[pct-l] Silk Liners verses Extra Down

[Edward Anderson]

In dealing with the broad range of temperatures, wind, rain, snow, and the occasional need for privacy, I believe in bringing several LAYERS. These include my cloths, sleeping bag, sleeping bag liner, tent, and a Thermarest self inflating air mattress (47"x40"x1.5" - it weighs about a pound and deflates to a very small size. I like that I can adjust the softness to firmness depending on how much air is inside. It does a better job of insulating you from the ground than a sleeping pad). The LAYERS mentioned above allow greater versatility when dealing with the varying conditions that anyone hiking or riding the PCT will encounter. 
     I don't bring the warmest down bag - mine is a little lighter and is, proportionally, less bulky when stuffed. Then if it is cool, but not really cold, I can use just the bag without the liner. Then, If I need the extra warmth, I can use the liner to make the warmth difference that the extra down would make. An obvious advantage, of course, is that you don't always want a really warm bag. This allows greater versatility. If it is even colder, I can use the liner and also put on my Smartwool long underwear - or, in addition, add some of my cloths that I bring along anyway.
    The tent is another layer, especially when it is windy as well as cold (or if it is raining or snowing) - the tent makes a big difference in how warm you will be. Since I use a Jetboil canister stove, I can cook in the vestibule of the tent during bad weather. I have used that stove, now, on the PCT, for more than six months, during three years, and have never had a "flare up". I consider it to be safe so long as I am careful. Don't try that with an alcohol stove.
MendoRider-Hiker
 
     
 

________________________________
 From: Eric Lee <saintgimp at hotmail.com>
To: 'John Abela' <abela at johnabela.com>; 'PCT' <pct-l at backcountry.net> 
Sent: Friday, January 6, 2012 9:49 AM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Silk Liners verses Extra Down
 
John wrote:
>
So, to those who use silk liners... why carry that extra weight when you
could just put that weight towards additional down in your sleeping bag??
>

I'm ambivalent about my bag liner but so far I've kept using it.  I agree
that if it were just about warmth, extra down would be a much better plan.

For me it's about keeping my bag cleaner and also it gives me more options
when it's warm outside and I don't need a lot of insulation.  I can either
sleep with just the liner if it's really warm or I can get inside the liner
and then just drape the unzipped bag over me like a blanket.  In that case
the liner helps cut down drafts from the sides and makes the blanket
strategy work well for mid-range temperatures.

Things I don't like about my bag liner: carrying the weight for what is
basically a single-use item, and how it's much more hassle trying to get in
and out of the bag in the middle of the night when I have to deal with both
the bag and the liner.

Eric

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