Deciding on a WM bag – can you help a beginner?

I’ve had a variety of WM bags, and currently have a Versalite and Superlite. Like you, I found the Alpinlite too roomy (I’m 5-10″/150 lbs). My wife has it though, and likes all the extra room. I prefer a more trim, form fitting mummy.

Were I you, I’d keep the Apache. In fact, I wish I had bought that over my Superlite.

I agree, add a second warmer bag later.

I am 6’2″ 185 lb, athletic build and also an active sleeper.  My Apache long fits the bill perfectly for the high San Juan’s in Colorado or the Winds in Wyoming during the shoulder seasons.  WM bags are a great investment as mine is 12 years old and still looks like new.  I was introduced to backpacking while living in Giebelstadt in the late 80’s early 90’s and fell in love with the Bavarian Alps surrounding Berchtesgaden as well as the Garmish area.  The Apache is a good fit you will sleep comfortably.

John

I’m 5’9″ 160lbs, a warm sleeper, and as recently as this winter have used my 20 year old Apache Super MF even down to temps of -15ºC to -20ºC when combined with a vapor barrier or sleeping layers like a down sweater, fleece pants, and down booties. If I know in advance I’ll be at those temps I’ll also carry a lightweight 5-10ºC quilt as insurance to use over the bag, but the Apache is certainly conservatively rated and able to be pushed a bit further than many other 3 season bags. If I had an Antelope I know it would be too warm for me to use in most cases.

I love the Versalite!  It is compressible and only 2 pounds.  You can’t go wrong with either the Versalite or the Apache.

The Apache and Ultralight have the same cut, 5F rated difference Apache loftier.  The Apache is a bit better into the shoulder seasons.  The ultralight better when it is humid due to the lighter/more breathable shell fabric.

The ultralight better when it is humid due to the lighter/more breathable shell fabric.

Actually, the microfiber is more breathable:

Intereseting, there have obviously been multiple iterations of the “Extremelite” fabric.  I had an Ultralite purchased in 2002 and a Summerlite purchased in 2006 and though both had the “Extremelite” shell, by touch you could tell they were not the same.  I don’t think either were 12 denier.

I would say that the ‘Lite’ series are considerably less breathable than the microfiber.  Quite a bit so, from personal experience that I won’t buy a summer bag from the ‘Lite’ series.

Save your money and buy a good quilt. After switching to a quilt, the only way I’d go back to a bag would be in temperatures close to or below 0 degrees F.

Maybe not the answer you are looking for, but it’s the best advice I can provide.

6 years go I bought a WM Megalite because it has a wider shoulder/torso area and I can wear puffy W/O compromising the bag’s loft.

Also, after a barely OK 24  F. night in thePCT I had the factory overstuff it to 20 F. With that and a puffy down jacket I have been comfortable in 10 F. (tent temperature).

I should have mentioned my Apache is the gore fabric.  Choice made thinking it would be good compromise option in my transition to tarp camping.  As long as I lived and did most of my backpacking in AZ it was.  But out here on the east coast it can be a swampy thing.

I should have mentioned my Apache is the gore fabric. Choice made thinking it would be good compromise option in my transition to tarp camping. As long as I lived and did most of my backpacking in AZ it was. But out here on the east coast it can be a swampy thing.

Indeed.

I got my first Goretex shelled bag in 1982, a USA Made Marmot Mountain Works “Ptarmigan” model. I used that up until 1992 when I got my first WM Goretex shelled bag, a “Dakota.” I’m a slow learner. That shell started de-laminating in the hood, and I switched to a WM Gore Dryloft bag (WM replaced it N/C). Still too clammy. I like the Extremelite bags my wife and I currently have, but doing it again I’d just get microfiber. Dryloft, for me, is strictly for winter bags.

I’ve had a MityLite, and now have the Alder MF.

I like the MF fabric better, it seems more breathable, and more water resistant.

I sold the Mitylie, it wasn’t quite warm enough for me (three Season, WA state mountains).

I like the Alder MF. It is roomy (I can’t stand a tight mummy bag) and fairly warm. I think WM temp ratings are a tiny bit optimistic (but no overly so).  I am sold on having a separate hood (goosefeet gear) with a non-hooded bag.

Hi everyone,

Sorry for replying so late, just have been very busy with real life chores lately!

I just wanted to thank you all for your input it has been very helpful and I appreciate it a lot.

I finally decided to keep the Apache, I really wanted to keep the Antelope since I’m always fascinated by the more ‘extreme’ type of engineering. Thanks for steering me away from it, I think that it would be way too much bag for me for what I’m gonna do.

I think the Apache will be a great light and warm workhorse sleeping bag for all around alpine camping. The plan is to get a warmer, like 30F quilt later on and a 5 or 0 degree bag when I really need it.

Cheers and have a great weekend you guys are awesome!

I use quilts for everything above about 25 degrees

Then I use a overstuffed versa light down to single digits

Ive got other bags that havent seen use in years.