In-depth Review of the Kamperbox UL250 Sleeping Bag: An Affordable Ultralight Marvel!

A sleeping bag is an essential piece of gear for any outdoor adventure. Whether you’re camping in the backcountry or planning a long multi-day hike, having a reliable, warm, and lightweight sleeping bag can make or break your experience.

For me, when selecting a sleeping bag, I look for three key things: weight, warmth, and value for money. The Kamperbox UL250 sleeping bag hit all three, and in my real-world testing, it exceeded expectations.

First Impressions and Build Quality

When the Kamperbox UL250 arrived, I was immediately impressed by its lightweight and soft feel. It almost sort of floats like a parachute when you drop it.

Weighing in at just 480 grams (including the stuff sack), this bag is impressively light for a “three-season” sleeping bag.

Its nylon shell and lining feel soft and delicate, much like the premium bags from companies like Nordisk (formerly Yeti), which are known for producing high-end ultralight sleeping gear. In fact, the material is so light it almost feels transparent, akin to some of the lightest bags from Aegismax but at a more affordable price point.

The down used in this bag is 90/10 duck down, with an impressive 800+ fill power, making it extremely fluffy and insulating for its weight class. Compared to heavier bags like the Kamperbox Cozy 300 (that I recently bought, but haven’t tested yet), the Kamperbox UL250 holds its own in terms of insulation, even though the fabric is much thinner.

The term “90/10 duck down” means that the insulation in the Kamperbox UL250 is composed of 90% down clusters and 10% feathers. This blend is key for warmth and weight. The down clusters are the fluffy parts that trap heat, making the bag super cozy, while the feathers add a bit of structure.

With 90% down, you’re getting excellent insulation without the extra bulk, which is exactly what you want in an ultralight sleeping bag. It really helps keep the weight down while ensuring you stay warm on chilly nights.

In terms of fluffiness, it feels comparable to the Naturehike CW300, though with a slightly thinner lining fabric.

Real-World Performance: A 3-Night Test

I had the opportunity to take the UL250 out for a 3-night trip in early UK autumn, where the temperatures dipped to around 10°C (50°F).

I was pleasantly surprised by how comfortable it was in these conditions. The bag kept me warm and cozy throughout the night, with no noticeable cold spots.

The fabric, though thin, did a great job of keeping the warmth inside. Based on my experience, I would say the UL250 performs excellently down to around 5°C (41°F).

Below that, you might start feeling the chill, but this is to be expected for a bag that weighs so little. If you’re planning on sleeping in colder temperatures, you could add a liner or layer up with additional insulation.

Weight and Packability

For backpackers and hikers, every gram counts. One of the standout features of the Kamperbox UL250 is its incredibly light weight of just 480 grams, including the stuff sack. For comparison, it’s even lighter than the Naturehike CW300, which weighs 617 grams, and matches some of the ultralight options from Aegismax (e.g. the Mini or Nano), but at a fraction of the price.

Also, being a relatively big bag (fine for taller people up to 2 meters I would think), its density is low so it seems lighter than my Naturehike and Aegismax sleeping bags.

Its packability is fantastic as well. When compressed, it takes up minimal space in your backpack, making it ideal for those who need to minimize bulk on longer hikes.

I will point out that the included stuff sack is a very simple pouch type one without actual compression straps (unlike what is included with most of Kamperbox’s other bags like the Cosy300), but it works well and is still easy to pack, despite not being as compressible other similar bags (which is probably good for the down structure though…).

Temperature Rating and Comfort

Kamperbox rates this bag for spring, autumn, and mild winter conditions, with a comfortable temperature range between 5°C and 0°C (41°F to 32°F). From my experience, this rating is slightly too low, but not as far off as you could think!

While I haven’t taken it to extreme cold yet, I wouldn’t recommend using it below 5°C without additional layers, as you might start feeling cold. However, considering its weight and price, it delivers excellent warmth for its class.

Most budget sleeping bags don’t come close to this performance at this price, especially when you’re looking for such a lightweight option.

Is it Ethical?

The Kamperbox UL250 sleeping bag features responsibly sourced down certified by the Responsible Down Standard (RDS). This certification ensures that the down used in the bag comes from ducks and geese that have been treated humanely throughout their lives.

RDS focuses on animal welfare, ensuring that the birds are not subjected to practices such as live-plucking or force-feeding. By choosing RDS-certified down, Kamperbox not only prioritizes comfort and performance but also aligns with ethical sourcing practices in line with most other hiking brands.

