Western Mountaineering  AlpinLite 20 Sleeping Bag

I have been camping on the Pacic coast by bicycle. The weight is amazing, craftsmanship unassailable. Though I find the bag comfortable, I have woken cold in the middle of the night because the down shifted. If I can learn how to keep the down where it is supposed to be, I will like it. But I don't today and I am in my 6th week camping on the Pacific coast.

I have been camping on the Pacic coast by bicycle. The weight is amazing, craftsmanship unassailable. Though I find the bag comfortable, I have woken cold in the middle of the night because the down shifted. If I can learn how to keep the down where it is supposed to be, I will like it. But I don't today and I am in my 6th week camping on the Pacific coast.

I have loved this bag. I did the grand canyon in march 21 days im the bag. Used at as a quilt on warmer nights and on cold nights it was great. I did some early backpacking with it and it guy sub 32 and probably colder with windchill. I got cold that night but I fell asleep with it fully unzipped and no shirt or jacket. Woke up put a sweatshirt on fully zipped up, tightened my baffle and boom I was toasty after a couple minutes. That baffle is no joke. Now talking about the reviews above that are stating the down moves around. I have seen some moving of the down but i have moved it back with ease and mine didnt move bearly that much. Its down so if it gets wet and clumps up it takes forever to dry. You can also send these into western and get more fill if you notice to see your bag losing down or just want your bag warmer. I am looking at getting the 25 degree, do i need another expensive sleeping bag…. No. Do i want one, yes! It is a mummy so its a wee bit tight, The 25 degree is much wider and I only usually do 3 seasons. But if im anywhere below 40-45 id pick this bag everytime.

If you're over 180lbs, go for the wider Alpinlite. I have 4 camping nights on it and 12 Refugio nights in Nepal so far and it's fantastic. Also, even if you're 6ft, get the 6'6" version as your feet will point "down" when you lay down and it will be nice to have the extra toe room. Here's the underrated aspect of this bag. You can EASILY redistribute the down by unzipping the bag and vigorously shaking the down in the direction you want it to go. 2-3 shakes (like shaking dust of a small rug) and you'll go from a 20F bag to a 40F (?) rated bag; appropriate for a warmer night. This takes some practice and you may have to bring some down back over by brushing it back over with your hand. Overall, this is a major advantage over vertical baffles. The bag is accurately rated and be wary of the exuberant WM fan boys who think this thing is comfortable down to 10F. It's not and even WM says that. More knowledge. 850+ down is what you want, as 1000 fill power is the finest of the finest down, but it doesn't keep the sleeping bag baffles as resistant to you tossing and turning, elbows poking it etc. 850 is lofty, but it can handle physical stresses better. Also WM doesn't use water resistant coatings on it's down because they believe down already has it's own oils that help resist high humidity situations. I have used both and I'm not sure I can even tell the difference. I use quilts primarily but under 30F I give up on them (due to drafts) and go to sleeping bags. However, WM does a REALLY good job at getting close to the weights of quilts. Take the 30F WM Megalite. The Megalite is only 2-3oz heavier than a Katabatic 30F quilt with it's required quilt straps.

Excellent craftsmanship and thoughtful design. No gimmicks, just a functional item that simply works. Haven’t tested it below 32 degrees, but it seems accurately rated. As noted elsewhere, the zipper is outstanding, no stress getting in or out. The hood is well designed with a super efficient draft collar. Ample footbox provide comfort, seems over stuffed for warmth. The dimensions are just right for me (6’ 180 lbs), allows side sleeping without the bag fighting the constant turns, but not so loose it wastes efficiency. I sold two bags/quilts (10 deg and 25 deg) to finally get the right one.