All Western Mountaineering sleeping bags are sold with temperature ratings that range from approximately +30F (the Megalite 30) to -40F, so you’ll need to select a sleeping bag based on how you sleep (hot, cold or average) using the manufacturer’s temperature rating as a starting point.
The temperature rating of a sleeping bagis the lowest temperature at which an average person will sleep comfortably. So first you need to know what an average sleeper is and how you compare? The best way to illustrate this is to look at the extremes (hot and cold), so that if you fall in the middle, you are average.
A ‘hot’ sleeper, is someone who typically will sleep covered in nothing more than a sheet, no matter what the temperature. Men tend to be hot sleepers.
The opposite, naturally, is the ‘cold’ sleeper. These people are easily recognised by the pile of sheets and quilts needed to remain warm during the night. Women tend to be cold sleepers (due to their lower metabolism).
So with this in mind, hot sleepers can select a sleeping bag based on the rating as is, or possibly even 5 – 10 degrees higher, while cold sleepers should add (actually subtract) an extra 10 – 20 degrees. For example, if you’re a cold sleeper looking for a sleeping bag that will keep you comfortably warm in temperatures at +40F, you will want to select one that is temperature rated down to +30F (such as the Megalite 30), +25 (theSycamore) or possibly as low as +20F (the Alpinlite 20), if you’re a very cold sleeper.
By using the manufacturers temperature rating as a guideline, and knowing your sleep type, you can easily select the proper sleeping bag for your outings.
Western Mountaineering sleeping bags are the lightest and warmest bags suitable for any outing or expedition you plan. Made in the USA with unsurpassed craftsmanship from the finest materials, when you buy a Western Mountaineering sleeping bag, you’re buying the highest quality sleeping bag available anywhere.
In addition to temperature rating, Western Mountaineering sleeping bags are grouped by body style. To make choosing a bag easier, decide how much room you need while sleeping, then search for the proper temperature rating in the most suitable bag style.
The roomiest sleeping bags are the wide cut semi-rectangular bags, named after North American Forest Trees. Two sleeping bags from this line are the Sycamore and the Sequoia. Filled with 17 oz of high lofting down, and 5 1/4″ continuous spaced baffles, theSycamore is temperature rated at 25F. Providing 62″ of girth at the shoulders and 46″ at the foot, this bag is extra roomy, and has a hood (just in case). The Sequoia combines roominess with excellent cold weather protection. Filled with 33oz of down, 7″ of loft, a full down collar and continuous zipper baffle, it is temperature rated at 5F. The MicroLite XP shell fabric combines water resistance with breathability, for superior comfort on cold nights.
Western Mountaineering’s wide cut mummy bags are named after North American mammals such as the Badger and Antelope. Because of their mummy shape, these bags provide more shoulder width (up to 66″) and slightly less foot space (41″) than their rectangular counterparts. The Badger is also made of the weather resistant MicroLite XP fabric, and contains 23 oz of 850+ down fill, with 6″ of loft, for a temperature rating of 15F. The large hood and down filled collar fit snugly around your face without having to be drawn tight, creating a barrier against body heat escaping and cold air getting in. The Antelope in an all purpose 3-season sleeping bag that provides maximum protection against the elements. 26oz of high lofting (7″) down, continuous baffles and a full down filled collar will keep you warm down to 5F. The Antelope will be your sleeping bag of choiec from early Spring until late Fall.
Western Mountaineering Apache
The most temperature efficient sleeping bags are the narrow cut mummy bags, named after North American Indian Tribes, such as the Apache. The MicroLite XP shell provides weatherability while the 19 oz of high lofting down creates a generous 6″ of loft for a temperature rating of 15F. Combined with the dimensionally sewn in, down filled collar, the tight fitting Apachewarms up faster and retains more of your body heat for a comfortable nights sleep, with minimal weight to carry during the day. With a total weight of only 33 oz, the Apache will tame more cold than most heavier bags.
Western Mountianeering also produces a line of extreme lite (or Ultra Light) sleeping bags, that are easily identified by the ‘lite’ suffix in their name. The MegaLite, AlpinLite and Versalite are examples of this line of sleeping bag, temperature rated at 30F, 20F and 10F respectively. The Megalite is a mummy shaped bag with plenty of room. Twelve oz of goose down fill makes up half of the Megalite’s total weight of 24 oz. Continuous baffles, a top collar and 4″ loft provide plenty of comfort at temperatures down to 30F. The AlpinLite is a wider version of the UltraLite (winner of Climbing Magazine’s Editor’s Choice award). A 3-D full down collar, 19oz of down fill and a full length zipper help keep you warm and cozy inside this roomy (64″ shoulder width, 39″ foot width) mummy bag. This is one of the most popular 20F rated sleeping bags available. The VersaLite is the warmest sleeping bag in the ExtremeLite series. At only 2lbs total weight, with 20 oz of high lofting 850+ goose down, a full down collar, and continuous baffles, this three season sleeping bag will keep you warm and comfortable in temperatures as low as 10F. All of the ExtremeLite bags are designed to provide maximum comfort with minimum weight making them perfect for your next cycling, backpacking or trekking adventure.
Backpacker’s Gear School has some great shopping tips on how to select the best sleeping bag to fit your needs. Discussion includes synthetic vs down fill and mummy vs rectangular style.
