WM Versalite

Vandy321

WKR
Joined
Feb 5, 2019
Messages
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For those who have this bag. Its rated to 10 but everyone says WM bags are warmer than rated. A.ybody slept in this down to zero? Either with or without wearing down layers to sleep in?

I'm a cold sleeper, and usually wear my wool to sleep. Froze my butt off this weekend in 25 degrees in my 15 degree snugpak...looking to upgrade and plan to just buy once, cry once with a WM. Weight is a factor or I'd just get the wm antelope.

This bag was reviewed as warmer than the Nemo sonic 0 deg, so that gives me hope, just looking for real world experience. I cant afford 2 bags, this will have to be my new 'do it all'.

Thanks for the inputs.
 
WM bags are close to euro comfort ratings compared to others that use euro lower limit to rate their bags. I wouldn’t get one and expect it to be comfortable below it’s rating without supplementing with significant layering.
 
I slept in a versalite this winter at around 7-8 degrees under a tarp. I too am a cold sleeper. I had on a merino top and bottom base layer only. I got a slight chill only around the 4-5 am mark, not enough to keep me awake. I was really impressed. With layering I think the bag could easily handle 0. I ended up going with the 15 degree badger.
 
I would probably characterize WM bags as being conservatively rated, and definitely not over rated. I wouldn't advise anybody to buy a WM 20° bag and expect to be warm at 10°. Buy one for the rated temperature and expect to be good at that temperature. Only go lighter if you have a plan to sleep in layers on cold nights.
 
I would probably characterize WM bags as being conservatively rated, and definitely not over rated. I wouldn't advise anybody to buy a WM 20° bag and expect to be warm at 10°. Buy one for the rated temperature and expect to be good at that temperature. Only go lighter if you have a plan to sleep in layers on cold nights.

Thanks Kevin. The layers part of your reply is my biggest question, I'd consided the sequoia as well and have actually read a post of yours regarding that bag. Would you worry about being in the sequoia with an extra layer avail down near zero? I'm really trying to avoid going as heavy and expensive as a bristlecone.

This will be my one bag for everything fall/winter...except I do have a woobie for the warm summer nights.
 
Thanks Kevin. The layers part of your reply is my biggest question, I'd consided the sequoia as well and have actually read a post of yours regarding that bag. Would you worry about being in the sequoia with an extra layer avail down near zero? I'm really trying to avoid going as heavy and expensive as a bristlecone.

This will be my one bag for everything fall/winter...except I do have a woobie for the warm summer nights.

The Sequoia MF is rated to 5° and it's accurate for me. I spent a night in mine at a documented 7° in Alaska and was fine sleeping in thin base layer merino. I could add a layer of long underwear and probably improve by 5° (down to 0°) and below that would come sleeping in additional layers.

I've found some of the most important things about staying toasty warm in my sleeping bag are 1) a decently warm insulated mat and 2) managing drafts and heat retention at the head/neck area. If warm air can escape at the head/neck area, it gets replaced by cold ambient air and I feel that chilly draft. Be sure to use those cord closures on cold nights....wear a warm beanie....thin gloves....socks.
 
Anyone interested should also know they can have a WM bag customized by adding additional down fill. The easiest way is to order it through a retailer and have them specify additional ounces of down, or ask WM to improve the temp rating by 5°. Just know whether you're buying insurance (warmth) you don't need and might even dislike if the majority of your nights are way above the bag's lower temp rating. It's no fun to sleep in a perspiration-soaked down bag.
 
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