View Full Version : Summer Sleeping
88BlueGT
04-21-2008, 22:27
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?
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_detail_vertical.jsp?STYLE_GROUP%3C%3East_i d=1408474396003143&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302875908&bmUID=1208833109922
SweetAss03
04-21-2008, 23:17
REI travel sack 55. Great little bag, little money, little weight.
Paul Bunyan
04-21-2008, 23:26
I like the lafuma. Very lightweight, pretty cheap. Ratings not very good, but fine for summer.
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
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
04-22-2008, 00:22
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_detail_square.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=8455 24442583681&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302875916&bmUID=1208831716617
which is pretty much a fleece sleeping bag. Or something even more simple like this http://www.ems.com/catalog/product_detail_square.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=8455 24442589829&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302875916&bmUID=1208838073076
I don't have a good summer bag so not sure which direection I want to go yet.
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
04-22-2008, 03:07
Marmot Trails bag.
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.
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
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
04-22-2008, 07:56
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.
WM Caribou bag, Hennessy Hammock, JRB Underquilt.
LIhikers
04-22-2008, 10:46
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
04-22-2008, 11:08
yea i like the fleece blanket idea... thats why i really liked the sts http://www.ems.com/catalog/product_detail_square.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=8455 24442583681&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302875916&bmUID=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)
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
04-22-2008, 12:08
hmmmmmm I never knew that.
And yes, I have a BA insulated AC.
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
04-22-2008, 12:18
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.
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.
i would think the conditions would have to be just so right i know after one exhausting hike in the boyscouts after the tent was set up i jut about collapsed inside and was wearing my hat long sleeve shirt and blue jeans with boots still on .. i fell asleep ON my sleeping bag while rolling it OUT someone else had to run my gear up the bear pole ..but sure enough i was the first one up in the moring
I made a Nunatak Arc AT clone from 1.1 oz nylon and 1 layer of Momentum 2.5 oz XP.
Weighs around 8 oz.
I carry a jacket anyway, so it's more than enough for summer.
im carrying the 20 degree back a fleece jacket and a separate wind breaker that i can wear together for a surprisingly warm shell and then on top of that a thermal set.. so yeah basically if ALL that wont keep me warm... i doubt the bulkiest down super fill bag would either
88BlueGT
04-22-2008, 16:07
Well, I went to EMS today and I think the sea to summit fleece sleeping bag is out.... way to thick for hot summer use. Also, the sea to summit cool max i think is too thin.
What I'm considering now is just using the sea to summit thermal bag liner to sleep in... what do you guys think?
personaly id get an actual bag.. even if it was a 55+ degree rated one something good to having an actual bag i thinks good news is those bags are cheap cuase they are all but worthless anytime BUT the summer
Footslogger
04-22-2008, 16:11
REI travel sack 55. Great little bag, little money, little weight.
=======================================
Same here. Carried it in 2003 from Pearisburg to Glencilff. There were a few cool nights but I just layered clothing to make up the difference.
'Slogger
88BlueGT
04-22-2008, 16:44
do you know the weight?
Footslogger
04-22-2008, 17:49
do you know the weight?
==============================
...of the REI Travel Sack ?? ...it's 1lb/8oz or there abouts. Reason I like it, other than it's light weight and compact size is that the foot end has a drawstring closure. Works great for venting and on those cooler mornings you can literally wear/walk around in the Travel Sack like a garment. There are snaps at the top that make arm holes and the mummy hood goes right over your head. Plus you can slip on your camp shoes and and draw the string tight to keep the draft out.
Here's what it looks like ....
http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/files/1/5/0/mummy_bag_0605_original.jpg (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=24096&c=530)
'Slogger
deadhorsejoe
04-22-2008, 19:18
Down here in Alabama even nights can be hot and humid. In the summer I usually start out on top of my summer bag (Big Agnes Lost Dog w/Air Core mattress) and move inside the bag if I ever get cold.
Grayjoe
hopefulhiker
04-22-2008, 19:23
On really hot nights I just use a silk liner, I used the back country blanket by Nunatak either as a pillow or opened up as a quilt...
Blissful
04-22-2008, 19:23
marmot pounder, 40 degree. Can't be beat. The old style has been on sale too various places online.