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Summer bag in a 2 System
I recently bought a Marmot Helium for Feb AT 05 start. This will obviously be too hot for the majority of the hike. Can anyone recommend a summer bag with the following conditions:
Full-zip
Down filled
Sub 2lbs.
Thanks
Jeff T
hungryhowie
04-04-2004, 22:10
Here are some choices:
Western Mountaineering: Megalite (24oz, 30*F), Caribou (21oz, 35*F), Highlight (16oz, 38*F)
Marmot: Hydrogen (I know it's not a full zip, but it's still a great bag) (21oz, 30*F)
DIY: for summer, nothing (imo) beats a quilt. I've made several quilts and use them pretty much all year round. I posted instructions on my website @ http://www.newsushi.net/quilt.html with links to where you can purchase supplies. Supplies (including shell fabric, baffle fabric, thread, and high-quality 800+ fill down) can be had for about $150 and make an excellent 30-40*F quilt that weighs right at 1 pound. The one pictured on my website weighs in at 17oz. That was my absolute first sewing project, and others without prior experience have tackled it as well. It's worth a look, anyhow.
-Howie
Thanks to Hungryhowie I have a quilt by his design, but it was not wide enough . It would leave a gap by my shoulders. When I measured for it , I did not allow for the extra material to allow for the lifting up of the quilt as you drape it over you. I did add a silnylon floor to solve the problem. This also let me put my sleeping pad on the inside which helped prevent me from sliding off of it in the night. "Howie's quilt" also replaced one I hade made from Ray Jardine's design. I modified that by putting a zipper all the way around, so that it could be turned into a sleeping bag. These quilts worked great. Living in New England, I used them the all through the Whites, summer and fall. Now, if you are not into sewing your own (bought bags are better made than my versions!) take a look at Feathered Friends Lightweight Down bags. They have many choices. I see you are looking for full-zip bags. Being able to combime them with other bags to get a heavier top or to create a "double-bed" bag has advantages. For compactness and only 16 oz., the WM Highlight is hard to beat. It is made of such a thin fabric, however, it makes it easier for down to escape. For any down bag, however, if you see feathers protruding, try pulling them back into the bag before they escape. I am a big fan of down. Good luck in your search.
Lightweight down bags (http://www.featheredfriends.com) EMS Mountain Light Bag (http://www.ems.com)
Decided on the WM Highlight. It's a half zip but I see recommendations everywhere. Thanks guys.