How to Choose Sleeping Bags for Backpacking

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Designed for low-temperature pursuits such as snow camping and mountaineering, the Mountain Hardwear Phantom GORE-TEX 0 sleeping bag provides an ultrawarm reprieve from frigid mountain conditions.
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Best Use | Backpacking |
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Tested Lower Limit | 0 degrees (F) - ISO |
Tested Comfort | 13 degrees (F) - ISO |
Temperature Rating (F) | 0 degrees (F) |
Temperature Rating (C) | -18 degrees (C) |
Shell | 30-denier ripstop nylon |
Zipper Location | Left |
Insulation Type | Down |
Fill | Goose down |
Sleeping Capacity | 1-person |
Lining | 20-denier nylon taffeta |
Sleeping Bag Shape | Mummy |
Shoulder Girth (in.) | 64 inches |
Hip Girth (in.) | 58 inches |
Stuff Sack Size | 17 x 9.5 inches |
Gender | Unisex |
Sustainability | Down certified to the Responsible Down Standard (RDS) |
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Pros: Well made, attractive, with quality stitching and Gore-Tex material. Cons: Fill is 10% feathers. Bag is heavier than premium competitors and just as expensive. Sixty-four inch chest in size regular may be oversized for some and lessen warmth but leaves room to wear jacket inside bag but one shouldn't have to do that if temps are above zero IMHO? Zipper is good but not as good as the zipper on my REI brand bag that cost less than half the price of the Phantom. Bottom Line: Although a good bag it is overpriced and heavy for what you get when comparing to premium competitors.
I am a guide in Southeast Alaska. I bought this bag for the winter, where it hovers right around freezing and precipitates a lot. Have used on 3 trips so far, and it's been really fantastic. I sleep very cold, and have stayed toasty down to 20, and had tolerable nights down to 6 degrees. The gore-tex performs great - even when I pack my bag after being in a Bivy overnight, the feathers are dry. Amazing loft. I'm glad I got the 0 for extra versatility. Only thing, I wish this bag came in a short version! The wide cut is nice, but I'm only 5'2, and with the roomy cut that means I am packing a good amount of extra weight.
Tested this out in Montana’s early spring snow flurries. At about 7,000 ft elevation, nights in the 20’s, and consistent wind, this bag kept me warm. Thanks to the slightly noisy Gore-Tex exterior, my breath had condensed into droplets on top of the bag and where I had slid into the wet wall of the tent in the night it also beaded the water. I did not get swampy so it does breathe well. I am 6’ and am happy with my choice to opt for the long. I regret getting a left handed zipper as I am right handed and there is not much room to maneuver once inside. Using my left hand was much harder than I anticipated.
Warm bag and just enough room to make a mummy bag comfortable. Used on a recent hunt with 10 degree temps, kept toasty warm with insulated sleeping pad on the ground. The reason for a 4 star rating is the zipper anti-snag device came apart and was lost. Called customer service and their answer was “we don’t make those parts and can’t get them.” They did offer to return the bag and I can re-order. Seems like an odd solution for a part that is likely pennies to produce and could easily be user installed.
Amazing! Fluffy, Toasty and plenty of room for comfort. Very happy with my purchase.
I only tried it twice and the minimum temperature was around 35F. It did great. I was even too warm for a bit, as expected. The quality look excellent. The size was also good, specially it’s width (enough to wear a big jacket if the weather gets too cold, and to move around if you tend to move a lot when you sleep. The only thing I would change would be making it just a little bit shorter. I’m 5 foot 8 and there’s some extra space on the regular size.
I also own the -40 version of this bag but I bought the -18 version because I was so impressed with my other one. There is a huge difference in packed size and weight compared to the -40 bag, so if you are camping out in more moderate winter temperatures the -18 version will be better suited unless you're in the Arctic or on top of an 8000m peak. I think in reality, this is going to be the more suitable bag for most people's winter needs as the market for people camping out in -40 is probably quite small. Incredibly well built, and actually pretty light light for a Gore-tex bag! Only thing missing for me is a little zippered pocket to stash small items in. I have broad shoulders so I appreciate the wide fit at the top of this bag compared to many other bags. Overall, a quality products that feels worth every penny you pay for it.
I was debating between the Phantom Gore and Western Mountaineering's Antelope GWS. Even though the MWH bag is a few oz heavier, the extra room inside is what sealed the deal for me. I have broader shoulders, so the extra space in the Phantom is perfect. Also, I'm stoked on the snagless zipper. No more catching material in the zipper! It's rad to see Mountain Hardwear crushing it again in the alpine/mountaineering space!
WOW is the best word to describe this bag. I had a previous version of the phantom bag, and the improvements are spectacular. As a side sleeper a typical mummy feels restrictive on my shoulders. This bag I am able to easly roll my shoulders and turn over to my side. The vertical baffles give the bag amazing loft. This bag is going to be my best friend for camping for years to come.
Took this up Mt. Adams in the snow, temp got down to the low 20s sleeping on the glacier with a Nemo tensor pad underneath. Very comfortable and warm without any extra layers. I was worried that the Goretex wouldn’t breathe well enough but that wasn’t the case; breaths very well. I was glad I had the Goretex because it was a windy night and my ultralight tent lets some wind blow through but I was perfectly comfortable in the bag. The Alpine mummy cut was amazing. I got the long version, am 6’3” and 185lbs. Was roomy enough to keep my cloths warm at my feet and I could roll to my side without feeling restricted. If I had any complaint about the bag it would be the drawstring on the hood. Material wise the cord seems a little lacking in quality compared to the rest of the bag and its location is hard to release when you have been closed in all night. Hope to test this in even colder temps was winter comes on.