Phantom vs Hugger 3

imported
#1

In a recent winter sale I purchased a Phantom 15 bag. I was looking to reduce weight and two pounds for a 15 degree bag seemed perfect… especially for just $250. But when the bag arrived it weighed 6 oz more than advertized. I asked the retailer how this could be and was told they use the weight specs supplied by the manufacturer but would be glad to take the bag back. And so, my problem… great bag, great price but not quite what I was looking for, a sub two pound bag. Decisions, decisions.

Now I open the mail and the new catalog is out with a great deal on the Montbell Hugger #3 a 14 degree bag that weighs just 1 lb 7 oz at about the same price.

Do I return the Phantom and go with the Hugger? Does anyone have input on the Huggers claims? I’ve lost trust in the retailers claims so I am going to the experts. Help me O-B-Wan Kanobe, your my only hope.

Confused

#2

Sounds like typical MH (or any larger company), under estimating their weights again. Try and get an Osprey pack for what they are advertised at! What ever you do, don’t get the Hugger#3 and expect it to perform comfortably down to 15 degrees. Montbell used to have two temp ratings for their bags, a comfortable rating and max rating. Meaning the max lowest temp that you’ll still survive to see morning. Thankfully they did away with that confusion. The hugger#3 is only comfortably rated to 32, which is more on par with its advertised 23oz and 9.5oz of fill weight. If you want a true 15 degree bag from them, you’ll have to upgrade to the Hugger #1, which tips the scale at 34oz and $365. At that point, if you’re already shelling out that kind of cash, might as well upgrade to a western mountain bag. Either the Ultralite (20 degree, 26oz, $330) or the Versalite (10 degree, 32oz, $390). If you were hell bent on a 15 degree bag, just have western overfill the Ultralite by 2oz. They only charge $18 to do so, and you’d be getting 800+ fill vs montbells 725 fill. Other light options would be a Marmot Helium bag (15degree, 29oz, $359) or something from Feathereed Friends. Hope I answered your question. Any bag mentioned would be a great choice.

Pepper PA

#3

i second the versalight super or the ultralite super w/ overfill. by the way, the new ultralite “super” has a full down draft collar now, instead of just one on the top just made of nylon.

my versalight is like a down filled cocoon, i’ve had it down in the single digits w/ just a t-shirt, a pair of boxers, and a hat on and was toasty. in a long it weighs 37oz, which is 3oz heavier than spec’ed, but it exceeds in all other categories.

jerm

#4

I have a Marmot Helium and though I haven’t weighed it myself, the long is supposedly right at 2 lbs. It’s great-completely reliable to the 15 degree rating though it’s cut a little wide for me. At least the wide cut makes it more versatile (layering/liner bag)though. I do wish Marmot would make some of their top of the line bags with narrower cuts.

What about the WM Apache? It’s 15 degrees and right at 2 lbs. or under I believe. It even has a full zip…

zach attack