One Planet vs Rab Sleeping Bags — Which Should You Choose?

Articles 1, 2, 4 revised. Article 3 (Crispi) already approved.

Pertex outer shell — on the Bush Lite and Rumour ranges, Pertex Endurance provides excellent abrasion and moisture resistance in NZ conditions.

Best Value — Nitrous and Bungle Series

One Planet's clearest value case is in the Nitrous and Bungle series — premium down specifications at prices well below comparable Rab bags:

Nitrous series — Three-season and shoulder season use. Exceptionally light for the price:

• Nitrous +2 (RRP $539.00, 475g) — Warm summer and shoulder season
• Nitrous -1 (RRP $569.00, 508g) — Three-season versatile
• Nitrous -3 (RRP $599.00, 572g) — Cold three-season

Bungle series — Traditional mummy bag, broader cut, excellent cold-weather value:

• Bungle -12 (RRP $759.00, 1020g)
• Bungle -15 (RRP $799.00, 1085g)
• Bungle -17 (RRP $849.00, 1197g)

Premium — Sonder and Cocoon Series

For trampers who want One Planet's premium construction with the practical zip design advantages:

Sonder — L-shaped zip, fully opens flat. Available from -3°C through -10°C (RRP $679.00–$729.00).

Cocoon — Near-full-length side zip. Available from -5°C through -11°C (RRP $679.00–$749.00).

Technical — Rumour Series

One Planet's ultralight technical line — Pertex outer, premium construction, Rumour zip configuration. Available from -6°C through -12°C (RRP $929.00–$999.00).

Rab — British Alpine Pedigree

Rab is a British brand with deep roots in alpine climbing — known for technically refined construction and the broadest sleeping bag range available. All Rab down bags use hydrophobic RDS down.

Rab bags are known for:

• Broad temperature range — from +1°C three-season bags through to serious expedition use
• Technical construction — box wall baffles, differential cut, tapered footbox
• Mythic range — the highest fill-power, most ultralight bags Rab produces, for trampers who want the absolute best weight-to-warmth ratio regardless of cost

Best All-Round — Ascent Series

Rab's Ascent series covers the practical tramping range well — available from +1°C through to -18°C. A solid all-round choice for NZ trampers who want proven Rab quality at a mid-range price point.

Premium Ultralight — Mythic Series

For trampers who want the absolute pinnacle of ultralight sleeping bag performance, the Rab Mythic range is hard to beat. 800+ fill-power hydrophobic down, exceptional warmth-to-weight ratio, and the most technically refined construction Rab produces:

• Rab Mythic Down -6°C (RRP $1,299.95)
• Rab Mythic Down -12°C (RRP $1,599.95)

If you want the lightest, most compressible, highest-spec bag available and price is secondary, the Mythic is the recommendation.

Head-to-Head: How They Compare

Value: One Planet wins significantly. Comparable temperature ratings and similar hydrophobic RDS down at a meaningfully lower price point. For most NZ trampers, the One Planet Nitrous or Bungle delivers premium performance at a fraction of the cost of equivalent Rab bags.

Ultimate ultralight: Rab Mythic wins. If you're building the lightest possible kit and want the absolute best technology regardless of cost, the Mythic range is exceptional.

Zip design: One Planet wins on practicality for the Sonder and Cocoon configurations — the L-shaped and near-full-length zip designs are genuinely more usable than standard mummy zips.

Shell fabric: Pertex outer on One Planet Bush Lite and Rumour — excellent in NZ conditions.

Where made: One Planet = Melbourne, Australia. Rab = designed in UK, manufactured overseas.

Frequently Asked Questions

One Planet or Rab for NZ Great Walk tramping?

For most three-season Great Walk tramping: the One Planet Nitrous or Cocoon series offers the best value — premium down construction at a price that represents significantly better value than comparable Rab bags. If weight is paramount and budget is flexible, the Rab Mythic is outstanding. For most trampers, One Planet is the practical recommendation.

Is One Planet as good quality as Rab?

Yes — and at a better price. One Planet uses hydrophobic RDS down and premium construction from their Melbourne workshop. The Nitrous and Bungle ranges in particular offer a specification level that would cost significantly more from Rab. Melbourne manufacturing with genuine attention to quality, not a budget alternative.

Which brand is better value?

One Planet, clearly. The Nitrous and Bungle series deliver premium sleeping bag performance at prices well below comparable Rab bags. For trampers who want the best specification per dollar, One Planet is the recommendation. Rab's Mythic range is for trampers who want the absolute best available and aren't constrained by price.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is One Planet or Rab better for NZ tramping?

Both are excellent choices for NZ conditions. One Planet is engineered specifically for Southern Hemisphere weather — high humidity, variable temperatures, and extended shoulder seasons. Rab is a proven UK brand with outstanding down quality and a wide range. The right choice comes down to your specific temperature requirements and fit preference.

What temperature rating do I need for NZ Great Walks?

For summer Great Walks (December–February), a bag rated to -3°C comfort is generally adequate for most hut conditions. For shoulder season (October–November, March–April), aim for -8°C comfort. Winter tramping requires -12°C or colder.

Are One Planet sleeping bags hydrophobic?

Yes. One Planet uses RDS-certified hydrophobic down across their range, which resists moisture absorption and maintains loft better than untreated down in NZ's variable conditions.

Do Rab sleeping bags use ethically sourced down?

Yes. Rab uses Responsible Down Standard (RDS) certified down across their range, ensuring animal welfare standards are met throughout the supply chain.

Which sleeping bag is better for side sleepers?

Rab's Escape range and One Planet's Sonder (with its L-shaped zip) offer good movement for side sleepers. Mummy bags generally restrict movement — if you move around a lot, look for a semi-rectangular or a wider-cut mummy bag.

How long does a down sleeping bag last?

A well-maintained down sleeping bag can last many years. Proper storage (in a large cotton storage sack, not compressed), regular washing with a dedicated down wash, and re-treating with down proof spray will maintain loft and performance over time.