When combined with a mat, it can be adjusted to 0°C, weighing only 330 grams. Ultra Comfortable Down Sleeping Bag Rab Mythic Ultra 120 Modular Review
Written by Yasushi Hisatomi
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Rab, which began in 1981 by making sleeping bags using his own experience as a mountaineer, still boasts the pride of anyone in creating truly practical sleeping bags in the field, as the "master of insulation" and is the best. Mythic Ultra released in 2020 , is still the lightest class in weight versus insulation, and its outstanding technical capabilities and originality are undoubtedly the lightest.
Rab's lightweight sleeping bag series, " Mythic Ultra has released Rab Mythic Ultra 120 Modular, an amazing down sleeping bag that can withstand the same low temperatures as before, despite being even lighter this season On our site, we were able to try staying in a tent at a low mountain hike in April, combining this sleeping bag with the Rab's new mattress, " Rab Ultrasphere 4.5, " which we reviewed last time, so we'll be sharing our impressions there.
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Key Features of Rab Mythic Ultra 120 Modular
The Rab Mythic Ultra 120 Modular is a down sleeping bag that allows for comfortable sleep in low temperature environments with minimal weight when used in conjunction with a sleeping pad. The sleeve on the back allows you to secure the sleeping bag to the mattress, eliminating the padding and head of the back part, preventing cold spots and making it significantly lighter. Furthermore, the padding is made of extremely high-quality 900FP European goose down (water-repellent treatment), and the unique thermally reflective TILT (thermo ionic lining technology) is placed on the top of the bag and under the legs, allowing for top-class heat-per-weight insulation. As a result, when combined with the company's Ultrasphere 4.5 , it is lighter than the total of 700g, but achieves a lower temperature of up to 0°C* (measurements are based on Rab's own standards). Packed with minimal size and uncompromising functionality and comfort, the Mythic Ultra 120 Modular is perfect for a wide range of light and fast adventures, including days of hiking and fast packing, alpine, stream climbing and bikepacking.
Favorite points
- Surprisingly lightweight and compact
- High insulation properties that can be combined with mats with R values of 4 or higher to 0°C
- A wide enough width with no cramped feeling
- Matte sleeves on the back that won't slip even when you turn over in bed
- Pillow sleeves for folding clothes
Interesting points
- The short, small zipper makes it easy to bite, and although it is slanted and slightly easier to enter and exit, it is a pain.
- It's difficult to ventilation when it gets hot and stuffy
- Higher price for the temperature
Main Specifications and ratings
| Item name | Rab Mythic Ultra 120 Modular |
|---|---|
| Adapted height | 185cm |
| Storage size | 16 x 32cm |
| Fabric material |
|
| Insulation material | 900FP European Goose Down Nikuwax Fluorocarbon Free Water Repellent Down (120g) |
| Official weight | 330g |
| Official lower temperature | 0℃ *Depending on Rab's unique sleep limit temperature standard |
| accessories |
|
| evaluation | |
| Comfort | ★★★★★ |
| Thermal insulation | ★★★★☆ |
| weight | ★★★★★ |
| Storageability | ★★★★☆ |
| Easy to use | ★★★☆☆ |
| Durability | ★★★☆☆ |
Detailed review
Design and weight: Comfortable, lightweight and compact design that cuts waste to the limit to the limit, without losing comfort
At first glance, the Mythic Ultra 120 appears to be the same as a regular mommy sleeping bag, but it has been thoroughly reduced in detail.
First, let's take a look at the distinctive design of this sleeping bag. At first glance, it looks like a so-called "mummy-shaped" type, like a typical mountaineering sleeping bag, but in reality, the structure is different from that of a mummy-shaped type in detail.
By the way, the mummy type was once considered a form that was less wasteful compared to regular futons (also known as square or envelope types), but in recent years, the "mattress" that acts as a mattress has evolved to be lighter and more insulating, so even this mummy type is still room for omission, and some ultra-lightweight hikers have made various improvements (lighter reductions) of sleeping bags. In the process, a "quilted" sleeping bag like a sheet, or a "half-sized" sleeping bag that only lasts from the legs to the stomach.
this Mythic Ultra 120 Modular is generally based on that trend, and the concept of this sleeping bag is to omit the parts left to the mattress as much as possible, making the overall sleeping system lighter and compact. Basically, it maintains a mummy-shaped shape, but the area where the loft is crushed due to the weight of the body, that is, the padding in the back, is omitted, and the head above the shoulder is omitted, making it a "pseudo-mummy-shaped" structure that can be called a "pseudo-mummy-shaped" structure.
