Deuter Exosphere +2 Gives You Freedom of Movement
Have you, like us, tossed and turned in your sleeping bag finding it too restrictive? Deuter's Exosphere series can expand up to 25%. We tested the Exosphere +2 over several nights.
Have you, like the author, many times laid in your sleeping bag tossing and turning, finding it far too restrictive to get into a comfortable sleeping position? A solution might be Deuter’s Exosphere sleeping bags, which thanks to their construction can expand up to 25%. I Love Outdoor tested the Exosphere +2 over several fall nights, and we’re pleased with what it offers both in terms of freedom of movement and its advertised comfort temperature.
The Exosphere series is designed to accommodate movement during sleep. For the best possible sleeping comfort, the sleeping bag can expand a full 25% laterally through Deuter Thermo Stretch Comfort. This applies across the entire length of the sleeping bag.
So let’s crawl into the sleeping bag, get comfortable, and start the test. The Exosphere has a reasonably body-hugging fit, and once you start moving – the first time excessively, just for testing purposes – the stretch is clearly noticeable. It’s really smooth and comfortable, and the thought of why you haven’t slept in something like this before quickly popped into mind. The following nights then offered good sleep in temperatures ranging from about 10 to 1 degree Celsius. At the higher temperatures, it gets quite warm, and for a bit of extra ventilation, it’s comfortable to open the zipper slightly down by the feet. When the temperature drops toward the comfort rating for men of 2 degrees, sleep becomes increasingly comfortable, and when the nighttime temperature was around 4 degrees, there was no problem sleeping in just underwear. Likewise at the comfort temperature, but then you needed to cinch it tighter around the head to prevent cold air from seeping into the sleeping bag.
What’s crucial for the Exosphere to handle this is that Deuter has put extra thought into reinforcing the sleeping bag in vulnerable areas. There’s extra fill down at the feet and two zones with microfleece (waist and feet) for extra warmth and sleeping comfort. The sleeping bag is also slightly wider at the feet for extra freedom of movement. Beyond this, the Exosphere bags have a small interior pocket for valuables and what’s called a Dryzone in the head and foot areas, with moisture-resistant material that keeps any external moisture out.
This is a really nice sleeping bag that, at least for someone like the author who moves a lot during the night, has provided more comfortable sleep during spring, summer, and early fall. The Exosphere +2 costs around SEK 1,300, placing it in the mid-range segment.
The Exosphere is also available with comfort temperature limits of -4 (red) and -8 (gray).
Specifications
| Specification | S | Regular | L |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 1,010 g | 1,010 g | 1,100 g |
| Dimensions | 195 × 68 × 43 cm | 205 × 68 × 43 cm | 220 × 73 × 45 cm |
| Approximate body height | 170 cm | 185 cm | 200 cm |
| Packed dimensions | 15 × 36 cm | 15 × 36 cm | 16 × 36 cm |
| Fill weight | 300 g | 325 g | 360 g |
The original temperature ratings were +8°C for women, +2°C for men and −12°C extreme. The extreme figure is not a comfortable sleeping temperature.
- Outer fabric: Tactel 44D Nylon Diamond Ripstop
- Lining: Deuter Poly-Lite Soft
- Insulation: Deuter Thermo ProLoft®
What worked well
- Stretch and freedom of movement
- Packed size
- Comfort at the tested temperatures
- Practical design details
What could be better
- The lining can feel cold before it warms against the body.
- The hood is a little awkward to adjust, and the long drawcord can get in the way.
