Review: Hex Valley Down Mummy Sleeping Bag

Hex Valley Down has been producing high-quality down duvets and sleeping bags for nearly 30 years, and their gear has been used for everything from winter caravan holidays to summiting snowy peaks in Patagonia. I recently had the opportunity to test their mummy sleeping bag in the snow-covered Du Toitskloof mountains.

Key Information

Price (at time of writing): R3599
Weight: 1093g (with stuff sack)
Temperature rating: Comfort: -3°C
External fabric: Pertex
Filling: 850 fill power goose down

Custom Design

Hex Valley Down offers a unique value proposition — they can custom design and fit your sleeping bag to your measurements and insulation requirements. Combined with top-quality goose down and Pertex fabric, this makes for an exceptionally comfortable, warm, and lightweight sleeping bag.

Hex Valley Down sleeping bags — handmade comfort and performance.

The Pertex shell adds a luxurious, almost cotton-like feel while retaining all the performance characteristics of technical nylon, including moisture-wicking and abrasion resistance.

The workmanship is excellent — though not as technical as some international brands that specialise in high-end sleeping bag design. For instance, the bag I tested used a static cord rather than a bungee cord to cinch the hood and chest area. This can easily be customised on request.

Internal storage pocket — ideal for keeping a phone or batteries warm overnight.

The contoured foot box allows your feet to rest naturally without compressing the down, preserving warmth where it’s needed most. Combined with a three-quarter zip, the design is geared for maximum heat retention.

Sizing

I’m 1.86m tall with a medium build, and I found the standard-length bag a little snug and slightly short. Be sure to check your measurements before ordering — Hex Valley Down can tailor a bag to your exact size.

Tested in the snow-covered Du Toitskloof mountains.

Temperature Rating

It’s difficult to assign an exact temperature rating to a customisable bag, but the model I tested — weighing just 1093g — had a comfort rating of around -3°C. The 850 fill power down provides excellent insulation and compressibility at a very low weight.

Lofty 850 fill power goose down provides outstanding warmth-to-weight performance.

Simple, effective design with a focus on warmth and packability.

Note that this specific model had no zipper or chest baffles. Adding those features would increase the comfort rating by several degrees for minimal weight gain.

In summary, this sleeping bag is ideal for most South African conditions, except for very warm summer nights or extreme winter conditions in the Drakensberg. For everything in between, it performs exceptionally well.

Local Is Lekker

I love well-made outdoor gear, but knowing it was crafted by a family-run business that creates employment in the Hex River Valley makes it even better. South Africa has the talent and resources to produce world-class outdoor equipment, and Hex Valley Down is a shining example of that.

Conclusion

Hex Valley Down sleeping bags offer incredible value for money, especially when you factor in their ability to custom design bags to fit your exact needs. The combination of warmth, low weight, and affordability is hard to beat. If you’re buying your first down sleeping bag, this should be at the top of your list.

This sleeping bag was provided by Hex Valley Down for review purposes and can be purchased through their online store.