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Western Mountaineering UltraLite

*Est. $360
Reviewed by ConsumerSearch
Western Mountaineering UltraLite

Ultralight three-season mummy bag.

Pros
  • Construction quality
  • Weighs less than two pounds
  • Full-length two-way zipper
  • Lifetime guarantee
Cons
  • Down loses warmth when wet
Where to Buy
 
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We found the most recent tests of the Western Mountaineering UltraLite at Climbing.com, where it's compared with seven other ultralight sleeping bags. Charles Lindsey provides even more detail in his 2002 comparison review of ten high-end sleeping bags. The Gear Guide at Outside Magazine recommends the Western Mountaineering UltraLite as the best year-round sleeping bag, and two long user-reviews at BackpackGearTest.org are equally enthusiastic. Another single-product review at SectionHiker.com is useful because of its illustrations.

Reviews praise the top-ranked Western Mountaineering mummy-style down sleeping bag for its exceptional light weight (1 lb. 10 oz.) and superior construction. It compresses for packing better than a sleeping bag with synthetic fill, and though down loses most of its warmth when wet, the Western Mountaineering UltraLite has a water-repellent but breathable cover. A full-length two-way zipper makes it easy to ventilate on warmer nights – or to pair for a double sleeping bag. It's made in the United States, and a lifetime guarantee covers any defects. If light weight matters less than saving money, consider another mummy-style bag that's made with synthetic fill: The North Face Cat's Meow (*est. $150), which weighs about a pound more.

Where To Buy
Western Mountaineering UltraLite Sleeping Bag: 20 Degree Down One Color, 6ft/Right Zip

 
 
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Our Sources

1. Climbing.com

The Western Mountaineering UltraLite mummy bag earns the Editor's Choice award in this comparison review of eight ultralight sleeping bags, each weighing less than two pounds. The review praises it for a zipper that never snags, "meticulous attention to detail" and a conservative comfort rating.

Review: Super Light Sleeping Bags, Dave Sheldon, Mar. 2004

2. Backpacking.net

Based on exceptionally thorough evaluations of ten high-end sleeping bags, the Western Mountaineering UltraLite is judged the best for overall functionality, though it shares top ranking with the Marmot Helium. The Ultralite earns praise for comfort, construction quality and flexibility -- as "the perfect "bridge bag" -- functioning well as both a summer and full three-season bag."

Review: Comparative, Lightweight Sleeping Bag Review, Charles Lindsey, June 2002

3. Outside Magazine

Outside Magazine's gear expert recommends the Western Mountaineering UltraLite as the best sleeping bag for year-round use, since a warm liner can make it suitable even for winter nights. The reviewer praises the UltraLite for its light weight and "famously high-quality construction."

Review: Gear Guy: What degree rating do you recommend for a year-round sleeping bag?, Outside "Gear Guy", May 2008

4. BackpackGearTest.org

At the time of this report, only two users review the Western Mountaineering UltraLite sleeping bag here, but the reviews are extremely detailed and thorough, and one is by a woman. Both reviewers are enthusiastic, praising the bag's warmth-to-weight ratio and excellent construction.

Review: Western Mountaineering UltraLite Reviews, Contributors to BackPackGearTest.org

5. SectionHiker.com

This enthusiastic single-product review is well illustrated, even showing a photo of the Western Mountaineering UltraLite sleeping bag compressed into a stuff sack. Readers add comments; one has been using an UltraLite sleeping bag since 1985 and it's still going strong.

Review: Western Moutaineering UltraLite 20 Sleeping Bag Review, Earlylite, May 2008

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