New Summer Bag

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06-03-2021, 09:26
Tipi Walter

5 Attachment(s)

New Summer Bag

WESTERN MOUNTAINEERING EVERLITE
Well, I finally bit the big one and upgraded to a down sleeping bag/quilt rated at 45F. It comes in at around 14ozs.

Attachment 48291
My previous "summer" bag (versus my WM Puma -15F winter bag) is my 22 year old Marmot Couloir down bag and obviously way too hot for the furnace temps of TN/NC summers. And comes in at around 3 lbs 7 ozs. My only excuse all these years is the bag has lost some of its loft and is more "flattened".

Attachment 48293
Here is the Everlite in zipped up config as a normal sleeping bag with bottom opening drawstring closed.

Attachment 48294
Side view of the bag.

Attachment 48295
Quilt configuration with bag unzipped and bottom drawstring opened.

Attachment 48296
This is quilt view looking up from the foot end of the bag.
06-03-2021, 09:34
Tipi Walter

5 Attachment(s)

Attachment 48297
Emblem of excellence.

Attachment 48298
Pic shows bottom zipper with velcro closure.

Attachment 48299
With velcro closure open.

Attachment 48300
Open foot box of sleeping bag so the released zipper can turn the bag into a quilt.

Attachment 48301
Drawstring cinched foot box to turn quilt into zipped up sleeping bag.
06-03-2021, 09:35
CalebJ

Great choice!
06-03-2021, 09:44
Tipi Walter

Quote:

Originally Posted by CalebJ

Great choice!

I am using it every night in the backyard and so far it's plenty warm as a quilt.
06-03-2021, 09:52
CalebJ

I've used their Summerlite for... 12-13 years maybe? No regrets at all. I switch to an even lighter synthetic quilt in warmer weather, but love the WM bag. No concerns about the temp rating either - I've comfortably slept in it below freezing.
06-03-2021, 22:41
Joeseph

Can't go wrong with a WM!
06-03-2021, 22:49
HankIV

And now you have room for more peanut butter!
06-04-2021, 06:33
Coffee

I have an Enlightened Equipment 30F 950 fill power quilt that weighs in under 18 ounces but even though it can be completely flat as a blanket it is too warm for mid summer use in Virginia. The 50F down version is under 13 ounces. They also have an Apex fill version that could be better in humid summer conditions. I don’t do a lot of mid summer east coast backpacking so I haven’t been able to justify a summer bag like this so far. I prefer to head out to the Sierra Nevada if I get an opportunity to backpack during the mid summer months. There a 30F quilt works well.
06-04-2021, 08:54
Tipi Walter

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coffee

I have an Enlightened Equipment 30F 950 fill power quilt that weighs in under 18 ounces but even though it can be completely flat as a blanket it is too warm for mid summer use in Virginia. The 50F down version is under 13 ounces. They also have an Apex fill version that could be better in humid summer conditions. I don’t do a lot of mid summer east coast backpacking so I haven’t been able to justify a summer bag like this so far. I prefer to head out to the Sierra Nevada if I get an opportunity to backpack during the mid summer months. There a 30F quilt works well.

As mentioned this minimal bag is rated at 45F and just about perfect for our summer TN/NC mountains---either as an open quilt or a zipped up bag. My pillow is a down jacket so if things get cold I can sleep in the jacket with my silk leggings and top---along with my always-carried turtle fur fleece hat.
06-04-2021, 09:22
coach lou

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tipi Walter

As mentioned this minimal bag is rated at 45F and just about perfect for our summer TN/NC mountains---either as an open quilt or a zipped up bag. My pillow is a down jacket so if things get cold I can sleep in the jacket with my silk leggings and top---along with my always-carried turtle fur fleece hat.

I got this bag to stay in the AMC huts. But I use it for many different occasions. Summer, day snow shoeing, and as a cover for my Alpinlite when it isn't cold enough to haul my Puma!
06-04-2021, 09:25
coach lou

1 Attachment(s)

Quote:

Originally Posted by coach lou

I got this bag to stay in the AMC huts. But I use it for many different occasions. Summer, day snow shoeing, and as a cover for my Alpinlite when it isn't cold enough to haul my Puma!

Attachment 48303 Alpinlite covered with Everlite!
06-04-2021, 10:18
Tipi Walter

1 Attachment(s)

Quote:

Originally Posted by coach lou

I got this bag to stay in the AMC huts. But I use it for many different occasions. Summer, day snow shoeing, and as a cover for my Alpinlite when it isn't cold enough to haul my Puma!

Quote:

Originally Posted by coach lou

Attachment 48303 Alpinlite covered with Everlite!

Yes, the Puma is my go-to winter bag---
Attachment 48304
Puma as a survival item at -10F.
06-04-2021, 11:04
Traffic Jam

I primarily use down bags but wonder about using a 45* down bag in summer in the SE. I’m curious why you chose this instead of a synthetic bag, taking into consideration the rain and humidity that we experience.
06-04-2021, 14:22
Coffee

Quote:

Originally Posted by Traffic Jam

I primarily use down bags but wonder about using a 45* down bag in summer in the SE. I’m curious why you chose this instead of a synthetic bag, taking into consideration the rain and humidity that we experience.

That’s the factor that makes me consider the apex version of the EE Revelation 50.
06-04-2021, 15:13
Tipi Walter

Quote:

Originally Posted by Traffic Jam

I primarily use down bags but wonder about using a 45* down bag in summer in the SE. I’m curious why you chose this instead of a synthetic bag, taking into consideration the rain and humidity that we experience.

