Get items from this video at Amazon: Western Mountaineering MegaLite: amzn.to/2XJHm1H Western Mountaineering UltraLite bag: amzn.to/2Zw0XnN Western Mountaineering Versalite bag: amzn.to/2DvuoNq Sea to Summit Sil-Nylon bags: amzn.to/2DAxAqZ Sea to Summit Event Compression Dry Sack: amzn.to/2GvbYwR
Excellent review! I have a Megalite also that I bought in 2001, I think. I've slept in it down to 15F, no problem. Highly versatile, as you say. But 2 years ago I got caught in a sudden thunderstorm with no shelter, and as a result my bag was completely soaked. I had to bail out of my trip, and it was another week before I got home. I took it out of the bag and it smelled bad, so I washed it 3 times in Nikwax Down Wash, which had no effect. I took it to a dry cleaner (in China) asked them not to dry clean it and went back to get it after a few days. The bag had a strong floral smell which went away after a couple of days, but the bag didn't seem to have it's original loft. Last fall I finally sent it to Western Mountaineering and asked them to replace the down and overfill it a little. They did a great job. I think it's about 3 or 4 ounces heavier and has about 20% more loft than original. I've got a couple of trips coming up: August in the Wind Rivers and September in Tibet, so I'm really looking forward to seeing how my uber-Megalite will perform.
Great review and really informative - thank you. I’m considering buying a Megalite for 3 season use - at almost £500 in the UK this WM bag is quite an investment, so all that detailed information is really useful. One thing you didn’t mention is the extra width though, which is why it is called ‘Mega’ - perhaps when you bought your bag 20 years ago it was a standard width, but the current model is much wider which appeals to me for added comfort as a wriggler and side sleeper.
I'm sure there have been changes in the nearly 20 years since I bought my bag. I just made a video on this very topic of shopping for sleeping bags: How to choose the right sleeping bag: 15 factors to consider ruclips.net/video/reeC6ZUQbxk/видео.html
Excellent review. Will use links. BTW, WM does not waterproof the down as they think the natural is best. Did you waterproof your down when you washed it?
Nice review! I was wondering how efficiently the continuous baffles system works for someone who is mostly a side sleeper and moves with the sleeping bag (instead of moving inside the sleeping bag)? Maybe feathers are shifted down creating cold spots on top?
Temperature ratings on sleeping bags are so varied. Would this be a good choice for summer in the Sierras above 11,000? Average lows are 34 degrees then. I’ll probably bring a S2S coolmax bag liner, though I don’t expect it to make much difference. We’ve got a 5 day hike planned, and I don’t want to have to wear all my dirty clothes to sleep every night! Also don’t want to get a bag that’s too warm, since that’s about the lowest temps I ever camp at.
Could you kindly advise what are the packed measurements? There are no suppliers of Western Mountaineering items in New Zealand, so it has to be bought online, and the packed size (in terms length and width measurements) is perhaps the most crucial variable here. Couldn't find the information anywhere on the web, so thought to ask the mentor himself (if you have the time to comment on the matter, that is)! Thanks a lot.
7:00 is your bag a regular size or large size? You say "get the larger..." but then reference the next size being small (5'6") which lets me believe that yours is a regular? I'm wondering because i am 5'11" and unsure which size to choose.
I have the 6'6" bag. I'm 6'0" - I tried the 6'0" bag and it left no room for my fleece jacket pillow. Since I use my jacket as a pillow, it eats up some of the bag space. I'd much rather have the spare six inches than wish my bag were longer. :)
There's more room in the Terralite due to its semi-rectangular design. If you thrash around it could be a good option. Western Mountaineering TerraLite at Amazon: amzn.to/3spLhjk
Get items from this video at Amazon:
Western Mountaineering MegaLite: amzn.to/2XJHm1H
Western Mountaineering UltraLite bag: amzn.to/2Zw0XnN
Western Mountaineering Versalite bag: amzn.to/2DvuoNq
Sea to Summit Sil-Nylon bags: amzn.to/2DAxAqZ
Sea to Summit Event Compression Dry Sack: amzn.to/2GvbYwR
Excellent review! I have a Megalite also that I bought in 2001, I think. I've slept in it down to 15F, no problem. Highly versatile, as you say. But 2 years ago I got caught in a sudden thunderstorm with no shelter, and as a result my bag was completely soaked. I had to bail out of my trip, and it was another week before I got home. I took it out of the bag and it smelled bad, so I washed it 3 times in Nikwax Down Wash, which had no effect. I took it to a dry cleaner (in China) asked them not to dry clean it and went back to get it after a few days. The bag had a strong floral smell which went away after a couple of days, but the bag didn't seem to have it's original loft. Last fall I finally sent it to Western Mountaineering and asked them to replace the down and overfill it a little. They did a great job. I think it's about 3 or 4 ounces heavier and has about 20% more loft than original. I've got a couple of trips coming up: August in the Wind Rivers and September in Tibet, so I'm really looking forward to seeing how my uber-Megalite will perform.
