Conversations
Sleeping Bag Liner
Quote from nathanu on October 18, 2022, 9:15 pmI've got a trip scheduled in the coming weeks to hike from Hog Pen Gap to Unicoi Gap and it's looking like it's going to be a cold one. My normal setup is a Warbonnet Blackbird XLC hammock with the winter top, 40F under quilt and a 20F top quilt and I'm normally pretty comfy. I've had that setup down to the mid to high twenties but it looks like we may be a little cooler than that on this trip. So, just in case, I broke down and bought a Sea to Summit Reactor Extreme Insulated Sleeping Bag Liner. The specs on the liner say that it adds up to 25F and I believe that that's 25F to the comfort rating but I have zero experience with sleeping bag liners. It looks like I'm gonna, but none so far. Wondering if any of you folks have experience that you may wanna share.
I've got a trip scheduled in the coming weeks to hike from Hog Pen Gap to Unicoi Gap and it's looking like it's going to be a cold one. My normal setup is a Warbonnet Blackbird XLC hammock with the winter top, 40F under quilt and a 20F top quilt and I'm normally pretty comfy. I've had that setup down to the mid to high twenties but it looks like we may be a little cooler than that on this trip. So, just in case, I broke down and bought a Sea to Summit Reactor Extreme Insulated Sleeping Bag Liner. The specs on the liner say that it adds up to 25F and I believe that that's 25F to the comfort rating but I have zero experience with sleeping bag liners. It looks like I'm gonna, but none so far. Wondering if any of you folks have experience that you may wanna share.
Quote from dadDale on October 19, 2022, 3:49 pmHave no experience with liners but my understanding is the same as yours. Look forward to your report.
Have no experience with liners but my understanding is the same as yours. Look forward to your report.
Quote from nathanu on October 20, 2022, 1:12 amJust got it and tinkered with it and, just based on that, I'm sort of impressed. It looks like I'll be out in the low twenties (or below) in a few weeks, so it's gonna get a good test.
Just got it and tinkered with it and, just based on that, I'm sort of impressed. It looks like I'll be out in the low twenties (or below) in a few weeks, so it's gonna get a good test.
Quote from MaxineM on October 22, 2022, 1:44 amBack when I was a sleeping bag user, I often used a silk liner, initially more to protect the inside of the sleeping bag, but it definitely did add some warmth. (And it was super light, and compressed down to about tennis-ball size.) That Sea to Summit model looks pretty toasty! Wriggling into the liner (no zippers) takes a minor bit of getting used to; I'd practice it at home a few times.
Back when I was a sleeping bag user, I often used a silk liner, initially more to protect the inside of the sleeping bag, but it definitely did add some warmth. (And it was super light, and compressed down to about tennis-ball size.) That Sea to Summit model looks pretty toasty! Wriggling into the liner (no zippers) takes a minor bit of getting used to; I'd practice it at home a few times.
Quote from flipflop on November 3, 2022, 9:34 pmDoes this mean that I could have a sleeping bag thats say for 30 degrees and then get a sleeping bag liner that would make it maybe 20 degrees or 0 degrees? If so, I would definitely like to know more about it.
Does this mean that I could have a sleeping bag thats say for 30 degrees and then get a sleeping bag liner that would make it maybe 20 degrees or 0 degrees? If so, I would definitely like to know more about it.
Quote from MaxineM on November 10, 2022, 11:02 pmQuote from flipflop on November 3, 2022, 9:34 pmDoes this mean that I could have a sleeping bag thats say for 30 degrees and then get a sleeping bag liner that would make it maybe 20 degrees or 0 degrees? If so, I would definitely like to know more about it.
In general, that's part of the appeal/function of sleeping bag liners -- they will add to the warmth rating of your bag. Something to keep in mind, though -- sleeping bag temperature ratings aren't a one-size-fits-all number; that would be hard to quantify, because it's highly individualized. Some people "sleep cold" and need a warmer bag. The ratings you see on a bag can run the gamut from something closer to a "survival" rating ("at this temperature, in this bag, most people won't die" :D) to a "the average man probably won't whine too much about this bag in the morning" rating. 😀 That doesn't necessarily mean that for YOU, if you spend a 20-degree night sleeping in a 20-degree bag, you're going to be as cozy as you would be in your bed at home.
