I'm looking at getting a new sleeping bag for next summer and have it narrowed to three. The WM Summerlite,
Marmot Hydrogen, and the Mountain Hardware Phantom 32. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Excellent choices. Have you thought about a quilt instead?

haven't really considered a quilt cause I really change
positions a lot

Have you seen any of these bags in person? Fit is so important when it comes to the warmth of a mummy bag, its girth not being adjustable as is a quilt's. Since your clothing kit should already be pretty much dialed in before a purchase like this, then I'd recommend an in-store test if at all possible. Or order two, try them at home, and return one. As a general statement on design and materials, having seen a few bags from each of these brands, MH is out of its league compared to WM.

That said, at these temp ranges (and in the WM price range) I'd really have to recommend an arc-type quilt, Nunatak or JRB.

Changing positions alot: this is one of the BEST reasons to opt for a quilt over a mummy, weight not withstanding. Why breath moisture into your hood when you can have head insulation that follows you as you move? Why zip and unzip everytime you want to stretch your arms out, or to vent differently to suit a change in position? I prefer to move alot too, which I find much more restful after a long day of hiking. Quilts rock for freedom of movement, esp since integrating your clothing with your sleep system means you don't have to be totally under the quilt to retain some warmth. I doubt I'll ever go back to mummy bags for anything above 0*F

Just make sure to get a quilt wide enough so that drafts are not an issue - ie. a Nunatak Arc Specialist instead of a Ghost.

Edited by PA_Jay on 10/15/2007 16:33:08 MDT.

David,
I had a hydrogen (sold it last week) for about 2 years, and I must say it is a stellar piece of gear. Out of the stuff sack, it is unbelievable how much it would loft. Kept me warm on many a surprisingly chilly night. It is a snug fit, like most of the UL mummies out there. A friend of mine has the summerlite and has been exceptionaly happy with it - I don't think you can go wrong with any of those bags.
As for quilts, I would really suggest you think about one. I currently own the Arc AT and I sold my hydrogen to order an Arc Specialist. I'll only use a sleeping bag when my WM Versalite is required. Other then that, it's quilts from now on.

>haven't really considered a quilt cause I really change
>positions a lot

I do too, and I love my quilt. I move a lot during the night at home as well, and I move my comforter to keep me covered, and I seem to do this just fine with the quilt. Besides, the way I sleep, a quilt is the only option as far as I could find :)

Tom

Just got off the Nunatak site and I am very intrigued. You
guys just made my decision a little harder. I do appreciate
the info.

I love the Nunatak Ghost (custom with 1 oz less down) I bought this year as a summer quilt. Moving around a lot at night is exactly why I bought it. I don't end up breathing into a hood, or with a hood in the way as I turn.

The Ghost was wide enough for my purposes as a summer quilt, and I've had it down to about 40 comfortably (with light wool base layers), but I would go with a wider version for more leeway in coverage for lower temperatures. In cooler temperatures I do have to be careful to make sure I am completely covered or I'll get a cold spot.

My custom ghost (size medium) weighs only 12.7 ounces, a significant weight savings over the WM summerlite which I also considered.

Pam

If you don't want to spend Nunatak kind of money, Jacks'R'Better offers a more economical alternative.

I absolutely love my Jacks'R'Better No Sniveller, and I also have a Mountain Hardwear Phantom 32, which I like.

The MH Phantom has less loft on top of you, compaired to the No Sniveller, and the .85 fabric is less water resistant than most.

The Phantom packs smaller than the Jacks'R'Better, but it scares me (for loft degredation) packing it that small.

Obviously any quilt will be more versitile in different temps than a bag with a 1/2 zip like the MH or Marmot.

I have the Alpenlite Super, and looks like the WM Summerlite has it too: pretty effective zipper-area stiffening tape, easier inside a snug UL bag. One minor advantage over the Feathered Friends bags of my buddies.

Also with continuous baffles, I do keep most of my down pushed to the top, it's pretty easy and mostly stays put overnight.

The cloth is not water resistant, but it is certainly breathable. For both those reasons, it's good to use a well-vented shelter or windbreak. It's weird to see the feathers in there. Only had one or two minor feathers get through.

I got the left zip, because right handed it's a little harder to reach the right side, but there are not as many left-zip bivy sacks out there.

Edited by Paul_Tree on 10/15/2007 19:32:44 MDT.

Jacks R Better makes a good product. I have a Nest Down Under for my hammock that I have used as a quilt.

Nunatak makes a better product, in my opinion. The shell fabric is softer (I chose Pertex), the footbox is sewn in (no chance of popping open), and Tom at Nunatak will work with you to customize your quilt, including a choice of different shell fabrics. Jacks R Better does not do custom work per their website.

Both companies are cottage manufacturers, and both seem very customer oriented. Jacks R Better did send me two micro-carabiners free after I purchased my quilt because they switched to that model for weight savings, which they didn't have to do. They are very active in various forums and seem to be very helpful individuals.

If money is not a factor, I would go with Nunatak because of the design features and customization. If money is a factor, and you don't need or want customization then consider Jacks R Better.

Pam

If you don't get a quilt instead I would definitely take the Marmot over the MH. I have an old Mountainsmith Wisp and my friends have the Hydrogen and Phantom. The loft of the Phantom is less than the other two, the Phantom actually seems underfilled and is not as warm while weighing the same. I have also not been impressed with the MH bags loft over time given the same amount of usage. The Marmot hood also has the best fit of the three and of course the all black GLAD trash bag look is cool.

Like others I would generally recommend a quilt.

The Mountain Hardware Phantom has nothing on the other two bags. I would suggest eliminating it unless you have an amazing deal on it and you can't afford something else.

The MW Summerlite is lighter and has a full length zipper. It has 59" shoulders (same as the mw ultralite) which is a bit narrow for me. Some people like it.

The Marmot Hydrogen is a bit heavier and has a half zipper. It has 62" shoulders and a hood which is just perfect for me.

My recommendation would be to go someplace you can try them out. The other bag a lot of people like is the Montbell SuperStretch #3.

--Mark

I will add another vote for dropping the Phantom and picking between the Hydrogen or Summerlite. Or go with a quilt - I too am intrigued by what I hear about quilts.

I have a Hydrogen that I love.

Western Mountaineering is superior to the two other bags. I would go with that one if you fit into it comfortably. If you do not, then you should reject all three and go with a Montbell or Integral Designs. The elastic baffling helps for the comfort because it stretches in the Montbell and the Integral Designs has an xtra wide version of even lightweight bags too make them comfortable. Feathered Friends would be another suggestion. The Quilt idea might work as well but I would go with the JRB due to superior coverage.

Their latest bags are excellent- right up there with Western. And they are using a new Schoeller NanoSphere fabric that is fantastic.

Here's a review: http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/2007_feathered_friends_grouse_bag_spotlite_review.html

Well worth looking at. Unlike Western, each bag is custom so you get exactly what you want. Great company!

I have been very happy with my WM Summerlite. I have never used a quilt, but I have used a half zip bag and would never do that again.

Sold. Will try a quilt.

I have a Summerlite, which I use as a quilt down to 40 degrees and as a bag below that. Can't say enough good things about it - it weighs as much (little?) as WM claims. It's comfy. It's conservatively rated.