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Post by trinity on Dec 29, 2020 18:27:59 GMT -8
This probably won't happen anytime soon, but I am beginning to consider a shoulder season sleeping bag. I currently own an optimistically rated 40 degree bag (REI Kilo Flash that I bought about 14 years ago), and a conservatively rated 10 degree bag (WM Versalite, which I use for winter trips, and can push down to around zero). For everything in between I use a 30 degree EE Revelation with an ounce or two of down overstuff that I bought 5 or 6 years ago. A nice quilt, but I kind of prefer a bag once it gets down into the low 30s, which is where most of the night time lows are for my trips. So, I am considering eventually adding either a WM Megalite or a FF Swallow. Both look really nice. I am leaning towards the Megalite, which has a draft collar, is more roomy, and is roughly the same weight. Does anyone have experience with either or both of these bags? Additional questions about the Megalite; it seems to be geared towards larger sleepers. Though I am wide at the shoulders, I am fairly small, about 5' 6", 150#. Will I lose heat due to the excess space? Also, does anyone have experience with the short length? I wonder if a 5' 6" person actually fits into a 5' 6" bag. This bag would save me a half pound over the Versalite, and the roominess (which would allow for lots of layering), combined with the fact that WM bags are so conservatively rated, would probably mean I could use this bag for all but the coldest trips. I would love to hear any feedback anyone has to offer about either the Megalite or the Swallow. Or anything else you think might fit into this category.
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Post by johntpenca on Dec 29, 2020 19:58:17 GMT -8
Have no experience with either bag, so can't really offer an opinion there. Unless you have money coming out your ears, why not stick with the Versalite? Maybe a WM Ultralight if you want a new bag; not much of a weight saving but stuffs a little smaller.
Again, no experience with 5'-6" bags, but think I'd go with a 6'-0" bag for the added length to really hunker down into for temps below the bag rating. If you order a short bag from moosejaw or backcountry, etc., to try out you can easily return it if you try it on in the house and it doesn't seem right.
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driftwoody
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Post by driftwoody on Dec 29, 2020 20:55:57 GMT -8
Have you considered a 25* montbell down hugger? Elastic bands prevent dead space while also stretching to allow a wider range of movement.
Regarding length, I recommend going with 6' whichever bag you choose. I'm 6' tall and always go with a 6-6 bag. In subfreezing temps I sleep with my water in the foot of the bag to keep it warm for the morning.
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jazzmom
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Post by jazzmom on Dec 29, 2020 21:54:51 GMT -8
I have an Ultralite and a Summerlite, both in the 5'6" length. I'm 5'2" and it's just about the perfect length for me. My son is 5'9" and the bags come up to the base of his neck when his feet are touching the bottom. The length might be OK for you at 5'6" in warm weather but in cold weather, I think you would regret not having the 6' length.
The Ultralite and Summerlite have relatively narrow profiles but I think it's more in the hips than the shoulders. I got the Summerlite to replace a FF Grouse (30deg) that has a "women's" cut, which is wider in the hips. The extra volume of the Grouse definitely made it colder.
I personally don't understand how the Versalite can be wider (i.e. more fabric) and have 3oz more fill but only weigh 2oz more than the Ultralite...
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driftwoody
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Post by driftwoody on Dec 30, 2020 6:43:48 GMT -8
I have the WM Ultralight and though it's a relatively narrow cut I'm not an active sleeper, staying fairly still on my back.
It's such a fine bag that I haven't dished out the $$ for a topquilt after switching from tent to hammock. I just zip it halfway and use it as a quilt. If it's really cold I'll use it as a full zip mummy bag, even though it's an effort to do that in the hammock.
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Post by bradmacmt on Dec 30, 2020 7:11:39 GMT -8
Trinity, I'm 5'10 / 148lbs. I currently have both the Versalite and Ultralite, both with overfill (Hermits Hut).
I once had an Alpinlite, but sold it. I didn't like the excessive room at the shoulders, and found it colder than I liked. The Alpinlite and Megalite you suggest both have a 64" shoulder girth which I find too much for me.
OTOH, my wife, while smaller than me, has an Alpinlite and likes the extra room.
I'm not a quilt fan, and prefer a trim mummy. Given your two choices, I'd go Swallow.
If I were doing one bag it would be an Apache with overfill. The microfiber shell is really better, more breathable fabric than the Extremelite fabric and offers more temp latitude. I think its worth the weight tradeoff.
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Westy
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Post by Westy on Dec 30, 2020 8:22:01 GMT -8
So, I am considering eventually adding either a WM Megalite or a FF Swallow. Both look really nice. I am leaning towards the Megalite, which has a draft collar, is more roomy, and is roughly the same weight. Does anyone have experience with either or both of these bags? Additional questions about the Megalite; it seems to be geared towards larger sleepers. Though I am wide at the shoulders, I am fairly small, about 5' 6", 150#. Will I lose heat due to the excess space? These are the two sleeping bags in my current quiver. WM Megalite 30° and FF Swallow UL 20°. I'm 5'8". I am totally satisfied with both, they are best of the best but...............If I could go back in time I would switch to FF Swallow 30°. Here's why. Attribute | FF 30° | WM 30° | Fill | 13.6 | 12.0 | Shoulder/Foot | 60/38 | 64/39 | Weight | 25 oz. | 24 oz. | Down | 950 | 850 |
I sleep warmer with a closer fit. You seem to enjoy a wider fit. I figure smaller dimensions and a wee bit more fill equals a tad more empirical warmth. FF Pertex Endurance 10 denier water-resistant/breathable fabric a nice to have. FF Color options are way cool! Sounds lame but mentality stimulating. I'm satisfied with both. They are top shelf and worth the price.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Dec 30, 2020 8:45:48 GMT -8
You’ve gotten good answers, but I’ll just note that I’m not quite 5’6” and feel I need a 6’ bag.
