User Review: Western Mountaineering MegaLite

Western Mountaineering MegaLite
Above: The current MegaLite, which may differ slightly from the version reviewed.

Reviewed August 23, 2001 by Phil B.

Rating:
Design: MegaLite
Fill: 750+ fill down
Temperature Rating: 30F
Weight: 1lb, 9oz
Price Paid: $280

Nearly $300 for a mild temperature bag? R U nuts? Not when were talking about this baby. For late spring to early fall backpacking (or even a broader time span in the Southern states) I look to go low volume and light. This beautifully stitched, wide shouldered (64"), full zippered bag is about as light as it gets and packs small enough (6" X 12".) There are lighter bags, but this one uses a full-length zipper for more versatility than short zippered models. It comes with 10-11 oz of down, giving it a tad more warmth on those chillier nights, plus its wide cut allows me the option of adding a down vest for added warmth without feeling like a straight jacket. Its lightness comes from its thinner material (.85 oz/yard), but ANY bag that I pay those kind of toad hides for, I will take good care of anyway.

Although I haven't had the opportunity to push this bag to its temperature rating, I'm confident in its 30F rating based upon this company's stellar reputation. After sleeping a few nights in this comfortable down bag, I'll NEVER go back to my synthetic bags again. When factoring weight, stuff size, width, zipper length, workmanship, and quality of down, this bag flat-out excels, and I'm betting right now that five years later I'll appreciate it even more.

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