I resisted for a long time, but I finally upgraded my sleeping bag and I could not be happier with my choice, a Western Mountaineering Versalite. Talk to anyone in the strange community that is thru-hikers (a group who knows gear as well as or better than probably any other) and you will hear a great amount of respect for Western Mountaineering.
A bag from Western Mountaineering is what people buy when they finally decide to stop trying out cheaper, lower quality bags from other manufacturers in hopes of finding something suitable for the next epic adventure.
The Specs
- Rating: 10°F/-12°C
- Full-length #5 YKK Zipper
- Full Down Collar
- Loft: 6″/15 cm
- Spacing/Continuous Baffles: 5.25″/13 cm
- Down Fill: 20 oz/567 g
- Shoulder/Foot Girth: 62″/39″ 157/99 cm
- Weight: 32 oz/907 g
- MSRP: $605 USD
Continuous baffle with full collar and draft tube.
And it's made in the USA if that's something that you're into.
The Good
The Warmth: The Versalite is rated to 10°F/-12°C and this bag will keep you warm down to 10°F/-12°C. Don't be fooled when that temperature rating is actually the survivability of the sleeping bag (the temperature at which it will keep you from dying). No, the Versalite will keep you warm down to the promised 10°F/-12°C. I generally sleep with very few articles of clothing on my body (what's the point of a bag if you need to wear your down jacket inside it) and have (so far) used this bag in temperatures down to 15°F/-9° without issue.
The Zipper: I thought I had used bags with good zippers before, but sometimes you don't realize what's possible until you experience it yourself. The zipper on the Versalite is incredible and I honestly can't remember it ever snagging. Zipping it up (and down) is like a party trick – how does it do it?! No more do I struggle to open my bag to race out of my bag to pee in the morning. Life is great.
The Weight: The Versalite weighs 32 oz / 907 g – including 20 oz / 567 g of 850+ goose down. Short of getting a quilt, you're not going to find a better or lighter 10°F/-12°C bag than the Versalite. What's better? It's very compressible as well. I don't use a compression stuff sack for the bag, just the stuff sack that came from Western Mountaineering, and the compressed bag takes up relatively little room at the bottom of my pack.
The Options: The Versalite is offered in three different lengths, 5'6″ (168 cm), 6′ (183 cm), and 6'6″ (198 cm). I am 5'10″/178 cm and the 6'/183 cm bag fits me perfectly (as in I fit inside it perfectly). I suppose if you're over 6'6″/198 cm then you may need to look elsewhere, but let's be honest, you're probably used to this by now.
The Okay
The Versatility: I know, 10°F/-12°C is warm (especially since this bag actually matches its rating). I got the Versalite because it would be an awesome three-season bag, and I was really paying attention to those shoulder seasons. This bag might be a little warm for the middle of summer (particularly if you're in a warmer climate or lower elevation), but for me, this just means unzipping the bag and using it as a blanket when things heat up.
The Bad
Nothing: Once again, I've found, what I currently believe to be, my perfect piece of gear. Sure, you could get a quilt and save some weight, but know that you're not going to get the same performance out of a 10°F/-12°C quilt as you will out of this bag. Yes, it's expensive, but sometimes (a lot of times) nice things are worth it. And did I mention that Western Mountaineering has awesome customer service?
Conclusion
Honestly, if there's a sleeping bag out there that's better than the Western Mountaineering Versalite, please tell me about it; I want it. I've been nothing but impressed with this bag and can confidently say that it will be a part of my pack for many years to come.
And let's not forget about the Western Mountaineering warranty, “All Western Mountaineering® 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.”
Check out the Western Mountaineering Versalite.
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Do you still like to use a sleeping bag liner?
I still like the liner for travel or shorter hikes, but I wanted to shave some weight out of my pack for the CDT.
Hey Mac! I believe you took this with you on the PCT correct? Was there any need for a dry bag or was the compression sack that came with the bag good enough? I’m using a trash compactor bag to line my pack and was wondering if I need a dry bag or if I will be okay with the compression bag. Thanks Mac!
I did not have this bag on the PCT, but on the CDT. I did not have a dry bag on the CDT, but I did have the Hyperlite Southwest which is waterproof.
For over 20 years I’ve put my sleeping bag in a trash compactor bag, in a stuffsack, in my pack and have never had a wet bag. Also, I’ve never fallen in a river or dropped my pack in a river…
You haven’t fallen in a river *yet* 🙂
I have a Western Mountaineering bag that I purchased in 1998 for $200 (on sale). It is the main bag that I have used on countless trips over the years. It has retained all its lofty warmth. It was rated at 20deg and through all the years it has kept me warm down to those temperatures.
At 34 lbs it was very light for it’s time. It is no longer ultra light, but modern UL bags are not that much lighter. I have had no reason to replace it.
Actually, I see the Versalight is 34 oz so sleeping bags didn’t get that much lighter in 20 years. I did buy an Enlightened Equipment 40deg quilt which is a lot lighter but serves a different purpose.
As expensive as WM sleeping bags are, they are gear that will serve you well for a very long time.
34 lbs 😉
But yeah – Western Mountaineering bags are great!
I have been trying to contact customer service for a week now with no response. They only provide an email address. So, not sure I’d agree saying customer service is great. I noted on their Facebook page that others are also experiencing similar non-response issues.
I have a Versalite that is about 20 yrs old. It’s been a great bag and been treated with care, but it’s losing loft (4″ vs 6″) in the middle of the bag. Was hoping for some advice (other than another wash/dry per FAQ), possibly sending it in for adding another 1-2 oz of feathers. Still waiting….
Maybe things have changed since I wrote this review? I haven’t been in touch with them since then. Still using (and loving) their bags!
It states on the website “Authorized product support/service provided by Adventure 16.” The web address is “[email protected]” so perhaps they have been purchased by a company that doesn’t provide the prior level of service. Adventure16 has 2 stores (LA and San Diego) with phone numbers, so that’s next on the list…