Welcome to T3’s review of the Quechua Arpenaz 0˚ Ultim Comfort cotton sleeping bag from Decathlon.
Not everyone enjoys sleeping in a slim, tapered mummy-shaped technical sleeping bag. So I called in this rectangular, organic cotton-clad, three-season bag to see how comfortable and spacious it feels, how well it performs, and whether it meets all the criteria for a spot in T3’s guide to the best sleeping bags. Read on for the lowdown.
Decathlon Quechua Arpenaz 0˚ Ultim Comfort review
Price and availability
In the UK, the Quechua Arpenaz 0˚ Ultim Comfort is available exclusively from Decathlon, priced at a reasonable £84.99. Although Decathlon does have an online presence in the USA, this specific cotton sleeping bag isn’t listed. However, if you’re looking for a rectangular bag and don’t mind it being made from Polyester, you can purchase the Quechua Arpenaz 68°F Sleeping Bag direct from Decathlon USA for just $29.99.
Rectangular cotton verses mummy-shaped synthetic sleeping bags
When it comes to choosing a sleeping bag, the debate often falls between the relaxed, familiar comfort of a rectangular cotton bag and the technical efficiency of a tapered, coffin-shaped synthetic one.
A rectangular cotton sleeping bag evokes a traditional sense of warmth and a homely bed-like feel with soft, breathable fabric, generous room to stretch and sprawl, and a cosy feel associated with summertime car camping, glamping, caravanning or use as general-purpose guest bedding.
However, cotton comfort comes at some cost because a) the fabric is heavier and more bulky, and b) it absorbs moisture quite easily, is slower to dry if damp and less effective at retaining heat in harsh or very humid conditions.
A mummy- or coffin-shaped bag, meanwhile, is made from ultra-lightweight synthetic materials like nylon or polyester and constructed with performance and low weight in mind. These types of bags are designed for much colder nights, unpredictable weather and easier transportation, especially when trekking or mountaineering.
As a result, a mummy-shaped bag’s tapered profile hugs the body, reducing empty air space specifically around the legs for holding in warmth efficiently, while its synthetic insulation resists moisture, dries quickly and is much more easily compressed for backpacking. However, mummy bags can feel restrictive, with limited room to move, and the slick synthetic interior lacks the softer, more natural feel of cotton.
Ultimately, the choice rests on what kind of sleeper you are and, specifically, what kind of adventure you’re heading into, whether it’s a weekend camping in the car or a backpacking trip into the wilderness.
Design and features
Compared to your average high-performance synthetic mummy-shaped bag, the Arpenaz 0˚’s stuffed package is about four times larger and a lot heavier to carry, which is why it is not suitable for any form of backpacking.
However, its size and weight are perfectly suited to car camping, caravanning, glamping, boating, home use, and even carrying a fair distance from the car to an off-grid pitch.
The Arpenaz 0˚ weighs 2.8 kilos (about 6lbs 3oz) and measures 225cm (7.38”) in length and 80cm (2.62”) in width. While it’s a great length for the tallest of campers, its width could be considered a bit restrictive for some.
I had no issues with its width, mind, but then I’m built like a stick insect. But for those who need much more extra space – along with cuddling couples – there is also a double version available which measures a substantial 160cm in width and 230cm in length.
Made using amazingly soft-to-the-touch Polypropylene for the outer and plush 100% organic cotton for the inner, this bag offers supreme cosiness and breathability when sleeping under stars. Its 350g/sqm Polyester wadding, meanwhile, provides ample warmth in temperatures of around 0˚C, and that makes it a great option for use in early spring, late autumn, and, temperatures permitting, early winter.
However, it will almost certainly feel too warm in hotter climates. Also, bear in mind that cotton linings tend to hold moisture and might not perform as well in very damp conditions.
The Arpenaz 0˚ is extremely well designed and machined, and comes with a full-width removable hood and, ingeniously, two sewn-in insulated neck warmers that can be pulled from recesses in the hood and placed in a criss-cross pattern across the neck. Believe me, these neck huggers really do make a difference when the temperature drops.
This model also features a full surround zip that is easy to use from inside or outside the bag. This means you can also use it as a duvet or, if you have two single bags, zip them together to make one large double with a combined width of 160cm.
The Arpenaz 0˚’s stuff sack has weather-resistant sides, a soft Polypropylene upper section, a pull-to-close cinch and a top clip-strap to carry it with. Decathlon recommends simply stuffing the sleeping bag into the sack rather than carefully rolling it.
I found that both stuffing and rolling worked equally well because the sack is easily large enough to accommodate the bag without any excessive puffing to get it back in. In fact, I found that packing this one up was easier than packing the others in my camping armoury.
I measured the filled stuff sack at 30cm in diameter and between 36 cm and 42 cm in length, depending on how well it’s packed. When compressed for car travel, you should be able to fit it into a space about 32cm long and 20cm wide. Decathlon recommends machine washing at 30˚C.
Comfort and performance
I tested this sleeping bag on a three-day summertime car-camping excursion in Shropshire and thankfully managed to slot in the trip between heatwaves when nighttime temperatures were a more temperate 10˚ to 13˚C. For added comfort, I used the bag on a luxurious combination of the 12cm Coleman Supercomfort self-inflating mattress atop the five-star Helinox Cot One Convertible camping bed.
The first thing that struck me was how soft and cosy the Arpenaz 0˚’s inner material was and how close it felt to the texture and weight of a duvet, and this made sleeping in it more like being at home in my own bed. Exceedingly comfy, in other words.
However, I was mindful that this variant wasn’t the best option for summer camping and, as expected, it did feel a bit too stuffy at one point the night – until I unzipped it halfway to let some cool air in. And yet, when I first climbed in, it did feel rather nippy in there for the first few minutes, which is to be expected given the tent’s internal 11˚C temperature.
But once my body heat had started doing its thing, it warmed up very nicely indeed. I even used the two pull-out neck warmers for the first 10 minutes or so, and they really, really helped fight off the chill caused by undressing in a parky 11˚C tent.
In hindsight, I should have opted for the Ultim Comfort 10° instead, which would have been much better suited to summer camping in the UK. Perhaps I should take a look at that model next spring.
In terms of internal space, I’ll take a rectangular bag like this any day of the week. Since I tend to start sleeping with one knee pointing outwards, I found that this bag provided plenty of space to move around in, though I’ll admit that, like almost all sleeping bags, the material does cling to the lower body, making it tricky to change positions without the inner shifting in tandem.
In the end, I opted for the spring technique, where I use my arms to launch myself an inch off the mattress to quickly turn so the bottom of the sleeping bag remains in place. I guess that’s one of the quirks of kipping in a sleeping bag.
Verdict
The Arpenaz 0° Cotton is an excellent choice for casual campers on a car-camping trip in early spring and as summer moves into autumn. It’s also a top choice for those who want a comfortable, spacious duvet-like bag where weight and pack size aren’t top priorities. However, I would recommend the cooler 10˚ model if summer camping in the UK.
