Completely undyed AND made of recycled materials inside and out?! Could the Mountain Hardwear Lamina Eco AF be the world’s most sustainable sleeping bag? We think it’s entirely possible. But is it cozy? Comfortable? Packable? Read on (or watch) to find out what we think of this bright white bag.
The Lamina Eco AF may look familiar if you watched our recent video about undyed gear and how wonderfully eco-friendly it is (if you haven’t, check it out here or read about it in this post). But this sleeping bag is so great that we thought it deserved to be front and center in its own spotlight for a minute here.
Lamina Eco AF: The Deets
Let me break it down for you. The Lamina Eco really is eco AF (yes, it means exactly what you think it means). And it deserves that “AF,” because not only is the made out of 100% recycled materials and insulated with recycled synthetic insulation, it’s also completely undyed, which is kinda a big deal, because synthetic dyes kinda suck.
They pollute waterways, damage aquatic ecosystems, require immense amounts of water, and can make people who drink the water that gets dumped afterward sick. We’re talkin’ carcinogenic and mutanogenic h2o, here. Anyway, it’s bad news.
There are other options, of course, like natural dyes and waterless solution dyes, and no, colorful clothing and outdoor gear isn’t going away anytime soon, but I absolutely love that brands like Mountain Hardwear are ditching them altogether on select gear.
Like the Lamina Eco AF, which comes in a variety of options including regular, short and long lengths, in a 15ºF and 30ºF version, and the regular 30º bag weighs in at around 2lbs 3oz. Not too shabby for a synthetic sleeping bag designed with backpackers in mind.
It has a cinch-able hood, which is a must, but also a 360º draft collar! So you can really get cozy. Plus, the no-snag zipper is two-way so you can vent your lower half if you want.
There’s also a contoured footbox to give your feet more natural space to move, and it comes with a storage sack AND a compression sack, which is a win (though the compression sack isn’t exactly ultralight). You can even pick which side you want the zipper on in case you plan to zip two together. Bonus: the seams and baffles are welded instead of stitched to help eliminate cold spots.
But what did we think of this sustainable sleeping bag?
Lamina Eco AF: The Review
For starters, did I mention it’s just disgustingly cozy?
Well, it is. And we’re kinda thrilled with the whole thing. It was truly warm and cozy during a recent backpacking trip in Isle Royale National Park where temps definitely hit 40ºF (if not a few degrees colder) a few nights. In fact, we didn’t feel chilled at all when bundled up inside, which means the temperature rating is pretty accurate (and that’s saying something because I’m a cold sleeper and bag ratings are rarely on point with me–read more about sleeping bag temperature ratings in this post). And that’s not always the case with every sleeping bag, so it was a welcome surprise.
The 20D recycled nylon is truly so dang soft. I mean, silky smooth, which I love, ‘cause frankly, sleeping bags that use anything rougher are just disappointing. I mean, you’re sleeping in it, for crying out loud! It should be soft!
The Lamina Eco AF offered plenty of room for us to move around in, but not so much that we felt the need to fill empty space with extra clothes or what have you on colder nights.
The only feature we wish the bag had? An interior accessory pocket for cell phones and batteries and what not. But you can’t have it all, I guess. And I think I’m fine giving up that feature for how soft, warm, and cozy this bag is.
Plus, it’s super packable. We had no trouble stuffing it in the bottom of a 60L pack with all of our food, a bunch of clothing and accessories for a 7-day backpacking trip. I was actually really impressed with how well it compressed, stuff sack or no stuff sack.
The Bottom Line
The Lamina Eco AF an extremely well-made bag that functions exactly as it should. It’s light, packable, and oh so comfortable. And all the sustainability features may make it perhaps the most eco-friendly sleeping bag on the market! Impressive.
Now, this isn’t a budget-friendly bag at $240 and $260, but for serious backpackers looking for a solid sleeping bag that will absolutely perform AND won’t force you to give up any important features or comfort in the backcountry, plus is super duper kind to the planet, we think it’s absolutely worth it. So grab a Lamina Eco AF 15º or 30º for yourself right here when you’re ready for a sustainable sleeping bag upgrade.
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Looking for more sustainable synthetic sleeping bags? Check out this post.
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This post contains affiliate links. That means when you click and make a purchase on one of these links, you help support Terradrift! Woohoo! But don’t worry, you won’t pay a dime more for rad, sustainable gear.
Alisha is a freelance outdoor journalist and photographer based in Ogden, UT. She loves backpacking, hiking, mountain biking, kayaking and snowboarding (even though she’s terrible at it). She’s also pretty sure she’s addicted to coffee. alishamcdarris.com