Biopod DownWool Subzero Sleeping Bag

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From spring to autumn is the best season for trekking, biking, backpacking, and camping. The 3-season sleeping bag “Biopod DownWool Subzero” is the perfect companion for these activities

Grüezi Bag says: 

What makes this sleeping bag special is its innovative insulation. You’ll quickly notice in a DownWool® sleeping bag that you won’t feel too cold or too warm. It creates a dry body climate and evens out temperature fluctuations.

This is achieved through the innovative blend of natural materials, down, and wool. This combination is patented and works like a lightweight and natural air conditioning system. The DownWool® sleeping bag from Grüezi bag® offers significant advantages over pure down or synthetic sleeping bags

· Nothing insulates as well as high-quality down because down has a very high insulation performance with low weight.

· However, down only insulates when it’s dry and fluffy. In increasing moisture, the fine branches of down collapse, causing it to clump and significantly reduce its insulating ability. Chemical treatments are often used to make down water-repellent. DownWool® eliminates the need for this by adding wool: wool naturally keeps down drier, preserving its insulating effect.

· Wool can absorb up to 30% of its weight in moisture through its capillaries and then release it to the outside to avoid evaporative cooling. This ensures effective moisture regulation and temperature control. Even when wet, wool retains its insulating properties like no other material. Wool naturally creates a comfortable microclimate due to its unique climate-balancing properties. Additionally, wool neutralizes unpleasant sweat odors.

· Thanks to the unique properties of DownWool® insulation, your body can save some of the energy-consuming work of regulating body temperature. The saved energy is available for recovery during sleep.

The result is excellent insulation and a wide temperature range in which you can feel comfortable and sleep well. This makes DownWool® sleeping bags from Grüezi bag® popular all-rounders.

Our Verdict

The Grüezi Bag Biopod DownWool Subzero Sleeping Bag is a top-tier choice for trekking, biking, backpacking, or camping from spring to autumn. This 3-season sleeping bag stands out due to its innovative DownWool® insulation, a unique blend of the best down and wool, creating a lightweight yet highly effective sleeping system.

The Biopod DownWool offers excellent protection in various conditions, with a comfort range down to 2°C and a comfort limit of -4°C. This balance is primarily thanks to the DownWool® blend, which manages moisture exceptionally well. Wool can absorb up to 30% of its weight in moisture, protecting the down and helping it insulate efficiently.

The Biopod DownWool Subzero excels in user-friendly features. The adjustable hood, two-way auto-lock zip, and pre-formed foot box all add to its comfort and practicality. The materials used are not only high-performing but also environmentally friendly, a significant plus for those who value sustainability.

– Reviewed by Ultralight Outdoor Gear

Features

• Pillow pocket: Slide, for example, a fleece jacket into the pillow pocket for a non-slip pillow.
• Adjustable hood with face baffle: The warmth collar fits perfectly to the shape of your head. When it’s cold, only a small face hole remains open, reducing heat loss.
• 3D warmth collar: Automatically closes in the zipper area, preventing cold spots in the zipper region.
• Drawstring pocket: To securely store the drawstring at the warmth collar without it getting in the way.
• Interior & exterior pockets: For valuables and items you’d like to keep close.
• Two-way auto-lock zipper: The zipper can be opened and closed from both ends and from the inside and outside. The auto-lock feature prevents unintentional opening.
• White zipper: Easier to locate the zipper in the dark.
• Zipper with anti-snag zipper and reinforced ribbon: Allows for easier operation of the zipper without catching the outer fabric.
• Zipper with reinforced zipper cover: Prevents heat from escaping and the creation of cold spots.
• Foot ventilation system: The innovative zipper placement allows feet to be placed comfortably on top of the sleeping bag, and excess heat can escape.
• Pre-formed foot box: Provides enough space within the sleeping bag to keep your toes upright.
• Feater loops: A heating hip bag with a heating element (Feater – The Feet Heater) can be additionally installed.
• Chamber construction: H-chambers, V-shaped (on the top), pre-formed foot area with multiple chambers.
• Package includes: Sleeping bag, compression stuff sack, storage bag.

Specifications

Temperature Rating

Temperature range according to EN 2353

• Comfort: 2°C (36°F)
• Comfort Limit: -4°C (25°F)
• Extreme: -20°C (-4°F

Regular Specs

• Weight: 1319g (excludes storage bags)
  
• Size: Mummy sleeping bag with dimensions of 215 x 80 x 50 cm (suitable for individuals with a height between 176 cm and 190 cm with a normal build. For individuals with a broader build, it is recommended for those with a height of 185 cm or more.)
• Packed size: Ø 20 x 32 cm, compressed Ø 20 x 23 cm.
• Pack volume: 10 liters, compressed 7 liters

Long Specs

• Weight: 1484g (excludes storage bags)
  
• Size: Mummy sleeping bag with dimensions of 230 x 85 x 60 cm (suitable for a height of 185 cm to approximately 200 cm).
• Packed size: Ø 20 x 32 cm, compressed Ø 20 x 23 cm.
• Pack volume: 10 liters, compressed 7 liters

Material & Construction

• Outer and inner fabric: Ultra-light, durable, and recycled 20 denier 380T nylon (100% polyamide), which feels incredibly soft, supple, and silky on the skin. Achieved by pulling the fabric over hot rollers to narrow the pores, making it downproof and impervious to clothes moths while remaining naturally breathable without the usual plastic coating. The pores do not clog, neither due to the biobased BeSoDRY-ECO impregnation nor the sustainable BEMACRON dyes. The outer material is windproof and highly water-repellent.
• Insulation: 561g DownWool® consisting of 70% high-quality duck down (90/10 with a fill power of at least 650 cuin) and 30% mechanically refined wool.
• Material composition: Shell 100% polyamide, filling 70% down/30% wool – contains non-textile parts of animal origin
• RDS-certified down (RDS CU 859743), mulesing-free European sheep wool.
• OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certification for all materials used. This label for textiles tested for harmful substances guarantees that the product is safe for health.
• PFC-free: No perfluorinated chemicals are used
• The sleeping bags are equipped with a permanent water-repellent impregnation based on biobased raw materials (BeSoDRY-ECO).
• Colors: Selected BEMACRON dyes from the CHT Group are used. They are non-toxic for nature and meet both Cradle to Cradle requirements and the bluesign® standard.
• Recycled fabrics.

Help & advice:

• The Ultimate Guide to Lightweight Sleeping Bags
• Time-Saver Guide to Choosing a Sleeping Bag
• Our Gruezi Sleeping Bag Range Explained
• About Gruezi Bag and DownWool® Sleeping Bags
• The EN13537 Standard
• All About Down