Gear Review
Mountain Hardwear Phantom Sleeping Bag: 15 Degree Down
Best 15 Degree Sleeping Bag in my opinion, and here's why!
By ski3895471
Ranked #141 - 25 to 5 Degree Down Bags
July 30, 2011
I have been a backpacker over 25+ years. I finally decided to purchase THE BEST 3 season sleeping bag on the market, bar none. After reading numerous articles and reviews, I narrowed it down to 3 finalists: Montbell UL Super Spiral Down Hugger #1, Marmot Helium 15, and the Mountain Hardwear Phantom 15.
Being a Backpacker Magazine subscriber for over 5 years(Excellent magazine) I was leaning towards the Marmot which has won the Backpacker Magazine Editor's Award. But then I found an excellent website which changed my mind: www.outdoorgearlab.com. It showed some of the most detailed reviews I've ever seen, and they are absolutely correct! Marmot has no neck baffle, which does not insulate the body from the cold air coming into the body area from the face opening. Also it has an unusually wide torso area which is good if you are a big stocky guy, but otherwise it is inefficient if you have athletic slender or medium sized body (I am 5'11" 155Lbs). Montbell is also excellent bag, but the hood design is pretty poor and I really dont' care about their stretching ability. It also adds few more ounces.
Finally there is one more bag out there, the most expensive Marmot Plasma 15 which costs $470, but it's way out of my price range.
So there it is, my final verdict is MH Phantom 15. And I love this bag! Backpacker Magazine just proved that they are not always right! :)
View Details: Mountain Hardwear Phantom Sleeping Bag: 15 Degree Down
Helpful Votes: 1 Yes
Tech Specs:
- Material:
- [shell] nylon ripstop (15D); [lining] nylon taffeta (20D)
- Insulation:
- 800-fill down
- Shape:
- mummy
- Draft Collar:
- yes
- Max User Height:
- (regular) 6 ft, (long) 6 ft 6 in
- Shoulder Circumference:
- (regular) 60 in, (long) 62 in
- Hip Circumference:
- (regular) 56 in, (long) 58 in
- Foot Circumference:
- (regular) 38 in, (long) 40 in
- Stuff Size:
- 7 x 10 in
- Stuff Sack:
- yes
- Storage Sack:
- yes
- Degree:
- 15 F
- European Norm Comfort Rating:
- 26 F
- European Norm Lower Limit Rating:
- 14 F
- Weight:
- (regular) 2 lb 1 oz, (long) 2 lb 4 oz
- Recommended Use:
- winter camping, alpine touring
- Manufacturer Warranty:
- lifetime
Change me.
1 Comments Last Reply: February 1, 2012 By: Asheron2
HAHA backpacker magazine is rarely right. Every piece of gear that they have recommended and i've bought i ended up returning or junking!!!
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes