Registered: 01/16/11
Posts: 180
Loc: Tacoma, Washington
I've been thinking about buying a silk mummy bag liner to take my quilt down a few more degrees, and help keep the gear a bit cleaner too. And have sorta zeroed in on the cocoon expedition ( I particularly like the hood idea). Have been reading the reviews and they'd giving me pause to re examine this possible purchase. From the reviews I'm starting to get the impression that they don't add any appreciatble warmth to a sleep system. Last camping season I was a cold one night when the temps got down to around 34 ( diy down quilt that I targeted for 30) I was hoping that a silk liner would add 5-8 degrees . anyone else using such an animal? If it doesn't improve cold range, I'll have to change tack
Registered: 02/05/03
Posts: 3293
Loc: Portland, OR
I have a long-sleeved silk t-shirt and a pair of silk long underwear that I wear to keep my sleeping bag clean (or 'cleanish'). They are more versatile than a sleeping bag liner, since I can wear them at other times, if I need to.
My silk underwear didn't have much longevity, though it was comfortable. Liner? I've tried non-silk ones and though I was well cocooned I did not emerge as a butterfly. Actually I felt more like a trapped, rabid wolverine trying to get out in the middle of the night to keep my bag dry! Getting back in is another story with a bad ending. I've gone to my puffy (which generally is relegated to "clean" use around camp and in the tent, and some light fleece pants. I'd much rather use a military poncho liner or a fleece blanket as an extender. They absolutely kick up the rating 10 degrees.
Registered: 01/16/11
Posts: 180
Loc: Tacoma, Washington
Well you all saved me 70$! Rather than going the silk route, I think I'll just buy a cheap pair of fleece bottons and start using the puffy jacket. I already use my polyprope thermals . sorry no pics. Maybe I could leave them at home next outing. Thanks to all for the replies
Registered: 02/07/07
Posts: 3917
Loc: Ozark Mountains in SW Missouri
FWIW I use a Coleman Fleece Bag as a liner and it will give you some added warmth. They claim it adds 12⁰ of extra warmth. I don't about that, but it certainly will keep you warmer. It's not very heavy but I don't know what it actually weighs. Certainly more than a silk liner though.
Registered: 02/26/07
Posts: 1149
Loc: Washington State, King County
If warmth-to-weight is your focus, I'd skip the liner in favor of the equivalent weight of additional down in your bag or quilt.
I personally find liners to be a PITA, only use them in hostels and similar situations where they're required. But I know others who really like them, so I think this is yet another area where you're best off establishing your own preference. Perhaps you can borrow one from a friend, promising to gently wash it before returning it? The warmth-to-weight ratio isn't THAT unbalanced, so it's always possible that you'll find that it works for you. One other benefit that liner fans mention is that in warmer weather, sometimes the bag is a bit warm and having the bag as a sort of blanket plus the liner gives them some temperature flexibility.
FWIW I use a Coleman Fleece Bag as a liner and it will give you some added warmth. They claim it adds 12⁰ of extra warmth. I don't about that, but it certainly will keep you warmer. It's not very heavy but I don't know what it actually weighs. Certainly more than a silk liner though.
From what I can tell online, it weighs 1.5lbs (680g). That's probably not precise, though. Not bad for the comfort and price.
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"Without craftsmanship, inspiration is a mere reed shaken in the wind." - Johannes Brahms
Registered: 01/16/11
Posts: 180
Loc: Tacoma, Washington
24oz's....ouy, that seems alot! I already carry a puffy jacket(costco) that I've never used when sleeping.....Looking back at the last outting, what bothered me the most was cold legs/feet. I like the idea of having clothing that in a pinch could also be used for cold mornings/evenings milling around camp. Fleece pants and down beeine are now on the wish list. And diy fleece booties are in the preliminary planning stage. Fairly sure these should come in at around 8 >10oz
I agree. 24 oz is pretty heavy. If you're looking for a liner, though, that may be the way to go. Of course you could bring a blanket for about half the weight or go with a mylar blanket... In my experience, the mylar blankets don't add any warmth of their own. They only preserve existing heat. If you have a sleeping bag or underquilt and/or top quilt already, a mylar blanket or bivy may be just the thing. I have an SOL escape lite bivy and it weighs 148g! If more layers works for you, that's brilliant. If you're like me, though, you sleep COLD.
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"Without craftsmanship, inspiration is a mere reed shaken in the wind." - Johannes Brahms
https://www.heatholders.com/ I've been using these as my sleep socks/back-up, and surprisingly, they work. My wife bought them for winter fishing(wading in 34 degree rivers for hours on end) and they worked so well compared to merino wool blends, I started to use them for backpacking. I question if they'd survive putting lots of miles on them, but I did use them a few weeks ago to hike out 11 miles , as my darn new boots are still breaking in and I had a hot spot developing. They're very soft and warm. 3.7 ozs. on my scale.
My 20* sleeping bag (WM Ultralite size short) weighs only 25 oz. I'm not to sure why I'd want to double the weight to add maybe 10*.
Why not add a few ounces more down instead? Or wear your insulating clothing inside the bag? Or, ir it's below freezing, try a vapor barrier?
If there is a reason, it may be...
If you're a hammock camper: -You may have a very warm underquilt, but no top quilt and you want something over top to trap the heat in. A liner could potentially be lighter or more compact than having extra clothing.
If you're a ground dweller: -You may have no sewing skills/equipment. -Money may be more important than weight right now. -You may not like vapor barriers because you sweat a lot.
If these situations aren't the case, I think your ideas are the way to go, OregonMouse.
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"Without craftsmanship, inspiration is a mere reed shaken in the wind." - Johannes Brahms
Registered: 02/26/07
Posts: 1149
Loc: Washington State, King County
You can buy a 40-degree rated quilt that weighs around 12 oz.
Admittedly more expensive than this 24-oz thing, but ... wow. If you're looking to layer your sleep system, I'd think in those terms if $$$ allow this. I have a 30-degree bag and a 40-degree quilt that layer together just fine to provide a good deal of total loft.
Registered: 02/07/07
Posts: 3917
Loc: Ozark Mountains in SW Missouri
I have to agree with you Brian. I've had that fleece bag for a long time now and it's held up great, but I haven't used it in a few years. I don't think it weighs that much, they come with a stuff sack so maybe with that added to it, but the biggest drawback I found was that it collects dirt and debris like a magnet.
I've got a decent down coat that I wear all day unless it warms up to the 40ºs and if I need too I lay it on top of my bag and it keeps me warm down to the low 20ºs. I'm sure it's not as good as a down quilt though.
Registered: 06/25/11
Posts: 131
Loc: Texas...for now
I've been looking at liners as well, though inexpensive ones. For me it's not so much about adding to the warmth as it is keeping my bags cleaner as I have oily skin. And then I figure it would make an excellent summer bag for TX.
I can't wear clothes unless they are tight fitting as I move a lot. But this has me wondering about the liner getting twisted much as clothes would.
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Bob
"Were I to leave where else would I go? Your words of life and of truth You hold." - Third Day
yeah, I've wondered about that factor, too, keeping my sleeping bag cleaner. Not just my oily skin but dirt, sunscreen, bug repellent. I really hate washing my sleeping bag, always afraid I'll tear it up. But I suspect the liner would bind up on me.
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