Many well-known brands in the outdoor industry, such as Naturehike, Aegismax, The North Face and Patagonia, also utilize the same RDS-certified down sourced in China.

Value for Money

Here’s where the Kamperbox UL250 really shines. I managed to snag it for around $50 during a sale, which is frankly astonishing given the build quality and performance.

For this price, you’re getting a bag that holds up well against more expensive competitors like Naturehike and Aegismax. While Kamperbox is a relatively new brand, if they continue producing high-quality products like the UL250, they could easily become a well-known name in the outdoor gear world.

Comparison with Similar Sleeping Bags

If you’ve been in the market for an ultralight sleeping bag, you’ve probably come across brands like Naturehike and Aegismax, both of which offer great value for budget-conscious outdoor enthusiasts.

These companies make ultralight sleeping bags as well, and they do make good gear. But for a similar bag you easily pay twice as much but, dare I say, get less.

I’ve used the Naturehike CW300 before, and I can confidently say that the Kamperbox UL250 is on par with it in terms of warmth and comfort, albeit with slightly thinner fabric.

The Aegismax Nano is another similar option, known for its ultralight design, but the Kamperbox UL250 comes in at an even lower price point, making it a strong contender for those looking to save some cash without sacrificing too much quality.

For similar purposes I have often used another bag purchased from an unknown brand on AliExpress. My BS wolf envelope sleeping bag, which also keeps me warm at 10°C, which I purchased for a similar price. The weight of the BS Wolf bag, however, is higher at around 600 grams.

Some people prefer the form factor of an envelope bag as it can fold open as a blanket and be used for two people, not unlike the Naturehike CW400,

This is the large version that packs down almost as small, but not quite, and requires a proper compression sack to reach that size.

Kamperbox is a fairly new and unknown brand in the western world, not unlike Naturehike and Aegismax some years ago, but I took a chance and ordered this bag, knowing it was a gamble, but I am not disappointed.

Their other sleeping bags (like the Cozy 300 shown above) are generally heavier and warmer, but also quite large with plenty of space for even taller people and room for turning in your sleep. The fabric is thicker and the feathers a bit heavier making them less ideal for ultralight hiking in summer, but a good fit for winter use. It costs approximately the same as the UL250 though.

Downsides and Considerations

While I’m thoroughly impressed with the Kamperbox UL250, it’s not without its caveats. The fabric, while soft and lightweight, is quite thin and I’ve noticed that a few feathers were sticking through (though this is also the case for other brands).

Over time, I’ll need to see how it holds up against wear and tear, especially after repeated compressions and extended use. Also, while it performs excellently in temperatures around 10°C, anything below 5°C might leave you reaching for extra layers. But 10°C is already impressive for a bag in this weight category.

The stuff sack is a bit minimal, which is of course good for keeping the weight low, but it cannot be compressed as much as bags that come with a stuff sack. There are plenty of compression sacks available though so for around 10$ you could get a proper one…

Additionally, the bag doesn’t have a proper hood, which some might find limiting in colder temperatures. If you’re someone who tends to get cold at night, you could consider using a separate down hood or just wearing a warm hat while sleeping.

Verdict

Kamperbox is a fairly new player on the ultralight camping gear market, and they do have some interesting products that I am planning to test (and review here on the site) in the near future, hoping they will be as good value as this sleeping bag is.

I would compare them to Aegismax in the early days, although their focus is a bit broader than sleeping bags.

Overall, the Kamperbox UL250 is an excellent ultralight sleeping bag for hikers, backpackers, and outdoor enthusiasts who need to keep weight down without sacrificing too much warmth or break the bank.

Its 800+ fill power down, compact size, and affordable price make it a standout option in the budget ultralight category.

Kamperbox is certainly a brand to watch, and if they continue to deliver this level of quality, in my opinion, they could easily rise to the ranks of Naturehike or Aegismax.

Can you get a better ultralight sleeping bag? Absolutely! But you will have to pay for it. Similar bags from better known brands cost at least twice (and typically 3 to 5 times) as much.

At just around $50, this bag offers exceptional (the best?) value and performance, making it an ideal bag for beginners wanting to try out ultralight hiking.

For those looking to maximize warmth while minimizing weight and cost, the Kamperbox UL250 is a fantastic choice. Just be mindful of the temperature range and consider layering up if you plan to sleep in colder conditions.