Gearhead Picks: Western Mountaineering Alpinlite

The Western Mountaineering Alpinlite 20 Degree Down Sleeping Bag is a perfect sleeping bag for weight-conscious backpackers and alpine climbers. On this episode of Gearhead Picks, Backcountry Gearhead and backpacking expert Koly Swistak talks about the technical features of this sleeping bag and what season it’s most suitable for.

Welcome to Gearhead Picks! I’m Koly Swistak, a Backcountry Gearhead and backpacking aficionado. If you’re in the market for a sleeping bag for alpine climbing or backpacking, you’ve probably noticed there are a ton of options on the market. I’m going to chat with you about one of my favorite sleeping bags, the Western Mountaineering Alpinlite 20 Degree Down Sleeping Bag.

If you like to go fast and light while your backpacking or you’re headed up into the alpine to climb, this bag is for you. It’s ultralight, ultra-packable, and a great example of Western Mountaineering’s focus on quality. 

Because of its 20-degree comfort rating, I recommend the Alpinlite for early spring or fall trips when you can still expect chillier temperatures at higher elevations, or all season long if you’re someone who gets cold easily. 

The Alpinlite comes in three lengths with a left and right zipper option. I’m 5’6″ and I use the 5’6″ bag. 

In the longest length available, the Alpinlite weighs just over two pounds. This bag is stuffed with high-quality 850-fill down which makes it impressively warm for how light and packable it is.

The continuous baffles allow the down to trap your body heat for efficient warmth, and the down-filled collar keeps the chilly air out. 

I love that this bag has slightly wider shoulders than most sleeping bags in this class so I can wear an extra layer or two if the night gets really cold and still have enough room to move around.

Thanks for checking out Gearhead Picks! If you have questions about backpacking gear or just want some tips for planning your next trip, you can reach out to our Gearheads or contact Koly directly.