Alternative Summer Top "Quilt" Ideas

[trumpetstu]

Thermarest Tech blanket for me.

http://www.cascadedesigns.com/therm-...lanket/product

[Steve D]

I use a poncho liner top quilt most of the summer and a modded polysilk sleeping bag liner for the warmest nights. Here are links to a couplek of blog post I put together about both...

https://getoutga.wordpress.com/2013/...ilt-revisited/

https://getoutga.wordpress.com/2013/...t-another-diy/

As always, YMMV...

[gbolt]

I looked at Fleece, micro-blankets, Thermarest Reactors and was alway's questioning the weight to warmth ratio. I ended up simply ordering the lightest weight 50* TQ which I am hoping comes in less than 11 oz. Of course you have the cost to weight ratio to consider. In this case $199 vs $59 for the Reactor (I returned to REI). I feel that the 50* TQ will get me to the 72* night temp with venting. That's when I switch to the 4 oz. Silk Cacoon liner that I keep as part of my overall sleep package. Love the Liner when I go to the ground or in Hostels. 11 + 4 = 15 oz is still lighter in the pack than some Summer "Quilts" by themself. It really comes down to how much you want to spend for the lowest weight you wish to carry, for the temperature range you'll experience.

[naperica]

I have a fleece liner that I have made and use in my bag during colder weather (and have used in warmer weather) but it does not pack well. It is light, but bulky. I am trying to reduce bulk as well in my pack. I will look into a silk liner. I usually sleep with clothing on, so I do not want to overheat. 4 oz seems awesome. Is there a cottage brand that makes silk liners?

[gbolt]

My Cacoon Silk Mummy Bag Liner is available at REI as well as other Outfitters. Cacoon is the Brand name. To be totally precise, the item weights 4.9 oz including it's small pouch.

The only other concern to be considered is how low you can take these Silk Liners. One Summer night I was comfortably able to go to sleep in the mid 70's; only to be awakened at 3:30 as the temp was dropping to the low 60's. That night is the reason that I decided a 50* quilt made sense for a Summer Top Quilt.

[georgecarr]

I have one of these:

http://www.terrevistatrails.com/jag-bag-standard.html

[naperica]

Hmmm.....I have a 20 deg UQ, that I am going to keep with me....I think....

This will be my first summer with the 20 deg UQ, previously I was using a DIY PLUQ and that was okay....def not as warm as the 20, so I am thinking that my fleece will be overkill. Or maybe keep a warmer top and look into alternative bottom insulation. I am trying to reduce bulk in my pack (as stated in OP), so I don't want to go back to the PL...it was super bulky.

[brino]

I use one of these "Jungle blanket" stupid name ... great product!

http://www.amazon.com/Pro-Force-Prof.../dp/B00Q5K4LUY

I have been thinking about sewing it into a tube and adding a draw string foot box ... but meh it works just fine

[GoatHanger]

I use one of these "Jungle blanket" stupid name ... great product!

http://www.amazon.com/Pro-Force-Prof.../dp/B00Q5K4LUY

I have been thinking about sewing it into a tube and adding a draw string foot box ... but meh it works just fine

Same here! I actually bought an 18" zipper, grosgrain, and some snaps... just haven't had a chance to mess with it yet. I want to make it so it can be a TQ or an UQ.

[xrayit]

I like the Jungle Blankets, had to buy a five so far because every time a family member tries one it disappears. Perfect summer TQ IMHO.