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Post by bobcat on Dec 30, 2020 10:15:52 GMT -8
I am 5’3” and I have WM short bags, a Versalite and a Summerlite, and they fit me perfectly. If you’re 5’6”, I would go to the next length. I was able to try the length in store before I bought them. I have been very happy with WM’s lightest bag series over the years.
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Post by paula53 on Dec 30, 2020 11:37:57 GMT -8
Model Description T Comfort T Limit T Extreme WM Rating AlpinLite 25°F (-4°C) 14°F (-10°C) -21°F (-29°C) 20°F (-7°C) Caribou MF 39°F (4°C) 30°F (-1°C) 2°F (-17°C) 35°F (2°C) Antelope GWS 10°F (-12°C) -2°F (-19°C) -43°F (-42°C) 5°F (-15°C) Apache GWS 23°F (-5°C) 11°F (-12°C) -25°F (-32°C) 15°F (-10°C) Badger GWS 23°F (-5°C) 11°F (-12°C) -25°F (-32°C) 15°F (-10°C) Antelope MF 13°F (-11°C) -1°F (-18°C) -41°F (-41°C) 5°F (-15°C) Apache MF 23°F (-5°C) 11°F (-12°C) -25°F (-32°C) 15°F (-10°C) Badger MF 23°F (-5°C) 11°F (-12°C) -25°F (-32°C) 15°F (-10°C) HighLite 39°F (4°C) 30°F (-1°C) 2°F (-17°C) 35°F (2°C) Kodiak MF 13°F (-11°C) -1°F (-18°C) -41°F (-41°C) 5°F (-15°C) Kodiak GWS 10°F (-12°C) -2°F (-19°C) -43°F (-42°C) 5°F (-15°C) MegaLite 32°F (0°C) 22°F (-6°C) -8°F (-22°C) 30°F (-1°C) TerraLite 28°F (-2°C) 18°F (-8°C) -15°F (-26°C) 25°F (-4°C) Sequoia GWS 14°F (-10°C) 0°F (-18°C) -40°F (-40°C) 5°F (-15°C) Sequoia MF 18°F (-8°C) 5°F (-15°C) -33°F (-36°C) 5°F (-15°C) SummerLite 41°F (5°C) 32°F (0°C) 5°F (-15°C) 32°F (0°C) Sycamore MF 32°F (0°C) 22°F (-6°C) -9°F (-23°C) 25°F (-4°C) UltraLite 25°F (-4°C) 14°F (-10°C) -21°F (-29°C) 20°F (-7°C) VersaLite 21°F (-6°C) 9°F (-13°C) -22°F (-30°C) 10°F (-12°C) This was taken from Western Mountaineerin's web site. I hope it is helpful.
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Post by trinity on Dec 30, 2020 18:00:26 GMT -8
These are incredibly helpful replies. This is kind of academic at this point since unfortunately I do not, in fact, have money coming out of my ears. But it sounds to me like the Swallow 30 might be the perfect 3 season bag for me. Now, if I ever pull the trigger, I'll have to decide between the UL and the YF....
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Dec 30, 2020 18:19:26 GMT -8
FWIW I tend to just make my warmer bag inefficient when I need a cooler sleep system, that way in shoulder season especially but anytime since weather happens, I've got that safety margin. When I'd fly in for a summer Sierra trip and couldn't take everything I'd simply use my 5 degree ( for a long time a Marmot windstop Couloir) bag I wanted for my cowboy camp up high in the early August Yosemite Valley (pushing 100 F daytime high). and it was fine. Maybe just over my shins with the tent doing most of the actual sheltering but anyway: worked great. I've a Western Mountaineering GWS and MF Antelope and love them both, as you're certainly aware from your WM bag the build quality is terrific.
Other than a cherry picked shoulder weekend the variability of those seasons would keep me from trying too hard to micromanage my sleep system.
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Post by johntpenca on Dec 30, 2020 20:39:01 GMT -8
Other than a cherry picked shoulder weekend the variability of those seasons would keep me from trying too hard to micromanage my sleep system. Agreed. At altitude the temps can be all over the map in shoulder season. I'd rather not risk being warm to save a few ounces. My WM Apache MF is my go to bag from spring to fall. Personally, it is a bit tight for me (wish I would have bought a roomier bag). I just like a roomy bag.
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reuben
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Post by reuben on Jan 2, 2021 12:30:17 GMT -8
Heck, even in my area (not at altitude) the temps can be all over the map in shoulder season. Low 20s to high 40s aren't uncommon. If I'm down low between hills/mountains and the moisture settles down (fog/dew), the apparent or "feels like" temperature can definitely be colder than the air temperature. This is especially true in late fall to early spring when then sun is lower, drops below the hills earlier, and stays down longer. Sunset may be at 6pm, but in the hills could happen at 5pm. And when sunset is 5pm or 5:30pm, well, ya best find a good site early, tie up your food, etc.
On a related note, I tend to sleep on my side, with a bit of tossing and turning during the night. I find that I need a bag with wide shoulders to accommodate this, although doing so doesn't seem to affect how warm I am - if it's cold enough I'll wear a beanie or chullo. If you sleep rock solid on your back like a friend of mine, who is also as thin as a dehydrated twig, a narrower bag may work better - in all seasons.
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Jan 2, 2021 23:30:39 GMT -8
Trinity must sleep warmer than I do. I got my Versalite primarily for shoulder seasons, which is most of what I do. When it's warmer, I just open it up more. If I might consider something quiltish for summer, but I haven't been tempted.
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