Western Mountaineering AstraLite Quilt Review

Notes on the AstraLite

Note that the AstraLite comes in two sizes, a 5’8″ (180 cm) version and a 6’4″ (200 cm) version. The 5’8″ (180 cm) is considered the “regular” version and the 6’4″ (200 cm) is the “long” version. If you’re thinking to yourself, “Wait, I’m 5’10” (178 cm) and I’ve never had to bug a long bag – do I need the long AstraLite?”, the answer is “no”. The length of the AstraLite is shorter because it’s a quilt and does not have a hood (like you would expect a mummy sleeping bag to have).

The Packability: I typically keep my sleeping bag at the bottom of my pack, where it takes up the entire width of the pack’s bottom. However, the AstraLite packs down small enough that I can choose between packing it slim and flat at the bottom of my pack or compressed into a corner. Then, I can squeeze my sleeping pad or something else down at the bottom with the AstraLite. For a quilt that will keep you warm to below-freezing temperatures, it packs down very nicely.

The Warranty: Western Mountaineering stands behind its products and states on its website, “Products are guaranteed against manufacturer’s defects for an unlimited time. Should a product fail due to a defect in materials or craftsmanship, we will, at our option, repair or replace the item at no cost to the original owner.” If you rip, tear, burn, or otherwise destroy your AstraLite, then this warranty will not apply, but you can rest easy knowing that you will be taken care of if something happens to your AstraLite that is not your fault.

The Options: Quilts are by no means standardized and many quilt manufacturers offer a variety of lengths, widths, and fill powers when it comes to quilt selections. However, the AstraLite and Western Mountaineering are not members of this trend. The AstraLite comes in one width, one fill power, and two sizes – regular or long. There’s something to be said for maintaining a certain level of quality control with quilt production, but this will leave some wanting more (like those who would prefer a shorter or wider version).

The Price: The Western Mountaineering AstraLite is not cheap. The regular costs $420, and the long costs $435. However, you’re paying for quality and a domestically produced product. Western Mountaineering has long been known as a premium sleeping bag (and now quilt) manufacturer. All their bags are made domestically with ethically sourced goose down. You get what you pay for with Western Mountaineering, and the high price tag is reflected in the quality of their gear.

The Stock: Because Western Mountaineering is a small company that sells exclusively through retailers (there are no direct-to-consumer sales offered on their site), it can sometimes be tough to find the AstraLite in stock (even online). Yes, it’s good that normally you don’t see something like 8-week lead times for these products, but when they do go out of stock, it can be frustrating since you have no idea of when they’ll be back in the hands of a retailer ready to sell it to you.

The Color?: The AstraLite is pictured on Western Mountaineering’s website in a metallic grey-looking color. However, most of the AstraLites I’ve seen out in the wild are more of a seafoam green color. And my AstraLite is green – the same color nylon shell as the Versalite (Western Mountaineering’s 10-degree sleeping bag). This has all likely been due to supply chain issues and/or quality control measures on the part of Western Mountaineering, and ultimately the color of my bag isn’t as important as its performance, but it’s still odd to see so much variation between AstraLites.

Who is it for?

Beginner Backpackers

If you’re new to backpacking, one of the most expensive down quilts available is probably not the best piece of gear for you. Quilts aren’t for everyone and despite the Western Mountaineering AstraLite being an awesome piece of gear, I would recommend starting yourself off with a traditional sleeping bag. If you have the money and are worried about upgrading your sleep system in the future, get yourself a down bag (instead of a synthetic bag).

Weekend Warriors

If you’re going to be out frequently enough to warrant some investment in your gear and you already know that you’re a fan of quilts, then the Western Mountaineering AstraLite could be an option for you. However, I would still caution you to be sure a 26°F/-3°C degree quilt is something you’re going to be stoked to have before dropping $400+ on one.

Thru-Hikers

This is a category that many quilt users probably fall into. If weight and space are of the utmost importance to you and you’re not going to be spending too much time below freezing, then you can’t go wrong with the AstraLite. That said, I would be sure that you know you like quilts before you decide to add this to your pack.

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