Over the last few months I have had the opportunity to take a closer look at the V.I.B. 250 down sleeping bag from Yeti. Since I wasn’t able to go on as many trips towards the end of last year, it had to work all the harder this year. Among other things, it accompanied me on my trip through the western USA (end of March/beginning of April), and before and after that also on several short weekend trips through the Harz.
About the manufacturer Yeti
Yeti specialises in making sleeping bags and expedition clothing. These are still handmade today in Görlitz, Saxony.
In 2010, many of the products and production facilities fell victim to the Neisse flood, and there was a big flood sale.
Technical specifications of the Yeti V.I.B. 250 down sleeping bag
Weight: 669 g (incl. stuff sack)- Packed size: 14 x 14 x 31 cm
- Fill: CrystalDown 95:5 800+ cuin
- Outer fabric: Sup-Cell (RipStop Nylon)
- Lining: Ultra-Cell (Nylon)
- Temperature ratings: comfort +9 °C, limit 5 °C, extreme -9 °C
The outer fabric is SupCell which, according to the manufacturer, is a thin nylon fabric weighing less than 30 g/m². It is also said to be slightly water-repellent and quick-drying. On the inside, Ultra-Cell is used, which is very soft and breathable.
The fill is goose down in a 95:5 ratio (down:feathers). The fill power is over 800 cuin, which makes it very high quality. The fill power value indicates the volume to which the fill expands after being compressed in a measuring cylinder for 24 hours. The rule here is: the higher the value, the better the insulation.
To prevent cold spots, the down has been processed in an H-chamber construction. Other constructions such as V-chambers are more effective, but also heavier due to the greater amount of material, which is why H-chambers are the first choice for lightweight sleeping bags in particular.
The zip does not run the full length but only goes down to the ankle. Inside the sleeping bag there is a small pocket that closes with Velcro so that its contents don’t get lost after a restless night in the bag. The hood and collar can be tightened with a drawcord on the left side. The sleeping bag also comes with a stuff sack and a storage bag for gentler storage.
The Yeti V.I.B. 250 in the field test
This is of course a very subjective statement, but with long underwear and a silk liner I had no problems spending the night in the sleeping bag at around 0 °C without getting cold. The lining feels pleasant on the skin, and there is more than enough room in the sleeping bag for me.
In my view, the inner pocket could have been left out, but that is certainly a matter of taste. I have never needed it. Personally, I like the sleeping bag very much, and for my purposes the temperature/weight ratio is right. That is why it is completely replacing my previous lightweight down sleeping bag, the Lafuma Pro 650 Down.
