Alps Mountaineering Fusion 40 Sleeping Bag Review

This Alps Mountaineering Fusion 40 sleeping bag review is about a zipperless lightweight and nicely packable mummy-style bag with a unique design and a hybrid down-synthetic fill.

Key features & benefits

So what this Alps Mountaineering Fusion 40 bag is about

Here you have a sleeping bag without a zipper, so if you feel claustrophobic like me in sleeping bags, this is something to consider. It reminds me a bit of Sierra Designs Frontcountry Bed but this is indeed a different design.

So this is a mummy-shaped bag but with the top opening like a quilt, it is sewn in on one side only as you see in the picture below. This makes it quite unique on the market.

There are toggles and loops which help you to keep the cover in place and to avoid cold drafts. The picture below shows how one of them looks:

Note that you still have a very good foot box typical for a mummy-style bag to keep your feet warm, but you can easily get them out if you feel warm or just need to stretch.

Hybrid down-synthetic fill

This is yet another rare feature although not completely unique. The upper part of the bag is with a down fill and this is an RDS-certified 600-fill hydrophobic down. So this is a treated down which is supposed to stay dry longer than natural down if exposed to moisture, and it should also dry faster if it gets wet, and maintain its loft better.

The main lover part is with a synthetic TechLoft Micro insulation, and it consists of multiple denier staple-length fibers that have a siliconized finish. This should provide maximum insulation, loft, and compactness. When you see the weight of this bag you realize this is ultra-lightweight insulation with a great weight-to-warmth ratio.

Fabric and other details

The shell is a durable and soft 380T 20D nylon fabric, and the liner is exceptionally pleasant and soft. The bag is with a hood and it can be adjusted using the draw-cord to prevent warmth from escaping. A compression stuff sack is included. 

Who is it for

Regarding the temperature rating, the declared value is +40 degrees F (4 C). This would make it a 3-season sleeping bag. But in view of its design, I would not use it for so low temperatures, and I see it best suited for summer camping or for 2 seasons maximum, late spring, summer, and early autumn. More about sleeping bag temperature rating you can read in my separate text.

Regarding the size & gender, they build it in one size only, pity they did not make it more versatile. So the length is 82 inches (208 cm) and you have nothing to choose, this is what it is.

Regarding the weight & packed size, this is a very light bag with its 2 lb 2 oz (964 g) of weight. The packed size is also very good (L x D) 16 x 7 inches (41 x 18 cm).

So all in all this is a backpack portable sleeping bag best suited for the warmer part of the year. With such a side entry point, I see it as a great option for people sleeping in hammocks.

Specifications

• Weight: 2 lb 2 oz (964 g).
• Temperature rating: 40 F (4 C).
• Dimensions: 82 x 32 in (208 x 81 cm).
• Packed size (L x D): 16 x 7 in (41 x 18 cm).
• Fill: down & synthetic.
• Fill weight: 24 oz (680 g). You have 6 oz down on the top and 18 oz synthetic on the bottom.
• Fabric: nylon.

Final thoughts, rating, pros & cons

Please see how I rate this bag against my standard set of criteria used for all the bags here in the site. This allows for easy comparison with other bags.

ALPS Mountaineering Fusion +40 Degree Sleeping Bag

8.6

Weight

8.8/10

Packed size

9.0/10

Temperature rating

7.0/10

Comfort & features

9.5/10

Pros

• Great price.
• Great features.
• Unique construction.
• Very light.
• Good packed size.

Cons

• Not for cold weather.
• Only one size.

For more options please check under the category Sleeping Bags, you will find all top brands presented there. See this Teton Sports Trailhead Sleeping Bag if you would rather have a purely synthetic bag.

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