Western Mountaineering Caribou Alternatives

A great bag depending on your destination, expected weather etc
.I've had mine below freezing and I froze. Probably good to its rating but be aware that you might need insulating layers.
Mine is probably 15 years old and is my summer bag of choice ,depending again.
Pax,
TomL

Steve,
I have a summer light and it is great. I believe it is slightly more narrow, but I am a small guy, and this works well for me. Baffles, and a good hood are a plus in my book. While the shell is slightly fragile, it is surprisingly durable….If that makes sense

This may be stating the obvious but look at the WM Megalight. It is the same girth (the Summerlite is narrower) and is 3oz heavier, but it is rated to 30* vs. 35*. It is pricier too, but there is a lot more labor involved in a baffled bag vs. Sewn through.

If you want an exact apples to apples comparison, I am unaware of another 35*F rated bag at the weight of the WM.

Cheers Guys,

I have had a summerlite in the past and found it a bit narrow.

The Megalite is definitley a contender but I already have an Alpinelite so not a massive weight saving.

For summer trips in the mid west the Caribou would be perfect so looking something for summer trips out west.

Check out quilts by Enlightened Equipment. If needing something off the shelf, WM may be the best as many cottage industry guys may be behind already, making orders as they come in.
Duane

Cheers Duane,

I am not sure if I will change the Caribou, just checking out my options in case I do.

I have tried quilts on 3 or 4 trips and prefer bags (Did give them a good test)

del

Hi Rick,

I have 3 other WM bags (Alpinelite, Kodiak and Puma) and very happy with them, just not sure yet about the Caribou.

I had not considered Montbell bags but do own a Mirage and Permafrost which I am very happy with, I will check out their bags.

I have three WM bags as well, two quilts, a EE and one ZPacks. Like some others, quilts seem warmer in warmer times, colder it is, they don't drape around you or enclose like a bag, thus letting much needed warm air out. I've been fine in my Caribou usually, sometimes may depend on my level of hydration or calorie intake.
Duane

Anytime I tried a quilt was always around 30-40ish, never in summer.

I might try one this summer.

Gotta weigh the money out lay, to only save a few oz. over the Caribou weight. The weight savings also depends on what width and length quilt you get. I debated for quite some time getting another bag/quilt.
Duane
PS: I've mentioned in other responses on other threads, I use a silk sb liner too, that helps me get the temp I can tolerate, down into the mid to upper 20's. May need to supplement with my jacket draped over my chest after midnight sometime.

When I am in the Mountains I will carry my Alpinelite but this is more so for Mid West trips. I know here in Michigan I would boil uisng the Alpinelite as a quilt. I also use a silk liner in summer.

The one thing I love about my Caribou is its box stitching. Of all my quilts and bags (zpacks, WM, Jacks), the Caribou is the only one whose down won’t shift during the night. I’m comfortable at 35F, and silk-weight polyester long johns on. With warmth being equal, I would always take box-stitching over baffle.

-Barry

That's a good point for me to consider Barry. Sounds like the stitch through is fine for you.

I was talking to Charlie from Bear River Outfitters (who post on Bpl as Vigilguy)
as I normally purchase Hilleberg tents from him and he gives great advice. I had called about the Megalite and he highly recommended the Terralite (he uses it now instead of the Caribou) as it can be opened out flat to use as a quilt.

This is just a thought I was kicking about while cooking earlier, if I got a Terralite it could replace both my Caribou and Alpinelite, leaving my Kodiak for trips down to 0F and Puma for butt f*** cold trips. I do love my Alpinelite though as I sleep a bit cold (especially at altitude)

Any thoughts?

The Terralite is an interesting concept. I know WM had been selling it in Europe under a different name for over a decade before they introduced it to the US. It's within a couple of oz of the Alpinlite, but being so much wider cut – especially in the midriff – that it won't be as thermally efficient. I don't think it has a draft collar, but neither do the Megalite or the Caribou. Close to the limit, you'll feel much more comfortable in the Alpinlite, is my guess.

If it were just a super wide-cut bag I don't think I'd give it a second glance. But being able to unzip it all the way to be a super-wide quilt is what makes it interesting. I have been contemplating one that I could use as a double quilt when I go out with my family, albeit only for the warmer months. I think Tim recently said that EE intended to launch a quilt with a full zip on a thread about the FF Flicker, but he seems to be so slammed at the moment that it's probably on the back-burner for now.

Have you thought about the WM Sycamore? It's marginally heavier than the Terralite but has the MF shell and trades some of the girth in the midriff for a wider toe box. I'm not sure if it would work as well as the Terralite for two, but for one I bet it's slightly more efficient.

If the Mega had a full draft collar then I would be all over it like a cheap suit Stuart.
I am not sure if the Terra will be too wide for me, but as you say using it as quilt is major bonus.

Have never considered the Sycamore, must have a butchers.

Ah, I have too much free time on my handthat's me off for a long walk with the Mrs :-)