Bushwalk Australia

I am thinking of getting a Western Mountaineering Versalite sleeping bag, to use for Tassie (Overland Track December) and New Zealand trips (Milford and the likes). I would be using it with my Exped 7 UL down mat.

Specs for sleeping bag (from WM site): 960g for the longer version (upto 200cm - I am 1.85), temp rating -12C, 850+ goose down

I would love to hear some feedback on this bag - Has anyone got or used this bag? What was your experience? Would it be suitable for Tassie and NZ?

Hi. I have a WM Versalite and have done similar walks mentioned and plenty trips camping in a tent in Tas and also the Larapinta trail. Have never been cold. The bag packs down nice and small too; which is a bonus. I have another bag which I use for winter alpine trips - so cannot comment about the Versalite's suitability in that regard.

Thanks Vee. That is really helpful. I've done a bit of online and offline research and it seems as though this bag is one of the lightest within this temp rating. but am still a bit confused as though what the temp rating refers to (comfort, limit or extreme), any ideas?

Apologies for the bad spelling in the title btw....

I have used a WM ultralite for six year in Australia, mainly for winter ski touring. It is only rated to -7C but I have never been cold. The maximum amount of clothing I have worn is a set of thermals with socks. The temperatures I have camped in have been below -5 according to my basic thermometer. You would be very warm in a Versalite. Everybody has variation in their sleep temperature but I don't think you need a rating less than -10 in Australia. Lower temperatures have been recorded in the Snowy Mountains but it is a rare event.
Gordon

I have a Versalite, it has become my dedicated "winter" bag. Largely due to its weight, or lack thereof. Never been cold in it during winter trips Vic Alps or Tas. Recommended.
R.

WM quality is far better than any sleeping bag I have had previously. I love my Versalite... hubby got an Alpinelite as he sleeps much warmer than me. We have used them in Tassie and Vic Alps and loads of of other places. On the OLT we mainly slept in the huts and had to unzip the WM bags to use as a quilt as we were too warm. But we were really glad to have them on the OLT snow days (in March). For snow camping in Vic Alps we took a thin lightweight synthetic quilt to put over the top of both of us in our WM bags. Cosy! I have thought about getting a lightweight quilt to cut down on weight for summer/autumn, but if I am ever in doubt about the weather I would use my Versalite any time.

Imagine the cost of bags nowadays with the low aussie dollar.

markg wrote:Imagine the cost of bags nowadays with the low aussie dollar.

Just out of interest, I actually looked at the Enlightened Equipment website earlier today. With the current exchange rate, prices have gone through the roof

Agree! Prizes are ridiculous. Hence my hesitation, I just couldn't find a quality bag that would provide the same weight to warmth ratio for lower price. I might be missing something though, so if they are out there, let me know!

A good bag is money well spent. Look after it and it could last for 15 to 25 years.

The A$ devaluation isn't doing One Planet's competitiveness any harm.

Suck it up and pay

I think I might... *gulp*

If it helps you make your decision my J&H Flouro Ultra was $699- way back in 1990ish way before J&H became One Planet and I am still using it Although I did pay an extra premium for the better quality, higher lofting Polish goose down which bumped the cost up considerably as I also had it 10% overfilled so final cost was almost $900-

I bought my J&H back in 1981. $300 approx from Allgoods in Hobart - and that was on special.

*&%$#! brilliant bag, though.

I have both the Ultralite and the Versalite and frankly there's quite a difference.
I generally use the Ultralite in the Blue Mountains in winter, but when I went to NZ in June three years ago with deep snow around and morning temps around -8 or so, the Versalite more than did the trick.
As others have mentioned, it's under a kilo and packs down small.
A great bag that would cover what you want, is American made and will last for years.

Thanks guys, that does actually make me feel better. Going to place an order! Will let you know how it works out.

markg wrote:Imagine the cost of bags nowadays with the low aussie dollar.

A plunging exchange rate is always a good excuse to "buy it now" rather than wait... enter my lovely new Tarptent Stratospire 2

Juudbruinsma wrote:Thanks guys, that does actually make me feel better. Going to place an order! Will let you know how it works out.

FWIW - I've had one for 11 years now. Never used it in the snow, but I bought it because I sleep "cold". In other words, I hate being so! Even in the West. I imported it as the local dealer advised at the time that they would not bring them in as they were considered to low a temperature rating for Australia and wouldn't be needed.

It's still in excellent condition. Of course I use a silk liner (worn out two of them so far), and store it in the supplied sack.
I recently replaced the compression bag (also wore that out, not their brand) an event size small. It packs very small, and lofts up just like new.

Thanks! My versalite is on its way to Aus!

The positive comments here gave me that final nudge. Definitely going to take good care of it in the hope that it'll last me a long looong time! :-O