Western Mountaineering Ultralite 20 Sleeping Bag Review

Western Mountaineering, a homegrown outdoor equipment company based in San Jose, California, prides itself on remaining true to its independent roots and providing nothing but cutting-edge sleeping bags of the finest quality.  True to its commitment, the sleeping bags of Western Mountaineering have won numerous awards from various organizations and publications, each a testament to the top-notch products that the company provides.  One of its sleeping bag sub-lines is known as the Extremelite series, defined by each bag weighing an incredibly small amount for its excellent performance.  Today we take a closer look at one of the sub-lines’ award-winning designs, the Ultralite 20, a flexible multi-season bag that can handle temperatures down to 20 degrees F.  With a retail price between US$370.00 to US$400.00, you are looking at a rather pricy selection, but if you’re willing to see it as an investment, you won’t be disappointed with what you’ll be getting for your money.

   

 

  

 

 

The foremost quality of the Ultralite 20 is that it is amazingly lightweight, weighing in at an unbelievable 1 lb. 13 oz.  What it lacks in heaviness, it more than compensates in its hefty features.  The Ultralite 20 is a mummy bag with a down fill rating of 850 and about 5 inches of loft, which few bags at any price can match.  Its full-length zipper is reinforced with a strip of nylon on either side that prevents snagging, and indeed, its users are very pleased to report no instances of zipper snag even when actively yanking the zipper forcefully.  The hood is itself generously insulated in such a way that you won’t have to draw it in tight to benefit from the warmth it provides, and it comes with a thick down-filled neck collar that both prevents any heat from escaping and keeps the cold air from seeping into the bag.  Sometimes, the hood can be so warm that it may not be necessary to use it, and a decent hat should provide adequate protection in slightly less frigid climate.  Though down bags lose much of their insulation capability when they get wet, the Ultralite 20 is covered with a Pertex Quantum shell that offers sound protection from water and excellent durability.  Western Mountaineering certainly did not pull any of the stops with this impressive bag, and their assurance of your satisfaction is such that the bag comes with a lifetime guarantee.

Reviewers both amateur and professional are unanimously enthusiastic in their praise of the Ultralite 20, which truly is an extraordinary marvel of technology and attention to detail that delivers just as it promises.  Unlike other bags that do not perform quite as well within their extreme temperature ratings, the Ultralite 20 does not disappoint in this arena.  As earlier emphasized, the one true drawback of this Western Mountaineering work of art is its significant price tag.  The fact that it is expected to last a lifetime, however, should convince the truly hardcore expedition members among you, if not the rest of the outdoor adventure crowd, that the Ultralite 20 is worth much more than its weight in gold. You can buy it online here.

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