Western Mountaineering UltraLite 20 Evaluation

Backside Line

The Western Mountaineering UltraLite 20 is considered one of our prime selections for nearly any backpacking journey. It ranks extremely on our Finest Backpacking Sleeping Baggage Information as one of many cushiest and highest-quality down baggage 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 comfy as down baggage 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 alternative for Gear Analyst Casey Handley’s thru-hike of the Arizona Path.

The downsides of this sleeping bag? You’ll pay prime greenback. However for ultralight backpackers with an eye fixed on sturdiness and efficiency, it’s value each penny. It’s additionally value noting the UltraLite’s match is a traditional, 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 people who desire a extra feature-forward sleep system.

Heat

The Western Mountaineering UltraLite 20 presents the most effective heat to weight ratios we’ve examined. It’s distinctive at retaining heat with its premium 850+ fill energy down and mushy 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 luggage potential to take care of 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 ranking for the UltraLite. Whereas most producers overstate their consolation degree claims, the UltraLite 20 is a welcome exception. It’s completely full of down fill – boasting 16 ounces, or a full pound, of feathers – so we’ve discovered it could go fairly a bit decrease than the really helpful 20°F consolation degree. To check this, we slept by way 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 relating to heat? The Ultralites’ massive baffles. Its down tends to settle pretty shortly in these greater areas after a few dozen instances unpacking and repacking the bag. Fortunately, the feathers are straightforward to redistribute with handbook massaging to eradicate chilly spots, however it could grow to be a little bit of a activity to arrange for colder nights. And, the sacrifice you’ll make for such distinctive heat is the match is slender by way 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 possibly can put on. Final, whereas the UltraLite is impressively heat, it isn’t thought-about a 4-season or winter bag. In case your subsequent backpacking journey includes in a single day temps that persistently 20°F or under, you’ll need to contemplate including a liner, one other quilt, or swapping to a hotter bag to remain as heat as attainable.

Consolation

The Western Mountaineering UltraLite 20 is as comfy as down baggage get. Because of premium supplies and a sensible, time-tested design, we hold reaching for it 12 months spherical for backpacking journeys. The beneficiant down collar wraps 360° across the neck, which makes the bag really feel further soft on chilly nights. Its hood is vast sufficient to accommodate a small to medium pillow and presents 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 comfortable down hat. 12D ripstop nylon feels exceptionally mushy on the pores and skin and is comparatively quiet. The comfortable match of the mum bag design retains warmth and presents 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 presents 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 is probably not the bag for you, and there isn’t a lot further area 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 perhaps a downside for people 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 course of the pack for total weight, however take into account 16 ounces, or one pound – greater than half of its complete weight – is nothing however down feathers. That’s a number of insulation, giving it round 5 inches of loft that’s tremendous heat on chilly nights however compresses remarkably effectively. On longer journeys we are inclined to stash our sleeping bag loosely round our different gear to forestall shifting whereas climbing, but it surely does match effortlessly right into a compact stuff sack. The minimalist design helps hold weight down with out compromising efficiency, so it’s a handy alternative for multi-day journeys, balancing weight and performance.

That mentioned, in case you’re an ultralight aficionado who’s largely tenting in summer season or circumstances 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 over gentle winter circumstances, or are spending time within the excessive alpine, you received’t discover many extra packable or light-weight baggage anyplace.

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 concentrated on shedding each pointless ounce, you received’t discover components like a stash pocket, ventilating mesh, extra zippers, or different conveniences that heavier, extra feature-forward baggage supply. This may not hit the mark for everybody, however we admire its streamlined design: by chopping out the extras, the UltraLite presents the most effective of the most effective 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 customary for these prepared to put money into 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 maintaining you heat and cozy down to twenty°F. Its design, optimized for heat and effectivity, makes the UltraLite 20 a superb alternative for cold-weather tenting and long-distance climbing.

Nonetheless, the UltraLite 20 isn’t for everybody. The excessive value level is usually a barrier for budget-conscious hikers. Additionally, its comfortable mummy match could also be a bit too slender for customers preferring more room. The bag’s minimalist design, whereas excellent for weight-conscious adventurers, lacks further 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 increased high quality bag anyplace.

What Different Backpacking Sleeping Baggage Ought to You Contemplate?

Feathered Mates Swallow YF 20 Evaluation:  This bag presents an identical weight, heat, consolation ranking, and options to the UltraLite 20. But it surely’s extra reasonably priced, accessible in each ladies’s and males’s variations, and boasts a barely increased fill energy and fill weight that gram counters and minimalists may favor.

Kelty Cosmic Extremely 20 Evaluation: The Extremely 20 presents 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 value, the Extremely is a greater choice for rookies or these on a price range.

Zpacks Traditional 20 Evaluation: The Traditional 20 bag shares components with the Ultralite 20 like an identical consolation ranking, 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 lower cost –  though it’s not as heat or versatile in chilly climate.