[pct-l] Silk liner

[James Vesely]

I like some of your gear choices.    If you are looking into buying a sleeping bag and you want add additional fill you might want to look at Hammock Gears website.   They have the option to add as much down to a bag as you want to pay.    I have used the Burrow with standard fill down to the high 20's and stayed warm (with thermals, socks, shirt and thin down jacket) but I think, at least for me, that would be the lower temp limit.    I am not so sure if I would be comfortable if the temp's dropped to the rated 20 degree mark. 

I have also found that you really have to utilize the hooks on the edge of the bag and put on elastic cord to run under your pad  to keep the bag tucked into the sides.  The only problem I encountered with the bag was that the down would drift to the sides and cause a cool spot on the top.   The solution was to make sure to shake the sides of the bag before each use to redistribute the down to the middle. 

http://www.hammockgear.com/burrow-20/



-----Original Message-----
From: Todd Raish [mailto:todd at 360water.com] 
Sent: Monday, March 14, 2016 7:28 AM
To: James Vesely <JVesely at sstinternational.com>
Subject: FW: [pct-l] Silk liner

I agree with Linda and Day-Late

Suppose allocating 5 extra ounces to your base weight is a good idea because you value your sleep.

The question becomes, where do I allocate that 5 ounces?  Do I add a 5 ounce bag liner to my kit, or do I add 5 ounces of down to my sleeping bag (or quilt)?

The thermal value of a 5 ounce bag liner is very very low compared to the thermal value of 5 ounces of down.  This is science, not belief.

Buy a 5 ounce bag of 850 fill power hydrophobic down (like Downtek) from RIPSTOPBYTHEROLL, or any  other do-it-your-self vendor.

On the inside of your sleeping bag (on the top half that lays over your upper body), or the underside of your quilt, take a knife and slit open the 5 downtubes that lay closest to your torso (hips to shoulders).  3 inch slits.

Add 1 ounce of down to each tube.  Sew the slits shut with nylon thread.  Or have someone who knows how, to sew them shut.

Now you have 5 ounces of down concentrated on your torso area where it will do the most good.

I know it is difficult to imagine taking a knife to your sleeping bag, but its worth it.  This procedure probably voids the warranty on your sleeping bag, but you going to sleep much better for a mere 5 ounces.

What do I use?

I have used the following sleep system hiking the Teton Crest Trail in Wyoming; Fremont Trail, Wind River Range in Wyoming; Wallowa Mountains in Oregon;  Sawtooth Mountains in Idaho; and West Coast Trail on Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

150 wt base layers (smartwool or ibex or ice breaker or other).  Long sleeve top and bottoms.  https://www.rei.com/product/879712/smartwool-nts-micro-150-crew-long-underwear-top-mens  and https://www.rei.com/product/828663/smartwool-microweight-long-underwear-bottoms-wool-mens   6oz + 6oz = 12oz

plus a beanie. https://www.rei.com/product/887699/smartwool-phd-reversible-training-beanie  1oz

plus footies.  https://www.rei.com/product/894283/smartwool-phd-outdoor-ultra-light-mini-socks  1.5oz 

I sleep under an Enlightened Equipment 20 degree quilt that I added 5 ounces of down to (6FT 6 length and wide size).  26oz + 5oz = 31oz

My sleeping pad is a 20 ounce EXPED Synmat Winterlite.  http://www.exped.com/usa/en/product-category/mats/synmat-winterlite-lw  (the long and wide size)  20oz 

Total sleep system weight = 51oz (gear) + 14.5oz (sleep clothes) = 65.5oz.

I am never cold.

Sorry for the long email but sometimes more detail provides context to the message.

Despite what works for me, you need to try things out and determine what works best for you.

Good luck on the trail.