Outdoor Vitals LoftTek Hybrid MummyPod

Outdoor Vitals' LoftTek Hybrid MummyPod sleeping bag offers an unconventional approach to sleeping in the backcountry. Designed to function as either a sleeping bag or an under quilt, this product is as clever as it is reliable.

Outdoor Vitals is known for providing reliable backcountry sleeping bags for a fraction of the cost of competitive products. They believe that we'll have less of an impact on the environment if we invest in quality products that can be used for a lifetime. And the LoftTek Hybrid MummyPod is no exception to this rule. Featuring a clever design and water resistant technology the Hybrid MummyPod is unbeatable. 

MSRP: $159.97

Weight: 3lbs

The Hybrid MummyPod does a great job of insulating your body when it really counts. By using quality materials and pairing them with a genius construction, Outdoor Vitals guarantees you'll sleep well while using this product. And finding unconventional sleeping bag designs is almost unheard of in this era. But the Outdoor Vitals LoftTek Hybrid MummyPod shows us that it's still possible to improve outdoor gear. With features like a middle zipper, a hybrid filling blend, and a versatile design, the Hybrid MummyPod is a stunning piece of gear. 

Cost & Weight: 

This 15-degree sleeping bag costs less than most 32-degree sleeping bags, and it doesn't lack in quality or efficiency. Weighing just 3lbs is nearly unheard of at that price point. You won't find another 15-degree sleeping bag that performs this well for just $159.97. 

Loft: 

Even after compressing this sleeping bag for an extended amount of time, I never had any issues getting it to fluff back up. Additionally, the vertical baffle design is clever because it prevents down from slipping to the sides of your sleeping bag. So, it's pretty much guaranteed to keep you warm even if you shift in your sleep. 

Entry & Exit: 

Since this product has a middle zipper, you won't ever have a hard time getting in or out. Unlike competitive sleeping bags that make you choose a product with a left-handed or right-handed zipper, the Hybrid MummyPod makes entry and exit super easy. 

Backcountry Testing:

I was fortunate enough to take the Hybrid MummyPod into the Colorado backcountry for a handful of backpacking trips. I found that the temperature rating was fairly accurate, but I sleep cold so I tend to lean on the conservative side of temperature ratings. Additionally, as a unisex sleeping bag, this product is probably measured by the male standard (which is a bit cooler than the female standard).

What I liked:

I loved the design of this sleeping bag. This is the first product I've ever used that can be used as an under quilt as well as a sleeping bag. And I've helped manufacture sleeping bags for a living before. It's water resistant, durable, and the LoftTek technology makes use of synthetic materials so it'll keep you alive even if it gets wet. This sleeping bag does a great job of providing all of the essentials without breaking the bank. 

What I didn't like:

The only thing that I struggled with while using the Hybrid MummyPod is that it really isn't compressible. While the LoftTek technology will protect you from death, the synthetic material is tough to squish. You can stick it in a compression sack and try to shrink its size, but as someone who spends most of their time backpacking, it would be really tough for me to create an ultralight setup with a sleeping bag that takes up this much space. However, if your intended use is casual camping or short hikes, you won't find a more reliable product for the cost. 

Conclusions:

Outdoor Vitals is a terrific company. They hope to make the wilderness more accessible by creating quality gear for a fraction of the cost of competitive gear. And it's always good to support companies who function in an ethical way. The LoftTek Hybrid MummyPod embodies this message. While it's not going to be as compressible as $500 or $600 sleeping bags, it will get the job done and ensure that you'll be safe while using it in the backcountry.

I gave this bag four stars because it's a great product. But I'd love to see a design that's just as clever (in terms of design) but more easily packed—even if that means it has to cost a little more. 

Background

As a long-distance backpacker with over 3,000 miles behind me, gear is important to me. I helped assemble sleeping bags for a prominent sleeping bag company for about a year. And I've owned 4-5 different sleeping bags. I tested this product predominantly in the arid backcountry of Colorado over the course of a summer.