Bottom Line
The Mountain Hardware Bishop Pass 15 delivers ample comfort and warmth in an impressively affordable package. If you’re looking for a bag for chilly weather backpacking without hefty spending, look no further. We tested the Bishop Pass in sub-freezing temperatures in the Rocky Mountains on several wintery, snowy nights.
The Bishop Pass is made from lofty, medium-grade down stuffed in a soft and cozy shell material with a practical and user-friendly feature set. The tapered mummy cut, cinchable hood, and draft collar help to retain body heat so you can stay cozy even in temperatures below freezing. We especially appreciate the long, anti-snag zipper with a glow-in-the-dark pull for easy access.
The slim mummy cut of the Bishop Pass, designed for warmth, might not be the best for folks who toss and turn or have a broader build. It has a good amount of taper, which can feel a bit constricting, especially at the hips. At just under 2.5 pounds, this bag achieves a decent warmth-to-weight ratio, but dedicated ultralight thru-hikers could shed another pound with one of the more premium bags on our best backpacking sleeping bags guide.
How We Tested
We put this sleeping bag to the test for weeks on end – using it as our sole bedding at home as well as on the trail. Using it in conjunction with a 4+ r-value sleeping pad, we relied on this bag to keep us warm down to 15ºF winter nights in the Rocky Mountains.
Quick Specs
Mountain Hardware Bishop Pass 15
Super Affordable Down Sleeping Bag
CleverHiker Rating: 4.5/5.0
Price: $285
Comfort Rating: 26°F
Weight: 2 lb. 5.2 oz.
Fill Power: 650
Fill Weight: 21.2 oz
Pros
- Warm
- Affordable
- Anti-snag zipper
- Compression sack included
Cons
- Heavier than other down bags
- Not very roomy
Warmth
It can be tough to achieve a good warmth-to-weight ratio in a sleeping bag without a high cost. Synthetic insulation is cheaper, but the weight adds up quickly, and high-quality down is just downright expensive. The Bishop Pass 15 achieves impressive warmth for the cost by utilizing medium-grade down and a snug mummy shape.
Super high-end sleeping bags utilize premium 800-900+ fill power down that, although super lofty, is also expensive. The Bishop Pass opts to use 650 fill power down but in greater quantity. The bag is generously filled with 21.2 ounces of the stuff, providing lots of fluff. The main difference is that the 650FP lacks a bit of loft (air pockets between the feathers that help insulate). We started to get chilly in temps below 30ºF, so while the 26ºF comfort rating is probably suitable for most sleepers (especially with a thick sleeping pad and warm sleeping layers) cold sleepers might want to limit this bag’s usage to just below freezing.
The snug, mummy shape and draft collar also help increase the bag’s heat retention over roomier options.
Comfort
Comfort, like warmth, is a crucial feature that affects how well you sleep in the backcountry. Everything from the roominess of the bag to the plushness of the material comes into play when it comes to the quality of your sleep.
The Bishop Pass 15 falls just about in the middle of the road when it comes to overall sleeping space. The shoulder girth provides a decent amount of shape with a circumference of 62 inches, but the mummy shape has a significant amount of taper, with about 53 inches at the waist. While the slim cut shape helps hold in warmth, people with broader frames or those who toss and turn in the night might want to consider a wider bag.
Down sleeping bags are naturally fluffier and more pliable than synthetic bags, which we think enhances their overall comfort. The inner shell is soft and pleasant against the skin.
Weight & Packability
Significant weight savings usually cost a pretty penny due to premium, high fill power and lofty insulation. The Bishop Pass 15 isn’t the lightest bag on our list, but it provides plenty of warmth at just over two pounds.
The 650 fill power down requires more insulation overall (21.2 ounces to be exact) to match the warmth of its more expensive counterparts, but it’s still much lighter than synthetic insulation. The Bishop Pass also incorporates handy features such as a webbing-lined zipper track and a glow-in-the-dark zipper pull that slightly increase its overall weight. That said, 2.5 pounds is still impressively lightweight for a bag with this level of warmth, comfort, and usability.
Down is naturally more compressible than synthetic insulation. While the ample amount of down in the Bishop Pass takes up a decent amount of space, the new model comes with a compression sack that significantly reduces its packed size down to about 10 inches tall and 26.5 inches around.
The Bishop Pass’s highly tapered mummy design further cuts down on weight.
Features
The Bishop Pass 15 is designed with a minimal, straightforward set of helpful features. Every feature is well thought out and intelligently designed.
Our favorite part of the Bishop Pass 15 is the zipper. It runs almost the entire length of the bag, so you can let air into the footbox or even unzip it entirely on warm nights to use it like a quilt.
The zipper itself glides smoothly along a webbing-lined track to avoid annoying snags and potentially ripping the fragile inner shell. The zipper pull is also glow-in-the-dark to keep you from fumbling around when nature calls in the wee hours. The top of the bag features a draft collar and cinchable hood to keep you warm and cozy. The drawstring is easy to reach, but consequently can tend to tickle your face in the middle of the night.
On the inside of the bag is a simple pocket with a fold-top enclosure. It’s a little small for a smartphone, but it will hold most ultralight water filters to keep them from freezing.
Should You Buy the Mountain Hardware Bishop Pass 15?
The Mountain Hardware Bishop Pass 15 is an excellent three-season sleeping bag for anyone shopping on a budget. It’s light enough for summer trips in chillier areas of the world, with a full-length zipper for dumping excess heat, but warm enough to keep you comfortable in temperatures down to about 25-30ºF.
The Bishop Pass achieves its affordability through 650 fill power down, which, although less premium and a little heavier than the highest grade down, is still far superior to synthetic insulation. The slimmed-down mummy cut also helps retain body heat within the bag.
The design is complemented with a straightforward feature set that works. The webbing-lined anti-snag zipper glides with ease, and the glow-in-the-dark zipper pull is a nice touch. The bag even has a little interior pocket for your phone or water filter.
Overall, the Bishop Pass delivers ample value for backpackers of all levels. It sacrifices a bit in terms of weight, but not in comfort or warmth.
What Other Backpacking Sleeping Bags Should You Consider?
Check out our full guide to backpacking sleeping bags, for everything from budget buys to top-of-the-line down options.
NEMO Disco 15 Endless Promise Review: This bag is similarly constructed with 650 fill power to cut down on cost and is just as warm as the Bishop Pass. The inside is roomier, and it also has exterior insulated pockets for keeping your hands warm with your arms outside of the bag.
Marmot Trestles Elite Eco 20 Review: If the cost of the Bishop Pass still seems a little steep, the Marmot Trestles Elite might remedy that problem as it’s the most affordable sleeping bag on our list. The synthetic insulation is significantly heavier and more rigid than down, but at least it’s easier on the wallet.
Sea to Summit Spark 15 Review: If weight is more of a concern than cost, check out the Sea to Summit Spark 15. Made from 850 fill power down, the Spark is more packable, has more loft, and is almost a full pound lighter than the Bishop Pass 15. On the other hand, it’s nearly twice the price.
