After a challenging day of winter trekking, there’s nothing more comforting than diving into your cozy sleeping bag. Even with layers on and a blazing stove, the ultimate comfort comes from snuggling into a warm, puffy cocoon.
Winter sleeping bags tailored for extremely cold conditions are typically bulky and can weigh 5 pounds or more. That’s why I was intrigued by the incredibly light and compact Therm-a-Rest Polar Ranger, designed in collaboration with famed polar guide Eric Larsen. Eager to test it out, I brought it along on a winter ski expedition in the Norwegian Arctic.
In summary: The Therm-a-Rest Polar Ranger ($790) lives up to its temperature rating, ensuring warmth even on cold nights. Packed with useful features like a baffled pocket in the footbox for cozy toes and convenient side zips for ventilation, it’s well-suited for winter travel. However, its snug fit and tight hood and snorkel may not appeal to everyone, making it ideal for back sleepers. Additionally, the price is on the higher side.
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Shell
Recycled nylon ripstop with DWR finish -
Insulation
800-fill Nikwax Hydrophobic Down -
Size Regular
Fits users up to 6 feet tall -
Size Long
Fits users up to 6 feet 6 inches tall -
Packed Regular
8.5″ x 10″ (22 x 25 cm) -
Packed Long
8.5″ x 10″ (22 x 25 cm) -
Weight Regular
3 pounds, 4 ounces -
Weight Long
3 pounds, 7 ounces -
Price
Regular $850 | Long $880
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Lightweight and relatively compact -
Hydrophobic down filling maintains insulation even when wet -
Good warmth-to-weight ratio -
Foot warming toebox -
Attachment points to keep sleeping pad in place
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The fit is a little too snug -
Hood and snorkel are quite restrictive -
The phone pocket is small -
Compression sack is not wide enough
Therm-a-Rest Polar Ranger Sleeping Bag Review
Key Specifications and Features
The Therm-a-Rest Polar Ranger Sleeping Bag boasts impressive technical specifications. With a comfort rating of -20 degrees F (-29 degrees C) and filled with 800-fill Nikwax Hydrophobic Down insulation, this sleeping bag is crafted to keep you warm in extreme cold conditions.
Available in regular and long sizes, it features a 20D nylon ripstop shell with a DWR (durable water-repellent) finish for added durability and moisture resistance.
Compared to other winter bags that weigh 3-4 pounds with similar or more extreme temperature ratings, like the Sea to Summit Alpine Down, the Mountain Hardwear Phantom, or the Mountain Equipment Redline (which are significantly more expensive), none of them offer hydrophobic down fill, side ventilation zips, a baffled pocket in the toebox, or a snorkel and integrated draft collar.
The Therm-a-Rest Polar Ranger offers a lot in terms of comfortable sleeping in cold climates.
Real-World Testing in the Norwegian Arctic
Embarking on a ski tour in the remote mountains of northern Norway in February, I spent a week testing the Polar Ranger. With a companion using the same sleeping bag, we embraced a polar expedition style, hauling our essentials on skis and a small sled.
Unexpectedly, the weather threw more challenges our way. Despite anticipating temperatures between 5 and 14 degrees, we encountered sub-zero conditions throughout the week, dropping below -20 degrees in the final days. These extreme cold conditions provided a perfect opportunity to test the capabilities of the Therm-a-Rest Polar Ranger.
Impressive Moisture Management
While the Therm-a-Rest Polar Ranger Sleeping Bag has its drawbacks, it also boasts numerous strengths. Treated down ensures insulation performance even in damp conditions, eliminating the need for a vapor barrier liner on short trips.
As moisture accumulated and froze on the bag’s surface, the hydrophobic down maintained warmth effectively, even when heavily iced over (tested in the Arctic). The bag’s central zipper design prevents snags, offering a smooth experience. Exiting the bag is effortless, requiring a simple arm movement to open the zipper, a stark contrast to other winter bags I’ve encountered.
