View Full Version : Sleeping Bag Liner
TrippinBTM
01-11-2009, 21:05
How much do these help? That is to say, what kind of temperature protection would using one give a bag. Would a 20* bag become a 10* bag?
Serial 07
01-11-2009, 21:24
i wouldn't go that far, but depending on what material you use, they do add some extra insulation...i think they say 5-8* at most...
My silk liner makes my 20 degree bag a much cleaner 20 degree bag....
TrippinBTM
01-11-2009, 22:21
good to know, thanks
Ramble~On
01-11-2009, 22:40
Thermolite liners by Sea to Summit claim to add 15*. I'd agree with 10*.
I really like mine- I use down bags and the liner keeps the bag cleaner and allows me to layer my 15* bag for winter use. I have two of these liners and haven't been cold since I started using them. Read the reviews here:
http://www.rei.com/product/705534 .
jonathanb23
01-12-2009, 01:39
Skip it...save your money. Wear all your clothing instead. Why carry another 8oz to do something your jacket will do 10 times over. I own a Thermolite and would guess on it's best day 3 degrees of additional warmth and that is only because I get all worked up trying to get the stupid thing to fit right. They are not on my pack list.
My theory is that your sleeping bag and liner should be good enough to keep you warm on the coldest night that you expect to encounter on your hike. That should be the plan "A".
If after that you are still cold then put on additional clothing as a last resort.
Panzer
jonathanb23
01-12-2009, 02:28
Can I ask why it would be a "last resort"? Why carry an additional 8oz piece of gear to do what another piece of gear you are already carrying can do? redundant?
Ramble~On
01-12-2009, 07:52
I guess some people prefer not to sleep in their clothes and they are physically able to carry an additional 8 ounces without shedding too many tears. Personal preference plays a part - I find the liner to be warm and comfortable - worth its weight.
gearfreak
01-12-2009, 08:34
I recently began carrying a Cocoon ripstop silk liner weighing just 4.7 ounces. If I can rest comfortably without resorting to my rain jacket for warmth, I'll carry an extra few ounces. :cool:
garlic08
01-12-2009, 09:04
I bought one, tried it, gave it away. I just didn't like it and didn't think it was worth it. Try it out, some people obviously like them.
Alligator
01-12-2009, 10:20
When I used my liner, I used to extend what I considered the extra warmth that I would get from wearing my clothes. The liner and the clothes had independent values to add. There's only a certain number of layers of clothes that I would find comfortable to sleep in. I'd have a jacket but I never sleep in it (barring an emergency). I only used my liner in the winter though.
I used a fleece liner and I'd say it added about 10 degrees no more to the bag rating. It was worth having as a temporary measure until I could afford a winter bag, but I've done that so I don't use it anymore.
Liners for warmth are a cheap fix to about a 10 degree problem. For me, I found that the weight penalty was high as my fleece liner weighs like 20 or 22 ounces. You get a much better return on placing that extra weight into another sleeping bag, you just have to pay for the whole bag. It helps to decide if you will be hiking regularly at the new lower temperature afforded by a new warmer bag (or not).
Mrs Baggins
01-12-2009, 10:24
We have silk liners. I do stay warmer but I also get all tangled up in the thing. It gets twisted around me during the night and then when I have to get up for the midnight bush wee I have to get the thing all straightened out again so I can get back into my bag. If you sleep soundly and don't toss and turn a lot or can stay comfy in pretty much one position then I guess it would just fine for you.
sleeveless
01-12-2009, 10:36
I vote for the liner. It not only adds a little warmth, it can be used in the summer as a very light cover. but best of all it helps keep the bag clean and you just throw it in the washer with the rest of the laundry. I carried a silk liner.
Sleeveless AT '05
http://www.trailjournals.com/sleeveless
jonathanb23
01-12-2009, 10:55
I wouldn't suggest sleeping in a rain jacket. If warmth is an issue one would usually have atleast a vest or other insulating layer available. What I am saying is...IMHO taking off your down vest (assuming it's not dirty as heck) to get into a liner is counterproductive...but that's me...HYOH.
FaithWalker
01-12-2009, 12:13
I made our sleeping bag liners from 100% Polyester fabric purchased at Walmart in the remnants section. I spent $5 on material and 5-10 minutes on sewing. This gave me an additional 8-10 degrees more warmth for my sleeping bag than just the synthetic, zero degree, BA sleeping bag. I sleep very cold so this was extremely helpful. The weight was not an issue, it is very light.
My silk liner makes my 20 degree bag a much cleaner 20 degree bag....
