Owner Review: Golite Feather-Lite Down Sleeping Bag
Date: April 1, 2005 Manufacturer Name: Golite Website: http://www.golite.com	Product Information Manufacturer: Golite Model: Feather-Lite Down Sleeping Bag Year of Manufacture: 2003/2004 Special Run Color: Sea Size: Medium Dimensions: 6 ft (183 cm) MSRP: $250 (US) Listed Weight: N/A Measured Weight:  1 lb 9.3 oz (717 g)

Product Description

This review has two objectives; first to explain the differences between three different models of Feather-Lite sleeping systems that Golite offered from 2003 to 2005, and second to discuss the performance of the bag.

The Golite Feather-lite bag is a hoodless 40 F(4 C) summer bag with 3 in (7.6 cm) of loft.  Dimensions, weight, and type of fill are not straightforward, because Golite has introduced several changes to this bag in the last 2 years.  The bag has retained the Feather-lite name, but the dimensions and type of fill have changed.  This caused confusion for me as I wasn't sure why the web site retailers and Golite specifications did not coincide.  It wasn't until I realized that Golite apparently had manufactured three different versiona of the bag that I was able to determine what I was actually purchasing.  Prior to 2004 the Feather-Lite was filled with 700 fill down and in 2004 they narrowed the foot and increased the fill to 800 fill down.  During the transition there appears to be a special run of new dimensioned bags filled with older 700 fill down.  The latter bag is the one I purchased in spring 2004, had the opportunity to use for 19 nights in 2004, and on which this review is written.

The table below is populated with specifications from Golite's Winter 03, Spring 04, Winter 04, Spring 05 printed catalogs.  The 2003/04 Special Run row are my interpolated/measured values.

According to their catalogs, all models are listed as having a Pertex Quantum® nylon shell with DWR and polyester lining, max user height of 6 ft (183 cm), 40 F (4 C) temperature rating, and 3 in (7.5 cm) loft.  In spring 2004 they introduced the Footvent™

Year	Size	Color	Down  Fill	Total Weight	Shoulder Girth	Hip Girth	Foot Girth
2003 Winter	Med	Sage/Sea	700	1 lb 11 oz 770 g	62 in 158 cm	58 in 148 cm	44 in 112 cm
2003/04 Special Run	Med	Sea or Plum	700	Measured 1 lb 9.3 oz 717 g	62 in 157 cm	58 in 147 cm	39 in 99 cm
2004 Spring	Med-Reg	Sage	800	1 lb 8oz 680 g	62 in 157 cm	58 in 147 cm	39 in 99 cm
2004 Winter	Med-Reg	Sage	800	1 lb 8oz 680 g	62 in 157 cm	58 in 147 cm	39 in 99 cm
2005 Spring	Med-Reg	Sage	800	1 lb 4oz 570 g	62 in 157 cm	58 in 147 cm	39 in 99 cm

 

The model I purchased appears to be from the special 2003/2004 transition run.  It was not listed in either the winter 2003 or spring 2004 catalog.  I purchased it off the internet, where it was listed as a Special Buy and available in sea or plum color.  The dimensions are that of the current 2004/2005 models, with the down fill being that of the older 2003 model (700 fill down).  Nevertheless, it has performed admirably and has a free loft of 3.25+ in (8.25+ cm).  I feel free loft is hard to judge, because it depends on how the bag was shaken and laid out for measurement.  I generally measure my bags after compression, which I do by placing under a heavy 6 ft (182 cm) folding table for 30 minutes and let the bag regain loft without being disturbed.  In this case, the bag lofted back to 2.25 in ( 5.7 cm) after 15 minutes.

Field Test Results

I had some reservations about purchasing a zip-less bag, but the sale price was too good to pass up.  There are times when it would have been nice to have the option of venting the bag, and I suspect that is why Golite introduced the Footvent™ in the latter version of this bag.  Those times were few and by placing my arms outside the bag I cooled off. 

I especially like the hoodless design and see little reason to have a hooded summer bag.  The opening is large enough to climb in and secures with an elastic draw cord, thus when I get cool I put on a hat and cinch the draw cord snugly around my neck.  The advantage of an elastic draw cord over a hood, is the freedom to stick my hand or arm out of the bag without unzipping or readjusting the draw cord.  Works great for adjusting my hat or rearranging the pillow.

I don't consider myself a warm sleeper, but I remained comfortable on my coldest test night of 27 F (-3 C) in southern Idaho.  It was early May, on a windy partially snow covered summit, in a solo tent.  I expected cold conditions and brought my 1.5 in (3.75 cm) Therm-A-Rest®, and had enough clothing to wear a fleece hat, down vest, nylon shell, pants, and fingerless gloves.  During the summer I had several nights of near freezing in eastern Idaho, and found that a fleece hat and down vest kept me comfortable in my solo tent.  The nice thing about this bag is how roomy it is and not having to fight a zipper during entry or for pillow adjustment.  I also have another leading competitor's ultra-light summer sleeping bag and I'm hard pressed to zip it up while wearing a down vest.  My philosophy is that if I am not wearing all my clothing to bed on cool nights, I carrying too much gear.

This is my lightest temperature bag and consequently I've found that condensation in my single wall solo tent becomes increasingly noticeable when my feet brush up against the tent.  Because of the small amount of loft it doesn't take much moisture to minimize the loft's insulation characteristics.  I've since started lightly securing my silnlyon pack cover around my feet on rainy nights.

Summary

Pros:

• Roomy

• Large entry top

• Hoodless elastic draw cord

• Relatively light weight

Cons:

• My model is a few ounces heavier than the 2004 model

Tester Information & Background

Name: Andy Rad

Gender: Male

Age: 47

Height: 6 ft (1.83 m)

Weight: 165 lb (75 kg)

Email: aisrad@cableone.net

I started backpacking 21 years ago, most were short 3-day trips, but are now generally 5-day.  By backpacking, I’m referring to summer, winter camping, and fall hunting.  About half my trips are light weight solo and the other half with my family.  I use to own a llama, thus allowing me to continue backpacking with my small children.  In recent years I’ve substituted a collie for the llama. When I’m not with the family I tend to take less-traveled trails or bushwhack the hard mountainous terrain in and around Idaho.  The majority of my trips are in central Idaho, with a few into northern Idaho, eastern Idaho, eastern Oregon.