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    • Mountain Hardwear Phantom -9 Sleeping Bag

    Mountain Hardwear Phantom -9 Sleeping Bag

    Backcountry Skiing Canada Gear of the Year

    The Mountain Hardwear Phantom -9 is a must-have Sleeping Bag for climbers, skiers and backpackers. It’s incredibly light, super packable and great value for a bag of this warmth. Mountain Hardwear packed the Phantom full of features and wrapped it up in an appealing design that simply works.

    The Backcountry Skiing Canada Team.


    The Phantom series from Mountain Hardwear is their gold-standard for high-alpine traverses, backcountry hut trips, and multi-week backpacking adventures. These time-tested, lightweight, down sleeping bags come in a variety of temperature ratings and styles so that you can find exactly the right bag for your next excursion.

    For this review, we will be checking out the Phantom -9C/15F Sleeping Bag which comes in three lengths: short, regular, and long and if you prefer a less warm version there is also the -1C/30F Phantom. There are also two more Phantom Sleeping Bags that come in an Alpine version which are also rated -9C/15F and -1C/30F but with more features and a heftier price tag .

    Mountain Hardwear Phantom Sleeping Bag

    The Phantom’s performance mummy cut ensures maximum efficiency by skimming weight without sacrificing warmth.

    Mountain Hardwear Phantom -9C Sleeping Bag
    SHOW THE REST OF THE REVIEW / PHOTOS / VIDEOS

    The Phantom -9 Sleeping Bag is customizable, offering zippers located on either the right or left-hand side when you order. Regardless of which side you want the zipper on it is a two-way zipper which includes generous pulls at both the top and bottom which allows for easy ventilation. 

    Mountain Hardwear Phantom -9C Sleeping Bag

    The lightweight #5 zipper features an anti-snag ribbon along the draft tube, ensuring easy entry and exit while the zipper pulls themselves are glow in the dark and features reflectors so they can be found more easily in the dark.

    Mountain Hardwear Phantom Sleeping Bag
    Mountain Hardwear Phantom Sleeping Bag
    Mountain Hardwear Phantom Sleeping Bag

    A draft collar helps block the escape of warm air, and a down-filled face gasket blocks drafts at the hood opening. The hood itself is constructed with four chambers in order to maintain loft around the head.

    Mountain Hardwear Phantom Sleeping Bag

    The contoured footbox provides maximum warmth and comfort for your feet by following their natural position. 

    Mountain Hardwear Phantom Sleeping Bag
    The Phantom’s shell is made from recycled materials thus lowering the environmental impact of the sleeping bag. The 10D nylon is extremely light and highly compressible and is finished with DWR in order to avoid the bag becoming saturated with moisture over time and losing loft.
    Mountain Hardwear Phantom Sleeping Bag
    After your adventure, small loops located at the bottom of the bag offer an easy way to hang the bag up.
    Mountain Hardwear Phantom Sleeping Bag
    The bag’s insulation is 850-fill goose down with a 90:10 ratio of down to feather. The down is certified to the Responsible Down Standard, and is fluorine-free.
    The Phantom comes with both a mesh storage sack and a compression sack.
    Mountain Hardwear Phantom Sleeping Bag
    Mountain Hardwear Phantom Sleeping Bag

    Materials:

    Insulation: 850-fill goose down 90% Goose Down, 10% Goose Feather
    Shell: 10D recycled shell 

    Features:

    • 850-fill goose down insulation for optimal warmth-to-weight ratio and compressibility
    • 10D recycled shell is extremely light and highly compressible
    • Lightweight but durable #5 zipper with anti-snag for easy entry and exit
    • Contoured footbox follows natural foot position for maximum warmth and comfort
    • Draft collar blocks the escape of warm air from inside the bag
    • Efficient performance mummy cut for maximum warmth and minimum weight
    • Four-chamber hood design maintains even loft around head for consistent warmth
    • Lightweight nylon compression sack and mesh storage sack included
    • Two-way zipper allows for easy ventilation
    • Down-filled face gasket comfortably blocks drafts at the hood opening
    • Glow in the dark, reflective zipper pull
    • Performance Mummy bag shape
    • Durable water-repellent finish

    Verdict:

    The Phantom -9 is a great lightweight sleeping bag for cold weather excursions with quality materials being used for every detail, making it a solid choice.

    The draft guards along the zipper and collar are large in comparison to many bags I’ve used which really helps keep the warm in and cold out. I also really appreciate that the anti-snag material along the zipper is actually effective; many bags have this feature but they are not always very effective. Mountain Hardwear also included a small gusset made of the same anti-snag material at the bottom end of the zipper that not only helps with the zipper not snagging but plays a part in sealing the bag up tight against the elements.

    I was really impressed with the size and weight of Mountain Hardwear's Phantom -9 Sleeping Bag especially when you consider the size once compressed into the included compression sac. That being said, when compared to the competition, its warmth to weight ratio isn’t quite as impressive. Last year’s Gear of the Year Award went to the Sea To Summit SpIV sleeping bag which has a -15º temperature rating and is 61 grams lighter. That said, Mountain Hardwear Phantom -9C Sleeping Bag still offers excellent warmth to weight and considering the price, it can't be beat.

    One feature I look for in a sleeping bag is a small stash pocket near the hood. For many, this might not be a game-changer, but for me, it’s a key feature that I really appreciate. If it’s really cold you want batteries to be warm when you use need them, so being able to keep your headlamp in a secure location within the sleeping bag is pretty handy. Also, I wear contacts and it’s nice to have a secure spot to put my contact case where my lenses won’t freeze overnight.

    On the whole, the Phantom -9 is a great addition to anyone’s kit and great value at a totally reasonable price point.

    PROS:

    • Lightweight and compresses well.
    • Comfortable and warm.
    • Dual zipper with glow in the dark and reflective zipper pulls.
    • Well priced.
    • Makes use of recycled materials.

    CONS:

    • While the warmth to weight ratio is quite good, it does not match up to top ultralight bags.
    • No stash pocket.

    SPECS:

    Price: $650CAN / $520US
    Weight: 941g / 2lb 1.2oz
    Temperature Rating: -9C / 15°F
    Insulation: 850-fill goose down
    Loft: 15 cm / 6"
    Fill Weight: 572g / 1 lb 4 oz
    Stuffed Size: 18cm x 38cm / 7 x 15 in
    Inside Length: 218cm / 86in 
    Hip Girth: 132cm / 52in
    Shoulder Girth: 147cm / 58in
    Sizes:  S, M, L

    RATING: 9/10

    Warmth              2/2
    Compressibility   2/2
    Weight                1.5/2
    Features              1.5/2
    Quality/Price       2/2

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    Did we miss something? Are we totally out to lunch? Let us know what you think. People like/dislike gear for different reasons so chime in below and we'll get a well-rounded evaluation. You'll need to login or register before you can comment but it only takes a few seconds, then you're good to go.

    • Fraser Judd
      November 6, 2020 14:20
      #
      Who won the contest?  I've been scanning the site but can't seem to find the contest page.  Thanks!
      • Backcountry Skiing Canada Admin
        November 10, 2020 14:16
        #
        Hi Fraser, thanks for asking. All our giveaways have the winners announced on the actual post for the giveaway once the winner is chosen. If you want to find a giveaway post simply go to the forums and search for "giveaway" without the quotation marks of course. All of the winners are always contacted via e-mail as well, sooooo, if you haven't heard already, then the winner is sadly, likely not you.

        Keep trying though!

    Leave a Comment:

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