Summerlite vs. Highlite

I have owned both and think the Summerlite is worth the extra money. The biggest complaint I had with the Highlight was the half leagth zipper, which I had never owned before, didn't work for me well. The Highlite also lacks a draft tube along the zipper and as you mentioned is sewn thru, though that never caused any problems for me.

I haven't used the Highlite, but I really like my Summerlite. The Summerlite is super flexible for me. If I wear a down sweater, I can take it comfortably into the 20's. If I open up the zipper and drape it across me, I can take it up into pretty warm weather although I'm not sure when it might become just too warm. I haven't really tried to pin down an upper bound; I've been more worried about being too cold.

Not cheap, but a really nice bag. I can do a lot with that one bag.

HJ

Jacob, I have a new Summerlite 6’6″ for sale on the gear swap.
Summerlite
It is at a great price.
I looked at the same two bags before I bought this one and decided on the Summerlite for the same reasons as those above. I mostly hike at or above snow level so I haven’t used the bag other then one night trying it out.

Thanks for the opinions and the offer, Tad. I'm not quite tall enough for your bag though. I'm not in a huge hurry to buy since the next trip I anticipate taking will be late March or early April.

I had a Summerlite, and It was a nice bag… I sleep cold, and found that I was quite a bit chilled at 30F with an UL down inner jacket and thin merino leggings and merino ankle socks. I would have rated it comfortable at 40F for myself… wearing those items of clothing. We all sleep different. I am a skinny cold blooded fella… so I sold the bag and made a summer quilt which is 7 ounces lighter and good to 40-45 for the warm summer excursions(though I have pushed it to 32 with the above mentioned layers and wool cap), and I ended up getting a cozy 15F SD Nitro for sleeping in anything 35 or below. More versatile in my mind. Guess I'm trying to say that I would choose the warmer Summerlite over the Highlite if you think you may find yourself pushing the envelope of its rating. But hey, if you like the idea of saving money, as you mentioned… I'd look at other quality 30F down bags that will weigh 6 or seven ounces more than the Summerlite, but will have a little bit more fill, will probably keep you warmer, and since they can be had at a discount… they will keep you up to one hundred dollars richer. I have seen the SD Nitro 30 on sale for $189 at a few places. Great bag for the money. The jacket hood on the Nitro is dreamy. Of course, I don't really have a need for a 30 degree bag. Summer quilt and 15 degree bag for the same price as that Summerlite floats my boat.

I tend to be a warmer sleeper, so the rating doesn't worry me too much. I've considered a quilt, but am more drawn to a bag at this point–I'm not sure I could tell you why though.

Without starting a political debate, having the WM made in the US is a big draw for me.

I had a Summerlite, and It was a nice bag… I sleep cold, and found that I was quite a bit chilled at 30F with an UL down inner jacket and thin merino leggings and merino ankle socks. I would have rated it comfortable at 40F for myself…

as discussed in other threads the summerlite is en LL comfort rated (men) to 35F

oddly enough european retailers list the en LL comfort rating of the highlight to be HIGHER than that of the summerlite … 32F

Temperaturgränser enligt EN 13537
+5ºC T comf
0ºC T lim
-15ºC T ext

http://www.getout.se/sv/artiklar/nagra-varumarken/western-mountaineering-sovsackar/highlite-3.html

Yes Eric, I am aware of the rating. Seeing as Jacob "could potentially see it used earlier spring/late fall", I figured it harmless and within reason to share my experience with the bag… suggesting the warmer of the two may be the better choice given the potential use into colder temps. Me sharing my experience in the thread was by no means meant to challenge the EN rating of the bag, nor was it meant to upset the EN rating police ;) I thought i made clear enough that I was sharing my experience… and not speaking for the whole of Summerlite users on the forum, or European EN Lab doctors wearing white coats in rooms full of white feathers…

I own both bags, and can tell you that even though their ratings are only 3 degrees apart, the Summerlight is a much warmer bag. I'm not sure if the draft collar or the way they baffle them, but I get chilled in my Highlight, but not much in my Summerlight but, I'm not a warm sleeper though. Just my 2 -cents worth. I've often thought about selling it, but I keep hanging on to it 'just in case'. If after researching awhile and settle on the Highlight, I might be able to part with it. Let me know after some research.

I still own the Summerlite. I can't say much more than what already has been said…but I can reiterate. The Highlite is a great little bag but the Summerlite is more adjustable, warmer and, in an all around sense, simply more versatile. I too like the idea of them being made stateside. Besides being great bags, that is why I buy WM…and Feathered Friends.

WM makes great bags and I previously had the Highlite. If were it is made wasn't an issue the below gear swap thread is a nice bag for well below the price of the two debated.
My initial 32F bag was a MH Phantom (800FP) and it seemed very true to it's rating…the only drawback was the same as the Highlite in that it doesn't have a full length zipper.
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=38332

Thanks again everyone, you've been most helpful.