Backside Line
It’s arduous to seek out flaws with the Western Mountaineering AstraLite. It’s each the lightest and warmest backpacking quilt we examined, making it a wonderful selection for backcountry journeys from spring by way of summer season and into autumn.
Our testers took it on a late spring part hike on the Appalachian Path and had been happy with its heat on nights that ranged from the higher 30s to mid 40s. Its slim-cut design and sewn-in footbox lowered bulk with out sacrificing heat. The contoured neck baffle seamlessly saved out drafts, and the pad straps had been simple to make use of, extremely adjustable, and saved the quilt in place even with loads of tossing and turning.
Folks searching for a single quilt to make use of all 12 months will discover loads of worth right here, regardless of the excessive worth. Nonetheless, these needing a bit extra space or a summer-only quilt would possibly wish to look elsewhere.
Discover extra of our favorites within the finest backpacking quilts gear information.
How We Examined
Our testers used the AstraLite throughout a week-long part hike of the New York a part of the Appalachian Path. The climate diversified from chilly and wet to scorching and humid.
Fast Specs
Western Mountaineering AstraLite
Greatest General Backpacking Quilt
CleverHiker Score:
4.7/5.0
Value:
$510
Weight:
1 lb.
Fill Energy:
850
Execs
- Ultralight
- Glorious heat to weight ratio
- Easy
- Adjustable pad straps
- Contoured neck baffle
Cons
- Costly
- Slim reduce might not be roomy sufficient for some folks
Heat
The Western Mountaineering AstraLite Quilt carried out excellently throughout testing on the Appalachian Path, preserving us heat all evening. On our first evening utilizing it, the temperatures had been unseasonably low–dipping into the 30s Farenheit—and it rained two inches. We stayed cozy due to the contoured neck baffle, sewn-in footbox, and adjustable pad straps, which labored collectively completely to dam out the chilly air.
Subsequent nights had been milder, making it simple to regulate the quilt for the temperatures. General, the AstraLite lived as much as expectations and was one of many few quilts we examined that appeared to have an correct temperature score, making it a wonderful selection for a three-season quilt.
Consolation
We discovered the AstraLite to be a snug quilt with loads of room within the footbox. Nonetheless, it has a slimmer reduce than most of the different quilts we examined, which contributes to its light-weight design for the heat it supplies. Some our bodies could discover this design restrictive or could have points with drafts, particularly if the pad straps aren’t used.
Western Mountaineering provides this quilt in two lengths, accommodating heights as much as 6’ 6”. Our customers who transfer round so much whereas sleeping discovered this selection to be snug and non-restrictive, permitting for loads of motion.
Weight & Packability
Palms down, the Western Mountaineering AstraLite is a best choice for weight and packability. It’s the lightest backpacking quilt we examined—virtually 3 ounces lighter than the following lightest possibility (the ZPacks Traditional 20). Its slim design additionally ends in minimal quantity when packed right into a stuff sack.
Hardcore ultralighters may save just a few extra grams by eradicating the pad straps, however our testers had been completely happy to keep up versatility whereas nonetheless having a quilt that weighs solely 16 ounces. We use commonplace ultralight backpacks for our testing, and area was restricted.
The AstraLite simply matches into our 50L Gossamer Gear backpack and helped hold our base weight beneath 10 kilos, even on an early summer season trek. These aiming to decrease base weight with out sacrificing heat will discover this quilt very efficient.
Options
Our testers admired the simplicity of the Western Mountaineering AstraLite. As a non-customizable quilt, we discovered that it supplied every part we would have liked with none extras. Nonetheless, some long-time quilt customers would possibly want extra customizable choices in the event that they search particular options.
Pad straps are a typical function on backpacking quilts, however their ease of use is commonly missing. The AstraLight has high-quality, easy-to-use, and adjustable pad straps. We discovered them to be the least finicky (together with the HMG 20) amongst all those we examined. Additionally they stayed safe and carried out as anticipated—a simple win.
The sewn-in footbox was adequately spacious and well-insulated which we appreciated. Clearly, some will want an adjustable closure and wish to look elsewhere, however we appreciated the load financial savings that include simplicity.
One other function our testers appreciated was the contoured neck baffle. Though modest, it supplied simply the correct quantity of additional heat throughout chilly nights.
Ought to You Purchase The Western Mountaineering AstraLite?
In case you’re searching for a three-season backpacking quilt, the Western Mountaineering AstraLite is a incredible possibility. Whereas its price ticket is a bit daunting, its versatility, high quality, and efficiency make sure you’ll get worth on your cash.
With an ideal warmth-to-weight ratio, easy options, and really light-weight design, this quilt meets all of the important wants for thru-hikers, fast-packers, or anybody aiming to maintain their base weight low whereas sustaining excessive efficiency. Nonetheless, these searching for a summer-only quilt, a lay-flat design, additional room, or most customization will discover higher choices in our gear information.
– Photograph Credit score Shane O’Donnell
What Different Backpacking Quilts Ought to You Contemplate?
If the Western Mountaineering AstraLite isn’t for you, head to our gear information to finest backpacking quilts to see all of our high picks or try these options.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear 20-Diploma Quilt Evaluate: Our Editor’s decide because the Warmest Ultralight Backpacking Quilt retains you heat with out the load and bulk because of ultralight materials and 1000 fill energy down.
Loco Libre Operator Sequence Ghost Pepper 20 Evaluate: Our high decide for versatile sleeping bag hybrid provides a barely roomier reduce that may permit for extra motion with out making it arduous to warmth. These searching for an adjustable foot field will discover it right here.
Enlightened Gear Revelation 20 Evaluate: This quilt is one in all our staff favorites. It has a formidable array of options that make it a extremely versatile possibility that gained’t break the financial institution. Along with being reasonably priced, it’s comparatively heat for the load and provides a extremely packable design.
