UL Summer cover option?

[Lnj]

On a recent hike over Memorial Day weekend, when it was hot as crap in South Georgia, I brought my regular sleeping bag. The first night, I was so hot I slept in pretty much nothing and just laid out on my foam pad, but around the wee hours, I got a chill. I wouldn't call it legitimately "cold" but just enough of a chill to be uncomfortable and wake me up so that I had to find a ladies tree. No good. The next night, I did the same but pulled my PJs out so as soon as the HOT left me I put on some clothes. Same thing happened. Mind you, days were in the 90s and nights in the 70s. I was just thinking I wasted a lot of space and weight bringing my big bag in the summer but... still I needed something on me. The last night I just yanked my bag, still all zipped up, over on top of me and I was comfy.


I said all that to say this... I am looking for a super lightweight something to take on summer hikes when I just need a something over me to knock the chill off. I was look at the SOL Escape Bivy. 8.5oz. Reflects heat. $60. How does that sound for an option? Does anyone have any experience with these? The ones I saw said it was breathable, so less condensation issues. Sounds reasonable unless someone has a horror story to share.

[daddytwosticks]

Want something cheap and durable? Consider a surplus military poncho liner.

[Lnj]

Want something cheap and durable? Consider a surplus military poncho liner.

But how heavy are they? I think my husband has one. He calls it a "Wooby?" Looking to save space and weight.

[swisscross]

In super warm temps I take a down throw I picked up at costco for 20 dollars. Weighs a lb and packs tiny.

[AfterParty]

Ya a wooby is a poncho liner. +1 to that they weigh 1.2ish

[Lnj]

So no one has any opinions or experience with the SOL Escape Bivy? It's only 8.5oz.

[egilbe]

Never used one, but plenty of reviews on REI

https://www.rei.com/product/832336/sol-escape-bivy

One of them was even an AT hiker!

[Odd Man Out]

I have a 40 deg quilt for summer camping. Very versitile. You can cover up as much or as little as necessary. When I go to sleep (even on cold nights) I always lay on top of the quilt to cool down. When I get chilled I just pull the quilt over me. On a hot night I may sleep through half the night before waking up with the need to cover up. It's the way I've always slept when camping.

[Maydog]

A fleece throw is less than $20 and about a lb.

[Maydog]

A fleece throw is less than $20 and about a lb.

[orthofingers]

I used one last summer in Connecticut on a three-day weekend where the temps maybe got down into the 60s.

Pros:
very light
rolls up small (about the size of a 1L Nalgene bottle)
"breathes" as advertised, no condensation or moisture issues

Cons:
a bit small for me. I'm 6'2" but skinny.
although mine held up fine, including the zipper, I don't think they would last for days and days on the trail..


i would definitely buy another if they made one in a long size.

[daddytwosticks]

I use a Montbell Thermal Sheet as a quilt. Very light - about 14 ounces - but pricy. Most good quality quilts are going to cost you.

I think the general opinion about those "emergency" bivys are that they are like oven roaster bags, especially in the summer. I have no first hand experience with these products but I believe they produce lots of condensation. Consider that for an already warm and humid environment.

[Just Bill]

So no one has any opinions or experience with the SOL Escape Bivy? It's only 8.5oz.

The latest one is smaller (I couldn't really fit in it well at 5'10", and a bit clammy for use as a high summer bag IMO.
I do sleep hot, but much past 60* it didn't keep up with me that well. It works in a pinch or for a quick weekend trip.
Joey Camps used one for his PCT record attempt- but didn't have to fight the ambient humidity as badly as you would out east- so he was happy enough with it.

I got it to try for my little guy as a cowboy camping option- but it swallows him up and the skeeters like him to much to cowboy camp.

I was going to list it for sale soon if you are interested send me a PM and I'll see if I can dig it up.

In high summer (60-70+ nights and humidity)- Nothing beats a cotton/poly bedsheet sewn up into a quilt IMO.

[ChuckT]

If you need fancier - Coleman has a fleece sleeping bag liner with a zipper. At 6+ it fits me well enough.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

[Lnj]

I think I have gotten several better options than the one I originally asked about on here. THANKS so much everyone! I have few throws to look at and try. I am also thinking of just taking a king size sheet and folding it in half and sewing it together to make my own sheet bag. I just want the warmest, lightest options that takes up the least amount of space. My current bag is a MH Torch Synthetic at 4.7 lbs. so I am looking to take some serious weight off by just replacing that for summer hikes.

[saltysack]

JRB has seconds on sale often...I have the 50* Sierra stealth...light and can be worn as jacket.


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[cmoulder]

On a recent hike over Memorial Day weekend, when it was hot as crap in South Georgia, I brought my regular sleeping bag. The first night, I was so hot I slept in pretty much nothing and just laid out on my foam pad, but around the wee hours, I got a chill. I wouldn't call it legitimately "cold" but just enough of a chill to be uncomfortable and wake me up so that I had to find a ladies tree. No good. The next night, I did the same but pulled my PJs out so as soon as the HOT left me I put on some clothes. Same thing happened. Mind you, days were in the 90s and nights in the 70s. I was just thinking I wasted a lot of space and weight bringing my big bag in the summer but... still I needed something on me. The last night I just yanked my bag, still all zipped up, over on top of me and I was comfy.


I said all that to say this... I am looking for a super lightweight something to take on summer hikes when I just need a something over me to knock the chill off. I was look at the SOL Escape Bivy. 8.5oz. Reflects heat. $60. How does that sound for an option? Does anyone have any experience with these? The ones I saw said it was breathable, so less condensation issues. Sounds reasonable unless someone has a horror story to share.

My summer quilt is an EE Revelation 50F. 11.3 oz and squashes down to the size of a softball.

[Rmcpeak]

My summer quilt is an EE Revelation 50F. 11.3 oz and squashes down to the size of a softball.

What type down and nylon you got in that thing? I have 40 deg Prodigy (climashield). It's too hot and clammy in mid summer. Want something breathier and lighter...

[cmoulder]

The down in that quilt is 850fp goose (happens to be DownTek treated stuff), with 10D shell inside and out.

I have two 40°F Prodigy quilts, one with 10D all around and one with 20D. The 10D weighs 17.7 oz and the 20D weighs 23 oz. The Prodigy is superb for cool, rainy weather.

[Dogwood]

A summer temp rated quilt(40-50*) sounds like it could work for you. Or, how about a silk bag liner with stretchy side panels? The liner or quilt can be used in conjunction with other gear ton extend your gear options stretching your do re mi.