Mountain Hardwear - Phantom 45 Sleeping Bag

The new stuff is way too expensive for me. I have five of their older models and they are still chugging along just fine. A Speed 32, a Phantom 32, a Phantom 45, a Lamina Z Flame 22 and a Wraith -20. I think one of their new top of the line 0 degree bags costs more than what I spent on all of the ones I own.

Late to the Party, but the Mountain Hardwear Phantom bags are no longer a good value proposition (not to imply that they were before), but you can get a Western Mountaineering Kodiak MF (Microfiber) for $850 or the Storm Shield Version for $985. The Phantom Windstopper 0 degree starts at $1,100. Western Mountaineering is made in the US and so some of the tariff-related inflation is not hitting them as hard, making them a better value proposition. Not to mention Western Mountaineering makes the best down products in the world. Other folks have mentioned Gryphon Gear. Another awesome option. You may need to wait a while to get one though. Feathered friends is great too but I think Western Mountaineering is amazing. My recommendation, Get a Kodiak MF. The Microfiber fabric may look unassuming at first, but it is incredibly durable, tightly-woven fabric with excellent weather/water resistance and it breathes super well, critical for multi-day winter outings. I have a Puma Storm Shield and while I love the fabric and the fortress feel, a laminate fabric like that takes a long time to pack into a stuff sack. It just traps air like a balloon. The microfiber is a dream fabric. A proper microfiber fabric where the filament count is equal to or higher than the denier of the fabric.

The difference between the Phantom and the Bishop Pass is weight - they're both down bags, but use different fill powers to achieve the same temp ratings at different weights. Phantom -18C weighs 2lbs 10oz and the Bishops Pass -18C weighs 3lbs 2.1oz. Not a huge difference for the price, but if weight is a major concern it could be worthwhile. FWIW I've got the Phantom in -40 (non goretex), -18 and a Ghost Whisperer -9 and they're great bags. My wife has the -29 Lamina and it's fantastic, just heavier and bulkier than the down offerings. I wouldn't hesitate to get the Bishops Pass if it fits your budget and you don't mind the few extra ounces. You can use the extra $$$ to pick out something else on their website.

My current down mummy one from Mountain Hardwear that I got for a crazy deal (<$90). There are zippers on both sides and the toe area. I move a lot in my sleep, and the slightly wider area up top makes it easier. (It's wide enough for my arms to go to my shoulder area, even zipped up.) It's a huge step up from my previous one, a cheap synthetic mummy.

It's really a personal choice. I would suggest you try the MH sleeping bag. It's a free way to test a type of sleeping bag. Worst case, you buy another one later. I personally use down sleeping bags because they are lighter and compress better. But they are more expensive and take a lot longer to dry if it gets wet.