Winter-Proof Your Body
New Direction isn’t a brand typically associated with bankside living gear, but where technology goes, ND will follow!
We’re about to enter the time of year when even a five minute stroll around the lake can seem like an Arctic expedition, fraught with extreme winds and cheek-shredding rain. Give yourself an upper hand against the elements with a heated sleeping bag. Nowadays you’re spoilt for choice in this part of the market, but ND’s offering differs on a number of fronts, none more so than how it goes about heating you up… Here’s our big five takeaways from spending a couple of nights wrapped up inside one.
1. Unique Modular Heating System
Unlike other heated sleeping bags, ND’s follows a new concept: a modular system. Instead of permanently integrating the electrical components, our favourite tech-savvy company has incorporated heating elements which allow you to adjust the system to your personal preferences. The standard configuration is two heating elements with a maximum power output of 4W per pad. Still not warm enough? Just add another two pads! To power it, simply connect a powerpack to the USB connector and then scroll through three heat settings (indicated by colour): low, medium and high. Oh, and don’t worry about getting caught up in the cables—these are all hidden inside a zipped pocket.
2. Magnetic Quick-Release Buttons
Another first can be found on the SB9 and that’s the magnetic quick release system. Obviously if it’s freezing cold then you’ll have the main zip done up and the heating elements on full whack. However, if that’s not necessary then this system of six magnets makes it possible to hold the partially opened sleeping bag together but open in a flash with one movement.
3. Lightweight But Warm
How’s this for a stat: the SB9 is 25% more compact than most other 5-season sleeping bags! When spread across your bedchair it measures 215 x 105cm, but roll it up back into its carry bag and it’s down to just 50 x 30cm. The weight’s very respectable, too, at just 3.8kg. It’s also worth noting the bag is waterproof and fully breathable thanks to the rip-stop upper fabric ND has used.
4. Thoughtful Design
There are plenty of neat design features too. It can be strapped onto 6 or 8-leg bedchairs, along with single leg beds, such as Fox’s Flatliner and Trakker’s Oval. There’s a pillow pocket, heat loss stoppers—on the inside and outside where the zips meet—plus the supplied carry bag comes fitted with compression straps.
5. Each To Clean
With a completely removable heating system and a wrap-around zipper to separate the top layer from the bottom, it’s easily machine washable, meaning you have no excuse for not washing it season after season.
