Western Mountaineering's Megalite

“Who out there has this bag? How do ya like it? What are the pro's and con's?

I'm tryin to lighten my pack wt.

Thanks,

John”

“This is the wide bag, correct?

I have WM Antelope SMF, UltraLite, HighLite, and MityLite sleeping bags.
I like them, one thing about these bags is no side block baffle.
You need to shift more down to the top for colder weather.
Best bags for the weight in my opinion.”

“I absolutly love mine. I have one with 2oz of overfill (I got it cheap or I would have prefered a regular non-overfilled model). Pros? Much warmer then any 30 degree bag I've ever used (used bags from Marmot, Moonstone, and TNF). I've used mine w/ 2oz of overfill comfortably down to 18. Total weight 1lb 11oz. I don't know if you've ever played with any WM bags, but they are extremely lofty, especially their newer high power fill bags with the super light pertex fabric. The hand on the pertex fabric is very comfortable, much better then the older version of the Megalite with the 1.1oz lining material. Just make sure you get a newer one with the pertex shell and passive draft collar and you will be extremly happy with the bag. It doesn't pack as small as other lightweight down bags as I have used, even my synthetic Moonston Stratus 3D packs down smaller (at least with the supplied stuff sack). You COULD pack it down smaller but WM suggests only using a stuff sack no smaller then their XS bag to prevent overcompressing the bag. Since the supplied bag is narrow and long it's kinda hard to stuff. Just remember, the ultralite pertex shell needs to be babied. I usually trim my nails and go as far as filing them smooth before I use my Megalite... better to be safe then sorry. If you only need a ~30 F bag you might also want to take a look at the Caribou. It's lighter and has a stronger taffeta shell material at the exense of some elbow room and sewn through constuction (Wouldn't want to use it below it's rating unlike the Megalite).”

“Deoredx,

Great gear report. Thanks.”

“I might also add that WM uses the best anti-snag guard in the buisness IMHO. Marmot and Mooonstone both have great anti-snag guards second only the the WM bags. Although the Megalite had huge ammounts of torso room I find the footbox on the Moonstones more comfortable and roomier. I beleive it has more to do with the cut then the girth. Why the Megalite? Are you looking for the large torso girth?”

“yep...I have broad shoulders to begin with....and I put on 40 lbs during my wifes two pregnancies ( the dr. said ya'd lose the wt after childbirth..but mine doesnt look that way)

Thus said, I need a wider bag that is light.

I saw one at one of the local stores...it was snug on my upper arms.”

“One alternative is the Western Mountaineering Caribou: 35 degrees, full zipper (easier to use as a blanket than a half zipper bag like the mega), lighter (1 lb. 5 oz. vs. 1lb 8oz.), and room comparable to megalite (63"/40" shoulder/foot vs. 64"/39" for the mega).

I love it.”