DD I think what you are describing is one of the combinations I use for the colder summer nights (35-40°) but you are using better (= warmer) garments. Does your jacket have a hood? I really like a hood on the colder nights. As you mentioned getting in and out of a bag is a hassle but using a bag as a blanket with a foot box makes a nice cover? With the rest of the garments you have a light summer bag would be nice to use as a blanket with a foot box.
Posted by: Preacher Posted on: Oct 25th, 2011 at 7:40pm
The glove vs. mitten comment has me re-thinking. Depends on how cold it gets.
I also use my sleeping bag to dry out damp clothes. Should be done with care, more care with down bags. You can load your bag with moisture depending on where the dew point ends up. Smart trippers hang their bags on nice days, air out, dry out.
Posted by: solotripper Posted on: Oct 25th, 2011 at 6:03pm
I had mentioned before about making an under quilt from a Military Surplus Th insulate Poncho liner. This site has something very similar to what I envisioned. #12 as you scroll down. I'm wondering if you would even need a pad IF this would keep the wind off you and allow you to vent excess heat/moisture if needed. Some of the ideas would seem like they'd move around unless you lay perfectly flat
How about night time bathroom needs? Seems like trying to wrestle yourself out of a top load hammock could result in a face plant if not careful. I guess you can work that out if it becomes an issue
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Never been in a hammock so I don't know the issues there but consider how much warmer and more comfortable mittens are than gloves of any real thickness.
I find it's always best to minimize moisture in my sleep. (And I'll sleep in damp/wet clothes so they are dry the next morning.) In my tent, I'll use the bag as a blanket until I get cold when rolling over. Then I zip up as far as needed. At some point I stop turing inside the bag and start allowing it to turn with me (wearing the bag). When it's really cold, my two big concerns are the orientation of nose to opening and draft tube to zipper. Even then, rolling over is useful for evening out any uncomfortable temperature variations.
Then again, I guess you wouldn't get that blast of cold air rolling over in a Gumby suit. But, that blast is also a useful way of letting excess moisture escape. We all want to be warm but at the same time, condensation control is something to consider as well. I assume some basic ideas remain transferable ... hth - good luck in your quest.
Posted by: rlageman3 Posted on: Oct 25th, 2011 at 3:57pm
So, given these parameters, can you think of any inherent reason that this would not work to temps to about 20 degrees? One of my concerns is the radiant heat produced by my body being sufficient to maintain warmth when my extremities are separated.
dd
I think you should be fine. Doesn't the body shut down the extremeties when the core gets too cold? So long as you have enough insulation you should be fine. The link from Kingfisher is essentially what you're planning to do in a onesie.
This is definitely something to test on a 1-2 nighter before going for a week. Fortunately it's the right time of year for the test.
I suspect that the added weight/bulk of replacing the sleeping bag will be a net zero result. The big bonus to look for being comfort.
Posted by: DentonDoc Posted on: Oct 25th, 2011 at 12:54pm
OK. Let me be a bit more specific. The light-weight down jacket I have (North Face Summit Series) is rated at 800 fill, but comes in at under 1 lb total weight. The pants I'd be looking at (e.g., Montbell UL inner pants) would also be 800-fill and under 1 lb. So, I'd be looking to keep weight low and yet have some flexibility of use (other than sleeping).
I already have an over-sized down bag that unzips completely. I don't' think it would be much of improvement to go to a down blanket. (I also wear head gear, even with the down bag, when its cold ... I'm not fond of having my head stuffed inside the bag.) ... and yes, I'd have to also cover hands and feet (down booties, maybe).
So, given these parameters, can you think of any inherent reason that this would not work to temps to about 20 degrees? One of my concerns is the radiant heat produced by my body being sufficient to maintain warmth when my extremities are separated.
dd
Posted by: Mad_Mat Posted on: Oct 25th, 2011 at 12:31pm
a lightweight down jacket might keep you warm if its summer and the temp stays at 60 or so - otherwise, I think not. One thing a sleeping bag does is protect your hands and feet and head from the cold - the areas of greatest heat loss - you'd lose that with a down jacket/pants
maybe something like this ? seems like a compromise - no zipper, but has a footbox
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or search backpacking forums for quilts
Posted by: Kingfisher Posted on: Oct 25th, 2011 at 4:30am
I spent a week in my Hennessy hammock on a trip to Quetico last year. The weather was fairly warm and I used a poncho liner as a blanket rather than fighting my sleeping bag. When the weather cools a bit I use a closed cell pad modified with wings under my bag, but a quilt would work just as well because the insulation on the bottom of a sleeping bag is of little use in a hammock. I think a Big Agnes bag with the sleeping pad pocket might work well and keep you from sliding off of the pad, but I'm not sure it would provide enough insulation on the sides in cooler weather.
Here is a link to a site with a lot of useful info on hammock camping:
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