango Supernova 5000 Sleeping Bag?

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