Deuter Trek Lite 250

Finding the perfect sleeping bag for touring requires a delicate balance of weight, packsize, warmth and value for money. Locating a bag that ticks all the boxes at once can be a tricky business.

On paper the Trek Lite 250 from Deuter seems to have a lot to offer the bike tourist looking for a sleeping bag for non-winter camping adventures. First off, it has an impressively small packsize (31cm long x 43cm circumference) and low weight (864g), which means it fits relatively easily into a pannier, rather than needing to be strapped onto the outside in an unwieldy manner.

With grey goose down insulation, the Trek Lite 250 is surprisingly warm for its weight and packsize. It's rated for summer use, but with a comfort temperature of +1C it's a pretty good all-rounder for most conditions where you'd actually want to be camping. You probably wouldn't want to use it in a high mountain environment, or in chillier Spring and Autumn months, but for most touring in Europe or warmer climes this would be a reasonable proposition. With a full length zip, it's easily ventilated too, for those hotter spots. A silk sleeping bag liner is advisable for a down sleeping bag and using one makes this bag a cosy option for its size.

The downside to down insulation is that it isn't ideal in wet conditions. Synthetic insulation delivers reliable warmth even when wet, but the flip side is that synthetic sleeping bags tend to be a lot more bulky and heavy for the comparable level of warmth from a down bag. The outer shell of the Trek Lite 250 is water repellent so that should see off any moisture from tent walls it may encounter. It'd be a trivial job to slip the Trek Lite 250 into a waterproof bag anyway, if you are expecting rain when pedalling. And let's be honest, there's always rain.

In use, comfort levels are impressive for such a compact packsize. The insulation lofts (fluffs up) quickly and effectively and when used with a sleeping mat makes for a comfortable night's sleep. It's 185cm long so wouldn't suit taller users, or those broader in the shoulder, but it'd accommodate anyone six feet and under. The warmth offered is also good and really would suit most bike camping forays, unless you're someone who seeks out full winter camping expeditions.

There are sleeping bags available that are more compact, ones that are warmer and ones that are cheaper, but the Trek Lite 250 is one of the best I've come across for a balance of everything at a price usually found in synthetic sleeping bags rather than down, which is usually much more expensive.

Verdict

A really useful balance between weight, packsize and warmth makes this a good value for money bike camping option for self-sufficient tours.