If you will be spending much of your time backpacking or camping in the wilderness, it’s essential to ensure that all your equipment and supplies are available to keep you warm and dry. If you are making a plan of what items to acquire, a sleeping bag should top the list as it will be quite impossible to sleep without it.
Part of enjoying your expeditions involves getting the right gear to give you that comfort you need and preventing the cold from freezing you to the bones. This is where the Western Mountaineering Megalite Mummy Sleeping Bag can sure come in handy!
You will also need to consider the place you will be camping, the weather conditions, and what other accessories you would require. Also, you will need to factor in aspects such as weight and the temperature ratings of your gear, as backpacking ventures always require light weight load.
You’ll also need to consider the volume of your gear, its loftiness, the type of insulation used, among other important factors. The Western Mountaineering MegaLite Mummy Sleeping Bag is a large cut gear for bigger individuals or people looking for plenty of space. If you have a phobia of being closed in, or perhaps a broad set of shoulders, you do not need to worry.
The MegaLite is an 850+ down fill bag with 39” foot girth and 64” shoulder girth. All you have to do is to lay back and enjoy the soft. Fluffy down on the night down to thirty degrees Fahrenheit. In this review, we are going to go over all of the important details of this sleeping bag, how it can work for you, and give you the pros and cons of it.
We will also share with you what the users think, and show you a few reviews of sleeping bags that compare to this one so you can be knowledgeable of what is out there and their features. Let us get started!
Review
Packaging
Apparently, this product is 20 x 12 x 8 and weighs 3.4 pounds when shipped. In the box, you will find the sleeping bag, as well as the stuff sack. You will need to unroll your sleeping bag and shake it out once it arrives to you. It is also best if you launder it before your first use. Read the directions on laundering it first.
Design and Durability
This product utilizes a lightweight 12D shell material that the company refers to as the “Extremelight.” While this is a light fabric, it will be tougher than you would ever expect (even after numerous trips). Nevertheless, it’s imperative you should be careful when sleeping out of your tent or with sharp objects as this could easily penetrate the fabric.
Other than that, you’ll never feel like this shell is too light. It’s worth nothing that this tough shell is light as it will continuously offer excellent performance, particularly in term of holding the down together. This sleeping bag has one of the greatest balances if internal space and weight.
It features materials of high quality which minimize its packed size while still providing a healthy amount of space without being inadequate at keeping you warm. The bag doesn’t contain a ton of “added features” in the traditional way, yet it remains on the roomier end.
Western Mountaineering included a stiff material along the zipper that does an excellent job of reducing the zipper from sticking and possibly cutting the fabric.
Warmth
The MegaLite is on the warmer side of the thirty-degree bags which are currently available on the market. This is one of the warmest 30oF bags (warmer = performs excellently in colder temperatures).
The sleeping bag features thirteen ounces of 850+ goose down and provides more loft compared to most bags rated 30oF.
Pack Size
The MegaLite mummy is one of the most compressible gear you can own. For those in need of extra room, this sleeping bag is the right balance of space and comfort and offers an amazingly small, packed size. The included stuff sack does a good job of compressing it, but with the aftermarket compression sack, you will be in a position to pack it down thirty to forty percent smaller.
The only sleeping bags that are slightly smaller in packed size are the Marmot hydrogen that is approximately ten to fifteen percent more pack-able, and Sea to Summit Spark III which is somewhat smaller. In most cases, when compared to other 20 to 30F sleeping bags, the MegaLite is far smaller by about a half of the size.
Technical Specs and Ease of Use
Weight | 1 lb 8 oz / 0.68 kg (Regular) |
Special Features | 12 oz. Down Fill, 30 degrees F Rating, Less than 2 lbs, Packs easily, Top Collar |
Best Use | Camping, hiking, backpacking, trekking |
Brand | Western Mountaineering |
Shape of sleeping bag | Mummy |
Type of insulation | 800 + down |
Fill Weight | 12 oz / 340 g |
Shoulder girth | 64 inches |
Hip girth | 55 inches |
Foot girth | 39 inches |
Max User Height | 6 ft 0 in (Regular), 6 ft 6 in (Long) |
Temperature rating | 30O |
Water resistant | NO |
Temperature range | 21 to 30oC |
Using this sleeping bag is so easy, anyone could do it. When you are ready to get inside, take it out of the stuff sack and unroll it. Unzip the side and slide in and then zip yourself in.
