WM Ultralite VS Marmot Helium

[crazypete]

Good day fellow hiking enthusiasts!

I have graduated from the light world to the ultralight world with my new 6 Moons Traveller pack, Tarptent Rainbow and 3/4 z-rest, I am now sub 25 lbs with 5 days food+3 liters water. There is only one place left to shave ounces and that is my sleeping system. I also need to save a bit of space for the more cramped traveller bag that is replacing my atmos 65.

Now I have been reading the threads for a while and have come down to 2 finalists: The marmot Helium or the Western Mountaineering Ultralite. Most of the threads seem to mention the marmot's 1/2 zipper but it seems that has changed over the past year as the helium now has a full length zipper. It also is more roomy apparently. But it is the heavier of the 2 bags.

Now it is replacing an REI kilo plus zero which is a 2 lb 13 ounce zero bag that packs down pretty well.

I am torn....go for more comfort and spend a couple hundred bucks to save less than a pound or spend a couple hundred bucks and get the tighter WM bag and get the full pound. I am 5 9 , 190 pounds and dropping and I like to roll around a bit. Will I make it in a WM bag or should I go marmot or should I just stick with my zero?

I'm looking for the all around 1 bag that does everything.

[AZJ_Jerky]

Have you considered the WM Alpinlite?

[crazypete]

I have and I appreciate the slightly higher cost of the fine things in life but I am seriously experiencing sticker shock at that bag.

Maybe I should bite the bullet on it. On the other hand....at that point, I am now spending $450 bucks to shave less than 1 pound.

[Ol Mole]

I came down to the same choices earlier this year. I chose the Helium EQ and have found it comfortable and light. I do admit to owning a Marmet for many years among other bags. My brother likes his WM.

I think either of these will work well. You are already at a low weight and the difference between the 2 bags is not that great for your setup.

Good luck.....It's always a great feeling to try out a new sleep system.

[Kerosene]

First of all, I sincerely believe that it's worth the money to cut that much weight from an already light load. You won't regret it in 3 years if you're out there a for a week or more a year.

Second, the WM Ultralite is a bit tight, which of course contributes to its warmth rating for the weight. I'm 5' 8", 175 pounds and it's snug, but workable even as a side-sleeper who moves around a lot. If you can sleep on a Z-Rest, then I don't think the snugness will bother you. However, you won't be able to add a lot of warmth by wearing several layers, as this will tend to compress the loft (I know this from experience!).

Finally, if you keep hiking for another decade then your aging body will probably reach the point where you'll replace that Z-Rest with a NeoAir (or start hanging for even more comfort). The bag will still work for you and you'll only be carrying a few more ounces.

[garlic08]

I have the Helium and I love it. My hiking partner replaced his worn out WM bag with a Helium, and likes it so much he just bought the Hydrogen, too. I got mine on Steep and Cheap for less than $200, so there are occasionally good deals out there if you can wait.

[crazypete]

Sounds like a lot of folks are mostly neutral on the issue but leaning torwards the helium.

The helium just might win this fight as there is an outfitter nearby that has a helium on hand for me to play with.

I do admit to liking more room. I frequently have to sleep with batteries and water to keep them from freezing so a bit of extra space is always welcome.

I guess it's shaping up to point at the helium.

[AZJ_Jerky]

Alpinlite is even bigger than the helium...Same weight.... ;) (5 Degree temperature rating difference, but that's subjective) It's a roooooomy bag.

[crazypete]

So what is the drawback? There must be some drawback or is it just better quality down?

I'm sloowly becoming desensitized to sticker shock =P

I'm gonna have this bag for a looooong time so I could see spending the extra $$$

[AZJ_Jerky]

For me the main drawback is weight. If cutting every single oz is the #1 priority, you simply get the lightest bag that would do the job....Like the Ultralite. You may find it too tight at times, but it's lighter. On the other hand if you can justify the 2oz difference, the Alpinlite will give you a lot more room...Though as far as staying warm, it won't be as efficient as the Ultralite since there is more room to heat up....But the extra 3oz of down in the Alpinlite vs the Ultralite should make up for this factor. Price is another factor, but personal.

[jrnj5k]

The western mountaineering bag has higher qulaity down and are notorious for conservative ratings. I love mine.

[crazypete]

Would you be able to sleep comfortably in an ultralite with some clothes and a camelback stuffed in the bag with you?

I think that is the determining factor

[crazypete]

...and a camera plus batteries plus maybe the water filter and a fuel cannister. Man it gets crowded in my bag in the winter =P

[AZJ_Jerky]

Hey Pete,
I have tried the Ultralite, I am your weight just taller. It's way too tight for me in just base layers without anything else in there. But everyone is different. I am sure I could fit all the things you mention in there, just not sure how comfortably.

[John B]

I had the WM Ultra and sold it to get a WM Alpinlite. I'm 6', 205 lbs and the Ultralite was just too tight. I have big shoulders and I am 100% certain that me being stuffed in the Ultra compressed the loft such that it wasn't effective to 20 degrees.

However, the Alpinlite is 4" wider at the shoulders and I was VERY comfortable and warm/hot in 20 degree or lower temps this past April.

[crazypete]

Its probably a bit too tight for me too then =/

So then its marmot helium or alpinlite. What are the advantages of an alpinlite over a helium. I can walk 5 minutes from my office to Hiltons tent city and walk back with a helium but if an alpinlite is better in some way, I'll give it some love.

[crazypete]

Wow....the alpinlite has an extra 3 inches of shoulder room over the helium and only 1 inch less on the footbox. I'm very tempted now.