View Full Version : Marmot Atom Vs WM's Summerlite or Megalite
gonewalkabout
05-05-2009, 11:53
Anyone have any thoughts on Marmot's Atom 40 F bag vs wwesternmountaineering's Summerlite 32 F or the Mega lite? The Summerlite and Atom have the same amount of 850 fill so I think their warmth is closer than the numbers indicate. The Atom can be found on sale for about $100 less. WM bags are almost never found on sale.
bigcranky
05-05-2009, 14:10
The Megalite is wider, which I like. My favorite 3-season bag that I've owned. For a big person, like me, it's worth the extra few ounces.
Between the Atom and the Summerlite, I couldn't tell you. Both Marmot and WM make good bags.
skinewmexico
05-05-2009, 14:19
What bigcranky said. My Megalite is a lot wider than my Atom. But I think the Megalite is a lot warmer.
Jayboflavin04
05-06-2009, 02:23
Thougt I was a cold sleeper until I spnet a couple nights in my WM ultralight. First night out it dropped to 20ish (what the bag is rated for)! I am sure most will tell you WM bags have conservative ratings.
Anyone have any thoughts on Marmot's Atom 40 F bag vs wwesternmountaineering's Summerlite 32 F or the Mega lite? The Summerlite and Atom have the same amount of 850 fill so I think their warmth is closer than the numbers indicate. ~
According to the manufacturers' websites:
Marmot Atom (regular) has 8 oz (http://marmot.com/spring_2009/equipment/sleeping_bags/ultralight/atom_reg/info/details) of 850+ down fill.
WM Summerlite (regular) has 10 oz (http://www.westernmountaineering.com/index.cfm?section=Products&page=Sleeping%20Bags&cat=ExtremeLite%20Series&viewpost=2&ContentId=69) of 850+ down fill.
pyroman53
05-06-2009, 11:58
I have the Summerlite and love it. BUT...you gotta know its narrow...as in SLIM. This works perfect for me cause so am I and besides, I like a bag that rolls with me rather than me rolling within it. So, if that's what you want, then consider the Summerlite.
Because it is so narrow, there is less air to warm, and less space to fill with down. This maximizes the effectiveness of the down. Beware comparing down weight between dissimilar sized bags.
Rosborn88
05-06-2009, 17:32
Thougt I was a cold sleeper until I spnet a couple nights in my WM ultralight. First night out it dropped to 20ish (what the bag is rated for)! I am sure most will tell you WM bags have conservative ratings.
Since the topic was touched on - I'm looking into getting my self a WM bag as well. I'm always skeptical of the advertised temp rating. I've slept in plenty of bags that were garbage at their "supposed" rating. I have heard that WM is very conservative with their ratings, any one else feel that way based on experience?
bigcranky
05-06-2009, 17:39
I have heard that WM is very conservative with their ratings, any one else feel that way based on experience?
My experience with WM bags is that I am comfortable down to the rated temp if I am wearing lightweight long johns and socks. This is true for both my Megalite (30-F) and my Antelope (5-F). By adding more clothing (fleece tights, down jacket, hat, down booties), I have taken my Megalite down into the high teens.
NitroSteel
06-13-2009, 00:21
I have a WM Summerlite (32 degree) and a WM Versalite (10 degree). I love both of them, but the 62 inch girth, regular length Versalite seems much roomier than the 60 inch girth long Summerlite. I'm 5'9" and about 190 and the girth on the Summerlite is bordering too small for me.
The Versalite is definetly very comfortable down to 10. I've yet to be down to 32 in the Summerlite (I'm sure it's warm at least to it's rating), but in the mean time it is comfortable as a quilt unzipped to about 60-65 degrees. Slept in it on the AT all week last week. My friend in the tent beside me was in a Marmot 40 degree (800 fill) bag and although the hood on his bag is very nice and the bag is light, the bag (particularly the shell) seems much heavier than my WM. He also ended up zipping up his bag one night, which I never considered...
I believe for the $50-75 difference I'd choose the WM, for resale value and a KNOWN conservative temp rating if nothing else. I would have probably bought a bit wider (62 inch) bag if I hadn't found mine on sale at Moosejaw a couple months ago.
NitroSteel
NitroSteel
06-13-2009, 00:26
To clarify, I mean it is not too hot as a quilt at 65 degrees, it has proven warm enough as a quilt down to about 50 and would probably be fine down below 40 without being zipped up. I haven't had a night colder than 50 since I bought it. 50 degrees caused my friends Marmot (Arete) to be zipped up though.