The Naturehike CW400 is a versatile, lightweight, down sleeping bag with a square cut and full-length zip, allowing it to be used as a blanket on warmer nights.
Key Information
Price (at time of writing): R3299
Weight: 915g (measured)
Temperature rating: Comfort: 5-10°C; Transition: 0°C
Filling: 400g 750FP Goose Down
Design
Designed as a lightweight, medium temp, sleeping bag, the CW400 foregoes a few additional features, such as an internal pocket and chest- and zipper-baffle. For the temperature range it’s designed for, these features aren’t really missed, and if the temperature does dip, the square cut allows for a few temperature sensitive items, such as phones and batteries, to kept inside the sleeping bag during the night.
The square cut reduces its heat retention slightly, but definitely adds to its versatility – being able to open the sleeping entirely, widens its temperature range to even warmer conditions, which would usually be uncomfortable in warmer, mummy-shape sleeping bags.
The cowl is wide, deep, and comfortable, both when synched down or open. When synched down, it adds a surprising amount of warmth, which is great when the temperature dips a little lower than expected.
The lightweight 20D 400T nylon has a lovely, comfortable feel and allows for excellent compression.
Sizing
The CW400 comes in a medium and a large. I am 1.86m tall, medium build, and I found the large to be a good fit, however, if you have broader shoulders, this bag might start feeling a bit tight.
Temperature rating
It has a temperature range patch stitched on, which indicates a comfort rating of 15°C, however, on the website the comfort rating is 5°C, which is closer to what I experienced.
I spent a few nights out at 5°C in total comfort, while wearing trousers and two layers. When sleeping out in the open, you do feel some air movement, but this is easily negated by putting on an extra layer. In the aim to reduce weight, there is no zipper-baffle or chest-baffle, which makes sense for the intended temperature rating. I only became aware of cold spots along the zipper around 0°C.
Inside a tent, I was reasonably comfortable down to 0°, but had to eventually put on an extra layer. This is pretty impressive for such a lightweight sleeping bag, allowing it to be used almost year-round.
Cons
There are no real cons to mention, but if I had to nit-pick, the only con I would highlight is that the lightweight nylon has a tendency to get snagged in the zipper from time to time, but this is easily avoided with a little bit of care.
Conclusion
I’ve used the CW400 on a few overnight hikes and recently took it along while guiding on the wild and beautiful Rim of Africa, where shaving weight off your pack makes a massive difference. I was impressed with the wide comfort range, even down to -1°C on our coldest night. It has now become my go-to sleeping bag for all but the coldest conditions.
A very versatile sleeping bag offering good value for money.
This bag was provided by Naturehike for review purposes and can be purchased from their online store.
For more information on sleeping bags check our Sleeping Bags 101 article
I wish someone could just make a 900 fill sleeping bag made with 7D nylon and get it over and done with…no zips please.
The “trick” to zips & nylon is to run the zipper on your finger, which guides the material apart at the point where the zipper is locking. This works especially well with bags that have “insulating bolsters” on both sides where the zipper is….
Hi Arno
Thanks for review and a few questions.
You mention ‘I spent a few nights out at 5°C in total comfort, while wearing trousers and two layers’. Just ordinary hiking trousers and could you specify what two layers?
Inside a tent, I was reasonably comfortable down to 0°, but had to eventually put on an extra layer. What extra layer did you add?
The reason for my questions is that i have a Way extreme lite 500, 3-12 degrees, which i sometimes use like a blanket with just a pair of shorts and long sleeve polytop. The other night, about a week ago, in the berg, it dropped to 7 degrees which woke me at about two in the morning feeling a bit chilly so i put on a KWay down 250 jacket and zipped up. I am happy to carry a light bag and wear extra layers to keep warm. So was wondering what you were using.
It is dependant on the person, and I am a warmer sleeper, but would be interesting to see what temp one can drop to by adding layers even with a lighter bag.
Hi Karl, my layers consisted of normal hiking trousers, hiking socks, merino t-shirt, long-sleeve merino t-shirt, mid-weight fleece and a beanie.
Hey Arno,
I am planning to use the bag in humid enviroment, sleeping outside without a tent. Do you think the nylon is waterproof enough to survive that without let the filling become wet?
Thanks! Tamas
Hi Tamas, the sleeping bag fabric is not waterproof. Normal evening dew is enough to get the down wet.
how do I purchase the bag?? Reviews are great and so are nice pictures but how about a place where I could actually buy this bag you’re advertising!
Hi James, the second last paragraph contains the link to Naturehike’s website.
Hi Arno, thanks for the article, great info. If I may, can I ask if you used a foam mat, blow-up mat or anything of the like underneath the sleeping bag when you reviewed it?