Summer Sleeping Bag Alternatives

[war cry]

I have a 20 degree GoLite bag for winter backpacking and was wondering how necessary a 'summer bag' is. Once the temps reach above 40 degrees consistently, do you really 'need' a sleeping bag? Or could you use a space blanket, sleep in your clothes or use some other alternative than spending a bunch of money on a bag that isn't really necessary...

Creative suggestions welcomed!

Thanks for the feedback!
War Cry

[4eyedbuzzard]

"Above 40" spans a pretty big range of temps from pretty chilly to sweaty hot. You'll want something more than a space blanket and liner when its actually in the 40's. 55+, maybe a liner with clothes would be okay. Remember that your body's core temp drops and your metabolism slows when you sleep. You need more insulation than when you are awake even when awake and inactive.

40's is pretty normal up here in NH on clear summer nights. I wouldn't want to just have clothes, liner, space blanket, etc. It would make for a pretty miserable cold night.

[ZeroC]

I use a Jack R Better Shenandoah quilt. Reg is 15oz and long is 17oz. Comfy down to the 40 degrees it's rated for, could probably stretch it colder with added clothes and what not. Always good to carry something that'll get you through the a night of the record low for where you're going and when. about a pound is worth the insurance.

[Bags4266]

mid 40's and up home made synethic quilt 1 lb

[war cry]

Those are good suggestions. I'm not planning on heading out to the mountains without anything. I'm just curious about what some people have come up with as bag alternatives. Ultralighters have radically changed designs of shelters with some really creative ideas and I was wondering what people have done in a similar vein for sleeping systems.

[4eyedbuzzard]

Those are good suggestions. I'm not planning on heading out to the mountains without anything. I'm just curious about what some people have come up with as bag alternatives. Ultralighters have radically changed designs of shelters with some really creative ideas and I was wondering what people have done in a similar vein for sleeping systems.
Quilts definitely have ventilation advantages over traditional sleeping bags, and may offer some weight savings. Check out the no sniveller at JRB (http://www.jacksrbetter.com/Wearable%20Quilts.htm#No Sniveller) for an example of a dual purpose quilt / garment. Weight wise, it isn't that big a savings over a lightweight 35-40 deg bag though but may be more versatile. Quilts are especially suited to hammocking , but they are a good ground alternative as well. One advantage is that you could DIY a quilt much more easily than a bag.

[couscous]

.. some other alternative than spending a bunch of money on a bag that isn't really necessary..."

The cheapest option is just to continue to carry your Go Lite bag, leave the zipper open or just drape it over you in the 40-60 temp range, sleep without it in temps over 60. I understand the desire to try and cut some weight in this area, but you spend a third of each day sleeping and shivering though the night in a space blanket and liner would get old very quickly.

[daddytwosticks]

I use a Montbell Thermal Sheet...closed up as a bag, opened up like a quilt. Love it. :)

[Odd Man Out]

The cheapest option is just to continue to carry your Go Lite bag, leave the zipper open or just drape it over you in the 40-60 temp range, sleep without it in temps over 60.

I've been looking at the Western Mountaineering Sycamore for just this reason. I only want to buy one bag.

[Rocketman]

I have a 20 degree GoLite bag for winter backpacking and was wondering how necessary a 'summer bag' is. Once the temps reach above 40 degrees consistently, do you really 'need' a sleeping bag? Or could you use a space blanket, sleep in your clothes or use some other alternative than spending a bunch of money on a bag that isn't really necessary...

Creative suggestions welcomed!

Thanks for the feedback!
War Cry

For a while, a long time ago, I used a -5*F down bag as a quilt in the spring and sometimes early summer.

I would use my ankle high boots to spread out the "quilt" and raise it up to allow air circulation paths. You could also use sticks and stones to do the job of creating air circulation paths. and reduce the excessive warmth of the "quilt".

True, you would carry the weight of the boots, but the lightweight secret is to leave the sticks, stones or logs that you used to create ventilation at site A at site A and get new ones at site B.

Avoid carrying heavy sticks and stones. :)

Later, I broke down and just bought a lighter weight summer bag. Saved the time and trouble of setting up air circulation paths, and sometimes waking up at night to recreate them due to bag shifting.

[BigHodag]

I use a military poncho liner and a blue foam pad for summer. Poncho liners compress well and are very light. I've used mine down to the low 50's. I carry aThermo-lite emergency bivy to supplement when conditions might dip into the 40's

There are some new special forces HALO sleeping bags (http://www.amazon.com/HALO-Recon-Sleeping-Tactical-GREEN/dp/B004FWM0JI) made with Thermo-lite that might fit your need.

Fleece bags aren't very warm unles its already warm outside. They're great for planes and buses.