Western Mountaineering Summerlite Review

The Summerlite was the fourth warmest ultralight bag we tested this year. The construction quality is top notch and the features increase its warmth. This is a very light, fully-baffled mummy bag with a hood, and a durable full-length zipper.

Performance Comparison

Warmth

We awarded the Summerlite an 8 out of 10 in our updated ultralight review for warmth. In near freezing temperatures, our testers slept warm enough in this bag while wearing a mid-weight base layer top and bottom. Our lead tester, who's 185 lbs, finds that wearing more than a baselayer is very constricting in the narrow confines of this bag, and warmth is not gained because the bag's down insulation is compressed from the inside. But another of our testers, who's six feet tall and about 145 lbs, loves this bag in lower temperatures. He has enough room to wear an insulated jacket inside.


While back sleepers will find this bag similar in warmth to the Mtn Speed, the Summerlite is much warmer for side sleepers and contorted positions. It is fully baffled, as opposed to the Mtn Speed which uses sewn-through construction on the bottom to save weight. All this said, we find closed footbox quilts like our Editors' Choice Katabatic Gear Palisade 30 deliver the best warmth-to-weight ratio for ultralight sleeping.

Weight & Packed Size

Our standard length test model, appropriate for folks up to 6 feet tall, weighed in at 18.3 ounces, and the included stuff sack weighs .9 ounces. This makes it one ounce heavier than the ZPacks Classic, the highest scoring mummy bag in our ultralight review. The Zpacks eliminates the hood, and uses a half length zipper. Paring away these features allows ZPacks to build a mummy bag that is both warmer and lighter than the Summerlite. Packed away in the included stuff sack, the Summerlite measures 6 x 11 inches.

Versatility

Versatility is not a strong point of a traditional mummy bag. While the full length zipper on this model allows you to open it up down to the footbox for hot summer nights, the fixed girth when closed makes it difficult for all but thin hikers to add warm clothing for cold nights. The Summerlite received one of our lowest versatility scores.

Comfort

While we find the hood of the Summerlite comfortable as far as hoods are concerned, most of our testers prefer a quilt or mummy bag that eliminates the hood. And as described above, the cut of this model is quite slim. Our larger testers find it restricting, while thinner folks are more comfortable inside.

Features

This feather light hooded mummy uses a full-length #5 YKK zipper with pulls at both the top and the bottom so you can ventilate at the foot if desired. The warm draft tube that backs it for warmth it stiffened to prevent zipper snags, and we found the operation smooth.

A non-stretchy cord provides the adjustment of the hood at face and brow to seal in warmth. The cord lock here is free-floating, a feature that some prefer since it facilitates a quick exit from the bag. Finally, 360 degree continuous horizontal baffles hold the down in this model and the "Made in the USA" tag at the bottom doubles as a single hang loop.

Best Applications

The Western Mountaineering Summerlite is a great choice for three-season backpacking and thru-hiking. We found it warm enough into the mid 30s while wearing only a base layer, and smaller hikers have room in its fixed girth to add warmer clothing for colder nights.

Value

If this bag is a good fit for what you seek in an ultralight sleeping bag, then $405 is a good deal. One of our testers is approaching 10,000 miles of hiking with his Summerlite, and it is still going strong. Western Mountaineering is known to build very durable products.

Conclusion

The Western Mountaineering Summerlite is a durable and warm three-season sleeping bag. It is one of the lightest hooded mummy bags that will keep you warm in near-freezing temperatures. However, to keep the weight light while still offering great features like a full length zipper back by a draft tube, Western Mountaineering designed this bag with a slim cut. We recommend it to relatively thin hikers.

Sizing, Accessories, & Other Versions

The Summerlite is available in three sizes:
Short 5'6ʺ, Standard 6'0ʺ, Long 6'6ʺ