WM sleeping bag – short sizes

I used a short version of the Highlite for a couple years, just because I got a good deal on it and it was light. I'm just under 5'8" and I fit. It worked for me because I'm a side sleeper and pull my knees up toward my chest while I sleep. But laying flat, I just fit and had some compressing in the footbox. I bet at 5'5" you could pull off a short.

I have not tried WM bags. And have not looked at the Megalite But I have been looking at other WM bags and the published dimensions tend to be a bit roomy width wise (more so than some other bag makers like Feathered Friends) for small people. It's not just length that you need to consider for thermal efficiency, but width also. I also am about 5'6" and have concluded that the 6' bags are the way to go for me. The shorter 5'6" bags are generally made for women and tend to be wider in the hips. Also, you need to consider that when you lay out, especially when on your stomach, you will be longer than 5'6".. maybe another 4 to 6" depending on foot size… that's because your ankle pivots and your toes point down, making you longer. I like the 6' bags because I don't want my feet restricted by the shorter 5'6" women's bags and I like to bury myself down in the bag on cold nights.

Billy

I am exactly your height (5'5" & 1/2"), and I have a WM Versalite in the short size (that I got on GearSwap — thank you, thank you, thank you!). It fits wonderfully well, with no dead airspace at the bottom, yet enough room for me to stretch out fully, even with the hood cinched.

It's my all-time favourite bag, and it kept me warm and happy on the JMT, even at Guitar Lake!

Edited to add — WM doesn't make any women-specific sleeping bags, so the cut of the short bags is exactly the same as the regular/long bags.

Another thing to keep in mind when looking at published specs for sleeping bags:
They ofter actually measure different than the published specs :(
Sometimes a lot different.

The best way to fit a sleeping bag is to try it on.
REI is a good option for trying on a lot of different bags… though there are a lot they don't carry, including WM.
But you can take a tape measure and get the dimensions of the ones that you like.
(wearing the cloths or similar cloths and foot wear you would wear in the bag)
At least then you will know what dimensions suit you best.

And/or you can order 2, 3, or 4 bags or so delivered (from suppliers who have good return policies) and try them out in your living room. Send the ones back you don't want to keep. It costs extra doing it this way due to return shipping, but better chance to end up with the perfect fit.

Billy

" WM doesn't make any women-specific sleeping bags, so the cut of the short bags is exactly the same as the regular/long bags."

That may be true on some of WM's bags, but not the Megalite which the OP is interested in:
WM Published specs for Megalite:
5'6" bag: 63 shoulder, 56 hip, 39 foot
6'0" bag: 64 shoulder, 55 hip, 39 foot

While WM may not explicitly state that that 5'6" bag is designed for women, it certain conforms with the smaller shoulder and larger hip dimension that other bag makers say is designed for women.

Perhaps WM just doesn't want to turn-off some macho guys from buying the smaller bag by calling it a women's bag?

Billy

Thank you for all the replies. I'm not too concerned with the girth. It appears similar to the bag I have now which works for me. Allows me to layer a little inside the bag when I want to. Mostly I'm worried about stretching out and being restricted. It might be worth a phone call to WM.