Nemo Equipment is a brand that Brits might not have had much contact with until recently, but when it comes to high-end camping gear they are one of the big hitters in the US, and rapidly gaining recognition in the UK and EU as one of the best for high-quality construction, design and materials. As well as producing super techy camping equipment, Nemo is quietly leading a more sustainable and eco-friendly approach. All in all this makes them a very interesting company, and I look forward to seeing where these developments go in the future.

Clever design and exemplary sustainablility are great, but the big question is whether Nemo's equipment lives up to its higer-end price tag? Without wishing to preempt this review, I would definitely say it's worth considering.

Nemo Riff 15 Sleeping Bag - £360 to £430

This sleeping bag boasts a premium down fill, but what sets it apart from the competition are its interestingly different shape, and an unusual ventilation feature. The Riff is available at different weights of fill, the warmer Riff 15 (Farenheit) and the lighter Riff 30. In addition Nemo provides several different options in terms of sizing, offering both men's and women's, each in Regular or Long versions. Prices for the Riff 15 range from £360 to £430.

In Use

The first thing you notice when getting in the Riff 15 is its shape. It is - in Nemo's words - a 'spoon shape', meaning that there's more width around your shoulders and hips, but less around your waist and feet. On paper, this sounds like it's going to feel quite unusual, but in reality the comfort and space it offers is exceptional - and arguably a lot better than your average mummy shaped sleeping bag.

The Riff 15 is designed for multi-day hillwalking, backpacking and alpine mountaineering. It sits at the lighter weight end of the spectrum (c.1.2kg), but not necessarily superlight, as it feels like it has some features that are more focused on comfort and adaptability as opposed to outright weight saving.

In 15 format the Riff has a comfort rating of -2 degrees, which for UK use covers you for somewhere between 3-4 seasons (bearing in mind how warm the winters have been in recent years). Having used it in low temperatures I think Nemo have potentially offered quite a conservative estimation, and it could definitely be used in colder conditions; however, a lot of this depends on how warm or cold you sleep, and other variables such as what you're wearing whilst you sleep.

What has really impressed me with the Riff 15 isn't just how warm it is in cold conditions, it's how cool it can keep you in warmer conditions too, courtesy of the 'gills'. These are located across the chest and feature zips on both the inside and outside of the sleeping bag. For maximum ventilation you can open both, and you can vary it according to how warm it is. I've used it in 18 degrees with the gills wide open, camping in the Alps in summer, and it's been spot on in terms of temperature, whereas in other sleeping bags with less ventilation I'd have likely become a sweaty mess.

The other unique feature is the blanket fold, which effectively acts as a super-sized scarf to help keep out the draft and keep the heat in. In cold conditions this can be folded into the bag and in warm conditions you can flip it out of the bag, which helps aid venting. Another feature we like is the addition of waterproof fabric at the toe, which helps keep the bag dry if your feet are pressed up against a soggy tent wall.

The fact Nemo provides several different options in terms of sizing is helpful. It's worth making every effort to get the right sized sleeping bag, because if you do it'll work much more efficiently, and be more comfortable too.

Features

The Riff 15 features 800 fill power PFAS-free hydrophobic down (Fill Weight of 540g). It's also RDS (Responsible Down Standard) certified, so it's responsibly sourced.

Recycling and sleeping bags aren't normally two things you hear in the same sentence, but with its Endless Promise Nemo offers a service that is currently quite unique in aiming towards circularity. Once your sleeping bag has reached the end of its life, you can send it back, and Nemo will deconstruct the whole bag to reuse and recycle all elements. Design credit where it's due Nemo, as this is not easy to achieve without compromising the performance of the product. 

Summary

I've really liked the adaptability of the Riff 15 and the fact that not only does it keep you warm at night, but also has the ability to keep you cool on warmer nights too. This does come at a price, and the Riff is far from cheap, but it's certainly cheaper than buying two sleeping bags, one for colder and one for warmer weather. It also exudes quality, being both well made, and with a solid set of features which actually bring something different to the table in terms of functionality.

Tensor Trail Ultralight Sleeping Mat - £180

Confusingly the Tensor Trail Ultralight sleeping mat is an insulated sleeping mat which - wait for it - doesn't actually use any insulation. Instead it features a 'suspended thermal mirror', which effectively reflects your body heat. We've started to see this kind of technology implemented by other brands in recent years, including Rab, who use it in their own sleeping mats too. It's become increasingly popular because it's an extremely light and effective way of making a sleeping mattress warmer.

In Use

Perhaps the most immediately noticeable feature of the Tensor Trail Ultralight is its depth, with a significantly above-average 8.9cm thickness. This is very comfortable to sleep on - remarkably so considering its weight, which is a highly competitive 345g in our size (the Thermarest NeoAir, in comparison, weighs in around 370g, again size depending).

The audible downside to the suspended thermal mirror technology is the noise that it makes whilst you're sleeping on it. If you're a heavy sleeper, or someone that doesn't roll around much in the night, then it might not affect you, but if you're a light sleeper or - in my case - married to a light sleeper, then that marriage might be challenged by the fact it sounds like you're rolling around on a crisp packets during the night.

Also worth noting is the relatively low R-rating, which sits very much towards the modest end of the spectrum at just 2.8. In a UK context we think this makes it suitable for 2-ish season use, by which we'd mean summer and the milder ends of spring and autumn; but it's definitely not a proper three-season prospect, since you would start to feel the cold quite quickly in cooler conditions. Compared to an actual air-trapping fill, that reflective layer can only do so much.

In terms of the materials, Nemo use a harder-wearing 40 denier fabric on the bottom of the sleeping mat and lighter weight 20 denier fabric on the top. We haven't had any issues with wear, tear or puncturing, but do bear in mind that this is a notably lightweight mat and treat it accordingly. Be careful where you put it down, because if you lay it on something spiky then it's likely you'll have to test out the puncture repair kit that comes supplied. 

Features

Much like the Riff 15 there are a variety of different sizes available: Regular, Regular Mummy, Regular Wide and Long Wide. Which model is most appropriate for you depends not only on your height, but also how much you move around in the night. 

The pump sack provided works really effectively, with a one-way valve in the mattress so you don't lose any air, and a decent size bag so that plenty of air goes in each time you compress it.

Summary

We like the comfort and depth of the Tensor Trail Ultralight, but do have reservations regarding the noise levels. These are not terrible, just a bit annoying. It is not a particularly warm mat compared to alternatives, and best suited to 2-3 season use rather than 3-4. However if you are looking for a lightweight sleeping mat, the combination of its minimalist 345g weight (our size) and the depth makes it a comfortable and appealing option.

Fillo King pillow - £80

Pillows are without doubt a luxury whilst camping and the Fillo King is a BIG luxury. At 400g, and with a fairly substantial pack size, the Fillo King is not something you're likely to be carrying on a multi-day walk. It's best suited for car camping, where size and weight are less important factors, and comfort is a priority. Ridiculous though this might sound, it is probably more comfortable than the pillow I have on my bed at home, which is saying something - but then again it costs a lot more too, at an eye-watering £80!

Summary

If you want lightness and portability, look elsewhere; but if you're after a genuinely luxurious camping pillow then look no further.