Western Mountaineering UltraLite 20 Overview

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The Western Mountaineering UltraLite 20 is one in every of our high decisions for nearly any backpacking journey. It ranks extremely on our Finest Backpacking Sleeping Baggage Information as one of many cushiest and highest-quality down luggage we examined. It boasts a stellar warmth-to-weight ratio, large down draft collar, full-length draft tube, and a dependable no-snag zipper. Most significantly, it’s as snug as down luggage get. Gear Analyst Ian Krammer used this bag throughout many 30-40°F fall and spring nights throughout Colorado and Utah, and it was additionally the bag of selection for Gear Analyst Casey Handley’s thru-hike of the Arizona Path.

The downsides of this sleeping bag? You’ll pay high greenback. However for ultralight backpackers with a watch on sturdiness and efficiency, it’s value each penny. It’s additionally value noting the UltraLite’s match is a basic, comfortable mummy bag, so it might really feel a bit slender for some customers. And, it doesn’t have many options past the fundamentals which is a professional for minimalists and long-distance hikers, however could also be underwhelming for folk who desire a extra feature-forward sleep system.

Heat

The Western Mountaineering UltraLite 20 gives the most effective heat to weight ratios we’ve examined. It’s distinctive at retaining heat with its premium 850+ fill energy down and delicate 12D nylon shell. The beneficiant draft collar – which extends 360° across the neck area of the bag – mixed with the plush full-length draft tube alongside the zipper ensures that chilly air stays out and heat is locked in, making it excellent for chilly nights. The no-snag zipper design enhances the baggage potential to keep up constant heat all through the evening. The comfortable mummy design successfully traps warmth near your physique, maximizing insulation.

And, we like Western Mountaineering’s conservative temperature score for the UltraLite. Whereas most producers overstate their consolation stage claims, the UltraLite 20 is a welcome exception. It’s completely filled with down fill – boasting 16 ounces, or a full pound, of feathers – so we’ve discovered it may well go fairly a bit decrease than the really helpful 20°F consolation stage. To check this, we slept by means of frigid October and November nights within the Arizona and Utah deserts, the place temps hovered round 10°F. Paired with base layers and a heat sleeping pad, our analysts stayed toasty heat all evening lengthy.

The one downsides in relation to heat? The Ultralites’ giant baffles. Its down tends to settle pretty rapidly in these greater areas after a few dozen instances unpacking and repacking the bag. Fortunately, the feathers are simple to redistribute with handbook massaging to eradicate chilly spots, however it may well turn out to be a little bit of a process to organize for colder nights. And, the sacrifice you’ll make for such distinctive heat is the match is slender by means of – which is typical for a mummy bag, because it eliminates lifeless areas that may get chilly – though the comfortable match limits what number of layers you’ll be able to put on. Final, whereas the UltraLite is impressively heat, it’s not thought-about a 4-season or winter bag. In case your subsequent backpacking journey entails in a single day temps that constantly 20°F or under, you’ll need to take into account including a liner, one other quilt, or swapping to a hotter bag to remain as heat as doable.

Consolation

The Western Mountaineering UltraLite 20 is as snug as down luggage get. Because of premium supplies and a sensible, time-tested design, we maintain reaching for it 12 months spherical for backpacking journeys. The beneficiant down collar wraps 360° across the neck, which makes the bag really feel additional comfortable on chilly nights. Its hood is huge sufficient to accommodate a small to medium pillow and gives two cinch cords, one on the within and one on the skin, to get the precise match round your face and head, becoming like a cosy down hat. 12D ripstop nylon feels exceptionally delicate on the pores and skin and is comparatively quiet. The comfortable match of the mum bag design retains warmth and gives simply sufficient room to toss and switch. And, the high-quality down used within the UltraLite molds properly to the physique.

Nonetheless, the UltraLite 20 is a real mummy bag, which implies it gives a reasonably slender match all through. For those who toss and switch, switching into a number of completely different positions in a single day, this will not be the bag for you, and there isn’t a lot additional house for broad shoulders. Our solely different grievance is that its high-quality building calls for a bit of additional care and upkeep to make sure longevity – we discover that the thinner ultralight materials is vulnerable to snags and punctures – which is likely to be a disadvantage for folk who’re laborious on their gear.

