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Puppy
04-14-2008, 14:42
I have realized that my 20 degree bag and cocoon liner are going to make me roast this summer.

What have people done for summer sleeping ? I really would like to be able to move my legs around a lot more then a mummy bag allows if possible.....

also - what date/location is a safe place to switch out sleeping gear ?

Thanks

taildragger
04-14-2008, 14:53
You could look into quilts.

If you're not interested in that route, then I would look into something like the marmot pounder, or maybe a lafuma bag that has a full zip.

I'd really emphasize a full zip bag since you can use it as a quilt if it gets roasty

Ender
04-14-2008, 14:54
I keep my 20* bag, but I use a hammock, so the air circulating around me keeps me cool. And if the temps drop, I just go to ground to stay warm.

max patch
04-14-2008, 15:02
If you can afford it, having 2 bags is something to consider.

I used my 20 degree bag the entire way on my thru. During the summer I unzipped it and used it as a quilt, sleeping on top of it. However, by morning I was usually under it.

In Gettysburg I experimented and bought a bedsheet and mailed my bag ahead about a week. Big mistake. Four days out an unusual cold spell came thru and I was very cold for a couple nights.

iesman69
04-14-2008, 15:07
I had a friend replace the shorter stock zipper on a summer weight down bag with a longer zipper. I unzip it completely for use as a top quilt in my hammock.

Montego
04-14-2008, 15:20
I also have a 20* mummy bag but cannot afford another, lighter temperature bag - so my solution was to cut the elastic sides off a ligh polyester 'mattress cover' that came with my Areo Bed to use as a sheet over me as I sleep on top of my sleeping bag. If the temps drop, I'll just crawl inside my mummy bag.

StepChld
04-14-2008, 15:51
I had a friend replace the shorter stock zipper on a summer weight down bag with a longer zipper. I unzip it completely for use as a top quilt in my hammock.Who did the job for him? I too would like to do this (hate the "half zip"!).

envirodiver
04-14-2008, 16:03
I have carried just a fleece liner bag a number of times instead of a sleeping bag. I finally quit carrying the fleece, because I found that I almost always ended up cold at some point during the night.

iesman69
04-14-2008, 16:14
Who did the job for him? I too would like to do this (hate the "half zip"!).

I hated the half zip too, which is why I decided to sacrifice it! All she(my friend) had to do was find a zipper long enough, which I think she found at a Hancock Fabric store -- she then took out the short zipper, and sewed in the new, full-length zipper. I had her stop the zipper about 8-10" from the bottom, in order to leave me a sort of footbox on cooler nights.

All the credit goes to WB and HF...

X-LinkedHiker
04-14-2008, 16:38
Hammocks are ultimate in the summer. Just use a tarp to overhang if you need.

Undershaft
04-14-2008, 17:41
I use a fleece sleeping bag liner and a ridgerest pad in my hammock in the summer, unless I'm somewhere that cold is inevitable like the Whites. The fleece bag combined with zip pants and a summer weight polypro long sleeve shirt kept me warm almost every night. Occasionally I have to add a fleece pullover on the few nights it got really chilly.

map man
04-14-2008, 23:24
I use a 25 degree bag (Marmot Pounder Plus) and have gotten by fine with it in the summer. As others have mentioned, it's important to have the full length zippper if you use a bag like this in warm weather.

Wags
04-15-2008, 00:03
i use a lafuma 40+ w/ full zip and find it to be quite nice for summertime. gets me into a good part of spring/fall as well :D 80 bucks

LIhikers
04-15-2008, 06:50
Once you are in a time and place that you suspect the nights won't be too cold you can switch to a fleece blanket.

Egads
04-15-2008, 07:02
I have found that fleece bags are not a good option because of ~2 lbs weight and lack of warmth in the shoulder seasons. I prefer down quilts for the warmth to weight ratio.

Egads

peter_pan
04-15-2008, 07:17
No reason for a down 40* quilt to weigh over 16 oz.

Pan

Jim Adams
04-15-2008, 09:56
I would not switch out to summer gear before Memorial Day or south of the Grayson Highlands....too much chance of still getting some bad weather.

geek

shaunx
04-16-2008, 02:17
Hello there,
I use Hammock for the circulation of cold air. its been amazing.

hopefulhiker
04-16-2008, 08:13
On really hot nights, I just used the liner, and I used my quilt as a pillow...

Lellers
04-16-2008, 08:59
In the summer, I use an old, well worn 10-degree bag that I inherited from my son after his boy scout career was over. It's insulating properties are nowhere near where they used to be, it compresses well and doesn't weigh much. If you can't afford to buy anything new, you might see if you can scrounge up an old sleeping bag from someone. You'd have to keep your eyes open, and you might have to beg, but you might solve the problem for free or really cheap.

Blissful
04-16-2008, 16:00
I switched out when I got home in mid VA. But that was Memorial Day weekend. I took my Marmot Pounder after that and was never sweating in it, to be honest (except once in PA. Then a thunderstorm blew through). Heading north, it cools down at night sufficiently. Not like the south and mid Atlantic region with the humidity which can be a different story.

snarbles
04-16-2008, 17:08
I'm looking into a nunatak arc edge or JRBetter quilt. Maybe the Bozeman 60 as well.

Christopher Robin
04-16-2008, 17:37
I have a 20 derge bag also & just unzip it into a quilt & slip into the sleeping bag liner. Have donr this for year & carrie the same sleeping bag 3 seasons/

The Snowman
04-16-2008, 18:21
mostly in summer I just use a fleece blanket I got free from a local casino small light and warm enough. for multy night trips I use my 40* down bag.

geckobunny
04-16-2008, 18:59
What my hubby and I used our silk liners and topped off with an army surplus poncho liner. We used that from Damascus to New Hampshire. Didn't get too cold, but even then we just put on our clothes...and snuggled :)