What drew me to wanting to test the Sea to Summit Spark Pro 15° sleeping bag? Well, I’ve been drawn to backpacking since before I can remember, and I’ve always loved being outdoors exploring new country. Along with that, I am always looking for ways to improve my equipment and lighten my pack as I acquire more knowledge in the field. I love testing new gear that helps achieve this, and a big part of accomplishing this is finding gear that is compact, lightweight, and as durable as possible.
This fall I was able to test the Sea to Summit Spark Pro 15 sleeping bag on several trips to the backcountry spanning the September and October months in the Eagle Cap Wilderness of Oregon, as well as trips into late October in the high alpine mountains of Utah, and the peaks of the Sawtooth Mountains of Idaho in November. I needed a sleeping bag that would withstand the cold, endure long nights in a bivy sac, and be able to wick away the moisture of wet clothes from the day in the field.
How it was Tested: Sea to Summit Spark Pro 15° Sleeping Bag
The testing for this Sea to Summit Spark Pro sleeping bag included ten days at 9,000 feet elevation in the Eagle Cap Wilderness where temperatures dipped below freezing and frost covered the landscape on most of those late September and early October mornings.
Additionally, I also tested this Sea to Summit sleeping bag for another week during a late October, high alpine mule deer hunt in Utah at elevations ranging from 9,000 feet to 10,000 feet. The bag performed well in my Backcountry Lite Tipi tent, even without the stove, where temperatures regularly dipped down into the 20s and even into the teens some nights.
Sea to Summit Spark Pro 15° Sleeping Bag Specs
The Spark Pro features some impressive specs, and it really shines when it comes to shaving weight without sacrificing in other critical areas. Even though it’s a mummy bag, it still provides plenty of room to move around with its generous shoulder and hip girth.
| Sea to Summit Spark Pro 15° F Specs (Long) | |
|---|---|
| Weight | 1lb 14oz |
| Compressed Size | 7.9 L |
| Insulation | 950+ non-PFAS Ultra Dry Down (goose down) |
| Fill Weight | 1 lb 3.4 oz |
| Sizing | Mummy Style |
| Shoulder Width | 65 in |
| Hip Girth | 57 in |
| Foot Box Girth | 44 in |
| Shell Material | Water Repellent Nano Shell |
| Shell Material | 10D Nylon |
| Lining Material | 10D Nylon |
| Down Insulation | 850fp RDS Water Repellent Goose Down |
| Zipper Location | Right or Left |
| Lower Limit Rating | 15° F |
| Comfort Rating | 27° F |
Features & Details: Sea to Summit Spark Pro 15° Sleeping Bag
QUALITY ULTRALIGHT MATERIALS
This sleeping bag boasts a lightweight 10D nylon shell that strikes an ideal balance between weight, durability, and comfort unlike many outdoor brands that tend to use thicker 15D or 20D materials. Its design includes a mixed baffle orientation that helps minimize down drift and cold spots, making it particularly beneficial for side sleepers. Additionally, it incorporates reliable features such as a draft tube and a zipper plow.
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In my experience, the Sea to Summit Spark Pro truly exceled in the quality of the materials used to build this sleeping bag. It features RDS-certified, 950 fill-power down, which exceeds the typical 850 or 900 fill power found in many premium sleeping bags. This high fill power ensures a comfortable night’s sleep in temperatures as low as 15°F, along with keeping the weight down and proving more packability, making the Spark Pro 15 one of the lightest 15 degree sleeping bags on the market.
FREE FLOW ZIPPER SYSTEM
The Sea to Summit Free-Flow Zip System allows for customizable ventilation which is a game changer. The main zipper runs from the shoulder to the knee for easy side access, while a second zipper provides foot ventilation. Both zippers also enable users to transform the sleeping bag into a quilt and a short zipper at the right shoulder allows for comfortable arm movement.
Warmth: Sea to Summit Spark Pro 15° Sleeping Bag
During my stay in the Eagle Cap Wilderness, temperatures dropped into the 20s on several nights. Later, in the last week of October in Utah, overnight temperatures fell to the low 20s and even into the teens. The Spark Pro sleeping bag’s warmth was excellent, and I didn’t experience any cold spots. While camping in Utah, I did encounter some overheating issues since I was using a bivy sack along with the sleeping bag on some warmer nights, which proved to be almost too much insulation.
Durability: Sea to Summit Spark Pro 15° Sleeping Bag
The Sea to Summit Spark Pro Sleeping Bag is one of the more durable options for a sleeping bag weighing under 2 pounds with a temperature rating of 15 degrees. I’ve tested a few other bags laying in the dirt with a bivy sac, and I usually find that there’s a cold spot somewhere, the bag rips on the first branch it encounters, or the zipper gets caught up in the bag itself and tears. However, that was not the case with the Sea to Summit Spark Pro sleeping bag.
What I liked: Sea to Summit Spark Pro 15° Sleeping Bag
- Warmth
- Free flow zipper
- RDS certified 950 fill down
- Ultralight
- High quality materials used
- Compact size
What I Disliked: Sea to Summit Spark Pro 15° Sleeping Bag
Coming up with things I didn’t like about the Sea to Summit Spark Pro sleeping bag proved to be difficult as it performed well beyond my expectation in every area and scenario I put it through. The only real downside I can come up with is that it is on the expensive side, but still less than other premium sleeping bags on the market.
Conclusion: Sea To Summit Spark Pro Sleeping Bag Review
The Sea to Summit Spark Pro Sleeping Bag stands out as an exceptional choice for outdoor enthusiasts seeking a lightweight, durable, and warm sleeping solution. Its innovative features, such as the Free-Flow Zip System and the mixed baffle design enhance the comfort and versatility of this Spark Pro sleeping bag, which especially caters to side sleepers.
With its high-quality RDS-certified, 950 fill-power down, it ensures comfort even in challenging temperatures. My experience confirms that it excels in warmth and durability, making it a reliable option for various camping conditions. It even kept me warm well below its stated “comfort” rating of 27° F during those nights where we saw temperatures drop into the teens.
Overall, the Spark Pro 15 is a strong contender on the market, ideal for anyone looking to invest in a high-performance sleeping bag that can withstand the rigors of the outdoors while providing a cozy night’s sleep.
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