Dan Slater reviews Mont's Brindabella XT 700 sleeping bag.
A mainstay of their sleeping bag range since the late 80s, Mont have redesigned the Brindabella for 2025. The most obvious upgrade is in the waterproof shell, cut from their upgraded proprietary 12D Hydronaute XT fabric. No, it’s not for sleeping outside in the rain, but when it’s so cold your breath condenses on the inside of your tent and the chest zone of your sleeping bag, you’ll appreciate the 20,000mm hydrostatic head. While others awake to damp feet where they’ve rested against the tent walls, you’ll be bone-dry.
Utilising DWR-treated 800+ loft duck down, the Brindabella comes in two temperature ratings, the 700 model rated -6°C/-12°C for cold and warm sleepers respectively. As one of the former, this proved the perfect temperature for my wintry Snowy Mountains testing ground. A set of merino thermals and socks was all the additional armour required against an outside air temp of around -5°C.
The tapered rectangular shape incorporates a generous foot box and double zip closure, and I found it roomy enough to easily get undressed/dressed inside. I could also store my important electronics at my feet, where sits a ‘hot pocket’ for a heat pad if required.
My favourite aspect of the new design though was the cordless collar system, which sees an internal baffle sit snugly atop the users’ shoulders to prevent heat escaping, thus circumventing the need for a draw cord (always guaranteed to wind itself around your face during the night). All-in-all, a great bag.
RRP: $949.95
More info click here.