Review: JR Gear Helium 750

A no-frills sleeping bag, designed for hiking, with a versatile temperature rating for colder conditions and an attractive Rand-to-gram ratio.

Key Information

Price (at time of writing): R5619
Weight: 1257g (with stuff sack)
Temperature rating: Comfort: -3°C
Dimensions: 210 x 80 x 50cm
External fabric: Microtex R/S (Outer) and Microtex 5000 (Inner)
Filling: 600+ fill-power 90/10 white duck down

Design

The JR Gear Helium sleeping bag range has a comfortable 3D contour mummy shape that aids in heat retention and weight saving. The 3D cut of the foot box also prevents the sleeping bag from tensioning over your feet and compressing the down.

There is a zipper and chest baffle to reduce heat loss, and for slightly warmer evenings, the zipper is bi-directional, allowing for ventilation around your legs while still keeping cool air off your chest.

The sleeping pad sleeve underneath the bag reduces the chance of sliding off your pad and allows you to turn more comfortably while sleeping.

The compression sack has a clip-buckle on one of the straps, which, although minor, makes removing and re-stuffing the sleeping bag just a little easier. It’s the small details that count.

There is no internal pocket for storing cold-sensitive items like batteries, so in colder conditions, these items will need to be kept in a jacket pocket or elsewhere inside your shelter.

Sizing

I’m 1.86m tall and of medium build, and the sleeping bag fit me perfectly with some room to move. It only comes in one size, so taller people might be out of luck.

Temperature Rating

The -3°C comfort rating is accurate and offers a versatile temperature range for most of South Africa’s cooler conditions. Light base layers and a half-open zip work fine at around 5°C, and if things drop below -3°C, just add extra layers and a beanie.

As always, the warmth of a sleeping bag is reliant on a sufficiently insulated sleeping pad. I camped in the snow below Du Toits Peak and was very comfortable in -2°C conditions using the Helium 750 paired with a JR Gear insulated inflatable mat.

Cons

No real cons to speak of, other than the lack of internal storage.

Conclusion

A lightweight sleeping bag with a perfect temperature rating for most South African conditions and a very good Rand-to-gram ratio. What’s not to like? If you’re looking for a new sleeping bag, the JR Gear Helium 750 should be high on your list.

This sleeping bag was provided for review purposes by Ram Mountaineering and can be purchased from Drifters.