NEWSLETTER SIGNUP
The Mountain Hardwear Lamina Z Spark is an ideal summer bag for people wanting to travel light through warm climates. Over the years, Mountain Hardwear has made a concerted effort to offer products that are on par with competitors without being obscenely expensive. This sleeping bag fits into that description nicely, as it is lightweight, compressible, dynamic, and economical all at once.
As with all Lamina bags, the synthetic insulation is welded to the shell of the bag to prevent cold spots caused by stitched baffles and to ensure that the insulation stays where it needs to be. In this particular model, the insulation is thermally mapped to strategically concentrate warmth where it is most necessary, around the core and the feet. During the testing process, I found the variance in insulation almost imperceptible and was pleasantly surprised by how warm it felt for such a thin bag.
A happy camper lies in the Lamina Z Spark.
Taking it out on a warm spring camping trip, I confirmed that the Lamina Z Spark’s comfort limit temperature sits around 1-2°C. I was concerned about being cold since my body’s heat production is similar to that of an amphibian, so I came prepared with a tuque, long underwear, wool socks, and fleece. I am happy to report that I was able to sleep comfortably warm without having to use my full arsenal of extra layers, which means that any ‘normal’ person should sleep well wearing their favourite base layer.
Hood fits spaciously without sliding all over.
- Shell: Lamina Revamp Ripstop nylon with DWR treatment to repel water
- Lining: wicking polyester
- Fill: 60g Thermal Q insulation
- Lamina welded construction
- Zoned insulation
- Comfort mummy cut
- Two way #5 YKK zipper
- Comfort footbox allows feet to point upward
- Elasticized draw cord on the hood
- Zippered shoulder pocket for small items
- Nylon compression sack
- Mesh storage bag
Bottom zipper allows for customized ventilation.
Hood draw cord protects from cool drafts on the face and neck.
Handy loops are great for hanging the Lamina Z Spark up to dry.
Zipper garage and velcro closure system.
Zipper tucks away neatly with Velcro cover.
The comfort mummy cut and two way zippers would make this an ideal travel companion for people backpacking in warm weather either in the wilderness or through urban jungles. The Lamina Z Spark opens up to make an airy comforter that can be quickly zipped back into a bag shape if the weather shifts. Inside, the lining is made of smooth polyester that wicks away moisture and dries quickly. The synthetic insulation is more practical than down for this kind of bag, as it will still retain warmth even when wet and the water repellant DWR treatment helps minimize condensation concerns in humid environments.
Although it’s not listed as a feature, the Lamina Z Spark has a cylindrical draft baffle that runs along the zipper to prevent cold air from seeping in. It also has four small loops, two at the foot and two at the shoulders that are handy for drying and airing it out or creating an emergency blanket fort. I do wish there could be a minor adjustment made to the zipper to make it less prone to catching on the draft baffle, especially when unzipping from the inside.
The nylon compression sack squishes the bag down to the size of a football.
On the whole, I was impressed by the features and the performance of such a light, value-priced summer sleeping bag. It’s comfortable, it compresses well, it has all the features of a more expensive bag, plus it’s warm in cool weather without being stifling in warmer temperatures. I would highly recommend the Lamina Z Spark to anyone who needs a one season bag, especially anyone planning a long trip in warm temperatures.
In terms of price, there are some cheaper bags available from competitors; however, in my opinion it is worth the slightly higher cost to have a full features bag that’s lighter and more compressible. Other brands that offer the full gamut go for more than the Lamina Z Spark, which shows that they have once again placed their product nicely between quality and affordability.
For other three season sleeping bag reviews be sure to check out our sleeping bag review page here and for and four season sleeping bag reviews click on over here.
PROS:
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CONS:
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Price: $180 CAN / $159 US
Weight: Reg. 940g / 2lb 1oz
Temp Rating: Comfort 6°C/42°F, Lower 1°C/34°F, Extreme -14°C/6°F
Fill: 60g Thermal Q insulation
Stuff Sack Size: 15 x 30cm / 6 x 12"
Warmth 1.5/2
Compressibility 1.5/2
Features 2/2
Weight 2/2
Quality / Price 2/2
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