User Review: Mountain Hardwear Men's UltraLamina 32°

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November 2, 2012

Continuous Wave
15 reviewer rep

Rating:
Source: bought it new
Price Paid: $120

Summary

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

Pros

Lightweight
Compressible
Lofts well after being in compression bag

Cons

Zippers get snagged in material all the time.
Minimum temperature rating is questionable
Half zips do not allow venting.

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.