Mountain Hardwear UltraLamina 32°

Summary

Mediocre bag, but at a steep discount may be worth considering.

I wanted this bag to be the bag that I could carry all the way thru on my upcoming thru hike of the Appalachian Trail. I was excited when the bag arrived at my home as I noticed its light weight and its compressibility when using the included compression bag. However, after using this bag for a year, it is becoming less desirable to me.

The fit and finish is about average for a large sleeping bag manufacturer. Decent but not perfect but it wears well. The zippers are a half zip design which makes entering the bag a bit more difficult. The zippers constantly snag on the material when zipping up the bag and it is a struggle to free the material. This is a common problem with this bag after looking at all the complaints at the review sites on this bag. The half zips make this bag unusable at warmer temperatures as the bag is difficult to vent and dump warm air if you are hot. Note this bag is a mummy bag and is a bit narrow...side sleepers beware it may not work well for you.

This bag is not a 32 degree bag. At its best I would put it at a 40 degree and more likely a 45 degree bag. There are noticeable cold spots andI have to put on a heavier layer when sleeping with this bag around its stated temperature minimun. This was disappointing, as is unusual for me to sleep cold and I am comfortable in my other bags past their temperature rating...toasty warm.

It is not a bad bag if bought on sale around $120 dollars.  If you are looking for one bag that is a truly 3-season bag, this bag is not for you. However, if you are trying to minimize your pack weight and will be camping in a narrow temperature bag, this bag will be a decent bag in your inventory and may serve you well.

As for me, this bag is becoming a loaner bag for friends that need to borrow equipment and am reconsidering using a quilt for the warmer section of my hike and my Western Mountaineering Versalite for the mountain spring and fall portions of my hike. I want to like this bag but I just can't see much value much beyond a budget bag. 

Got this bag because of the weight and ability to compress into near nothingness. I also really liked that the zippers on on both sides were only half zips. Plus you can zip the bottom zipper up and make an arm hole so you can stay in the bag and still get gear from around the tent.

I must say this feature was amazing last weekend on a section of the AT in Shenandoah, temps dropped to below 20 and here I am with my 32 degree rating. I slept in everything I had except my rain gear and was very comfortable. In fact come to think of it I haven't spent a night above 35 while I've owned this bag and I'm still raving about it!

Since this bag has the ability to compress to such a small bundle I highly recommend a compression strap stuff sack. I purchased one from Granite Gear and couldn't be happier.

I'm 5 ft 8 inches and I have plenty of room in the bag. Even when I sit up I can half cross my legs indian style in it. It also has a very roomy zipper pocket by the hood that's great for those items you always may need handy.

If you are in the market for a bag and DON'T plan on doing much cold weather camping, then this is for you. Even if you do end up in the biting wintery winds of the mountains you will be perfectly fine if you know how to layer and have already dressed accordingly.

Synthetic bag with the weight of down! I have used this bag in temperatures ranging from the 60's to the 20's. Worked well in all situations although on the colder nights I did have to put on a few more layers of clothing. But since the temperatures dipped below the rating of the bag I can't complain. Compresses really well, about the size of a football. Vents well and the foot box is roomy enough for me. Only complaint is that the compression bag that came with the sack broke only after the second use. I now just use a larger sack with no compression to lengthen the life of the synthetic fill. All in all great bag.

Neat eye candy, but plan on taking an electric blanked along with you on any but the warmest summer night. I cursed this bag as I froze every night of a summer backpacking trip.