Western Mountaineering AstraLite Backpacking Quilt Assessment

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 alternative for backcountry journeys from spring by summer time 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 simple to make use of, extremely adjustable, and stored the quilt in place even with plenty 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 value. Nevertheless, these needing a bit extra space or a summer-only quilt may 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 different 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 night time. On our first night time utilizing it, the temperatures have 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 have 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 alternative for a three-season quilt.

Consolation

We discovered the AstraLite to be a snug quilt with loads of room within the footbox. Nevertheless, it has a slimmer minimize than lots of the different quilts we examined, which contributes to its light-weight design for the heat it gives. Some our bodies might discover this design restrictive or might 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 rather a lot whereas sleeping discovered this selection to be comfy 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—nearly 3 ounces lighter than the subsequent lightest choice (the ZPacks Traditional 20). Its slim design additionally ends in minimal quantity when packed right into a stuff sack.

Hardcore ultralighters might save a number of extra grams by eradicating the pad straps, however our testers have been glad 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 maintain our base weight beneath 10 kilos, even on an early summer time 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 wanted with none extras. Nevertheless, some long-time quilt customers may want extra customizable choices in the event that they search particular options.

Pad straps are a standard characteristic 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 straightforward 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 characteristic our testers appreciated was the contoured neck baffle. Though modest, it provided simply the correct quantity of additional heat throughout chilly nights.

Ought to You Purchase The Western Mountaineering AstraLite?

If you happen to’re searching for a three-season backpacking quilt, the Western Mountaineering AstraLite is a improbable choice. 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 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. Nevertheless, these searching for a summer-only quilt, a lay-flat design, additional 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 finest backpacking quilts to see all of our high picks or try these alternate options.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear 20-Diploma Quilt Assessment: Our Editor’s choose because the Warmest Ultralight Backpacking Quilt retains you heat with out the load and bulk on account of ultralight materials and 1000 fill energy down.

Loco Libre Operator Sequence Ghost Pepper 20 Assessment: Our high choose for versatile sleeping bag hybrid provides a barely roomier minimize that can permit for extra motion with out making it arduous to warmth. These searching for an adjustable foot field will discover it right here.

Enlightened Tools Revelation 20 Assessment: This quilt is considered one of our workforce favorites. It has a powerful array of options that make it a extremely versatile choice that received’t break the financial institution. Along with being inexpensive, it’s comparatively heat for the load and provides a extremely packable design.