What do you use for a summer sleeping bag?

Particularly interested in folks who would be where it will be hot even at night.

Currently using a Montbell SS UL 30 degree bag at 1 pound 7 ounces. I used it first last Labor Day weekend and was hot in it. I am worried about going into the Smokies this July. Do you think I would even need a bag? Suggestions?

WM Megalite regular and a lightweight roll top dry bag stuff sack.

I DID have a Neo-Air mattress but returned it & will continuue using my Thermarest Lite full length. So that's my summer sleep system.

Eric

Hi Eric,

Just curious as to why you took your neo-air back?

Thanks.

We need to know how hot is hot (for you) and at what elevation you'll be camping.

I've camped in one spot (Inks Lake, TX) where it was 92F at 10pm with 60% humidity. I slept in my shorts & t-shirt in my hammock and tolerated the night. My ground dwelling, tent using friends sweltered. About 4am, ended up pulling up a fleece blanket and slept fine.

In summer I often hike for a week at a time at elevations in excess of 6000 ft. in the Cascades or the Wallowas. Long range forecasting being what it is, I don't feel entirely safe with less than my REI Sub-Kilo bag on longer hikes.

The offical rating is 20 degrees, but that is eyewash. It's about a 30 degree bag, but can go lower with judiciously chosen clothes worn inside it.

Most of the time in July or August this is overkill -- but when the hard frost rimes the ground, it seems worth it.

In places like scandinavian countries, anything from near warm, normally cool nights, possible frost during the cold spells, a down quilt will do (I do not go high in mountains...)
Anywhere else, synthetic quilt, I have to choose between two of then, a very thin one or a thicker one I use as 3-seasons in moderate climates.

When I was in Texas, I bought a Slumberjack 60 degree bag.
Slumberjack Minaret
It doesn't have any insulation, just an inner and outer shell.

Thinking about it now, I am sure a simple wool blanket, or even fleece blanket will do.

It can stay pretty hot here in the Southeast, even at elevation. I bring my Megalite (30-F rating) and just drape it over me as a quilt. Pretty versatile.

I suppose I could buy a 45-50F rated bag, but I'd rather save the money.

Jacks'R'Better Stealth Quilt.

http://www.jacksrbetter.com/Wearable%20Quilts.htm

One way to "lighten up" a bag is to find a way to make it ventilate more.

I have used boots to prop up the sides of a bag to get more airflow around the body, and there are bound to be other tricks to try based on somehow raising up parts of the bag.

It is amazing how cooling it can be if you only cover the top of your body (Torso) and leave your legs in the breeze.

There is no law that demands you sleep with the bag completely covering you..... and there is no law that requires only ham and eggs or bacon sausage or pancakes for breakfast. Many people live as if such laws existed.

Army poncho liner works best for me in the hot and humid southeast.

Western Mountaineering Summerlite

I will mostly be in Tennessee in the Smokies or Big South Fork or South Cumberland mostly. The Smokies would be the only place of any real elevation and that would only be 5-6k at the most.

Thanks for the ideas so far. I also have a 35 degree REI down bag that weighs 1lb. 3oz. I may just take it and use it unzipped like a quilt. It would be about as light as a small fleece blanket and probably the same size stuffed.

I'd never thought of it, but saw it in this month's Backpacker (who knew??). The idea of taking just a sleeping bag liner seems like it would work well in some situations, especially if you've paired it with a baselayer at least in your pack just in case. It seems like a good option for the area I frequent (I'm going out for an overnight tonight and the low is only going to be 66 F!). Sometimes during the summer a sleeping bag just seems like overkill!

wally world blue foam pad , wally world rectangular fleece bag with full leanghth zipper and two 6 mil drumliners that double as groundsheet/ emergency bivey. I carry a hat even in summer and fleace pajamma pants and light fleace jacket that makes a nice pillow set one between the nees and one under hed being a side sleeper. I found a pillow between the nees helps me sleep better if i get cold i either put on the jaket/pants or use the bags to help seal in the warmth. verry versitile and extreamly cheep summer setup. Its this setup in a crude jansport pack and some cliff bars and a few bottles of watter that started all this madness.

Depending on anticipated temps, in ascending order:

JRB Shenandoah quilt.

Cheapie fleece sleeping bag.

Silk or cotton liner.

......or any combination of the above.

Sometimes in the desert.....nothing at all, including clothing. It's just too hot when the lows are high 80's.

I found that quilts are very versatile for warm weather. They can be ventilated at night and then drawn tight to ward off the morning chill.

when I sleep in my hammock, I go for a bedsheet or fleece blanket