Summerlite or Megalite?

I have both, are you going to sleep with it traditionally or use it more like a quilt? I tend to use mine more like a quilt, unless it gets colder then expected.

I'll sleep in it traditionally–I doubt I'll use it as a quilt. I got into an Ultralite, and although it was snug, it wasn't too tight. I have a Versalite and I love the roominess of it, but I'm wondering if a Megalite would be too roomy and therefore more difficult to warm up. I'm a cold sleeper, but my Versalite is way to warm for summer in the SE.

Subjective, but most of us prefer "adequate" room to move around inside the bag — whatever that means.

If you can sleep through the night inside the Summerlite with "not much room to spare" — then maybe the space is actually adequate? OTOH, if you already feel a bit uncomfortable inside the bag for just a minute or two — it might get worse when you're actually sleeping inside it.

OTOH, the Megalite is a lot bigger — meaning both unnecessary weight and extra space that your body needs to keep heated!

One other option: take a look at MontBell bags. They too are first rate, very light for their warmth, and their added elasticity makes them more versatile and easier to fit as well.

My take on sleeping bags is that slightly big is better than slightly small.
The reason is that if it is slightly small you will compress it therefore losing some insulation, however it is easy enough to warm up that little bit of 'dead air" on slightly bigger bag.
Also (just my opinion) a bigger bag collapses on you anyway automatically reducing the empty space. That is how quilts work .
Franco

I might be set on a WM rather than a Montbell. I do like the UL Spiral #3, but a friend got cold in one when the temps hit the low 50s. There are a lot of factors, I know, but I want to be warm—relative to the outside temp, if you know what I mean. A SC night might be 65, but a night in the Smokies might be 35.
The Megalite is even bigger than the Versalite!

For anyone who followed the wayward thread about the Contrail, that's where I'll use this bag. Occasionally in a BA Seedhouse SL 2. Airy tents, in other words.

Claudia:

Warmth is subjective (obviously). Does your friend sleep cold? And how about you?

Reading through user feedback over the years, most users find MontBell's bag warmth ratings to be spot on. Only a few reported the bags as overrated. As a comparison, most users actually say the WM bags are conservatively rated. Even then, I know some who felt cold even in a WM bag! In a nutshell, what's important is how you sleep — and not how one or two people feel about a particular bag.

What's also important is not to buy a bag that's uncomfortably small or one that's too big for you. As Franco wrote above, a little bit big is OK (and can even be a plus for layering to boost bag temp when needed) — but a bag that's too big may become too cold as well.

EDIT: I own a Montbell No. 3 and have used it in a Seedhouse 2 SL as well as various tarptents and feel comfy down to 30F or so. I see myself as an average sleeper. My previous bag — a 25F Kelty Lightyear down bag was definitely overrated — I felt cold inside as soon as temps dropped below 35F! :(

Claudia, I have had both bags and found that the megalite was too big for me. I’m 6’2″ and 175 lbs. I also have an Ultralite that I purchased with the Megalite, I found the size of the Ultra better for me so I purchased the Summerlite and have been glad I did. Also as Benjamin said- the extra space of the Megalite made the bag colder (not quite 30*) then it should have been. You can move around more in the megalite but unless you need the space because the Summerlite is to restrictive I would go with the Summerlite.

BTW, I do have a Summerlite for sale on the gear forum (I own two of them). Summerlite

Claudia,

I am considering the move from a Summerlite to a Megalite for the additional space. It pains me to even consider giving up the bag. I love the Summerlite bag but I didnt pay very close attention to shoulder widths when I made the purchase. The Summerlite is a tight fit for me due to my build, which may be larger than average from weightlifting. I am about 6'1 and weight 205lbs. I am using the 6'6 size. It fits perfect but doesn't leave me much room to thrash about or add multiple layers in the winter. Of course everyone's build is different and I would guess the majority of backpackers would have more than enough room in this bag.

The marginal weight difference between a Summerlight and a Megalite is not significant to me if I am able to get little additional space for my wide frame and an overall better night sleep.

I don't think you can go wrong with either bag in terms of quality or performance. I love the Summerlite and would highly recommend it but if you feel the need for additional width, the Megalite seems like a great compromise.

The difference is 5 oz but the megalite gives you room to put extra clothing or down layers if the temp takes a dive. It is a pound and a half. Seems reasonable for the flex it gives you. By the way Claudia, I thought I was a cold sleeper until I began carrying the Megalite. Its temp rating is conservative and problems staying warm with cheaper bags vanished with the Megalite. Fortunately I could not get the Summerlite zipped around my shoulders and forced me to get the wider bag that has provided nothing but satisfaction.

That's the difference between the Summerlite to the Versalite to the Megalite. The Megalite has a huge hip area though—-even too big for me! Maybe I'll be able to squeeze in that dog that I'm going to get one day!
Perhaps I need to crawl into the local store's Ultralite again and see if I could handle that fit for a night.

Claudia, I am able to wear a MB parka and MB pants in the Summerlite without any problems, no compression just a toasty addition. I'm not a huge guy, but I'm not a bean pole either.

I chose the MEGALITE because:

1. larger girth makes a better quilt in hot weather

2. larger girth permits enough room for wearing insulated clothing (synthetic or down jacket & pants) to lower the temp rating into the low teens.

3. all zipped up W/ thin long johns, balaclava & hiking socks on it was good to 25 F. for me on an old Thermarest Lite regular length mattress.

4. no side baffle permits shaking down to the top or bottom as needed.

""it was good to 25 F. for me""

Pretty much agrees with my experience.

"I do like the UL Spiral #3, but a friend got cold in one when the temps hit the low 50s. "

I am a cold sleeper, I had to send the #3 back and get a #2. but the #3 kept me plenty warm into the low 40's. I don't see how you can get cold in one in the 50's unless your friend had ZERO insulation on the ground. The best 30 degree sleeping bag will not keep you warm at 50 if you are sleeping on the ground.

Not sure if you're aware or not, but just so everyone's clear, the Ultralite and Summerlite are the same cut. If an Ultralite works for you, the Summerlite will, too.

I'm not a small guy. I'm 5'6" and 170 pounds. Point is, I fit with plenty of room to spare in a Summerlite. I also have PLENTY of room to throw on a down vest or jacket in the Summerlite.

If you're a cold sleeper, it won't do you much good to get a bigger bag; like you thought, it's just more space to heat up and keep warm thru the night.

I'm going to try a short Megalite…wish me luck!