Sea To Summit Spark 15 Evaluation

Backside Line

When you’re an ultralight backpacker on the lookout for one of many lightest and warmest sleeping luggage on the market, the Sea to Summit Spark 15 is a high contender. Examined within the altitude of the Colorado Rockies throughout chilly nights and within the distant reaches of the Arizona desert in fall, this bag ranks extremely on our Finest Backpacking Sleeping Luggage checklist due to its unimaginable warmth-to-weight ratio and 850 fill goose down. The Spark’s design is a bit wider than aggressive luggage, making it a stellar answer for aspect and stomach sleepers with out sacrificing packability. The 360° down collar and substantial draft tubes are wonderful for trapping warmth, and the vertical field baffles assist keep heat by stopping down from shifting – in different phrases, it’s as cozy and light-weight as sleeping luggage get within the backcountry.

Nonetheless, the Spark’s skinny materials isn’t as sturdy as burlier choices, and the zipper tends to snag greater than we’d like. And, as with most ultralight gear, this bag comes with a significantly greater price ticket than a lot of the competitors. However, for folk who need a minimalist sleeping possibility that prioritizes light-weight performance and easy consolation over bells and whistles, the Spark 15 might stir up an ideal night time’s sleep.

Heat

Regardless of its low weight, the Spark is impressively heat – this factor saved us constantly comfortable from head to toe on frigid evenings between 20 and 25°F. The Spark packs 850 fill energy goose down into vertical field baffles, a design that retains feathers in place and requires minimal redistribution over time. Draft tubes alongside the zippers and a 360° down collar work collectively to dam out chilly air.

That mentioned, the ultralight focus of this mannequin means it’s not as sturdy in opposition to colder circumstances as some heavier alternate options. For instance, the 15°F bag we examined is consolation rated to solely 29°F, and we are able to verify: it is going to really feel uncomfortable under freezing. We extremely advocate going with the 0°F model in case you’ll be tenting in temperatures under freezing within the excessive alpine, open desert, or in shoulder seasons.

Fortunately, Sea to Summit presents this bag in a number of different variations. For a similar value, go together with the ladies’s model to get further down packed by way of the chest and foot space. Or, select between 0°, 30°, and 45°F variations – however consider their consolation limits will likely be round 10-15°F greater than every quantity. The Spark additionally comes as a double bag in case you don’t thoughts sharing area, though double luggage usually really feel colder when temperatures dip as a result of extra potential useless area.

Consolation

The Sea to Summit Spark 15 is among the lightest luggage we examined – however you gained’t must sacrifice consolation. Its created from the identical delicate 10-denier cloth because the liner that feels extremely easy and delicate in opposition to the pores and skin. The hood is a lot sufficiently big to accommodate the most important backpacking pillows.

We additionally love the roominess of this bag. Whereas it’s nonetheless a real mummy form, the Spark 15 presents more room than opponents by way of the shoulders and hips to maneuver round – which tummy and aspect sleepers will love – however nonetheless suits snugly sufficient to reduce chilly spots. The vertical field baffles are efficient at stopping down from settling or shifting whilst you roll over within the night time, making it an excellent alternative in case you’re an lively sleeper and alter positions incessantly. The total-length draft tube blocks out the coolness from the zipper, making this bag a cocoon of consolation.

Weight & Packability

The Spark 15 is among the lightest and most packable sleeping luggage on the market, so in case you’re a long-distance backpacker, ultralight fanatic, or minimalist, it is going to test each field for preserving pack weight down. This bag lands within the Goldilocks zone at simply 1 pound, 9.7 ounces for the unisex model and a couple of kilos, 0.8 ounces for ladies – it’s a lot heat and simple to hold. The mixture of 10-denier materials is lighter and simpler to pack than many different backpacking luggage that use 15D or 20D materials,  and ultralight down compresses small, excellent for backpackers who need a streamlined backpack with minimal bulk. The included compression sack smashes the bag into a really moveable measurement, though it can save you just a few extra ounces by leaving the sack at dwelling.

Like all ultralight gear, the place this bag excels in low weight, it falls a bit quick in sturdiness. The emphasis on minimal weight means this bag usually has a shorter life span than luggage made with heavier-duty supplies. Gear Analyst Ian Krammer realized this the onerous method, so that you’ll need to maintain an in depth eye out for brambles, sharp rocks, pine needles, and canine claws to keep away from potential harm to the inside and exterior. And contemplate bringing alongside a patch equipment in case your bag snags or tears.

Options

The Sea to Summit Spark 15 is a no-frills bag with a sensible function set. The hood is accommodating and huge to suit the backpacking pillow of your alternative and the cinch cords are easy however efficient. The zippers are light-weight and sturdy. However, that’s it so far as options: the Spark 15 stays centered on weight financial savings. It lacks further conveniences like a stash pocket, further zippers, and extra air flow – which could be a downside for some. Nonetheless, we like this pared-down strategy: since simplicity retains  weight down, we don’t count on rather more from such high-performance gear.

Ought to You Purchase the Sea To Summit Spark 15?

The Sea to Summit Spark 15 is for weight aware backpackers who rely ounces however nonetheless need an industry-leading warmth-to-weight ratio. This sleeping bag is extremely compressible and ethereal, making it one in every of our high selections for backpacking journeys. Sea To Summit’s environment friendly vertical field baffles and premium 850 fill goose down is a recipe for saving weight with out sacrificing heat, and the spacious hood and barely wider design of the bag makes it loopy snug for any model of sleeper.

However, the Spark 15 comes up quick if you would like further consolation and comfort options. Its minimalist design excludes a stash pocket and further zippers. The skinny materials could be a draw back for folk who’re powerful on their gear, want extra sturdy sturdiness, or need a bit of additional  insulation in extraordinarily chilly circumstances. That mentioned, for folk who need a technical 3-season sleeping bag that’s simple to hold and even simpler to make use of, the Spark 15 could also be your ticket to a comfortable night time of relaxation.

What Different Backpacking Sleeping Luggage Ought to You Think about?

REI Magma 15 Evaluation: Each the REI Magma 15 and the Sea to Summit Spark 15 provide ultralight designs, distinctive warmth-to-weight ratios, and provide top-quality down insulation. However, the Magma 15 is a little more sturdy and much more reasonably priced, and weighs fairly a bit extra.

Western Mountaineering Ultralite 20 Evaluation: The UltraLite 20, just like the Spark 15, is a efficiency sleeping bag with comparable fill energy, minimalist design, and comparable consolation score. However, it is a nice various in case you’re on the lookout for even greater high quality and a spotlight to element for just some ounces extra.

Zpacks Traditional 20 Evaluation: Just like the Spark, the ZPacks Traditional 20 additionally emphasizes minimalist design, three-season versatility, and wonderful packability. However, the Traditional 20 is lighter, prices much less, and has a barely greater fill energy.