Western Mountaineering AstraLite Backpacking Quilt Evaluation

Backside Line

It’s onerous to seek out flaws with the Western Mountaineering AstraLite. It’s each the lightest and warmest backpacking quilt we examined, making it a superb selection for backcountry journeys from spring by summer season and into autumn. 

Our testers took it on a late spring part hike on the Appalachian Path and have been happy with its heat on nights that ranged from the higher 30s to mid 40s. Its slim-cut design and sewn-in footbox diminished bulk with out sacrificing heat. The contoured neck baffle seamlessly stored out drafts, and the pad straps have been straightforward to make use of, extremely adjustable, and stored the quilt in place even with a variety of tossing and turning. 

Folks on the lookout for a single quilt to make use of all yr 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 greatest 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 assorted from chilly and wet to scorching and humid.

Heat

The Western Mountaineering AstraLite Quilt carried out excellently throughout testing on the Appalachian Path, retaining us heat all evening. On our first evening utilizing it, the temperatures have been unseasonably low–dipping into the 30s Farenheit—and it rained two inches. We stayed cozy because of the contoured neck baffle, sewn-in footbox, and adjustable pad straps, which labored collectively completely to dam out the chilly air. 

Subsequent nights have been milder, making it straightforward 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 ranking, making it a superb 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 minimize 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 affords this quilt in two lengths, accommodating heights as much as 6’ 6”. Our customers who transfer round loads whereas sleeping discovered this selection to be snug and non-restrictive, permitting for loads of motion.

Weight & Packability

Arms 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 Basic 20). Its slim design additionally ends in minimal quantity when packed right into a stuff sack.

Hardcore ultralighters may save a number of extra grams by eradicating the pad straps, however our testers have been joyful to keep up versatility whereas nonetheless having a quilt that weighs solely 16 ounces. We use commonplace ultralight backpacks for our testing, and house was restricted.

The AstraLite simply matches into our 50L Gossamer Gear backpack and helped preserve our base weight under 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 all the things we would have liked with none extras. Nonetheless, some long-time quilt customers would possibly desire extra customizable choices in the event that they search particular options.

Pad straps are a standard function on backpacking quilts, however their ease of use is usually 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 preferred. Clearly, some will desire an adjustable closure and wish to look elsewhere, however we appreciated the burden financial savings that include simplicity.

One other function our testers appreciated was the contoured neck baffle. Though modest, it supplied simply the correct amount of additional heat throughout chilly nights.

Ought to You Purchase The Western Mountaineering AstraLite?

If you happen to’re on the lookout for a three-season backpacking quilt, the Western Mountaineering AstraLite is a improbable possibility. Whereas its price ticket is a bit daunting, its versatility, high quality, and efficiency make sure you’ll get worth to your cash.

With an amazing 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 on the lookout for a summer-only quilt, a lay-flat design, further room, or most customization will discover higher choices in our gear information.

What Different Backpacking Quilts Ought to You Contemplate?

If the Western Mountaineering AstraLite isn’t for you, head to our gear information to greatest backpacking quilts to see all of our high picks or try these alternate options.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear 20-Diploma Quilt Evaluation: Our Editor’s choose because the Warmest Ultralight Backpacking Quilt retains you heat with out the burden and bulk attributable to ultralight materials and 1000 fill energy down.

Loco Libre Operator Collection Ghost Pepper 20 Evaluation: Our high choose for versatile sleeping bag hybrid affords a barely roomier minimize that can enable for extra motion with out making it onerous to warmth. These on the lookout for an adjustable foot field will discover it right here.

Enlightened Gear Revelation 20 Evaluation: This quilt is certainly one of our workforce favorites. It has a powerful array of options that make it a extremely versatile possibility that received’t break the financial institution. Along with being reasonably priced, it’s comparatively heat for the burden and affords a extremely packable design.