If you need some ventilation, you can unzip an area so you have more air flow. When you are done using the sleeping bag, simply roll it up and stuff it back into the stuff sack and continue on your outdoor adventure!
Weight
This bag weighs 1 pounds, 8 ounces making it one of the lightest bags available on the market. It’s definitely one of the lightest gear of its temperature rating. Despite its comfortable dimensions, the features associated with the MegaLite are also light enough that their impact on the general weight of the product is almost negligible.
The high-quality 850+ down fill fitted into the bag, helps to maximize its warmth and still manages to minimize weight. So, what does this mean? The manufacturer can utilize less down weight to attain the same loft (or greater), as well as insulation and warmth.
This product utilizes a lightweight 12D shell material that the company refers to as the “Extremelight.” While this is a light fabric, it will be tougher than you would ever expect (even after numerous trips). Nevertheless, it’s imperative you should be careful when sleeping out of your tent or with sharp objects as this could easily penetrate the fabric.
Other than that, you’ll never feel like this shell is too light. It’s worth nothing that this tough shell is light as it will continuously offer excellent performance, particularly in term of holding the down together.
Best Application
The Western Mountaineering MegaLite bag is a versatile gear for use in the outdoors. This sleeping bag is suitable for any three-season backpacking adventure, from the single overnight to the thru-hikes. The MegaLite is warm enough for the summertime alpine climbing in areas such as the Sierra, Cascades, or Tetons.
Due to its light weight and packed size, you wouldn’t even hesitate to carry this bag in the long alpine treks such as the Northeast Buttress of Sleese, Torment-Forbidden Traverse, or the Evolution Traverse, where you will be carrying your bag on your back as you take on the technical grounds. The MegaLite is even warm enough for the late spring ski traverses.
Value for Money & Guarantee
The sleeping bag is a great choice for a three-season backpacking expeditions and for approximately $450 you will see that it is still a big value. To make it even better, there is a wide range of sleeping pads that can be paired with it, to both protect it from the ground and also to add another level of insulation and comfort.
Western Mountaineering offers a fairly substantial guarantee on their products. The official website states that all of their products are covered against defects for an unlimited time.
The guarantee does not cover normal wear and tear or improper usage, such as punctures, rips, burn holes and the like. They also state that they will only repair, clean items, so you’ll want to be sure to properly clean your bag if you send it for repairs.
One of the greatest reasons why the MegaLite is suitable for all your outdoor applications is the aspect of versatility. The bag is suitable for every adventure that a thirty-degree rating could be perfect for.
The bag is spacious enough for short adventures, and car camping, and also compressible and light enough for long-distance summertime mountaineering and backpacking. Since the MegaLite provides an adequately spacious design, it’s possible to include additional layers or use its full-length zipper for ventilation during warmer nights.
The EXTREMELITE HighLite, MityLite, SummerLite, UltraLite, TerraLite, or MegaLite Sleeping gear will help the bulk of your backpack as well as your weight. All the six sleeping bags are fitted with 850+ F-power down, the most compressible and lightest available.
Nothing is as significant to the function and quality of a sleeping bag as its insulation. This is why these items have the best. The shell fabrics are treated using the Durable Water Repellent finish to ensure that they do not malfunction when exposed to moisture as the DWR can shrug off any dew or condensation.
The good thing about the Durable Water Repellent is that it’s possible to reapply whenever it wears thin. The shells are manufactured from new lightweight fabrics which weigh as little as 0.85 ounces for every square yard. By their very nature, the unrestricted and total lofting of the down fill is achievable.
The Western Mountaineering sleeping bags, the Megalite included have a storage sack and a stuff sack. The company has been handcrafting these bags for over four decades. One great advantage of these products is that they are guaranteed against the manufacturer’s flaws for an extended period.
PROS:
- Warm
- Breathable
- Small pack size
- Big fully lofted size
- Has 30 degree F rating
- Includes a top collar
CONS:
- Zipper occasionally sticks on the fabric
- Cost hundred of dollars
- Only comes with Black interior
Before deciding to buy a sleeping bag, make sure you do your research so as to determine what features you need. Look at the fabric used, the types of insulation, the temperature rating, the additional features it possesses, and its cost. If all these coincide with your needs, then you can make your purchase.
You also need to know that there are numerous options to pick from so it’s imperative to choose the one that offers the best value for your money. For a temperature rating of 30oF, the MegaLite is something you will be proud to own.