Spring/Summer Bag

[treillw]

What's a good option for a spring/summer bag? I have a WM Versalite and Antelope, but they are overkill this time of the year.

Something that will be comfortable down to maybe 35-40 degrees would probably fit the bill. It will be going on some good hikes, so lightweight is a priority. What would you recommend?

Is it worth getting a Western Mountaineering bag or other high end bag for this temperature range, or do less expensive options work just as well for this purpose?

Thanks!

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

Western Mountaineering just released a 50th anniversary bag, the Flylite. Claimed to be the lightest fully-baffled sleeping bag in the world. Seems perfect for those uses.
Temp Rating- 34
Weight- 13 oz Reg
Fill- 7 oz

 

[Fins_N_Tines]

I'm looking at the KUIU superdown 30 degree for a summer - october bag. Comfort rating 35 and lower limit of 24. weights 1lb-7.5oz, so pretty light.

 

[AlaskaLiving]

What's a good option for a spring/summer bag? I have a WM Versalite and Antelope, but they are overkill this time of the year.

Something that will be comfortable down to maybe 35-40 degrees would probably fit the bill. It will be going on some good hikes, so lightweight is a priority. What would you recommend?

Is it worth getting a Western Mountaineering bag or other high end bag for this temperature range, or do less expensive options work just as well for this purpose?

Thanks!

I learned the hard way that the temp rating on the bag is nowhere near the real world comfort rating. I sleep cold which means I add 20 degrees to the bag's rating. That is a good start. I also had to buy a sleeping pad that was rated for much colder than where I would be sleeping. I recently spoke to a Master Guide of 40 years, in Kodiak, Alaska. He said he carried a -20 bag for most of the season.

I learned the hard way that temps can vary greatly from location to location. 52 degrees the trail head ended up being 32 degrees 5 miles later, at the campsite, at 1am.

 

[hikenhunt]

If lightweight is a high priority, then the WM highlite or summerlite would be great options. Less expensive options would also work, but they would most likely weigh more and you'd need to add about 10-15 to their temp rating in order to stay comfortable unless you are a hot sleeper.

 

[Copen1822]

Western Mountaineering just released a 50th anniversary bag, the Flylite. Claimed to be the lightest fully-baffled sleeping bag in the world. Seems perfect for those uses.
Temp Rating- 34
Weight- 13 oz Reg
Fill- 7 oz

This just cost me some money.

Been looking to pick up an ultra light summer bag for scouting trips and was almost ready to pull the trigger on the Summerlite. 13 onces is probably to good to be true. How fragile will this thing be!

Guess I'll find out when it shows up Thursday.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

This just cost me some money.

Been looking to pick up an ultra light summer bag for scouting trips and was almost ready to pull the trigger on the Summerlite. 13 onces is probably to good to be true. How fragile will this thing be!

Guess I'll find out when it shows up Thursday.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Haha let me know what you think. I had it in the cart and held off... for now...

 

[treillw]

I found the Flylite locally to check out. Couldn't believe they had it in three different lengths. It's crazy lightweight. The Summerlite is pretty crazy light too. I compared the 6' and 6'-6" Flylite to a 6'-6" summerlite.

My thoughts:
• The zipper on the flylite was a little annoying. Could live with it and would probably be better without the tag attached.
• For a bag that will be used in summer temperature ranges from 70+ degrees as it cools off to 30 degrees in the middle of the night, it would be nice to have the zipper extend the full length to get more temperature range out of the bag. The flylite is only a partial zip. Crawling in and out of it isn't the easiest with sliding around on the sleeping pad. A little more of a pain in a floorless shelter.
• I have a 6' antelope and versalite. The 6' flylite was too small for me both in length and width. I'm 5'-11", 185 pounds, 33" waist, athletic build. My feet were touching the bottom and my head was touching the top. Laying on my back with my arms at my side, I felt like I was wearing a dress shirt that was too tight - could feel the fabric stretching taut. The Summerlite had more width. The 6'-6" flylite seemed to have a hair more width than the 6' flylite. It might have been a shade narrower than the Summerlite, but didn't feel like a ton.
• Things would be even tighter wearing some clothes inside of the flylite if temps dropped.
• I wish they had a 6'-0" summerlite in stock to see how spacious it is.

