Help me choose: bag liner.

[Rug]

I have 5 questions regarding sleeping bag liners.

Silk or Synthetic
Mummy or Rectangular
Does it go 'over' me or 'under' me?

I am trying to decide between this: http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_d...45524442412559 or this: http://www.rei.com/product/797114

I will also be getting some down booties and new wool socks. After that i should be all set for any winter conditions. (I have excellent quilts, so I am just looking for that last little bit of oomph.)

[JCINMA]

I actually own and use one very similar to the MEC one. I find that it acts as more of a vapor barrier than extra insulation, but with that being said, it works very well.

If you want something to add extra insulation, go with the Sea to Summit liner.

In extreme conditions, I would probably want to bring both and layer them, but that's just my opinion.

If I were to just go and buy one, I would go with the Sea to Summit.

[Lonely Raven]

Many of the silk ones I saw weren't silk at all. That one you liked says it is. I find real silk doesn't breath at all...way too hot for me.

I prefer breathable wicking liners myself.

[beep]

I have a Cocoon brand silk liner (rectangular). I've only used it once, so I can't really give much feedback about its incremental contribution to warmth. Frankly, I've only used it when it was too hot for anything more. What I don't like is the lack of zipper opening. I have to slip into it from the top and then hassle with pulling it up around my shoulders.

[Flatland]

The Sea to Summit one is 15 ounces. That seems awfully heavy to me. I recall seeing ones that were about 8 oz. at one point. Of course, I'm sure those don't add as much warmth...

[Law Dawg (ret)]

The Sea to Summit one is 15 ounces. That seems awfully heavy to me. I recall seeing ones that were about 8 oz. at one point. Of course, I'm sure those don't add as much warmth...

Sea to Summit has several offerings with two mummy shaped liners (Reactor) and they are quality. One for extra insulation and one for less. Sounds like you looked at the warmer one. Mine, the Reactor, is rated to add 15 degrees weighs 9oz with a line around the top and cinch button that could be removed. The Reactor extreme, is rated to add 25 degrees is 14 oz and both are made out of Thermolite. These are quality built camp kit but I'm not sure about the gymnastics required to get into and out of one in a hammock.

Edit; I wonder if the weight of the stuff sack is part of the weight? Mine literally feels much lighter than 9oz when taken out of the tiny stuff sack. An over the calf single sock feels like more weight to me...sorry no gram scales here.

[CamWaite]

I personally have a DD silk liner, which i bought on ebay for next to nothing. It has a definite noticeable difference, for example the night I got my frostbite it was a very pleasant sleep the frostbite came from the ice in the boots the next morning. EDIT - Oh and its rectangular in a mummy sleeping bag.

[Rug]

I personally have a DD silk liner. It has a definite noticeable difference...Oh and its rectangular...

Are gymnastics required to get in one in a hammock?

I did that once with a sleeping bag (busted zipper)... never again.

[CamWaite]

Are gymnastics required to get in one in a hammock?

Not per se as I split the seam down one side accidentally whilst I was in in a tent in the Himalayas which turned out to be a useful modification when applied to the hammock.

[AndyB]

Maybe this suggestion is crazy but it works for me in winter time:

I like to take an Alpaca wool scarf with me and wrap that around my neck and face. Plus, I have a heavy synthetic winter hat. I like to zip open my bag and use it as a blanket on top of me. On top of that, I put a fleece liner or my synthetic one. Sometimes I gotta kick off the liner at night because I get too warm. I recommend not putting the liner inside the bag because getting in and outta that after hopping inside the hammock would be to much gymnastics.