Mountain Hardwear Phantom 32 Down Sleeping Bag–How Many Seasons?

I had a "Phantom 32" I took it back W/O using it B/C I saw a Western Mountaineering Megalite,a bag with REAL loft.

Plus the Phantom 32 has a 1/2 length zipper that drove me mad on a backyard trial.

I feel the Phantom 32 is WAY to low on loft to EVER keep you warm at 32 F.

Yes, yy WM Megalite was more money by about $100., but on two surprising 25 F. August nights in a high valley on the PCT in California I was SO glad for that extra loft. Over the years I'd say it's money well spent.

Then there's the Megalite's nice gith that makes for a great quilt when unzipped all the way on hot summer nights.

Eric, the Phantom was tested here:

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/mh_phantom32_bag_review.html

It had the same loft as the Summerlite. Is the Megalite rated warmer?

I've had this bag for a couple of years, probably 20-25 bag nights, and it has kept me warm down to it's temp. rating every time. I consider myself a cold sleeper as well.

A reasonably priced, reliable piece of gear. Can't give a better endorsement than that.

I had a Phantom 32 for a few years and it was fine for me (a cold side-sleeper) to 33 F that I have written down. But that pretty much made it a summer bag for the Sierra, add spring and fall in places like Joshua Tree NP or Cleveland NF.

I only sold mine when I switched to quilts.

I think they may have changed it for 201o then. The Phantom I looked at a couple days ago had a full zipper.

What is going to happen when they start selling Western Mountaineering bags online through Cabela's? Or when it becomes mainstream?

I bought the 09 model when it was on sale at Campsaver. Mine has the half zipper.
It doesn't appear to have that much loft, I think 4" is a bit of a stretch.
I had it with me this weekend for the first time. When I "went to bed" it was 35 F in my tent. I was wearing a t-shirt plus midweight baselayers, socks and head insulation. I was a bit cold at first, I guess I'm used to heavier bags "pressing" on me, the Phantom seemed to float above me. Once I fell asleep my body temp must have gone up, and I slept comfortably for about 8 hours when I decided to get out of the bag to check the temperature. It was exactly 32F in my tent at 5am. I was again chilly after loosing the heat trapped in the bag, and struggled for a while, seeking refuge near my wife's Ultralite. Again, as I fell asleep I warmed up.

I'd say the temperature rating is accurate. But it depends a lot on the person using it. I'm 5.10 and 140 lb, not built to conserve heat.

Can we please try to filter the misinformation when someone asks a question?

The bag goes down to 32 just fine as everyone here has stated AND as reviewed here on BPL (search for article) …AND EN Rating: T-Limit 28 °F / -2 °C EN Rating: T-Comfort 37 °F / 3 °C

At least as far back as 08 the bag HAS a full length zipper (check pics of it anywhere online)

The 09 was reviewed by BPL and states "From an ultralight point of view, its full length zipper may be a drawback too."

Check out the State of the Market Report on 3 Season down bags and you will be assisted. The Summerlite comes out on top in general, all round terms.

It can be found here: http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/ultralight_3_season_down_mummy_bags_sotm_2010.html

Loft is the same though.

Maybe misinformation, but also maybe bad quality control?

I have read many many bad reviews of the phantom, and am pretty hard pressed to find bad reviews of a summerlite. Could be placebo?

Being a larger brand maybe mountain hardware is just less consistent?