If I went with the flylite, I'd get a 6'-6" for sure. Dunno if the weight savings is worth the inconveniences - seemingly smaller size, finicky zipper, partial zip (biggest inconvenience).

What do you guys think?

 

[sneaky]

That's how they made it that light, 3/4 length zipper. No different than having a quilt with a sewn footbox. Unzip the 3/4 zip and lay it over you to vent. Easy. Keep one foot in or both, or both out. Hard to make a full sized full feature bag with all the bells and whistles.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[generalist]

Nemo Argali if you can find it. It's like if a quilt had sex with a regular bag. It also has a pad sleeve so it's a very tidy package. The temp rating of 15 is optimistic though which should put it right where you're looking for.

 

[Copen1822]

My Flylite came today as expected.

For reference, I'm 5'11, 182lb, 32 waist. I thought hard about getting the 6'6" bag for extra wiggle room (probably would have if I'd seen Treillw's post before ordering) but went with the 6'0". Primary purpose for this bag is to be ultralight and pack down tiny for fast and light scouting trips. For longer trips or when weather is more unpredictable, I'll bring a different bag.

I got in it with a base layer on. Honestly it felt larger then I expected. Length is definitely maxed out for me if I use the hood but in warmer weather I don't expect to use it. Width was good for me, I didn't get a tight feeling and was able to turn around in it and lay on my side comfortably with it completely zipped up.

The zipper length does suck, but there's no free lunch for 13 onces! It's a little less then a half zip. Not possible to be in the bag and leave a leg out. I didn't have issues with opening or closing the zipper but only tried it a few times.

At first glance, I'm happy with it. Time will tell how I sleep in it and durability. I'll be camping for Terry Peak TAC end of the month and then heading to Utah for the week after to scout. I'll have a better idea of how I like it after that trip.

Pictures show the bag next to a 0 degree reg size Slick bag, weight on my scale (flipped between 13 and 14), zipper length, and compressed in a Sea to Summit small dry bag.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[Rokwiia]

Congrats on the Flylite. You'll enjoy it. I've got several WM bags, including the Summerlite, and enjoy all of them.

 

[treillw]

My Flylite came today as expected.

For reference, I'm 5'11, 182lb, 32 waist. I thought hard about getting the 6'6" bag for extra wiggle room (probably would have if I'd seen Treillw's post before ordering) but went with the 6'0". Primary purpose for this bag is to be ultralight and pack down tiny for fast and light scouting trips. For longer trips or when weather is more unpredictable, I'll bring a different bag.

I got in it with a base layer on. Honestly it felt larger then I expected. Length is definitely maxed out for me if I use the hood but in warmer weather I don't expect to use it. Width was good for me, I didn't get a tight feeling and was able to turn around in it and lay on my side comfortably with it completely zipped up.

The zipper length does suck, but there's no free lunch for 13 onces! It's a little less then a half zip. Not possible to be in the bag and leave a leg out. I didn't have issues with opening or closing the zipper but only tried it a few times.

At first glance, I'm happy with it. Time will tell how I sleep in it and durability. I'll be camping for Terry Peak TAC end of the month and then heading to Utah for the week after to scout. I'll have a better idea of how I like it after that trip.

Pictures show the bag next to a 0 degree reg size Slick bag, weight on my scale (flipped between 13 and 14), zipper length, and compressed in a Sea to Summit small dry bag.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Happy to hear your thoughts on it. The only time I felt crammed in the bag width wise was when I was laying on my back with my arms at my side. The constricted width feeling went away on my stomach. Length was pretty darn tight, but like you said you won't use the hood all the time.

The zipper probably works better when it doesn't have paperwork attached to it that weighs about 1/4 of what the bag weighs. haha

It definitely is an awesome bag that will be great for the proper task.

I plan on using the bag all summer long. Montana summer nights can get chilly, but until the sun goes away (at 10:00 pm) it can still be pretty darn hot, especially in a greenhouse (tent). That's why I'm wondering if I would be better served by the Summerlite. It weighs ~half a pound more, but will I notice that half pound in my pack and will the added comfort it provides be worth it? I'm not sure.

 

[Copen1822]

Honestly your pack weight will fluctuate more then 1/2lb as you fill up/drink down your water, so you probably won't notice. I know I wouldn't.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk