Sleeping Bags

Some of the most legendary quality in sleeping bags comes from Western Mountaineering. They're really well-reviewed by hundreds of people, and I don't think a lot of people on BPL have anything but high regard for them. If you can afford the premium price, these are the way to go. They're on par with the cottage brands.

These bags almost always perform right at or better than spec for most users, as I've read, so don't be afraid to take a Summerlite right down to the temperature rating. You'll probably be alright (you know you better than I do.)

If I were you, I'd invest in something like the WM Highlite or Megalite. They go down to 30º, which is better than the Summerlite. This will vastly increase the seasons and conditions you can take your bag; I think 30º is a sweet spot for 3-season use since you're almost never under-prepared and you're still going very lightweight.

If you are thin, you might want to consider a bag from Feathered Friends… or Z-Packs. The bag is warmer if there is not too much air inside to heat with your body. The FF Hummingbird is a narrow cut… and the Z-Packs even narrower…

Bill D

I believe the mega lite is 30° the summer lite 32° the highlite 35° but I didnt check so I might be wrong like someone else.

There's a speed on sale here right now for $260

Anyone out there use those Marmot bags? Do they pack pretty small?

This packs fairly small — about 1 3/4 the size of a 1L Nalgene.

I have a Hydrogen and Helium. the Helium is rated to 15%; Hydrogen 30%. I think that the Hydrogen packs down well. I've used it in a compression sack but not anymore; I don't need to in my set up. The Helium definitely takes up more space but I can't compare it to other bags as I've only used Marmot. I really like these bags. The shells repel condensation very well. They are accurate in their temperature ratings, imo. and you can often get them on sale. P.S. the Hydrogen is roomy but I like that in case I want to wear clothing at night.

Mark is correct about the WM ratings.
The Megalite is the larger version of the Summerlite with 3 oz of extra down for the larger size and a few extra degrees.
The Highlite is quilted with half zip. Compresses smaller but not as warm.
I have the Summerlite (had the Highlite) at 5'8" and about 155lbs it gives me enough room to layer for much lower temps in winter.

The WM XXS bag (Summerlite or small Megalite) is 9"x12", the XS is 11"x14" 9my measurements…
I use larger bags and let the rest of the gear compress the SB to the available space (so no bowling balls shapes…)
Here is a 6' Summerlite opened:

and in the XXS sack :

from there it will compress about 1/3rd more

" I'd invest in something like the WM Highlite or Megalite. They go down to 30º, which is better than the Summerlite."

I can't comment on the Megalite, but I've used both the Highlite and the Summerlite(my current 3 season bag), and there is no way the Highlite comes even close to the Summerlite in the field. In the 30 degree range, your WM choice is between the Megalite and the Summerlite.

Those pictures are great. The Summerlite looks and sounds like a really nice bag. Think my options are either the Summerlite or Hydrogen, depending on what is on sale.

I picked up a hydrogen on sale last week for $209 at Backcountry. They were on sale for $261 plus the save40 coupon code got it down to 209. I hardly evere see the WM go on sale or they are excluded from the coupon codes.

"The Summerlite looks and sounds like a really nice bag. Think my options are either the Summerlite or Hydrogen, depending on what is on sale."

You are far more likely to find the Hydrogen on sale than the Summerlite. That said, OMCgear puts selected WM bags on sale fairly regularly. There are several on sale right now but, unfortunately, the Summerlite is not among them. If you are in the market for a WM bag in future, it would be a good idea to check their website.

http://www.omcgear.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=western+mountaineering+sleeping+bag

del

Reviving an old thread I know, but I just bought a Marmot Plasma 30 at a really good price with the help of some gift cards I got for Xmas. It's not the lightest bag on the market, but it's pretty darn light, right in there with the UL Super Spiral Down Hugger 3, etc. It was a tough choice and I can't help but ask, does anyone know what the downsides are to this bag? Not a ton of information out there about it and what is there generally seems quite positive, save for Outdoor Gear Lab. Any big negatives?