The Informant: The Mountain Hardwear Sleeping Bag That Kept Me Warm in Freezing Temps
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Last fall, I traveled to Nepal with some family members for a once-in-a-lifetime experience: an 11-day trek through the heart of the country’s Annapurna mountain range. I’m not an experienced hiker — the longest one I’d done was a half-day jaunt in upstate New York — so, accordingly, I was also not experienced in the art of selecting the right gear.
But I knew one thing: I needed a sleeping bag for my trip — specifically, one that was breathable but could also keep me warm in freezing temperatures. I’m also allergic to down, so that nixed any non-synthetic options right off the bat.
I scoured online retailers and reviews, unsure of which bag to pick. However, when the outdoor brand Mountain Hardwear offered to send me its Lamina Eco AF 15F/-9C Sleeping Bag to test, I was more than willing to give it a try — it’s made from recycled synthetic materials (points for eco-friendliness) and it’s designed to insulate in temperatures as low as 15 degrees. It checked all my boxes.
I ordered it in its regular size (the company offers short and long sizes, too) with a right-handed zipper (there’s also a left-handed zipper available). When it arrived and I packed it in its included compression sack, I was surprised at how little space it took up; its recycled 20D nylon ripstop feels extremely lightweight. I threw it into my duffel and hopped the plane to Kathmandu feeling ready.
Thankfully, my Lamina Eco AF never failed me. Over the course of my trek, I hiked through humid, jungle-like forests of bamboo and rhododendron to Annapurna base camp, which sits at 13,500 feet in the air and is bone-chillingly cold. Each night, we slept in tea houses — essentially cabins with small kitchens and unheated rooms with platform beds. On warmer nights, I was initially worried that the bag’s mummy cut would feel too hot, tight, or claustrophobic, but I used its two-way zipper for added ventilation, which alleviated that completely. (Also, I’m five-foot-five, and the regular length worked great for me with a bit of room to spare at my feet.)
In the latter part of the trek, up to Annapurna base camp, temperatures dipped below freezing; on those nights, I would transition directly from my beloved Arc’teryx Heavyweight Atom Hoodie to my sleeping bag, zipping it all the way up. Its draft collar was incredibly insulating, blocking any air from escaping. Each night, I warmed up and stayed warm. (Pro tip: After a recommendation from a fellow traveler, I also used my sleeping bag as a way to dry any wet clothes from the day — I’d stuff them into the bottom, by my feet. It worked like a charm; my clothes were dry by morning.)
My one slight qualm with this bag is its color: it’s undyed, which the brand says reduces its water footprint. I had no issues with any staining, as I was sleeping on a platform bed, but with extended use in other environments with more dust or dirt, I could see it picking up marks quickly. (It is water-repellant, though.)
But overall, I love my Mountain Hardwear bag. It enabled me to be warm and well-rested on a challenging but very rewarding journey. Should I ever go on a long hike or camping trip again, my Lamina Eco AF is definitely coming along for the ride.
Mountain Hardwear Lamina ECO AF™ 15F/-9C
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