Western Mountaineering HighLite Sleeping Bag

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Western Mountaineering down gear has an awesome reputation in the US and that reputation is beginning to build on this side of the pond. Very high quality materials design and construction results in the lightest bags available for a given warmth.

Western Mountaineering says

Everything in the HighLite’s design is intended to reduce weight and promote compressibility. First, the .9 ounce ExtremeLite™ shell fabric goes without saying. No other shell fabric is this light or packed with so many threads per inch.

This specialized ExtremeLite™ bag uses a one way #4 1/2 YKK coil zipper that is cut to half length. While the horizontal seams are sewn-thru, the vertical seams are baffled with 1 1/2″ netting to allow unimpeded loft so the effect of its 850+ goose down is fully realized.

Its efficient cut not only reduces bulk and weight, but reduces excess internal volume so quick heating is realized! At only 16 ounces total weight, no other bag is as light, as warm, as well made or as handsome as our HighLite.

Our Verdict

Western Mountaineering down gear has an awesome reputation in the US and that reputation is beginning to build on this side of the pond. Very high quality materials design and construction results in the lightest bags available for a given warmth.  

An example of their attention to detail is their quoted 850+ fill power down used in all their bags: WM quote this figure even though their down generally gets higher ratings in official tests this is because they feel that the official pre-testing preparation enhances the down quality!

– Reviewed by Ultralight Outdoor Gear

Features

• 59″/38″ Shoulder/Foot Girth
• Sewn-Thru & Baffled Box Construction
• 3 1/2″ Loft, 35° F
• 8 oz. Down Fill

Specifications

• Shape: Mummy (box stitched)
• Rating: 2°C / 35° F *
• Loft: 9cm / 3.5″
• Highest Quality minimum 850+ fill power down

Short

• Length: 165cm / 5’6″
• Weight: 454g
• Fill weight: 200g
• Packed size: 25 x 15cm
• Internal shoulder girth: 150m / 59″
• Internal hip girth: 130cm / 51″
• Internal foot girth: 97cm / 38″

Regular

• Length: 180cm / 6″
• Weight: 472g
• Fill weight: 225g
• Packed size: 30 x 15cm
• Internal shoulder girth: 150m / 59″
• Internal hip girth: 130cm / 51″
• Internal foot girth: 97cm / 38″

Long

• Length: 200cm / 6’6″
• Weight: 530g
• Fill weight: 255g
• Packed size: 30 x 15cm
• Internal shoulder girth: 152m / 60″
• Internal hip girth: 132cm / 52″
• Internal foot girth: 97cm / 38″

* Western Mountaineering state: ‘We independently verify own temperature ratings through our own testing, customer feedback and design knowledge. Most of the items in our catalog we have been making for years, which means we have lots of prior knowledge from everyday consumers on what ratings are accurate. We have also EN tested our bags. In every case the EN rating is lower than our posted rating. This means our ratings are more conservative. We do this to ensure that almost everyone will be happy in our bags at the temperature we publish.’

More About Western Mountaineering:

• Western Mountaineering Construction
• Western Mountaineering Materials

Help and advice:

• The Ultimate Guide to Lightweight Sleeping Bags
• Time-Saver Guide to Choosing a Sleeping Bag
• The EN13537 Standard
• All About Down