Author: Alex Ratson
In the realm of outdoor gear, where high-quality choices are common amongst outdoor equipment brands, Western Mountaineering stands out as a beacon of excellence, going above and beyond what many consider high quality. The brand's sleeping bags, renowned for their exceptional craftsmanship and performance, have become a favourite among a wide range of outdoor enthusiasts and professionals. This however does not come without a price and that price is literal. These sleeping bags cost more than most alternatives on the market which leaves us with the question: What truly makes Western Mountaineering sleeping bags worth the investment? To answer this question we reached out to none other than Gary Peterson, Managing Director for Western Mountaineering. Gary explained that, unlike most outdoor brands that make a wide range of products, Western Mountaineering is a pure down and textiles company that focuses exclusively on down-filled outdoor gear.
Every Western Mountaineering sleeping bag is manufactured in-house
With manufacturing located in San Jose, California it would be easy to assume that this must have something to do with it. Gary humbly stated that his manufacturing team is no more talented than those at any other high end factory elsewhere in the world. "It's not so much the location but the fact that we {the production managers} are here watching over the production". He went on to say that a common problem with producing products overseas is the inability to answer questions manufacturing staff might have which subsequently can lead to quality control (QC) issues. "The important part is not where it's produced...but it is the fact we are watching over the production on a daily basis". Gary goes on to explain how every bag has only two people who do all the sewing, following the bag through all steps of manufacturing. This increases the time it takes to complete a single sleeping bag by almost double at four hours and fifteen minutes from start to finish. Despite the added cost in time, this adds it does ensure an extremely consistent product with next to no room for details to be missed.
“The reason we put so much time into it is that down can last up to sixty years, It's just an amazing raw material and we do not want to put that in a shell that is only going to last ten or fifteen years. It would be a shame to not make the shell last as long as the down.”
Multiple Face Fabric Options
Western Mountaineering offers three series of bags, each of which has a unique face fabric. In some cases, they have the same bag available in two of the series allowing you to optimize your choice to your unique use case.
Extremelite is a lightweight nylon with a tight weave. This tight weave combined with a durable water repellent coating (DWR) ensures a moderate resistance to outside moisture while aiding both in a small packed size and keeping the weight down.
Microfiber series These bags maintain a high level of breathability while adding some durability and a higher level of water resistance when compared to the Extremelite. This makes these bags quite versatile for a variety of conditions and use cases.
Gore Windstopper series These bags provide a high level of water repellency and are the least breathable which makes these bags great for the coldest environments.
Gary points out that despite being the most expensive face fabric option, Windstopper (now marketed as Gore Infinium) is not always the best choice due to its lack of breathability. If you intend to use the bag in milder conditions you might be better served by a more breathable fabric to prevent overheating and subsequently getting the bag wet from the inside due to sweat.
Sustainability
“We think that making a lasting product is the best contribution we could do for the environment.”
Gary's final point is about sustainability. Western Mountaineering makes an effort to minimize the use of DWR coatings that despite using the least impactful options available are still toxic to the environment. "In the industry, it's common to apply DWR's to every fabric" he goes on to say "We don't get DWR's applied to any of lining materials" which are found inside the sleeping bag.
In addition to this by purchasing a bag that will last thirty to forty years you will reduce your environmental footprint comparatively to a lower end sleeping bag that might only last ten years before ending up in the landfill.
In essence, investing in a Western Mountaineering sleeping bag goes beyond the immediate gratification of acquiring top-tier gear it is a commitment to a lasting, reliable sleeping bag that not only enhances your outdoor experience but also minimizes the impact on our planet.
As Gary aptly said, "We think our stuff is cheaper in the long run because you won't have to replace it as often." In a world of disposable products, Western Mountaineering stands as a pinnacle of quality and sustainability in the pursuit of adventure.
Western Mountaineering's efforts towards sustainability goes beyond the longevity of its products, all their down is RDS certified, as well as most fabrics are BlueSign Certified and/or Oeko Tex Certified.
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