You bring up Southeast rain and humidity but even on long trips my down items perform great. There's a cycle (mostly in winter) with my down gear---

**I leave home with everything at bone dry max loft.
**First night in camp the tent is full of lofted down gear.
**Day 5 comes a sleetstorm with 100% humidity---all down items lose a fraction of loft. This may continue for 3 or 4 more days. And this loss of loft is not due to in-tent condensation but to humidity and overall moisture in the air, i.e. 100% humidity.
**Day 10 comes in windy cold temps with little humidity and all down items reloft to at-home dryness.
ETC.

I always know how dry my down bag is by how difficult it is to put in the stuff sack.

High quality down is warmer and lighter than synthetic fill (remember Polar Guard?)---much warmer. (Sorry to the geese sacrificing their lives for my comfort). And packs tiny.

One drawback to synthetic bags/quilts---they lose their loft permanently over time---the nature of nylon fibers---and can't be restored.
06-04-2021, 16:31
hobbs

I been debating for about 4 years on a quilt or another WM bag. I looked at the highlight and I was comparing that TO the Feathered friends flicker. I think the Everlite will work for summer.Thanks tippi your photos helped make the decision. Temp range is about right to.
06-04-2021, 16:37
Tipi Walter

Quote:

Originally Posted by hobbs

I been debating for about 4 years on a quilt or another WM bag. I looked at the highlight and I was comparing that TO the Feathered friends flicker. I think the Everlite will work for summer.Thanks tippi your photos helped make the decision. Temp range is about right to.

If you're anywhere near 5'9" tall you should probably get the Long version of Everlite. I got the Long and it makes all the difference.
06-04-2021, 22:08
Maineiac64

Great choice, I have an EE 40 quilt for summer but WM is the cadillac.
06-05-2021, 01:26
JNI64

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tipi Walter

You bring up Southeast rain and humidity but even on long trips my down items perform great. There's a cycle (mostly in winter) with my down gear---

**I leave home with everything at bone dry max loft.
**First night in camp the tent is full of lofted down gear.
**Day 5 comes a sleetstorm with 100% humidity---all down items lose a fraction of loft. This may continue for 3 or 4 more days. And this loss of loft is not due to in-tent condensation but to humidity and overall moisture in the air, i.e. 100% humidity.
**Day 10 comes in windy cold temps with little humidity and all down items reloft to at-home dryness.
ETC.

I always know how dry my down bag is by how difficult it is to put in the stuff sack.

High quality down is warmer and lighter than synthetic fill (remember Polar Guard?)---much warmer. (Sorry to the geese sacrificing their lives for my comfort). And packs tiny.

One drawback to synthetic bags/quilts---they lose their loft permanently over time---the nature of nylon fibers---and can't be restored.

Well hopefully they will use more than just the feathers when they sacrifice that their goose ! Alot more to that goose ........
06-05-2021, 05:08
OwenM

Surprised you hadn't already bought one a long time ago!
I liked the Everlite a lot, especially how the box stitched baffles keep the down from shifting.
Should be great for most folks from late spring to early fall, it just hit a sour spot of too much or too little for me, being such an abnormally hot sleeper. Wonderful bag/quilt, though.
06-05-2021, 07:03
Traveler

Gotta say this.....

"He ain't no drag, Poppa's got a brand new bag!"

<with apologies to James Brown, but I've waited years to be able to use that>
06-05-2021, 10:33
Tipi Walter

Quote:

Originally Posted by OwenM

Surprised you hadn't already bought one a long time ago!
I liked the Everlite a lot, especially how the box stitched baffles keep the down from shifting.
Should be great for most folks from late spring to early fall, it just hit a sour spot of too much or too little for me, being such an abnormally hot sleeper. Wonderful bag/quilt, though.

I spent 30 years backpacking around Boone NC and a beefy down sleeping bag was the ticket price to living outside in Watauga County in all four seasons. Old habits are hard to change.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Traveler

Gotta say this.....

"He ain't no drag, Poppa's got a brand new bag!"

<with apologies to James Brown, but I've waited years to be able to use that>

I'm still draggin' what with the mentioned peanut butter and big tent and books and the usual Accoutrements of Idiocy---but at least my sleeping bag is now super light.
10-27-2021, 03:28
Bansko

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tipi Walter

If you're anywhere near 5'9" tall you should probably get the Long version of Everlite. I got the Long and it makes all the difference.

I'm 5'9" and am considering buying the Everlite as a summer bag. I have a WM semi-rectangular Sycamore (+25F) that has been my go-to three season bag for the last eight years or so. I plan on keeping it forever but the unnecessary bulk/weight penalty in the summer has made me want to get something lighter. I've been looking at the Everlite and was thinking about getting the shorter version, since I'm 5'9", until I read your post. What is it about the longer version that makes you recommend it for people of my stature? I'm inclined to go for it, since it's only abut 3 ounces heavier and has more elbow space, but I am wondering why you recommend the larger size.
10-27-2021, 13:48
Odd Man Out

Tipi is going Ultralight!

Well, maybe not ;-)
10-27-2021, 17:39
gjbu

I saw tipi this past weekend at Bob’s bald. He was definitely not ultra light. Just looking at his pack will give the average person a hernia. ��