Unfortunately, there is no real way to figure this out but trial and error. I'm a big fan of testing new gear out in your backyard (if you have one). I know that I usually want a bag that's around 15-20 degrees warmer than the low temps I expect. On colder trips, I often sleep in thermal long underwear, and that helps extend my bag rating comfort level, too.
Oh, and your sleeping pad is a HUGE factor in how warm you will stay; get a good one!
https://www.switchbacktravel.com/sleeping-bag-temperature-ratings
Quote from flipflop on November 3, 2022, 9:34 pmDoes this mean that I could have a sleeping bag thats say for 30 degrees and then get a sleeping bag liner that would make it maybe 20 degrees or 0 degrees? If so, I would definitely like to know more about it.
In general, that's part of the appeal/function of sleeping bag liners -- they will add to the warmth rating of your bag. Something to keep in mind, though -- sleeping bag temperature ratings aren't a one-size-fits-all number; that would be hard to quantify, because it's highly individualized. Some people "sleep cold" and need a warmer bag. The ratings you see on a bag can run the gamut from something closer to a "survival" rating ("at this temperature, in this bag, most people won't die" :D) to a "the average man probably won't whine too much about this bag in the morning" rating. 😀 That doesn't necessarily mean that for YOU, if you spend a 20-degree night sleeping in a 20-degree bag, you're going to be as cozy as you would be in your bed at home.
Unfortunately, there is no real way to figure this out but trial and error. I'm a big fan of testing new gear out in your backyard (if you have one). I know that I usually want a bag that's around 15-20 degrees warmer than the low temps I expect. On colder trips, I often sleep in thermal long underwear, and that helps extend my bag rating comfort level, too.
Oh, and your sleeping pad is a HUGE factor in how warm you will stay; get a good one!
https://www.switchbacktravel.com/sleeping-bag-temperature-ratings
Quote from AlaskaGeezer on July 1, 2023, 4:46 amI have the Reactor Extreme and I sleep in that alone - as a bag when its 50F-60 F and am comfortable, but I pretty much always feel warm and don'twear a jacket till its 45 or less. I am,however, acclimatized to very cold weather. I live in Alaska. I have used the Reactor Extreme in temps below freezing with a 30 degree bag in 17 F overnight for a minimalist sleepout for Covenant House last November. My Reactor made it much more comfortable since I was in an inadequate bag in a 3 season tent in the snow in a parking lot. We were supposed to really be roughing it. I should/would have been in a zero or 15 degree bag if I were backpacking.
I have a silk liner and its not any where near as warm as the Reactor. If something happened to my Reactor Liner, I would replace it. Its lighter and less bulky than most thermal/fleece liners, I don't know about adding an extra 25 degrees of warmth, but for me, it came to maybe 15 degrees. If you are cold,put on a Merino cap.
What is better than the Reactor Extreme? Well, that depends. Reactor sheds moisture and dries quickly. This year I bought a Cocoon Merino Liner. Its heavy, it wicks moisture, its soft and it takes a hundred years (exaggeration perhaps) to airdry. I really love Merino. It was wicked pricey. I like it more than the Reactor, but that is a personal thing. I might have a Merino fetish.
I have the Reactor Extreme and I sleep in that alone - as a bag when its 50F-60 F and am comfortable, but I pretty much always feel warm and don'twear a jacket till its 45 or less. I am,however, acclimatized to very cold weather. I live in Alaska. I have used the Reactor Extreme in temps below freezing with a 30 degree bag in 17 F overnight for a minimalist sleepout for Covenant House last November. My Reactor made it much more comfortable since I was in an inadequate bag in a 3 season tent in the snow in a parking lot. We were supposed to really be roughing it. I should/would have been in a zero or 15 degree bag if I were backpacking.
I have a silk liner and its not any where near as warm as the Reactor. If something happened to my Reactor Liner, I would replace it. Its lighter and less bulky than most thermal/fleece liners, I don't know about adding an extra 25 degrees of warmth, but for me, it came to maybe 15 degrees. If you are cold,put on a Merino cap.
What is better than the Reactor Extreme? Well, that depends. Reactor sheds moisture and dries quickly. This year I bought a Cocoon Merino Liner. Its heavy, it wicks moisture, its soft and it takes a hundred years (exaggeration perhaps) to airdry. I really love Merino. It was wicked pricey. I like it more than the Reactor, but that is a personal thing. I might have a Merino fetish.
by nathanu