Open main menu

Western Mountaineering AlpinLite

rated 4.5 of 5 stars
photo: Western Mountaineering AlpinLite 3-season down sleeping bag
Version reviewed: Long

Great lightweight three-season bag.

Pros

  • High quality down
  • Lightweight
  • No-snag zipper
  • Roomy for a big guy
  • Quality construction

Cons

  • No pocket near head
  • Not cheap

I bought this bag after taking a nice 30-degree bag on the John Muir Trail in mid-September. We hit some cold weather with nights dipping into the teens. To stay warm, I had to put on every piece of clothing I had and wear it in the sleeping bag.

For about 4 oz of additional weight, the Western Mountaineering AlpinLite solved my problem. It is light, super high quality, and fits me great. I got the long version because I am 6'2". One problem I always have with mummy bags is the width at the shoulders. I need a bag that allows me to turn inside the bag and this one does. Great fit.

Another GREAT thing about this bag is the no-snag zipper guard. I was skeptical because I have used other bags that claim to have something similar. This one really WORKS. No more getting snagged in the dark and having to pull the fabric from the zipper. Cool feature.

The temperature rating on this bag is accurate, based on my experience. I've only used it in temps down to about 32° so far, but based on how warm I was, I am confident it will be warm down to the mid-teens.

Western Mountaineering makes very high quality products. A good down sleeping bag will last many years, so go for quality. I still have my Feathered Friends (another great sleeping bag maker) 0 degree bag that I bought 25 years ago.

This is a great bag!

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: $530

This bag works great as a 3-season bag here in Northern MI, and the 20° rating is the REAL thing!

Pros

  • True to rated temperature
  • Generous shoulders
  • Light weight
  • Ultra-packable

Cons

  • When drawn tight, the strings around the hood hang in your face
  • No pocket

I camp every month of the year, both on my own and with the Boy Scouts. I have used this sleeping bag, primarily in Northern Michigan, for the past 3 years.

It works great as a 3-season bag here, and the 20° rating is a REAL rating when used with a quality ground pad.  I have been in the low 20s several times without noticing any cold spots, and is easily vented when the temperatures soar into the 70s. 

The shoulders and footbox are generous, by mummy standards, and the draft tubes are well placed.  There is very little down "bleed", and it is fairly easy to pull the occasional feather poking through back into the bag.  The nylon is lightweight but not nearly as fragile as others I have seen. 

Opposing full length zippers make venting as well as getting in and out easy.  I am 5'10" tall, and use the 6'0" bag.

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: $300?

This is a premium down sleeping bag. It is a mummy style, but it is a "wide mummy," which I like. It is also very warm, yet light weight. See my video review below for full details on this bag... it's a good one!

Pros

  • light weight
  • warmth

Cons

  • down bags won't work well if wet

 

Disclosure: The reviewer received a sample of this product from the brand or its representatives in exchange for a review.

Source: tested or reviewed it for the manufacturer (Return)

The author of this review received a sample of the product from the brand or its representative in exchange for a review.
Version reviewed: Long

I love this bag. I've used it in the damp Southeast during fall and most of winter for over two years.

It is conservatively rated, lightweight, packs small, breathes well, and dries quickly. This bag is rated for 20* and will go a little below that for me- an average sleeper.

The bag has continuous baffles, plenty of down for the rating, the baffles loft well and hold the down in position, the zipper and down collar work very well. The zipper is almost full length, the hood closes well - so tightening it up in the cold or opening it for warmer nights is good to go.

The fabric and price are the only downsides. If you really want to shave ounces the fabric is a good trade off, but if you want your investment to last a long time this fabric needs to be treated gently.

The cost - well I think it is overpriced for what it is- but the market bears the price so I had no choice but to pay the big bucks for it. The score of 4 is based on the price - otherwise it would have gotten a 5.

I would recommend it. It is expensive, but it is the best bag I have ever owned in thirty some odd years.

Design: mummy
Fill: down
Temperature Rating: 20 degrees
Weight: 2 pounds 2 ounces (6' 6" model)
Price Paid: $425

Your Review

Where to Buy

Help support this site by making your next gear purchase through one of the links above. Click a link, buy what you need, and the seller will contribute a portion of the purchase price to support Trailspace's independent gear reviews.

You May Like

Specs

short regular long
Price Current Retail: $625.00-$730.00
Historic Range: $249.97-$730.00
Reviewers Paid: $300.00-$530.00
Weight 1 lb 13 oz / 878 g 1 lb 15 oz / 880 g 2 lb 1 oz / 935 g
Fill weight 1 1b 1 oz / 480 g 1 lb 3 oz / 535 g 1 lb 5 oz / 595 g
Loft 5 in / 12.5 cm 5 in / 12.5 cm 5 in / 12.5 cm
Temperature rating 20 F / -7 C 20 F / -7 C 20 F / -7 C
Fill 850 fill-power down 850 fill-power down 850 fill-power down
Shape Mummy Mummy Mummy
Max user height 5 ft 6 in / 165 cm 6 ft 0 in / 180 cm 6 ft 6 in / 200 cm
Shoulder girth 63 in / 160 cm 64 in / 163 cm 65 in / 165 cm
Hip girth 56 in / 142 cm 55 in / 140 cm 56 in / 142 cm
Foot girth 39 in / 99 cm 39 in / 99 cm 39 in / 99 cm
Product Details from Western Mountaineering »

Recently on Trailspace

Osprey Duro 6 Review

Mystery Ranch 3 Way 18L Expandable Briefcase Review

Jetboil Flash Cooking System Review

Ciele Athletics GOCap Review