You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Hello,
I'm possibly in the market for a posh new sleeping bag. This'll be used for ultralight bike packing 2-3 season. I'm 6-3" and a medium/large build depending how many pies I have been eating (14st at present)
I've been using cheaper bags for years and presently have an Alpkit pipedream 400.
It's OK for what it is, but comparing it to a sleeping bag my wife brought recently (not even posh. Ridiculous bargain Rock & Run Yangra off a PSA on here. It is lighter and way warmer.)
So, I can see the pipedream really doesn't cut it. I've definitely woken up cold above the comfort range and it is 900g so not very light either.
I now am getting a bit more time for bivvying / camping out (kids are getting older!) so time to upgrade I think.
Have been browsing around all the usual posh options (PHD, Rab etc etc).
My eye has been drawn to Western Mountaineering kit. They consistently get good comments on various forums that they punch way above their weight in terms of warmth and that the quoted limits are realistic compared to other manufacturers.
In particular the Flylite (comfort to 2 degrees C, half zip, 404g in long ) and Summerlight (comfort to 0 degrees C, full zip 595g in long) are both looking appealing.
So questions then:
1) Anyone got a WM bag and what do you think of it
2) Some comments suggest the WM bags are a bit constricting. Has anyone found this to be true?
I have compared the WM specs to the Alpkit I am presently using (I measured it internally myself) and they look pretty identical. I've never felt constricted in the Alpkit particularly
3) I am erring towards the flylite but it only has a half zip, which I have never used before. Has anyone found a half zip bag to be problematic?
I do sometimes unzip the Alpkit to shed heat if it is warm, but usually only about halfway anyway.
4) I don't want a quilt do I? Yes they look possibly lighter, however I am not sure I like the faff of having to strap them down to the pad. Also, it doesn't leave me the option of using the pad on the outside of a bivvy bag (for more space in the bivvy bag)
thanks for any thoughts on the above
My WM has been really good. Full zip , minus 7 rating. Had it a while called the Ultra lite in think from memory . Circa 700g from memory.
I personally think a zip is a must have, on warm nights or when the sun starts rising in the morning and its getting warm (in a tent).
The bag makes a nice quilt as well unzipped.
The head covering is snug and beneficial and feels really cosy.
I am 6 ft 2 and got the long one. 6 ft 6 .
I tried to squeeze into 6 one but not high enough my wife has that one now.
The down is really fluffy lofting well and they look well made, outside is not particularly hard wearing but intact after lots of use, but I suppose that helps keep it light.
I sometimes wish bags have a waterproof toe /lower leg area as when in the smaller tent we have I tent to brush the end and it gets damp.
It's not super small when compressed but pretty light in my view.
Good quality zip.
<hr />
<p style="text-align: right;">D.</p>
<hr />
Thanks @aggs that's really helpful. Do you find your bag constricted at all, and also what kind of build/weight are you...if you don't mind me asking!
Never noticed it being constricting. I would definitely say it's less constricting than some phd ones by looking at the pics.
I use a silk liner and no worries using that as well, but the extra bit of length may help.
I was biased after reading the reviews as well.
Not tested it below freezing yet.
My wife feels the cold and sometimes we put a quilt over her bag.
But i am usually unzipped!
<hr />
<p style="text-align: center; padding-left: 40px;">
<hr />
Typical slimish build , 13.5 to 14 stone.</p>
Not a western but I do have a Phd bag, i'm 6' and went for a large which is perfect. However it is a fraction narrow, not a problem as I am a rake but it seems to be a thing. I could have gone for a wide version I suppose but didn't consider it at the time
It's a half zip which i find good, I can twist it round so the zip is open making the top a quilt and the bottom a cosy tube for my feet.
Big plus was the customization and total choice over fill weights/materials
Thanks @kormoran I'm looking at PHD also, but reading around on various forums I've seen a few recommendations for WM over PHD.
Good to know you get on with a half zip. Saves quite a chunk of weight.
Can't help with Western Mountaineering but at 6ft3 and 16 stone PHD long wide size is perfect for me. Enough room but not over wide.
Can't help thinking that unless a company does 2 widths or makes long bags wider at 14 stone it will always be snug
I know it sounds obvious, but measure yourself lying down as well as standing up! It can be a bit different, especially if you are on the cusp of sizes
I just looked at some WM bags out of interest, crikey the prices aren't for the faint of heart. I forget how much my Phd bag was now but it was sub £300 for a 300g 900 down. Things have got very expensive in the last couple of years. On the plus side, it'll last. I have a 30 year old Rab bag that is still in great nick that has been well looked after
I know everyone sleeps different but the lighter bag you mention would be too cold for me, in my experience. In the UK and northern Europe 300g fill seems to be about my limit (including thermals). I found a previous 2 season bag I had just wasn't versatile/warm enough
Haven't owned , but have seen various WM's . Look very nice no complaints, but I'm perfectly happy with my Mountain Equipment. I think I'd find a bag I like and wouldn't stress whether it said WM, PHD or ME on it.
For 3 seasons I'd get a bag over a quilt, but I like somewhere windy so the whole tarp and quilt thing seems a bit 'twee' and fashion led to me
<p style="text-align: left;">I've got a WM Megalite. It was a lot of money but I'd buy another in a heartbeat. I seem to remember favouring this one because it was much wider than other models (incl. the Summerlite). It's been excellent. High quality. Very warm but with the zip down it was fine on Hadrians Wall last summer. 800g from memory? Most importantly (for me) not constricting at all. I'm 5,10" but broad around the beam so the extra width makes for a comfy sleep.</p>
Thanks all. @hazmo yes I've seen the megalite also. I like the idea of a bit more width, but a bit of a weight penalty...then again also good for -2.
Unfortunately the long is out of stock everywhere
I used to work for the UK importer of Western Mountaineering, and owned a summerlite. Fantastic bags, very well made.
I found the Summerlite worked for me for most things other than winter. I typically sleep slightly cold if anything, and normally wear base layer t-shirt and underwear in a bag. I've felt slightly chilly on a couple of occasions, when it's been a clear night in late autumn, but my wife was in a much "warmer" bag and still felt cold.
Personally I always go with zips for versatility. I didn't find it constrictive, but I'm small (5'6", using the shorter version of the bag) so perhaps not the best guide.