Since it is intended to be used in conjunction with a sleeping pad, the back of the sleeping bag does not have padding.
The sleeves secure the sleeping bag to the mat to prevent cold spots are excellent
At this time, the sleeping bag itself is fixed by a mat sleeve and a pillow sleeve, so it will not slip either up or down or left or right. In other words, even if you turn over in bed, there is no need to worry about cold air coming into contact with this thin part.
There is a sleeve that connects and secures the sleeping bag and mattress so that the mattress always comes along the back.
Also, when you actually sleep, no matter how much you move your body while sleeping, the sleeping bag is firmly fixed on the mat and does not move, and your body will no longer protrude from the mat, making it extremely comfortable to sleep on.
In fact, I have already experienced this similar mechanism with the sleeping bag "FREELIGHT Wrapta 3.5," made by Japanese UL maker FREELIGHT, and since then it has been my secret personal favorite. This mechanism, which secures the mat and sleeping bag with the sleeve, is really comfortable, so I would like to give this a loud voice.
Although the padding on the back is omitted, unlike the "quilt-shaped" version, the Mythic Ultra 120 Modular has padding on the back of the lower body, so even if you bend your legs to create space, it doesn't feel soothed, and it's also nice that the lower body can be moved to a certain extent.
The only part of the back is omitted, and the lower body is filled with 360 degrees, making it gentle on side sleepers.
Wide, comfortable shape that is easy to move around in even in a sleeping bag
I have bought an unfortunate sleeping bag in the past, which has been extremely cramped and has made it even wider than usual because I want to cut the weight down to the very last minute. This makes me always try not to trust the value of sleeping bags that show off their lightness until I actually try to sleep, but as soon as I put my body in this sleeping bag I was relieved by its exquisitely sophisticated comfort. The high-quality, warm feathers that do not feel heavy do not constrict your body and do not interfere with movement, but also gently wrap around without opening too much space.
A pillow sleeve packed with clothes to make it a pillow is convenient
The entire head is omitted, but the sleeve is in the shape of a bag, and can be used to put any remaining clothes or the like into a pillow.
The fixed sleeve on the head is in a bag-like shape (photo above), and can be packed with extra clothes, towels, etc. to make it into a pillow. It's certainly comfortable to have a pillow, but it's a very appreciated design as it tends to be hesitant to bring it with you by adding more luggage.
I put some winter clothes in the sleeves on my head and it turned out to be a perfect pillow.
As for the stripped zipper, it's light, but it's a bit disappointing to use.
The structure, which thoroughly eliminates waste, is thoroughly implemented even in small parts such as zippers, and uses a very short design that only opens up to the chest.
A zipper at the entrance and exit has been made as short as possible to reduce weight. It is located diagonally to make it easier to enter and exit.
According to the manufacturer, "We chose a diagonal zipper to make it easy to enter and exit and ensure sufficient ventilation even on summer nights," but although it is true that diagonal zippers provide a wider entrance than vertically, there is still a limit, and it is undeniable that there is a slight cramped feeling when entering and exiting. Also, the zipper parts are small so it is not easy to operate, and the fabric often bites.
Double zipper design that can be opened and closed from both ends to make it easier to ventilate at the chest.
Also, the short zipper makes it difficult for air to enter and exit, which can cause concerns when the inside gets sweaty during hot seasons such as summer. The stitch-through baffle structure makes it easier to remove warm air than the box structure, and the double zipper design ensures ventilation according to the heat, making it a great adjustment, but I'm still a bit disappointed that there's a zipper at the bottom of my feet that can be ventilated at any rate.
Insulation: The highest quality goose down and TILT that minimizes heat loss, making it lightweight yet highly heat-retaining
The main body is made of recycled nylon Atmos™, made from ultra-fine thread, 10 denier. It is woven tightly and has a durable, water-repellent finish, and is extremely thin and lightweight without losing its durability. The enclosed padding is made from the highest quality, environmentally friendly 900FP RDS certified European goose down, sandwiched between a proprietary TILT (Thermo Ion Lining Technology) lining, providing maximum heat retention with minimal weight. Plus, it has been processed with NIKWAX, so it is resistant to moisture and wet, making it perfect for you.
This "TILT" lining is a fabric with excellent insulation per weight, and is a popular item with Rab's ultra-light down sleeping bags and down jackets these days, and is marked by its metallic texture.
A unique TILT lining is made by coating each fiber with titanium to reduce heat loss without compromising breathability.
