Summer Bag?

**Certain** · 01-07-2007, 22:51

So I just couln't see dropping additional $ for a summer bag for my NOBO AT hike that's coming up. What do you all think? I'm a colder than average sleeper, so I'm thinking I could get away with continuing to use my underquilt as an underquilt (unless it's like 80 degrees at night or something) and my silk bag liner as a top sheet, just to prevent chills due to air movement. I guess I could also control airflow w/my tarp pitch like in the winter.

What do other cold sleepers do in the summer? My winter bag only weighs 1 lb 10 oz, so I'm not all that willing to get a cheap bag/quilt that weighs a lot more.

This is one of those things I'm playing by ear till I get there. Just curious how others deal w/it. For context, I'm talking about summer on the AT, which can get miserable I know. Thanks!

**slowhike** · 01-07-2007, 23:03

some nights in the mountains it can get right chili.
i'll bet you can make a light quilt from wal-mart fabric & quilt batting (insulation) for around $15.00 that weighs less than a pound, but i'd have to put it to the test to be sure.
that's one of the things i've been planning to do but haven't got to yet.

**titanium_hiker** · 01-07-2007, 23:04

I would use the silk liner "top sheet" and take the winter bag, unzipped, to be pulled up/off as the temp dictates.

get a cheap bag and MURDER (er, modify, DIY, etc) it till it weighs a decent weight and does what you want.

Breeze is good. You WANT the air. don't crank down the tarp!

TH

**hangnout** · 01-07-2007, 23:10

http://www.outdooroutlet.com/shoppin...detail&id=5842

I bought this bag that weighs 16 oz 40 degree to use as top quilt in summer. I also carry in the winter when I feel I need an extra layer. It doubles for extra insulation under a jacket in winter giving that dual use thing.

**Certain** · 01-08-2007, 11:47

Originally Posted by slowhike

some nights in the mountains it can get right chili.
i'll bet you can make a light quilt from wal-mart fabric & quilt batting (insulation) for around $15.00 that weighs less than a pound, but i'd have to put it to the test to be sure.
that's one of the things i've been planning to do but haven't got to yet.

So do you think just carrying my 20-degree bag the whole way would be overkill? I remember reading about last summer's heat wave where the hikers were staying in towns to get away from the triple digit highs. Obviously I probably wouldn't need any sort of blanket if it was like that, but I can't imagine that it will always be 80 degrees at night either.

I'm kind of thinking about just hanging on to my winter bag and once I get to the point that it's unbearable, I'll mail it home and buy something in a town or something. I was also thinking about one of those small down throws that is just big enough for one person. I don't know how much they weigh though.

**Miguel** · 01-08-2007, 12:29

How about this one at The Sportsman's Guide? I bought a couple for me and my wife for next summer. I think they're prety nice. They were going for just under. $20.00 when I bought them.

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=129749

**Coffee** · 01-08-2007, 13:45

Originally Posted by Miguel

How about this one at The Sportsman's Guide? I bought a couple for me and my wife for next summer. I think they're prety nice. They were going for just under. $20.00 when I bought them.

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=129749

That's the one I ordered for my summer quilt project. I ordered the rectangular one. It weighs 28 oz and someone else posted that the mummy bag is 21 oz. It cost me $33 shipped.

Unless you are planning to modify it, they are going to weigh close to or more than your other sleeping bag. It is a quality bag that I think will hold up and keep me warm to 50 (maybe 60 or so for you

).

**Certain** · 01-08-2007, 14:05

Originally Posted by Miguel

How about this one at The Sportsman's Guide? I bought a couple for me and my wife for next summer. I think they're prety nice. They were going for just under. $20.00 when I bought them.

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=129749

Oh...wow....I didn't realize this was the same thing Hammock Engineer bought. That is definitely an option. I don't care if it weighs a few ounces less than my winter bag (or the same), I just can't see having it weight more you know? I could drop $20.00 on this I think. Sorry Hammock Engineer, I didn't put two and two together last time we talked about this. I think something like this and my silk liner would be more than enough in summer. If it came down to it, I could also sleep on my pad and pull my underquilt up and use it as a topquilt if it got crazy cold for some reason.

Thanks everyone! I think I might go w/this.