Plenty of warmth and intuitive design make the REI Magma 15 sleeping bag a simple, solid three-season option.
I like to think of backpackers in two categories: those who prefer comfort while hiking and those who prefer comfort in camp. For the most part, I find myself in the first group, angling for lightweight gear, simple meals, few amenities, and no spare underwear.
But sleeping bags are where I make an exception.
I figure if I’m going to spend roughly one-third of any given backcountry day in a sleeping bag, I shouldn’t skimp on warmth or comfort. Plus, a good night’s sleep makes a big difference the next day, allowing you to do more.
So I’m particular about the shape, fill, weight, and durability of sleeping bags. When I research new ones, I dig into every fine detail except the color. I’m admittedly color agnostic.
Naturally, when I received an opportunity to test REI’s upcoming sleeping bag, the Magma 15 (available in men’s and women’s), I jumped at it.
In a saturated market like sleeping bags, it’s the fine details that make a product stand out. And what better way to learn about the nitty-gritty than a late-season backpacking trip filled with dirt, sand, water, and cool nights? So I hopped on a plane and headed for Aravaipa Canyon in Arizona.
REI Magma 15 Sleeping Bag Review
My first impression of the Magma 15 was its weight — or lack thereof. For a three-season sleeping bag, the weight was shocking at less than 2 pounds. Thanks to the lightweight construction, a fitted silhouette, and premium goose down, REI’s Magma sleeping bag delivers a surprisingly good warmth-to-weight ratio.
While REI designed the Magma for use in spring, summer, and fall, some might also find it useful on winter trips. The sleeping bag has water-resistant fill and a Pertex shell, permitting more nights camping without a rainfly and more comfortable nights at high-alpine bivies. And, in general, more nights in a dry sleeping bag is an obvious plus.
REI Magma Sleeping Bag Specs
REI Magma 15 Sleeping Bag
- MSRP: $369 (regular) / $389 (long)
- Fit: Fitted ( men’s / women’s)
- Temperature rating: 15 F (-9.4 C)
- ISO comfort rating: 28 F (-2 C)
- ISO extreme rating: 17 F (-27 C)
- Shape: Mummy
- Weight
- Men’s: 1 lb. 12.2 oz. (regular) / 1 lb. 14.6 oz. (long)
- Women’s: 2 lbs. 4 oz. (regular) / 2 lbs. 6 oz. (long)
- Fits up to (length)
- Men’s: 72″ (regular) / 78″ (long)
- Women’s: 66″ (regular) / 72″ (long)
- Shoulder girth: 60″
- Hip girth: 57″
- Shell: Pertex 15-denier ripstop nylon (bluesign-approved)
- Lining: 15-denier ripstop nylon (bluesign-approved)
- Fill: 850-fill-power grey goose down
- Fill weight: 15.9 oz. (regular size)
- Water resistance: Yes
- Compressed size
- Men’s: 5.2L (regular) / 5.7L (long)
- Women’s: 7.3L (regular) / 10L (long)
- Zipper location: Left (men’s) / Right (women’s)
- Stuff sack size: 7.5″ (diameter) x 15″ (height)