Weight & Packability

The Western Mountaineering UltraLite 20 leads the pack for its heat to weight ratio, so it’s excellent for backpackers who need excellent packability, top-tier insulation, and minimal weight. At 1 pound, 13 ounces for the 6 foot mannequin, the UltraLite lands in the midst of the pack for general weight, however be mindful 16 ounces, or one pound – greater than half of its complete weight – is nothing however down feathers. That’s lots of insulation, giving it round 5 inches of loft that’s tremendous heat on chilly nights however compresses remarkably properly. On longer journeys we are likely to stash our sleeping bag loosely round our different gear to forestall shifting whereas climbing, however it does match effortlessly right into a compact stuff sack. The minimalist design helps maintain weight down with out compromising efficiency, so it’s a handy selection for multi-day journeys, balancing weight and performance.

That stated, in case you’re an ultralight aficionado who’s principally tenting in summer time or situations the place in a single day temps keep above 40°F, this bag is a bit heavy, and we’d suggest going with a lighter choice. However for backpackers who’re trekking in shoulder seasons, taking up gentle winter situations, or are spending time within the excessive alpine, you received’t discover many extra packable or light-weight luggage wherever.

Options

The UltraLite is constructed for ultralight lovers, so it has a simple function set. The hood is spacious sufficient for many backpacking pillows, and the interior and exterior hood cinch cords are excellent for blocking out chilly air. Sturdy, light-weight two-way zippers with thick full-length zipper baffles and a full-circumference neck baffles makes this bag efficient and heat.

However that’s the place the options finish. For the reason that UltraLite 20 is targeted on shedding each pointless ounce, you received’t discover parts like a stash pocket, ventilating mesh, further zippers, or different conveniences that heavier, extra feature-forward luggage provide. This won’t hit the mark for everybody, however we admire its streamlined design: by chopping out the extras, the UltraLite gives the very best of the very best for a high-performance, light-weight sleeping expertise.

Ought to You Purchase the Western Mountaineering UltraLite 20?

The Western Mountaineering UltraLite 20 is ideal for ultralight backpackers who desire a technical sleeping bag with an distinctive warmth-to-weight ratio and high-quality building. It’s the gold normal for these prepared to spend money on a premium sleeping bag that may final for many years if well-maintained. With a no-frills design that gives a beneficiant down collar, a full-length draft tube, and a no-snag zipper, this bag excels at protecting you heat and cozy down to twenty°F. Its design, optimized for heat and effectivity, makes the UltraLite 20 a wonderful selection for cold-weather tenting and long-distance climbing.

Nonetheless, the UltraLite 20 isn’t for everybody. The excessive value level could be a barrier for budget-conscious hikers. Additionally, its comfortable mummy match could also be a bit too slender for customers preferring extra space. The bag’s minimalist design, whereas excellent for weight-conscious adventurers, lacks additional options that some may discover helpful. Nonetheless, for high-mileage adventures the place each gram counts and dependable efficiency issues, you received’t discover a greater high quality bag wherever.

What Different Backpacking Sleeping Baggage Ought to You Take into account?

Feathered Buddies Swallow YF 20 Overview:  This bag gives the same weight, heat, consolation score, and options to the UltraLite 20. But it surely’s extra inexpensive, accessible in each girls’s and males’s variations, and boasts a barely greater fill energy and fill weight that gram counters and minimalists may desire.

Kelty Cosmic Extremely 20 Overview: The Extremely 20 gives a comparable fill energy and a simple function set because the Ultralite 20, though this bag is kind of a bit heavier – half a pound for the lads’s model, and a pound heavier for the ladies’s. However for roughly a 3rd of the worth, the Extremely is a greater choice for inexperienced persons or these on a price range.

Zpacks Basic 20 Overview: The Basic 20 bag shares parts with the Ultralite 20 like the same consolation score, high-quality down and a easy, well-executed design. Nonetheless, it’s considerably lighter and extra compressible, comes with a better fill energy, and for a cheaper price –  though it’s not as heat or versatile in chilly climate.