Western Mountaineering Lynx GWS Sleeping Bag

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The Lynx GWS sleeping bags have a Gore Windstopper shell because this makes them more water resistant and so you are less likely to get the down inside the sleeping bag wet – which would be a disaster.

Western Mountaineering says

When getting to a backcountry bowl with enough energy to enjoy the fresh powder, being fast and going light is crucial. That’s why the Lynx in Gore Windstopper™ is your choice. This powerhouse of a bag is packed with 33 oz. of 850+ down, and weighs in at 3 lbs. 8 oz. This efficient cut, -10° bag has a full 3-Dimensional down filled collar completely made with Gore Windstopper™ fabric. The draft tube is also Gore Windstopper™ fabric and has a stiffening tape. Its V-Block Side Baffle insures perfect down control so that down stays where it’s needed most. Caution! This much warmth in so small a package may reach critical mass!

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!

The Lynx GWS sleeping bags have a Gore Windstopper shell because this makes them more water resistant and so you are less likely to get the down inside the sleeping bag wet – which would be a disaster.

Our advice is that if you are using a two skin tent then you should not need the extra protection of a water resistant fabric – however if you are using a bivy or tarp or if you are going to extremely wet conditions we would recommend you take a water resistant bag such as this.

– Reviewed by Ultralight Outdoor Gear

Features

• Gore Windstopper Shell
• 6″ Spacing/V-Block Side Baffle
• 62″/39″ Shoulder/Foot Girth
• Full Down Collar
• 8.5″ Loft, -10° F
• 32 oz. Down Fill

Specifications

• Shape: Mummy (w/ full collar)
• Rating: -23°C / -10° F *
• Loft: 22cm / 8.5″
• Highest Quality minimum 850+ fill power down

Short

• Length: 165cm / 5’6″
• Weight: 1500g (WM stated weight)
• Fill weight: 850g
• Packed size: 46 x 23cm
• Internal shoulder girth: 155m / 61″
• Internal hip girth: 137cm / 54″
• Internal foot girth: 99cm / 39″

Regular

• Length: 180cm / 6″
• Weight: 1590g (WM stated weight)
• Fill weight: 905g
• Packed size: 46 x 23cm
• Internal shoulder girth: 157m / 52″
• Internal hip girth: 137cm / 54″
• Internal foot girth: 99cm / 39″

Long

• Length: 200cm / 6’6″
• Weight: 1670g (WM stated weight)
• Fill weight: 965g
• Packed size: 50 x 23cm
• Internal shoulder girth: 160m / 63″
• Internal hip girth: 140cm / 55″
• Internal foot girth: 99cm / 39″

* 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