TILT uses a special technique to coat each fiber with titanium. This allows the fabric itself to reflect the radiant heat inside the clothing without compromising the breathability, minimizing heat loss (according to Rab, radiant heat loss is reduced by up to 30% compared to normal times). In other words, even if the same amount of down is used, theoretically the warmth will vary by 30% depending on whether the fabric is made from this type of fabric.
I tried sleeping in a tent in April (around 5°C) and paired it with the Ultrasphere 4.5 mattress with an R rating of 4.3, and as soon as I entered the sleeping bag I could feel the warmth inside so quickly that I suspected that it was heating up from the inside, and thanks to the highly insulated mattress there was no cold air from the floor at all. Despite the uncommon amount of down, the night was still quite comfortable and warm. Despite only 330 grams on its own, I realized that the specifications of the mattress that it reached the lower limit of "0°C" were not just formal.
The feet have a three-dimensional baffle structure that matches the shape of your feet, and take care to minimize cold spots.
However, it should be noted that this sleeping bag does not necessarily have the same warmth as a mummy sleeping bag with a lower limit of 0°C on its own. The Mythic Ultra 120 Modular only means that when using an air mat with an R value of 4 or higher, it reaches a 0°C level at Rab's unique sleep limit temperature, so of course, it should feel warmer than this model, "mommy sleeping bags that have achieved a lower limit of 0°C on their own (for example, the company's Mythic Ultra 180)" would feel warmer than this model.
It is assumed that the limits on how much cold you can withstand depending on the mattress you use, the constitution and experience of the person using it, but personally, as far as I can imagine, as a beginner at a tent who has never slept in a very cold place, I can't imagine myself suddenly sleeping in a sleeping bag and mat in a place that is 0°C at night, and endure the cold. For me, it is quite important to be used to and prepared to stay outdoors.
The lack of padding on the back directly affects the coldness of the back, so you need to be careful as well.
In any case, it is important to note that no matter what type of sleeping bag you have, rather than just thinking it can be used just before the lower limit (in this case 0°C), we recommend that you consider it as wide as 5°C or higher than the expected lower limit, and prepare an insulated mattress with plenty of room, as well as a cold weather clothing and equipment in case of an emergency.
Combined with the simultaneous release of Ultrasphere 4.5 Sleeping Pad, a lightweight, compact sleeping system of 700g under is completed.
The Mythic Ultra 120 Modular can be compressed quite compactly by placing it in the included compressible roll-top storage bag. This is another important favorite, so to explain in detail, it is important that it is a large storage bag that can be compressed, rather than forced into a small stuff sack. Compressed, hard bags tend to create space when packing, so we are grateful for the large stuff sack that can be squeezed in a fluffy state with a little space. By the way, it's also great that there is a large storage bag for storage.
The large compression stuff sack (left) is a roll-top type that allows you to adjust the compression level after closing the sleeping bag. It's actually more compressible than a photo. Large storage bag included (right)
Due to its structurally versatile construction, this sleeping bag can be secured to many third-party sleeping pads. According to Rab, if combined with a mattress with an R value of 4 or higher, it can withstand up to around 0°C. Therefore, it is estimated that a mattress with greater insulation can be able to have a lower temperature.
Incidentally, when combined with the Ultrasphere 4.5 lightweight, highly insulated air mattress released by Rab, it can handle low temperature environments at 0°C levels with just 700 g sleeping system. Of course, it is also effective to combine it with the sleeping pads you currently own, but if you are aiming for a more lean combination as a sleeping system that can be used in a wide range of three seasons, this is the best combination.
Summary: Carefulness that cuts the weight down to the limit and does not compromise the minimum comfort is probably the best solution for modern minimalists.
What was particularly surprising after using it was that despite its light and compact sleeping bag, it still had an impactful warmth. Thin pads can be used in warm spring and summer, and when combined with high R-value pads such as Ultrasphere 4.5 sleeping pads, you can efficiently build a safe bed that can be used in low mountains from autumn to early winter with a lighter and more compact luggage than before.
Of course, it fits in hiking, alpine climbing, bike packing, fast packing, etc., which prioritize lightness and speed of luggage, but even if lightness is prioritized, the comfort of comfort is not at all compromised. In fact, the comfort of being integrated with the mat and making pillows easy is probably more comfortable than a normal sleeping bag if within the appropriate temperature range. Of course, there is a risk that sometimes you will have a sad night, such as when the mattress is thin or you have forgotten the mat itself.
Although it is a bit pricey, it is light, compact, comfortable, and generous guarantee of mass brands, making it a mattress recommended for everyone, from mountaineering veterans to ultra-lightweight hikers and tent-night beginners. Be sure to pick it up at the store and check it out.
