Poncho Liner or Sleeping Bag?

**unicycleman** · 05-28-2011, 18:01

I'm leaving for a section hike on the AT tomorow and i'm still debating on whether or not to use my 32 degree sleeping bag (which i used last year) or if i should just use my poncho liner as a top quilt. My bottom insulation is a thermarest ridgerest full length pad.

The lowest temperature at night is going to be 57, but will usually be in the low to mid 60's.

What is the lowest temperature that anyone has gotten to with just a pad and a poncho liner, and what do you guys recommend?

**gunner76** · 05-28-2011, 18:09

Depending on if you sleep cold or hot you should be ok with a a poncho liner and a pad.

**oldsoldier** · 05-28-2011, 19:02

I have used a poncho liner on a pad in the 50s. Granted, it was in the army, but it wasn't too bad. I don't recall being miserable, and I obviously survived

. I think you will be fine with it. It's not leaving a while lot of room for error though.

**dejoha** · 05-28-2011, 19:19

If the temps are right, it would be great. Wiggy has a great poncho liner that is boasted to be warmer than the GI version.

**Freelancer Tex** · 05-28-2011, 21:27

i didnt have a thermometer but based on the temp when we hiked back to the car, id say i got my poncho liner into the low 40s. i was a bit cold (thanks to the wind) but after throwing my poncho over me to help counter act the wind i was fine. i wouldnt say toasty warm but im also a cold sleeper. even if you are looking at high 40s you should be ok.

**Owl** · 05-28-2011, 22:11

I've gotta go with Oldsoldier. I've got a ton of experience sleeping with a CCF pad and a poncho liner, and a sleeping bag and a CCF pad.

PERSONALLY, I'm a cold sleeper.

I prefer having a sleeping bag year round, if weight isn't a major issue.

It's really hard for anyone else to tell you what's right for you or not when it comes to how comfortable you'll sleep in what temps.

I'd say that you would surely SURVIVE with just a poncho liner...comfort is something that you'll have to decide yourself, based on how warm or cold you sleep in either.

**gunner76** · 05-28-2011, 23:24

Wiggy has a great poncho liner that is boasted to be warmer than the GI version

No specs on that on their web site but it had better be warmer as it cost 2-3 times as much as a poncho liner you can get elsewhere.

**JohnSawyer** · 06-03-2011, 20:09

If it gets cold, just clothe up.

I also carry a piece of fabric big enough to cover my bugnet, in case it gets cold. A few safety pins and I'm much warmer. I sewed the corners up into a small pocket.. add a few rocks and breezes are no problem...

Grizz's KISS overcover is a similar solution... though more elegant http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...KISS+overcover

When it's "Cold" (ok, it really doesn't get cold where I live) and I'm car camping, I've been known to throw my poncho liner over my hammock as an insulated cover...

**Beast 71** · 06-03-2011, 22:17

I've gotten to 40F with a G.I. poncho liner and pad butI'm a warm sleeper.

**zukiguy** · 06-04-2011, 08:15

I've got one of the wiggy's liners. It's quite a bit heavier but I don't know about it being much warmer. Loft=warmth for the most part and it seems to be pretty much the same thickness. It also uses a kind of scratchy fabric compared to the issue versions. I got it on a pretty big sale so it was a good deal, at full price not so much I think.