Compressible, lightweight and insulation that is effective in moist conditions are the main features of the Mountain Hardwear Phantom Spark Sleeping Bag. The Q.Shield down insulation used by Mountain Hardware is coated with a durable water repellant (DWR) coating to resist water absorption and penetration which will compromise loft and temperature performance. The insulation is spaced out in five inch horizontal baffles to completely wrap your body and keep you warm and dry from head to toe. The 10 Denier nylon material is soft and comfortable on the skin, and yet strong enough to combat the inevitable abrasion that comes with camping. 

The two-way, YKK zipper is available in a right or left-hand orientation and runs from the hood to the top of the foot box, with a handy, mini rope pull-tab.

There’s a Velcro closure at the hood with extra loop material to keep the hooks from brushing your skin when not in use. The hood can by synched closed around the top or bottom of your face with two, independent synch cords that share a locking mechanism. This face gasket is also down filled along with six other chambers surrounding your head for maximum comfort.

The Phantom Spark sleeping bag is unisex and comes in a regular and long size and is fiery red in colour. There are two pockets inside bag at the neck, opposite of the zipper, which provides a handy location to keep small items close so you don't heave to exit the bag to retrieve. Included with the Phantom Spark are a nylon stuff sack to compress the bag down to the size of a Nalgene bottle, and a mesh sack for long term storage.

• Q.Shield DOWN 800-fill insulation with treatment to combat heat loss.
• Mummy shaped bag with a snug cut for maximum warmth and minimum weight.
• 5” horizontal baffles space the insulation and prevents down migration and maximizes loft.
• Two-way zipper.
• 6 Chamber hood design to maximize comfort.
• Face gasket with separate synch cords for above and below the head.
• Exterior loops to hang dry or store.
• Zippered & Velcro duel pocket inside the hood.
• Nylon stuff sack and mesh storage sack included.

The main entrance/exit of the sleeping bag has a Velcro closure to stay warmly secured while you sleep. When not using, secure the hooks to the extra loop side so avoid scratching your skin. The handy zipper tab is easy to find to a quick zip or unzip.

I’ve never owned a sleeping bag where the zipper doesn’t eventually get caught in the nylon material surrounding it and the Phantom Spark is no exception. This is outweighed by the fact that the Phantom Spark is one of the most lightweight and comfortable sleeping bags I have had the pleasure of sleeping in. My favourite features are the exceptionally comfortable hood and it’s independent synch cords around the face. The Zippered & Velcro pockets in the hood are pretty small, but could hold a watch, headlamp and inhaler at the same time if needed. The pocket location is ideal for an undisturbed sleep as long as items are kept to a minimum. Mummy bags are generally tight in the torso but at 5’11” and 180lbs I had room to move and sleep comfortably. I also have size 11 feet and still found lots of room in the footbox. 

The main zipper flips from the outside to the inside and runs from the hood to the top of the footbox for ease of entry and exit. A second zipper located at the bottom of the bag helped with ventilation on warmer nights but I found it challenging to locate the zipper when totally zipped up. A second interior zipper pull would be ideal to remedy this. Mountain Hardwear did a fantastic job keeping the Phantom Spark sleeping bag light weight, warm and still tough enough to be durable over the long term. It is light, compressible and dries out in no time. I recommend this bag for anyone looking to save weight in his or her next adventure.