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Mountain Hardwear Ratio 15

rated 5.0 of 5 stars
photo: Mountain Hardwear Ratio 15 3-season down sleeping bag

Good all around sleeping bag for three seasons. Used it mainly in Northeastern British Columbia. I got the Ratio 15 and my wife got the Heratio 15.

Fits me really well and isn't constrictive. The bag feels cozy and warm and seems to regulate heat pretty well. I haven't noticed any cold spots at all. The shell and dry down really help keep the bag dry. The down is placed well throughout the bag and the baffle along the zipper keeps the cold out.

The colour is nice and the materials have a quality feel to them. Fits into a Sea to Summit 10L eVent Compression Dry Sack and the OR 10L AirPurge Dry Compression Sack.

I definitely recommend it for backpackers and car camping.

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Comes with stuff and storage bag
  • Quality construction

I'm 5'8" and 160 lb.

Been using this bag for two years now and really love it. I'm not a huge fan of mummy bags, but for thermal and size reasons it was needed. The cut of this bag is actually really good, I don't find it constrictive at all. So very happy with it in that way!

The bag is warm and perfect for shoulder seasons. In the summer evenings it can be a little too warm. Usually I'll just just open it up and use my liner and then when the temps drop, like the usually do in the North, I'll cover up.

Getting in and out of the bag is not a problem. The zippers go down to around the shins. They're high quality and flow well.

The hood is quite comfortable and tightens up well around the face. The baffle along the zipper definitely helps keep the cold out. There seems to be a decent amount of down in the foot box, so my feet stay pretty warm; I may throw some socks on for cold nights. There is a minor bit of colour discolouration where my head has been directly in contact with the hood (sweat and/or bug spray I'm guessing). I usually take a liner along to help keep the bag clean internally.

The DWR and water repellency have been good and we've camped in a few places with a lot of moisture in the air and some downpours and the damp feeling on the surface hasn't seemed to leach into the bag in any noticeable way. We don't often get condensation buildup in our tent (MSR Elixir II), but when we've had drops off the tent, it just beads up on the bag. If it did soak into the shell it's dried off pretty quick once the sun comes out.


IMG_20160704_065437316.jpg
Pic: After bivy use

I've used it with an Outdoor Research Molecule bivy bag as well. The bivy got quite a lot of condensation in it (high moisture outside didn't help) and the shell of the sleeping bag started to get wet where it touched the top of the bivy (see pic), however it dried out pretty quickly after it was removed from the bivy. I'm definitely glad I got a bag with dry down.

It doesn't seem to leak feathers that often, which is a plus.

Used it in a small quinzhee (snow cave) with a Therm-a-Rest All Season at -18°C and it did surprisingly well. I wore a base layer with clothes and put a down jacket over my feet to block wind from the door. Had to keep my back against the sleeping pad for best results.

Fits into a Sea to Summit 10L compression sack. After being in a compression sack it doesn't take too long for the loft to return. Had it in the compression sack many times too.

The bag comes with a mesh storage sack and a stuff sack that is fairly small, if you really want it really small then use a compression sack.

Overall I would buy it again!

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Pic: Regular length Heratio and Ratio side by side.

IMG_20150922_122259.jpg
Ratio 15 in a 10 L compression sack.

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: $235 CAN + tax

I would recommend this bag for anyone looking for a down bag on a budget. Perfect for three-season camping!

Pros

  • Spacious for mummy
  • Packs down small
  • Even warmth

Cons

  • Probably more like a +25 degree bag

I was replacing a Big Agnes mummy bag rated at 20 degrees. I wanted something different and without an inconvenient sleeve system, but I didn't want to spend an arm and a leg. Come forth the Ratio 15. 

Purchased at Next Adventure where they accept old goods and in return give store credit which I'd accumulated the amount needed. This bag was brand new and on sale for a steal at $169. I couldn't pass it as I'd been reading many reviews myself of bags in the sub $300 range and it this one always stood out for reasons like Q.Shield, which is treated insulation to keep warm even if wet, and the soft lining that makes you forget you're in a sleeping bag and not in your own bed.

Frankly, also, for the color blue, which for me is calming and reminds me to breathe the fresh air that is all around me. Another big reason was fit and how much space for my size 14 feet was available. 

The Ratio 15 delivered on all things from comfort, fit, function, to even packability. 

I've owned this bag for about a year now and it's been on about six overnighters from about 20 to about 50 degrees. Some wet, some dry and it performed each and every time. On a brisk night in January of this year, I didn't stuff any clothes in the foot area to add warmth, but I still stayed borderline warm, which is why my intuition says it may not be a full 15 degree bag. I also will note I had an uninsulated pad at the time for I was not expecting the drop in temps that evening. I did have just boxers and a shirt on.

I'm confident that this bag will continue to deliver the technology and design for varying environments it was intended for a long time. I store mine in the included storage bag in my closet. I will continue to fluff it up before and after it's journeys to maintain its loft. Good job, Mountain Hardwear. I'm impressed.

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: $169

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Specs

Price Historic Range: $129.98-$280.00
Reviewers Paid: $169.00
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