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Reviews > Sleep Gear > Sleeping Bags > Mountain Hardware Hyperlamina Flame Bag > Owner Review by Christie Kimber

Mountain Hardware Hyperlamina Flame Long Sleeping Bag
Owner Review by Christie Kimber
Date: Dec. 2, 2017

Name: Christie Kimber
Age: 26
Gender: Female
Height: 6’0" (183 cm)
Weight: 145 lb (65 kg)
Email address: christiekimber AT yahoo DOT com
City, State, Country: Courtenay, British Columbia (BC), Canada
Backpacking Background: I started hiking in 2015 when I moved from Saskatchewan to Vancouver Island, British Columbia. I started with day hikes and have eventually pushed myself to weekend and even week-long excursions. I am a three-season, usually fair weather, hiker. Vancouver Island gets a lot of rain and has a moderate climate.

Manufacturer:  Mountain Hardware
Year of Manufacture: 2016
URL: https://www.mountainhardwear.ca
Temperature Rating: 20 F / -6 C
Fill Type: Synthetic
Fill Material: Insulation: Thermal.Q™ 100 g/m
Shell and Body Material: 22D Tactel Nylon Dobby
Bag Fill Weight: 2 lb 2 oz (960 g)
Total Weight: 2 lb 12.1 oz (1250 g)
Stuff Sack Size: 7 in x 16 in (18 cm x 41 cm)
Stuff Sack volume: 9.5 L
Shape: Mummy cut
Fit: Regular or Long, Long reviewed here
•    Inside Length Regular: 78 in (198 cm)
•    Inside Length Long: 84 in (213 cm)
•    Hip Girth Regular: 58 in (147 cm)
•    Hip Girth Long: 64 in (163 cm)
•    Foot Girth Regular: 39 in (99 cm)
•    Foot Girth Long: 41 in (104 cm)
•    Shoulder Girth Regular: 63 in (160 cm)
•    Shoulder Girth Long: 66 in (168 cm)
Color: Hyper Blue
MSRP: $300 CAD

The Mountain Hardware Hyperlamina Flame is a synthetic, mummy shaped sleeping bag. It is available in a Regular fit as well as a Long fit. This is a review for the Long fit sleeping bag. Included in the purchase of this bag is the sleeping bag itself, a sil-nylon compression stuff sack and a mesh storage sack. The temperature limit of the Flame is 20 F (-6 C) and the temperature of comfort is rated at 32 F (0 C). According to the manufacturer, the bag is designed to be a light weight synthetic alternative to a down filled bag. One unique feature of this bag is the half zip with dual slide zippers located in the front center of the bag. This is said to improve warmth. It also has zoned insulation for the same purpose. Mountain Hardware’s Thermal.Q technology has been designed to be compressible while maintaining loft. The bag includes a draft collar and tailored hood. This bag does not include any additional storage features such as a place for a pillow or phone. The manufacturer claims this bag has been engineered to be lightest and warmest synthetic bag available.

Field Testing:
I have used this bag on almost all of my overnight hiking trips. It was a great upgrade from my beginner sleeping bag. My hiking partner has a down filled bag, so we have been able to compare the performance of these two bags on each trip. I have used this bag in a variety of conditions including wet, dry, alpine, and coastal, in temperatures ranging from about 23 – 77 F (-5 C to +25 C). Below are some examples of the variable conditions the sleeping bag has been used in:
  • Juan De Fuca Trail, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada
    • Elevation: coastal, minimal elevation change
    • Trip duration: 3 nights, 4 days
    • Weather and Trail conditions: wet and muddy, heavy rain one day with lots of standing water. Rock beaches and rainforest trail
    • Temperatures: 5 – 17 C (41 – 63 F)
  • Mt. Albert Edward cirque, Strathcona Park, BC, Canada
    • Elevation: 6900 ft (2100m)
    • 2 nights, 3 days
    • Weather and trail conditions: sunny clear weather, alpine and sub alpine back country trails.
    • Temperatures: 10-25 C (50 – 77 F)
  • Marble Meadows, Stratchona Park, BC, Canada
    • Elevation: 5100 ft (1600m)
    • Trip duration: 1 night 2 days
    • Weather and trail conditions: sunny and clear, early spring. Snow on trail and moderate scrambling at points
    • Temperatures: -5 to 10 C (23 – 50 F)
Size and Weight:
The Flame is the lightest weight synthetic bag I could find for its temperature class. At 2 lb 12.1 oz (1250 g) it is just a bit heavier than most down filled bags I have seen. This was the main reason for my purchase. As a mixed coastal/alpine hiker in a very wet rain forest like environment, a bag that wouldn’t get weighed down in wet conditions was crucial to me. I am happy to say on even the rainiest of nights, the bag held its own. I did keep the sleeping bag in its stuff sack and then in a dry bag during rainy hiking days. In my experience, down filled bags tend to get damp with humidity. They then feel heavier and are often cold when I use them. This bag remained lightweight, did not get saturated overnight, and dried quickly from any moisture from the tent.
The size of the stuff sack is also quite small for a synthetic bag, in my opinion. The sack has compression straps to make it as small as possible. It is larger than my partner's down filled bag, but I feel like this is a small trade off given the other pros it offers.

Design:
The half center zipper is a unique design feature, one I have not seen on many sleeping bags. The suggested advantage is to make the bag light weight while maintaining warmth. I am not sure what the warmth or weight difference would have been to add a full zipper, but I do feel like this is an area that could use improvement. I have to “wiggle” my way down into the bag a bit to get in and out. It does offer reasonable ventilation with the double zippers, however on hot nights it would be nice to be able to open the sleeping bag right up.
Where the sleeping bag does perform well is in the cold. I have used this bag down to temperatures as low as 23 F (-5 C) and have not felt cold (paired with long underwear and a toque). The collar and hood work great to warm my head and keep heat in. I also found the Thermal.Q stuffing maintains loft well, making for a warm and comfortable sleep.
This is a mummy cut bag, so as a side sleeper it is a tight squeeze. I usually end up on my back or stomach to maximize comfort. However, the length is roomy. I am 6’0" (183 cm) and purchased the Long edition of this bag. I find I have plenty of room in the length.
Although there are no extra compartments for a pillow or other gadgets, the hood is fitted. I use a small camping pillow and it does not slip or move around during the night.

Summary: 
The Mountain Hardware Hyperlamina Flame is said to be the lightest and warmest synthetic bag available, and in my opinion this claim has held up. They sacrificed a little bit of convenience with the middle center half zipper and tight mummy shape in order to pull it off, but I think it is worth it. I think this sleeping bag is the perfect fit for hikers that might be adventuring in a mix of wet, coastal and alpine environments.

Pros:
-    Lightweight and packs small for a synthetic bag
-    Long length fits well (as a self-described tall person)
-    Accurate temperature rating
-    Dries quickly

Cons:
-    Middle half zipper can be clunky to get in and out of
-    Zipper does not allow for as much ventilation as a full zip bag on hot nights
-    No extra compartments on sleeping bag for storage




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Reviews > Sleep Gear > Sleeping Bags > Mountain Hardware Hyperlamina Flame Bag > Owner Review by Christie Kimber



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