WM Summerlite review

[Mataharihiker]

I really lucked out last month and was able to purchase this new bag, which isn't generally available, AND got it 20% off at Midwest Mountaineering's Expo in MInneapolis. This allowed me to take it on my week-long trip from Wisconsin to Devil's Tower. Temps went from 29 to 50 so I was able to put it through it's paces. A couple asides, they shaved weight off of this bag by making it quite small...I only weigh 120 pounds so this worked well for me but I think it would be a bit snug if I weighed my old weight of 180...

I wanted a bag with a full zip as I often use them as quilts in warmer weather in my Hennessy. I also like baffles which allow me to move the down where I want it. I am a cold sleeper so this is definitely a summer bag for me. When it was 40 I needed to throw my GoLite Coal Parka over my torso and wear midweight silk longjohns. Since I always carry these with me anyway this was not a hardship. The bag kept me warmer than I expected it to...the zipper only got stuck a couple of times when I wasn't paying attention. It packs to nothing and weighs the same. The WM rep told me that most bag manufacturers rate their bags thusly...the rating is the temperature where most will begin to be uncomfortably cold. He told me if their bags are rated to 32, most will comfortable when it is 32...as I said, I am a very cold sleeper...when it was below 35, I used my FF EIder bag which is rated at -20...I need to get out with the Summerlite more often and when I'm feeling better I will and continue to report my experiences...until then, I'm pretty happy with a bag that weighs 1 lb 3 oz....

[Ben2World]

Thanks for the review! Where was the Summerlite when I was shopping for my 30F bag in 2004? :(

Curious, I'm 5'9" and I weigh 150 lbs. Would the Summerlite be a good fit -- or will it feel tight?

[Mataharihiker]

You know, I'm not sure if you would find it tight or not...here's a suggestion for you...get a sheet and, using safety pins and the dimensions given on the WM website, make yourself a model and see...we all have different comfort zones..I'm thinking the bag would fit you better than it fits me...and, maybe that's why I got cold when it was 40...too much room in it!

[mn_backpacker]

Thanks for the review! I have a MegaLite, and love the bag. I looked at the SummerLite, but I knew it wouldn't fit me. I envy your 1/2 pound less weight! I needed the shoulder girth of the MegaLite and the length of the long (I'm not huge - 6'0" 185, but I have broad shoulders). My last bag had 59" of girth, and I only used it once. It was way too tight for me. If I were a little smaller I probably would have got the SummerLite.

I really like the full zip, which the SummerLite also has. On warmer nights you can use it more like a quilt, and nobody can predict the temps in northern MN where I spend most of my backpacking time. I'm surprised you were cold at 40 in it. In my MegaLite I had the zipper open in the mid to upper 40's.

Glad to hear you like it!

[Servingko]

I had purchased a Highlite last year and later saw the blurb on the Summerlite and was initially pretty bummed out. Fortunately the dealer was more than happy to take it back and order a Summerlite for me this past April. While I tried to get Western Mountaineering to add an ounce or two of "overfill", they didn't think there was a need to. Having inspected the bag I would agree that a 2 ounce overfill would be a bit much but 1 ounce would be about perfect.

Over the past 2 years I have completely replaced everything down to socks and flashlight in an effort to reduce weight, bulk, and simplify my life on the trail and the Summerlite has been a welcome addition to my gear closet. I now have a base pack weight - less consumables - of 14.8 lbs and that includes a 2lb exped downmat 7 (warm and comfortable!)

To date I have slept in the bag 10 nights in temps ranging from the low 20's to mid 40's. I too like to unzip the bag and use it as a quilt but due to the colder temps have ended up zipped up by morning.I have found that the Summerlite bag was roomy enough for me but there isn't much room to spare. For reference, I am 5' 9" 170 lbs with a shoulder girth of 50" and hip girth of 39".

I typically sleep in socks and silk underwear - both long top and bottom. I also sleep with a fleece cap at these temps but as a side sleeper, rarely employ the hood, instead I pull the closure around my neck to seal warmth and rely on the cap to keep my head warm. I would classify myself as a slightly cold sleeper for the most part, but due to varying hydration levels, exhaustion, food intake, and many other factors, I don't think that means much. Suffice it to say that I was comfortable enough to stay asleep down to the advertised temp of 32. I was comfortable down to 22 degrees by adding a silk baclava, stretch fleece tights, and a down vest (Feathered Friends Hyperion) - all items I have on almost every trip in the high mountains here in Utah, Wyoming, Nevada, and Colorado. Unless you are quite thin, don't plan on adding much inside the bag. I am actually warmer draping the vest over the top of me on the outside of the bag but it doesn't stay there.

Other bags I have used in this feather weight class include the following:

WM Highlite - Comparable to the Summerlite with more versatility and just about the same warmth.
Sierra Designs Wicked Fastbag Spring Weight - Good to 20 if you stay on your back and put the pad inside the bag. NOT for side sleepers or those that roll.
WM Megalight - Basically this is the same as a Summerlite with 5" more shoulder girth. Great for layering clothing inside or larger folks.
Marmot Atom - Heavier and colder than advertised.
Marmot Hydrogen - Nice bag, perfect fit, half zip.
NF Beeline - Interesting but no zip.
Feathered Friends Hummingbird - nice bag but very slim cut and a bit heavy for the space.

Overall the Summerlite has been my favorite, although until it came along I was happy with the Highlite and preferred it to the bags listed above. If you have the Highlite and are just fine with the half zip I wouldn't beat yourself up wanting the Summerlite. The cut is the same and the temp ratings are basically the same. The hood on the Summerlite is better but the Highlite controls the down better if you move around at night and takes up less space in your pack while weighing 4 oz less. (based on my measurements between the Highlite I had at 16oz even and the Summerlite at 1lb 4.3 ounces. - both regular right zip)

[Bbbluee]

Nice review.

I have a Highlite with 2 oz overfill and a full zipper I installed myself. It weighs in at 17.1 oz and is my favorite bag. I use a Megalite if it's colder and wear my insulating clothes to bed with either bag depending on conditions.

Sounds like these (3) bags are very similar and all excellent.

[PBF Support]