The Vango Nitestar Alpha 250 delivers proper year-round sleeping comfort for backpackers, campers and DofE expeditions. This mummy-shaped bag uses Alpha insulation - a 50/50 blend of polyester and siliconized hollow fibres that traps air efficiently while compressing down small enough for multi-day trips. The offset construction places shell and lining stitches in different positions, reducing cold spots that can wake you at 3am. It's ISO 23537-1:2022 certified, meaning the temperature ratings come from controlled lab testing rather than marketing estimates. The 3D anatomically shaped hood includes a drawcord closure that adjusts quickly when temperatures drop overnight.
The outer shell uses Polair Hex Fabric - a 68D polyester with an embossed hexagonal finish that handles condensation better than smooth fabrics whilst remaining tear-resistant when you're shoving it into a stuff sack at dawn. Inside, the 190T brushed polyester microfibre lining feels properly soft against skin, not plasticky like budget bags. The auto-lock two-way zip prevents the frustrating experience of your bag unzipping during the night, and you can operate it from inside when nature calls. An insulated zip baffle stops heat escaping along the full length, while the zip guard with anti-catch piping means you're not wrestling with snagged fabric when you need ventilation.
Practical features include an internal pocket for keeping your phone warm (cold batteries drain fast), hanging loops for drying after damp nights, and an insulated shoulder baffle with drawcord that seals the opening when temperatures drop. The horizontal stitching holds insulation evenly distributed rather than letting it migrate to one end over time. At 250g/m² fill weight, this sits in Vango's mid-range - warm enough for three-season UK camping but light enough that it's not dominating your pack weight. The siliconised coating on the insulation fibres reduces clumping and adds water repellence, useful when condensation builds inside your tent. Worth noting that mummy-shaped bags will feel different if you're used to rectangular bags, but that tapered design is precisely what makes them thermally efficient and packable.
Vango Nitestar Alpha 250 Sleeping Bag Features
- Polair® Hex Fabric - A strong, durable yet soft touch 68D polyester shell fabric with an embossed hex grid finish.
- Polair® Fabric Lining - A super soft and comfortable 190T brushed polyester microfibre lining that's incredibly warm and soft to touch
- Alpha Insulation - A lightweight 50/50 blend of polyester and siliconised hollow fibres that trap more air between and within the fibres to increase warmth retention whilst retaining compressibility. A siliconised coating reduces friction to prevent insulation clumping and increases water repellence.
- Offset Construction - A double layer design that offsets the shell and lining stitching to reduce cold spots and increase warmth retention.
- Mummy Shaped Sleeping Bag - Tapers from the shoulders to the foot, reducing pack size and increasing thermal efficiency
- 3D Hood - Anatomically shaped to provide greater comfort and reduce heat loss. A convenient drawcord closure allows for flexible adjustment in varying temperatures.
- Horizontal Stitching - Evenly spaced to hold insulation in place and ensure even distribution throughout
- Insulated Shoulder Baffle - Helps retain heat within the sleeping bag. A convenient drawcord closure allows for flexible adjustment in varying temperatures.
- Zip Guard with Anti-Catch Piping - Helps to prevent the zip from snagging on the lining, allowing easy opening and closing
- Insulated Zip Baffle - Prevents heat from escaping along the zip, reducing cold spots within the sleeping bag.
- Auto-Lock Two-Way Zip - Seals in warmth and provides adjustable ventilation. Auto-lock prevents the bag from opening during the night and can be accessed from inside the bag
- Woven Zip Puller - Allows you to quickly and easily move the zip
- Internal Pocket - Provides convenient storage for small items
- Hanging Loops - Allows you to easily hang your bag for quick and easy drying
- ISO 23537-1:2022 Certified - Extensively tested to meet industry standard temperature ratings
Specifications- Weight : 1.6 kg
- EN13537 Comfort : 2 °C
- EN13537 Extreme : -21 °C
- EN13537 Limit : -4 °C
- Suggested Usage Max : 20 °C
- Suggested Usage Min : -2 °C
- External Chest Width : 85 cm
- External Foot Width : 50 cm
- External Length : 210 cm
- Maximum User Height : 190 cm
- Internal Chest Width : 83 cm
- Internal Foot Width : 48 cm
- Sleeping Bag Shape : Mummy
- Performance : 3 Season
- Fill Type : Insulite Alpha
- TOG Rating : 10
- EAN : 5059474017071
- Colourway : Neptune
Frequently Asked Questions
The Nitestar Alpha 250 is ISO 23537-1:2022 certified, meaning its temperature ratings come from standardised laboratory testing. The specific comfort, limit and extreme temperatures are determined through controlled tests using thermal manikins, providing reliable guidance for UK three-season camping conditions rather than estimated figures.
Alpha insulation combines standard polyester with siliconised hollow fibres in a 50/50 blend. The hollow fibres trap air within their structure whilst the gaps between fibres trap additional air, creating better warmth retention than single-fibre fills. The siliconized coating reduces friction between fibres, preventing the clumping that happens with untreated insulation after compression cycles, and adds water repellence.
The Nitestar Alpha range meets DofE requirements for warmth-to-weight ratio, durability and pack size needed for multi-day expeditions. It compresses small enough for rucksack carrying whilst providing reliable warmth in variable UK conditions. The offset construction and insulated baffles reduce cold spots that affect sleep quality during consecutive nights outdoors, which matters when you're hiking daily.
Offset construction uses two layers where the stitching lines on the outer shell and inner lining sit in different positions. This prevents cold spots forming along stitch lines, which happen in single-layer bags where thread creates an uninsulated path through the fabric. The double-layer design means insulation remains continuous across the entire bag surface.
The Nitestar Alpha 250 uses a standard right-hand zip configuration. To create a double bag you need one right-zip and one left-zip model. Check the zip direction before purchasing if you're planning to connect two bags, as most Vango sleeping bags come in right-zip versions unless specifically marked as left-zip variants.
Use the hanging loops to suspend the bag fully opened in a warm, dry space with good airflow. Turn it inside out halfway through drying to ensure the lining dries completely. Avoid direct heat sources like radiators which can damage synthetic insulation. The siliconized coating on Alpha insulation resists moisture better than untreated fibres but still needs thorough drying between trips to prevent mildew and maintain loft.
The Nitestar Alpha 250 compresses down to fit inside a standard stuff sack suitable for backpacking. The exact dimensions depend on compression technique, but the mummy shape and Alpha insulation blend mean it packs smaller than rectangular bags with equivalent warmth. For extended storage between trips, keep it loosely stored in a large breathable bag rather than compressed, which maintains insulation loft over years of use.
The 250 designation in Vango's sizing typically indicates the bag suits users up to around 190cm tall, though this varies slightly based on whether you prefer a snug fit or extra foot room. Taller individuals should check if Vango offers a 300 or long version of the Nitestar Alpha. A bag that's too short forces your feet against the bottom, compressing insulation and creating cold spots.
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