[Review] The Women’s Rook 0° Sleeping Bag by Mountain Hardwear

The Women’s Rook 0° Sleeping Bag by Mountain Hardwear will keep you warm on those blustery cold nights with it’s 650-fill down insulation, strategic baffling where you need it most, and women’s specific design. In my opinion, for a down insulated sleeping bag that is relatively lightweight and compressible, the Rook for $310 is a steal of a deal.

It’s probably a little overkill that I went with the 0° bag (the Rook also comes in a 15° or 30° option) but it seems to me that no matter if the temp is 60° or 30° or anywhere in between when I crawl into the tent for the night, I get cold. I optioned for the 0° because I’d rather get hot than cold and in the past, 15° bags just don’t do it for me. With that said, taking into consideration the environment you plan on using this in and if you tend to sleep hot or cold, when considering which temp rating to go with is key. Honestly, I get a little shaky when I think back to all the cold nights I’ve spent in a tent (when the outside temp wasn’t even that cold!) and I’m just trying to avoid that altogether.

Down is definitely my favorite insulator when it comes to gear like sleeping bags and jackets and maybe I’ve been trained but I just feel like it keeps me warmer. Not only does down keep you warm, its weight to warmth ratio is unmatched and it also compresses down so you can pack this on any adventure. The Rook includes a compression sack and a mesh storage bag (don’t store your bag compressed!). Packed into it’s compression sack the Rook is 9.5 inches by 17 inches. It weighs 3 lbs 2.8 oz so while it’s not the lightest weight sleeping bag on the market, I do feel like it’s a great choice for the 650-fill down as well as costing only $310.

This is obviously a standard mummy cut sleeping bag so if you’re not interested in a mummy bag, you shouldn’t be here but I do have a few things about the design of the Rook that is worth mentioning. This bag is cut and designed for a woman’s body so not only will it be more comfortable, it will fit your body better, and in turn, keep you warmer. Have you ever slept in a sleeping bag that is way too big for you? I have and let me tell you, it is not warm (no matter the temp rating). The regular length is perfect for me and I’m 5’10 and 150 pounds. Again, you don’t want a ton of extra length because it will cut down on your warmth. The Rook is offered in both regular and long lengths and is available with a left-hand or right-hand zipper.

Speaking of zippers, I’m a fan of the zipper on the Rook. It’s super durable and very easy to operate with one hand. It’s a new (to me) design that really cuts back on snagging. Mountain Hardwear has taken necessary precaution and integrated a strip next to the zipper with durable a material to ensure that if there is a zipper mishap, you don’t destroy the interior of your sleeping bag. It’s also a two-way zip so if you need some airflow, you don’t have to have the entire bag unzipped.

The one downfall to down (ha!) is that if it gets wet it loses loft, which is the insulating factor so it won’t keep you warm. The Rook has a durable water-repellent finish so that even if you find yourself setting up camp in the rain, you won’t lose your warmth. While the DWR is great at repelling small amounts of water, you don’t want to sleep out in a downpour in this sleeping bag.

If you’re looking for a very warm sleeping bag designed specifically for women, look no further than the Women’s Rook by Mountain Hardwear. It’s warm, very comfortable, and designed with you in mind. You won’t feel any rogue drafts, the baffles help to trap warm air in, and the 650-fill down insulation will keep you warm on even the chilliest of nights. Our kit right now consists of this sleeping bag, Tyson with the Phantom Sleeping Bag, and the Aspect 3 tent. Be sure to check out the reviews to see how Mountain Hardwear is a key ingredient to our outdoor adventures.

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