WM Versalite vs. Antelope

imported
#1

I know LiteShoe has said great things about the Versalite. I’d like to hear more. Weight wise this is a no brainer. I sleep cold but I am also wanting to break out of my “I am going to need a CDL license to haul all this stuff funk”.

Kate

Kate

#2

If you want to save a bit of $$ check out the REI down bags. The Sub Kilo 20 is on sale for around $149 and the warmer Sub Kilo Plus 0 is $239 (less if you enter a coupon code). I have a TNF Cat’s Meow that was ok at 25deg but I froze at 18deg. I bought the REI 0deg bag to replace it.

nooga

#3

How about a North Face Blue Kazoo(down) rated at 20 deg plus a Design Salts Silk Mummy Liner rated at -9 deg. That equates to a 12 degree bag and relativly cheap at that. Unless, money is no object which is usually the case with most gearheads.

frogge

#4

Be careful if you go with the sub kilo.I used it for my thru hike this past year,and the down does not last for a long time.I guess its more of a question of if you want a bag to last a long time or a cheaper bag.You pay for what you get in sleeping bags.

Detour

#5

I have the Versalite and my body cools way down when I fall asleep. I’m tall and thin - so not much insulation to start with…

I’ve tried the bag 6-7 nights so far in temps between 20-30 degrees. In the 20’s I was wearing my longies and felt a little warm. In the 30’s I was fine just wearing a t-shirt and underwear.

I’m also bringing a silk liner. The one time I used it (on a 30’s night) I had to keep the zipper open to cool me down.

My one issue with the bag is the shell. I don’t know if they DWR it at the factory or not. One morning I got covered in dew and the shell absorbed some of it. It’s no biggie, just have to air it out at lunchtime. I bought a can of DWR spray and lightly coated the top of the bag.

Also, since the shell is thin (and light), you will need to pull quills back into the bag now and then. That’s a 2 second thing you do while stuffing it back in its bag. The shell on the Antelope is a tighter weave so you prolly won’t see any quills.

Also note, the 2002 version is a 20* bag, while the 2003 is a 15* bag. I don’t know what the difference is (maybe 850 down?) between the 2003 and 2003 bags.

Dharma

#6

I am being a brand snob on this one and will be sticking to the WM bags for my choices. If I don’t sleep happy at night then I will not be on the trail for long. I don’t want to get the versalite and have the weight savings be eaten up by the extra clothing I need to keep warm. I will be taking a silk liner. From what Liteshoe and Dharma say though that should not be a problem. Condensation on the other hand… Did you have the condensation problem often? I am planning to tent more often than not.

Kate