REI Co-op Magma 30 Review
Our Verdict
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REI Co-op Magma 30 | |||||
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Awards | ![]() | ![]() | |||
Price | $349 List $349.00 at REI | $348.68 at Amazon Compare at 3 sellers | $319.95 at REI Compare at 2 sellers | $245 List $245.00 at Backcountry | $100 List |
Overall Score ![]() |
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Star Rating | |||||
Pros | Lightweight, small packed size, quality down, nice zipper, cozy fabric | Spacious hourglass shape, innovative venting "gills", waterproof footbox, sturdy compression sack | Spacious, reasonable price, versatile | Decent weight, respectable warmth, awesome bargain | Great price, respectable weight, simple design |
Cons | Moderate warmth | Below average warmth-to-weight ratio, bulky packed size | Heavy, bulky, just average down insulation | Average materials, limited features, basic design | Subpar warmth, annoying hood drawcords, no storage sack, mediocre versatility |
Bottom Line | An awesome bag at a fair price | Premium down in an hourglass shape that offers the roomiest lower body dimensions | A mid-range sleeping bag that's comfortable but heavy | An exceptional deal for a capable and sturdy backpacking sleeping bag for those looking to get outside without breaking the bank | An acceptable sleeping bag at a rock bottom price |
Rating Categories | REI Co-op Magma 30 | NEMO Riff 30 | NEMO Disco 15 | Mountain Hardwear B... | REI Co-op Trailbrea... |
Warmth (20%) | |||||
Weight (20%) | |||||
Comfort (20%) | |||||
Packed Size (15%) | |||||
Versatility (15%) | |||||
Features & Design (10%) | |||||
Specs | REI Co-op Magma 30 | NEMO Riff 30 | NEMO Disco 15 | Mountain Hardwear B... | REI Co-op Trailbrea... |
Insulation | 850 FP Down | 800 FP Down | 650 FP Down | 650 FP Down | Synthetic - Polyester |
Compressed Volume | 6.7 liters | 7.2 liters | 10.1 liters | 7.5 liters | 9.8 liters |
Measured Bag Weight (Size Long) | 1.39 lbs. | 1.91 lbs. | 2.74 lbs. | 1.98 lbs. | 2.74 lbs. |
Manufacturer Claimed Weight (Size Regular) | 1.24 lbs. | 1.80 lbs. | 2.69 lbs. | 1.79 lbs. | 2.50 lbs. |
Compression/Stuff Sack Weight | 0.4 oz. | 2.4 oz. | 2.4 oz. | 1.6 oz. | 1.2 oz. |
Hydrophobic Down | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | N/A |
Manufacturer Temp Rating | 30 F | 30 F | 15 F | 30 F | 30 F |
EN Temp Rating (Lower Limit) | 30 F | 29 F | 14 F | 30 F | 29 F |
Fill Weight | 9.7 oz. | 10.2 oz. | 22 oz. | 15 oz. | 21.1 oz. |
Compression or Stuff Sack Included | Stuff | Compression | Compression | Stuff | Stuff |
Shell material | Pertex ripstop nylon (15D) | Ripstop nylon (20D) | 30D Nylon ripstop | 20D Nylon Ripstop | Polyester w/ DWR |
DWR Treatment | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Liner material | 15-denier ripstop nylon | 30D Nylon Taffeta w/ DWR | 30D Nylon taffeta | 30D Plain weave nylon | Polyester |
Neck Baffle | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
Small Organization Pocket | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Zipper | 3/4-length / Side | 3/4-length / Side | 3/4-length / Left side | 3/4-length / Left Side | 3/4-Length / Left Side |
Shoulder Girth | 63 in. | 62 in. | 66 in. | 62 in. | 62 in. |
Hip Girth | 57 in. | 54 in. | 60 in. | 53 in. | 56 in. |
Foot Girth | Not stated | 59 in. | 64 in. | Not stated | Not stated |
Our Analysis and Test Results
Performance Comparison
Warmth
The Magma is filled with 9.7 ounces of 850 fill power goose down. Although this down is undeniably high-quality, that's a fairly small amount for a bag with a 30°F temperature rating. Nevertheless, our testers believe this moderate rating is accurate. Helping it retain body heat is the legit draft collar that seals heat in on cooler nights. The Magma may not keep you lava hot, but it's certainly warm enough for most 3-season uses.
Weight
A size long weighed in on our scale at 1.39 pounds, impressively light for a 30° mummy bag with a full-length zipper. Its drawstring stuff sack also tipped our scale at an ultralight 0.4 ounces. Together they combine for an overnight combo that's noticeably lighter than several bags that offer similar warmth but cost as much as a hundred dollars more.
Comfort
The Magma scores pretty well on comfort. Its 63-inch shoulder girth is almost the widest we tested, and it only tapers modestly toward the foot of the bag. This left our testers with generous interior dimensions to enjoy. We also appreciated this bag's cozy 15-denier ripstop nylon material. Finally, it's easy to overlook the triangle-shaped piece of fabric at the end of the zipper, but the excellent job it does of shielding your face from the cold metal of the zipper's slide should not be ignored.
Packed Size
As its low weight would suggest, this bag packs down super well. Stuffed inside a third-party compression sack, we measured its minimum volume at 6.7 liters. That's nearly the smallest in the backpacking sleeping bag field. Unfortunately, you can't achieve this minimal size using the simple drawstring stuff sack that it comes with. So if packed size is important to you, expect to spend a few extra dollars getting a good after-market compression sack.
Versatility
All down insulation underperforms if it gets wet, and the Magma is no different. This limits its usefulness in wet conditions, but in most situations, it's possible to keep it dry and performing well. The range of temperatures you can comfortably use it in is enhanced by the full-length zipper and draft collar. The long zipper lets you vent excess heat on warmer nights while the draft collar helps trap heat inside on colder evenings.
Features and Design
As far as traditional mummy bags go, the Magma is designed pretty well. The strongest evidence for this is the respectable warmth it provides in such a lightweight package. Aside from that, however, it has limited noteworthy features. It lacks a stash pocket to store your phone, and it can't boast of any versatility boosting accessory. We do really like its zipper, which is anti-snag and includes a pull tab on the inside for a more convenient escape.
Value
The Magma is REI's premium sleeping bag offering. Although its price tag is higher than one might expect for a store-brand model, we still think it provides excellent value. Performance-wise there are a few ultra-premium bags from Feathered Friends and Western Mountaineering that we like more, but the Magma costs noticeably less. Its availability at REI also means that you're much more likely to find it on sale.
Conclusion
Today, more and more big-name companies are making sleeping bags with 850 fill power down or higher. Our testers have been underwhelmed with the offerings from many of these new entrants, but that's not the case with the REI Magma 30. Although its performance didn't quite reach the pinnacle of the backpacking sleeping bag category, it came darn close. Getting one at REI is also a lot more convenient than a custom order from a specialty manufacturer and improves the likelihood that you could find it on sale. If you're lucky and do find it marked down, don't hesitate to pull the trigger.
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