Summer Sleeping

[88BlueGT]

Just as the title says, what do you guys use for summer sleeping? Which bags, quilts, etc.? I usually don't do much backpacking in the summer for many reasons but I plan on doing alot this summer and want to set myself up right.......

Sooooooo, what do you guys use?

[Lyle]

I'm very satisfied with my EMS Velocity 35. Has kept me warm into the low 30's with just a liner and light Poly Pro underwear. Got mine several years ago for $130 on sale, somewhat different look than the present version, but I really like the Prima Loft insulation, light, compresses well, and drapes like down.

http://www.ems.com/catalog/product_d...=1208833109922

[SweetAss03]

REI travel sack 55. Great little bag, little money, little weight.

[Paul Bunyan]

I like the lafuma. Very lightweight, pretty cheap. Ratings not very good, but fine for summer.

[Wags]

i too use a +40 lafuma. under 2 lbs syntec, good and roomy (i'm 6' 160# and i have lots of room), 3/4 zip (which does not snag thank god) allows plenty of venting but still gives me a footbox if my dogs get chilly. i agree on rating being a little overrated. i'm good to about 45 in it, then i have to start layering. i almost made it through a night that dipped to 35 when i was testing it out in the backyard, but i had to come inside after about 4 hours. <$80 new is tough to beat for all it features...

also, take a few pieces of insulating gear. it can still get chilly depending on conditions

and bugspray

[Wags]

other notes:

some guys who burn take sunscreen. i landscape and don't use sunscreen there so i don't take it in the woods.

prepare to drink more water than in spring/fall

if it gets really hot a bandana or sock dipped in a cool stream and drapped over the back of your neck really is refreshing for a short period of time

the bugs and heat will really be your only changes that i can think of. and snakes

[88BlueGT]

yea, bugs and the enormous amounts of people. Thats why I usually stay away. I'm much more into backpacking now than I ever was though so things are changing
You guys even use your bags on those 80 degree nights? I was thinking about buyiing something like this http://www.ems.com/catalog/product_d...=1208831716617
which is pretty much a fleece sleeping bag. Or something even more simple like this http://www.ems.com/catalog/product_d...=1208838073076

I don't have a good summer bag so not sure which direection I want to go yet.

[Captain]

personaly im taking a 20 degree mummy bag into new england knowing that ill be in GSMNP in full winter weather , i can always unzip it or use it as a blanket if its warmer but i dont want to deal with switching out sleeping bags or carrying huge bulks of clothing to stay warm at night either, lesser of two evils i thinks

[RedneckRye]

Marmot Trails bag.

[gumball]

I take my WM 20 degree too. It can zip down to pretty much like a quilt, and I throw it off if I am too warm. I am such a cold sleeper, and it weighs so little, I take it whenever I hike no matter the weather.

[Egads]

I change my setup in the summer to cut weight and cool off.

I leave the insulation behind, switch to a HH hammock (even though this adds weight), and carry extra water. Sometimes, I leave the stove behind and go no cook. I switch from a bag to a JRB Nest quilt, and full coverage "winter" pad to a torso sized Z-lite pad.

I even prefer to hike lesser traveled trails which are at higher elevations or stream side in summer.

Egads

[Marta]

I take my WM 20 degree too. It can zip down to pretty much like a quilt, and I throw it off if I am too warm. I am such a cold sleeper, and it weighs so little, I take it whenever I hike no matter the weather.

Ditto on the WM 20 degree. Unzipped it makes a great summer quilt. Zipped up, I'm good down to freezing and several degrees below.

[bigcranky]

I just carry my 30-F down bag, and use it as a quilt. Even on the warmest nights, some covering is a good idea.

I am switching back to a hammock for this summer's hike. It's a little heavier than my bivy/tarp combo, but I save a lot of weight on my pad, so it's closer to an even trade. The bag makes a great quilt inside the hammock.

[Seeker]

WM Caribou bag, Hennessy Hammock, JRB Underquilt.

[LIhikers]

During the hot, hazy, humid days of summer I use a fleece blanket if I'm not at an altitude where you'd expect it to be too cool for that.

[88BlueGT]

yea i like the fleece blanket idea... thats why i really liked the sts http://www.ems.com/catalog/product_d...=1208831716617

anyone have experience with it? On their website they say its 1lb 4oz. I know I could get a down bag lighter than that but now it comes down to money. I could get a nice expensive down bag but there are so many other things I want to have money for (poles, new tent, new clothes, trail runners)

[Wags]

remember if you got an inflatable pad, you don't want your skin directly on it as the oils will break down the pad. so i either sleep in my bag or on it.

[88BlueGT]

hmmmmmm I never knew that.

And yes, I have a BA insulated AC.

[JAK]

I slept last summer in a light wool sweater that was damp when I went to bed and dry when I woke up. I think if you have the right clothes than keeping clothing and sleeping systems separate might be over-rated.

[X-LinkedHiker]

I use an Eagles Nest hammock and a blanket or 2 if there are a couple good trees around. Otherwise a 30 degree sleeping bag with basically just boxers on.