Photographer Claire Williams tested the Alton -10 Sleeping Bag on steep hikes and freezing camps across NSW and Victoria.
I’ve been a long-time fan of Alton’s gear, and their -10 Ultralight Sleeping Bag is now firmly part of my cold-weather essentials. I took it on a two-night hike through the Warrumbungles in winter—including the notoriously steep and brutal Grand High Tops track. My pack was heavier than I’d like to admit, thanks to hauling three camera lenses (just in case I spotted a climber). The long lens only ended up getting used to photograph goats—but hey, they posed well.
Despite the heavy load of camera gear, I had zero regrets about bringing the Alton -10. In fact, its ultralight design was a lifesaver—at just 910g and packing down to 27 × 17 × 17cm, it barely made a dent in my pack weight. When you’re lugging extras, it’s nice knowing your sleeping bag isn’t the thing tipping the scales.
We camped high up, where the wind tore across the exposed clifftops and the evening temps dropped fast. I was so glad I’d brought my sleeping bag up for sunset and sunrise shoots—while everyone else was shivering in jackets, I was zipped up like a smug burrito, warm, happy, and completely focused on the light.
Left: Views from Balor Hut, Warrumbungle National Park. Centre & Right: Grand High Tops, Warrumbungle National Park
I’ve never been a fan of sleeping bags as I tend to feel a little suffocated in them however the roomy toe box was a welcome touch—no cold, cramped feet—and even with a bit of condensation inside my tent, the insulation stayed dry. The fabric didn’t wet out, and the zipper ran smoothly the whole time (no mid-night wrestling matches).
It’s not just for sleeping either—I’ve used it plenty around camp in the evenings when the temperature drops. And I’ll definitely be throwing it in the haul bag to take out to the crag on those cold or windy days. Nothing beats staying warm between photos or belays.
I also used it at Mt Arapiles over a few icy nights and stayed warm the entire time, even when temperatures dropped well below what I’d call “comfortable.”
I use a full Alton sleep setup: the ultralight mat (which packs down smaller than a large Nalgene), inflatable pillow, and fitted sheet. The whole system is lightweight, compact, and surprisingly luxurious when you’ve been on your feet all day.
If you’re carrying a heavy load and still want a reliable sleep setup that doesn’t compromise on warmth, the Alton -10 delivers. Bonus: you too can be the smug one at sunrise.
Check out the Alton sleeping bag range here: Alton Sleeping Bags
Left: Sunrise from The Grand High Tops. Right: Looking up towards the Belougery Spire & The Breadknife, Warrumbungle National Park