I take my bags to a store in San Diego to have them laundered. It takes a big machine, gentle wash. Use Original Tide...that stuff really works well.
@@ALinsdau Thanks, I'll try Tide next time.
Thanks for the comprehensive review! Very, very helpful.
You're welcome - enjoy!
Thank you Aaron for the review! Really appreciate you telling us the liter of the dry bag you put your sleeping bag in
You bet!
I have this bag, and it's been fantastic to me so far.
It's amazing how well it works for a 25 deg bag.
Great review and really informative - thank you. I’m considering buying a Megalite for 3 season use - at almost £500 in the UK this WM bag is quite an investment, so all that detailed information is really useful. One thing you didn’t mention is the extra width though, which is why it is called ‘Mega’ - perhaps when you bought your bag 20 years ago it was a standard width, but the current model is much wider which appeals to me for added comfort as a wriggler and side sleeper.
I'm sure there have been changes in the nearly 20 years since I bought my bag.
I just made a video on this very topic of shopping for sleeping bags:
How to choose the right sleeping bag: 15 factors to consider
ruclips.net/video/reeC6ZUQbxk/видео.html
Excellent review. Will use links. BTW, WM does not waterproof the down as they think the natural is best. Did you waterproof your down when you washed it?
I just use Nikwax cleaners:
Nikwax Hardshell Cleaning and Waterproofing Duo-Pack: amzn.to/3HHmEqJ
Nice review! I was wondering how efficiently the continuous baffles system works for someone who is mostly a side sleeper and moves with the sleeping bag (instead of moving inside the sleeping bag)? Maybe feathers are shifted down creating cold spots on top?
It works quite well. I tend to be a side sleeper. The feathers don't shift around too easily.
Great review, didn’t realize there was so much to consider when buying a bag😎
Lots of considerations.
Temperature ratings on sleeping bags are so varied. Would this be a good choice for summer in the Sierras above 11,000? Average lows are 34 degrees then. I’ll probably bring a S2S coolmax bag liner, though I don’t expect it to make much difference.
We’ve got a 5 day hike planned, and I don’t want to have to wear all my dirty clothes to sleep every night!
Also don’t want to get a bag that’s too warm, since that’s about the lowest temps I ever camp at.
I've used this bag in the Sierras in the summer w/o problems.
@@ALinsdau awesome! Thanks, Aaron!
Could you kindly advise what are the packed measurements? There are no suppliers of Western Mountaineering items in New Zealand, so it has to be bought online, and the packed size (in terms length and width measurements) is perhaps the most crucial variable here. Couldn't find the information anywhere on the web, so thought to ask the mentor himself (if you have the time to comment on the matter, that is)! Thanks a lot.
I can put the sleeping bag int an 8L stuff sack.
7:00 is your bag a regular size or large size? You say "get the larger..." but then reference the next size being small (5'6") which lets me believe that yours is a regular?
I'm wondering because i am 5'11" and unsure which size to choose.
I have the 6'6" bag. I'm 6'0" - I tried the 6'0" bag and it left no room for my fleece jacket pillow. Since I use my jacket as a pillow, it eats up some of the bag space. I'd much rather have the spare six inches than wish my bag were longer. :)
Hi
May i ask u is it suitable for hot weather?
Also around wolfs and snacks is it ready to protect
If it's seriously hot, this bag will be too much.
can you please tell something about the nixwax downwhash?
please
simon
I'll have to do a video about it. Stay tuned in June for that one.
What are your thoughts on the terralite I’m a restless sleeper
There's more room in the Terralite due to its semi-rectangular design. If you thrash around it could be a good option.
Western Mountaineering TerraLite at Amazon: amzn.to/3spLhjk