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    • Mountain Hardwear Phantom Spark Sleeping Bag

    Mountain Hardwear Phantom Spark Sleeping Bag

    Mountain Hardwear’s Phantom Spark is a backpacker’s ideal sleeping bag. Weighing in at only 285g, this compressible mummy bag uses 800 down fill to keep you as snug as a bug in a rug between temps of 2 and -2C. Whether you are bagging peaks in the alpine or car camping in spring or fall, this bag is can do it all. 

    Mountain Hardwear Phantom Spark Sleeping Bag

    The unisex Phantom spark comes in Regular (pictured below) and Long for taller campers.

    Mountain Hardwear Phantom Spark Sleeping Bag
    SHOW THE REST OF THE REVIEW / PHOTOS / VIDEOS

    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.

    Mountain Hardwear Phantom Spark Sleeping Bag

    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 gasket is down filled and comfortable around your face for an uninterrupted sleep.
    Mountain Hardwear Phantom Spark Sleeping Bag

    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.

    A duel pocket on the interior near your head allows you to keep valuables safe and secure and wont bother you while you sleep. One is zippered and the other is Velcro.
    Mountain Hardwear Phantom Spark Sleeping Bag
    This mummy bag compresses down into the size of a large Nalgene water bottle for optimal packability and space saving storage.
    Mountain Hardwear Phantom Spark Sleeping Bag
    Included is a stuff sack and mesh storage bag to keep the Phantom Spark aired out.
    Mountain Hardwear Phantom Spark Sleeping Bag

    Features:

    • 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.

    Mountain Hardwear Phantom Spark Sleeping Bag
    Two independent synch cords share a lock but separately tighten around the face gasket for optimal comfort and performance. 
    Mountain Hardwear Phantom Spark Sleeping Bag

    Verdict:

    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.

    PROS:

    • Independent synch cords around a comfy face gasket.
    • Roomy, comfortable and lightweight with a lofty down insulation.

    CONS:

    • No bottom venting as zipper stops above the footbox.
    • Zippered & Velcro pocket inside the hood aren’t very big.
    • Zipper gets snagged on material.

    SPECS:

    Price: $499CAN / $400US
    Temperature Rating: -2C / 28F
    Insulation: 800-Fill Down
    Weight:  673g / 23.7oz
    Packed Size: 15x25cm / 6 X10”
    Sizes: Regular & Long
    Colour: Fiery Red
    Style: Mummy
    Warranty: Limited Lifetime

    RATING: 8.5/10

    Warmth:             2/2
    Compressibility:  2/2
    Features:            1/2
    Weight:               2/2
    Quality/Price:     1.5/2

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