Exactly... it may add a couple of degrees, but nothing worth thinking about. It's much more of a comfort factor for me. And in the summer, I can use just the silk liner (with my sleeping bag next to me in case it gets cooler during the night).
How much do these help? That is to say, what kind of temperature protection would using one give a bag. Would a 20* bag become a 10* bag?Roughly speaking, I would say for every pound of wool, fleece, or silk, as a liner, you would be adding the equivalent of 6oz of 600fill, or 4oz of 900fill. This would give you an extra 10degF by some standards, and 15degF, or even 20degF, by some others.
As a simple rule of thumb, I would say you gain 1degF for every ounce,
whether it is wool, fleece, or silk.
I would favour wool, if it can be dried out. Silk for simple dirt protection.
Adding a 2 pound wool blanket might save you having to buy a 1/2 pound
heavier down sleeping bag, but only if you have enough room inside for it.
We have silk liners. I do stay warmer but I also get all tangled up in the thing. It gets twisted around me during the night and then when I have to get up for the midnight bush wee I have to get the thing all straightened out again so I can get back into my bag. If you sleep soundly and don't toss and turn a lot or can stay comfy in pretty much one position then I guess it would just fine for you.
Wear silk PJs. I bet they use less material and you'd be the envy of your fellow hikers.;)
RockStar
01-15-2009, 23:50
Two seperate nights on the A.T. in spring I was up all night shivering. I had all my clothes on and even bought, the second time, a nalgene to boil water and put at the foot of my bag. I have a 30 degree marmot trestles bag. Normalls I stay warm enough. Both nights were in the teens. I'll carry a Thermolite reactor next time and I may even buy a 20 degree down bag. I'd rather be too hot and sleep than freezing and lose sleep.
littlelaurel59
01-17-2009, 11:44
Can I ask why it would be a "last resort"? Why carry an additional 8oz piece of gear to do what another piece of gear you are already carrying can do? redundant?
Perhaps "last resort" is too strong a term.
I agree that one's sleep system should comfortably work to the expected temperature, and then one should build in a reserve for the unexpected. I have a rather snug 30* bag. My thermolite liner gets me easily to 20* with minimal clothing, and this combo covers me in the vast majority of camping situations. Occasionally I have had to add some clothes when it was colder, but I was really cramped.
The alternative would be to buy a warmer bag, but that costs $$.
Is the liner "redundant"? I suppose so. But so is a little extra fuel and extra food. When I am miles from the trailhead in unexpected conditions I consider redundancy a good thing.
Two seperate nights on the A.T. in spring I was up all night shivering. I had all my clothes on and even bought, the second time, a nalgene to boil water and put at the foot of my bag. I have a 30 degree marmot trestles bag. Normalls I stay warm enough. Both nights were in the teens. I'll carry a Thermolite reactor next time and I may even buy a 20 degree down bag. I'd rather be too hot and sleep than freezing and lose sleep.
Good move if you buy a down bag. One thing you can do with down that you can't with synthetics is redistribute the down within the baffles for more or less insulation. This works best if the bag doesn't have a sideblock baffle.
My personal experience is that a silk liner weighs about 5 oz and adds about 3* or 4* of comfort. The trade-off is a bit of a hassle getting into and out of the bag, but nothing major. Some folks have problems getting tangled up in the liner during the night. That's never been a problem for me and I roll around, changing sides frequently.
Blue Sky II
01-17-2009, 12:38
5 oz silk liner seem to add at least 5 degrees warmth. Just as important to me is: 1. I seldom have to wash my down bags. 2. On summer nights the liner alone is often all you need in the early evernings.
The best strategy is to have 2 separate bags, a warm weather bag and a cold weather bag. They should be a high quality goose down.
And yea, I know this cost more, but still that's the best strategy. Adding a liner makes little difference in temperature rating but adds significantly more weight and takes up more space in your pack.
Panzer
I use a Nunatak quilt, and the Sea to Summit silk liner (4.2 oz) keeps the quilt cleaner, and I like the "enclosure" aspect of the liner combined with the quilt. To each his own.
Liners are great for wrapping around you to do laundry too :)
Liners are great for wrapping around you to do laundry too :)
I'd figure the liner would be one of the most washed items, no?
Mine is a JagBag, they're silk and I always did this last in cold water, usually in a sink. Mine didn't get icky or anything, I have a separate ensemble for sleeping, so it's not like you're wearing dayclothes that are nasty in there. If you do sleep in your dayclothes, it might get dirtier faster. :)