Nitestar Alpha 250 Sleeping Bag Forest

The Vango Nitestar Alpha 250 handles UK camping from spring through autumn with reliable warmth that's been properly tested rather than guessed at. ISO 23537-1:2022 certification means those temperature ratings came from actual lab testing, giving you a comfort rating of 2°C and a lower limit of -4°C. That makes it genuinely suitable for cooler nights under canvas without needing extra layers, whilst the upper comfort range stretches to about 20°C before you'll be too warm. The Alpha insulation uses a 50/50 blend of polyester and siliconised hollow fibres that trap air both between and within each fibre, keeping warmth in whilst still compressing down for rucksack transport. At 1.6kg it's not ultralight territory, but it's manageable for DofE expeditions, festival weekends or regular campsite trips where you're carrying your gear any distance. What sets this apart from basic synthetic bags is the offset construction technique. Vango layers the shell and lining stitching in different positions, which eliminates those cold lines you'd normally feel along seam lines where insulation compresses. The mummy taper cuts unnecessary fabric from the foot end, improving heat retention and reducing pack bulk. You'll find a 3D anatomically shaped hood with drawcord adjustment that actually seals around your head properly, plus an insulated shoulder baffle that stops warmth escaping from the neck area. The two-way auto-lock zip won't slide open whilst you're asleep, and there's a full-length insulated baffle running alongside it to prevent heat loss. Internal storage keeps your phone or headtorch within reach, and hanging loops let you air everything out between trips. The Polair Hex fabric shell provides 68D polyester durability that stands up to regular use, whilst the 190T brushed microfibre lining feels genuinely soft rather than that scratchy nylon you get with budget bags. It appears on the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Recommended Kit list because it balances warmth, weight and cost sensibly for multi-day expeditions. The siliconized coating on the hollow fibres stops the insulation clumping after compression and adds some water repellence if condensation builds up inside your tent. Horizontal stitching keeps the fill evenly distributed so you're not left with thick patches in some areas and thin spots in others. Pack it in its compression sack between uses and the synthetic fill bounces back reliably season after season, unlike down which needs careful drying and costs significantly more upfront. FEATURES • Polair® Hex Fabric - A strong, durable yet soft touch 68D polyester shell fabric with an embossed hex grid finish. • Polair® Fabric Lining - A super soft and comfortable 190T brushed polyester microfibre lining that's incredibly warm and soft to touch • Alpha Insulation - A lightweight 50/50 blend of polyester and siliconized hollow fibres that trap more air between and within the fibres to increase warmth retention whilst retaining compressibility. A siliconized coating reduces friction to prevent insulation clumping and increases water repellence. • Offset Construction - A double layer design that offsets the shell and lining stitching to reduce cold spots and increase warmth retention. • Mummy Shaped Sleeping Bag - Tapers from the shoulders to the foot, reducing pack size and increasing thermal efficiency • 3D Hood - Anatomically shaped to provide greater comfort and reduce heat loss. A convenient drawcord closure allows for flexible adjustment in varying temperatures. • Horizontal Stitching - Evenly spaced to hold insulation in place and ensure even distribution throughout • Insulated Shoulder Baffle - Helps retain heat within the sleeping bag. A convenient drawcord closure allows for flexible adjustment in varying temperatures. • Zip Guard with Anti-Catch Piping - Helps to prevent the zip from snagging on the lining, allowing easy opening and closing • Insulated Zip Baffle - Prevents heat from escaping along the zip, reducing cold spots within the sleeping bag. • Auto-Lock Two-Way Zip - Seals in warmth and provides adjustable ventilation. Auto-lock prevents the bag from opening during the night and can be accessed from inside the bag • Woven Zip Puller - Allows you to quickly and easily move the zip • Internal Pocket - Provides convenient storage for small items SPECIFICATIONS • Weight : 1.6 kg • EN13537 Comfort : 2 °C • EN13537 Extreme : -21 °C • EN13537 Limit : -4 °C • Suggested Usage Max : 20 °C • Suggested Usage Min : -2 °C • External Chest Width : 85 cm • External Foot Width : 50 cm • External Length : 210 cm • Maximum User Height : 190 cm • Internal Chest Width : 83 cm • Internal Foot Width : 48 cm • Sleeping Bag Shape : Mummy • Performance : 3 Season • Fill Type : Insulite Alpha • TOG Rating : 10 • EAN : 5059474017064 • Colourway : Forest Green