[pct-l] Sleeping bag help, please

[Diane Soini of Santa Barbara Hikes]

Not that I'm the biggest expert on this topic by any means, but as a  
woman who is always cold with what I think is a slow metabolism, I  
was surprised how well I adapted to the trail. I was rarely super  
cold. Only a few nights was I ever too cold to get a decent night's  
sleep. Usually that was because I tried not to get up to go pee. I  
soon learned to just do it.

I had a zero degree bag at first but it took up too much room so I  
bought a 20 degree quilt instead. I worried I would freeze but I  
didn't. Sometimes I wore my rain gear to sleep and sometimes two hats  
but so what. Most of the summer I was way too hot!

Lately, even as a wimp-ass section hiker, I've been taking just a  
torso-length foam pad and using a plastic bag under my legs and my  
pack under my feet. I'm just as warm.

I'm using the same quilt I used to hike from Big Bear to Canada.  
Never washed. Doesn't stink. Still lofty. It's worth it to buy  
quality. It'll last.

Recently I bought a 45 degree wearable quilt from Jacks-R-Better.  
Looks ridiculous when worn but I have to say it's the best invention.  
I can wear it sitting by the campfire on my regular backpack trips  
(thru hikers rarely have campfires) and it keeps my knees warm  
because I'm short and it is long. I admit to bringing it AND my down  
quilt on a few trips and sleeping with double sleeping bags. If I  
needed a new bag I would get the Jacks-R-Better 20 degree quilt. I  
like their quality. I like that you can open it square and flat.

Oh that reminds me. I think Steele-eye said once that 900 fill is too  
light for sleeping bags. Too prone to moisture and collapse of loft.  
He might be right. But I did get the Jacks-R-Better 900 fill and it  
seems okay so far.