What do use for summer sleeping bag?

[twochordcool]

I'm looking for something super-light and super-compact for summer evenings, not necessarily for warmth but as a light barrier between me and the creepy crawlies!

Anyone have an idea for an affordable light sleeping bag type thing?

I was thinking about using one of my fleece sleeping bag liners, but I was also thinking that it could be too warm in the summer?

Your thoughts?

[soco7tyx7]

not sure of your price range but here's a few:

https://www2.montbell.com/america/asp/products/Spg_shosai.asp?cat=1101&hinban=2321677

http://www.macpac.co.nz/products/display/catalogue/do,displayitem-view/mid,110/miid,3175/diid,954/#

those are going to be your lightest options possible in terms of summer sleeping bags, a little pricey but if you're looking to save all the weight you can they're good deals. also, the macpac one is essentially waterproof.
here's a review for the macpac bag:

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/reviews/display_reviews?forum_thread_id=1000&cat=Sleeping%20Bags%20%2D%20Mummy%20%26%20Other&cid=36

there is a more in-depth review on the same site for both of them, but you have to be a member to read it. if either of them look like something you seriously are considering, PM me and i'll see if i can get you the articles without joining. hope this helps!

-Jon

[Grandpa Paddler]

[QUOTE=twochordcool]

I was thinking about using one of my fleece sleeping bag liners, but I was also thinking that it could be too warm in the summer?

Generally, the fleece liner is all I use in the summer. I have a liner my wife made from an old cotton sheet. If it gets too cool for the fleece, I stick the cotton liner in the fleece. If it gets too warm for just the fleece, I unzip it and sleep in the cotton liner. Now before I get flamed for using cotton, please remember that when I started camping back in the dark ages, we didn't have all the great things now available and you learned how to cope and protect yourself.

Grandpa

[Wldrns]

Generally, the fleece liner is all I use in the summer. I have a liner my wife made from an old cotton sheet. If it gets too cool for the fleece, I stick the cotton liner in the fleece. If it gets too warm for just the fleece, I unzip it and sleep in the cotton liner. Now before I get flamed for using cotton, please remember that when I started camping back in the dark ages, we didn't have all the great things now available and you learned how to cope and protect yourself.

Grandpa

Nothing wrong with using a cotton liner to sleep in. It's not as if it is likely to get wet either from sweat or from external sources if you take minimal care. I use the same type of system, though I've since moved on to a silk liner, much lighter and less bulk than the wife-sewn cotton sheet. If I use a summer sleeping bag at all, it is one from Big Agnes, the "Lost Dog". It is synthetic not down, but weighs less than any down bag I could find at the time and compresses down to almost nothing. Since I am a hammock hanger, the underside insulation pad pocket of the BA is a requirement.

[Neil]

Paul, what does your complete sleeping system consist of?
Currently I use a 40 deg down bag, an 8x10 sylnylon tarp, a 3/4 prolite 4 pad and carry a cheap bivy from Campmore in case it is wet. I also have a cheapo mosquitoe net that I can clip into the tarp set-up. All of the above weigh roughly 5½lbs 3 of which are the bag and pad.

[Dick]

Mine's more $$. Still working on the setup, but for now:

Western Mountaineering Highlite (1 lb)
Z-rest 3/4 size (11.5 oz)
Squall II tarptent (35 oz)
Total: 3 lb. 9 oz.

[Wldrns]

Paul, what does your complete sleeping system consist of?
Currently I use a 40 deg down bag, an 8x10 sylnylon tarp, a 3/4 prolite 4 pad and carry a cheap bivy from Campmore in case it is wet. I also have a cheapo mosquitoe net that I can clip into the tarp set-up. All of the above weigh roughly 5½lbs 3 of which are the bag and pad.

Hennessy Hammock, Big Agnes Lost Dog 50 deg bag with silk liner, Thermarest ultralight pad (this older model doesn't want to give up) - on all except steamy sweltering nights, bottom insulation is required in a hammock. Usually the integral HH sylnylon tarp is sufficient. If I expect a gale I'll bring a slightly larger sylnylon tarp to give me more wind protection and a place to live under.

[Hobbitling]

I once tried sewing a fleece blanket into a sleeping bag shape, it was light, but not compact at all. it was actually pretty enormous, and my poor sewing skills caused it to rip at the seams by the end of the night.

I have actually been thinking of buying a camping hammock with a built in mosquito net/ rain fly. that would save weight compared to a tent, keep me off the ground and away from bugs, be more comfortable than sleeping on the ground, and allow camping pretty much anywhere there are trees. does anyone know if that would be legal in the high peaks? any recomendations for brands?

[Dick]

The Hennessy Hammock seems to be the one I hear about most often. Several forum members use them, including Wldrns (earlier post in this thread). Here is their home site. Here are some reviews. Here is an ultralite version].

[Wldrns]

I once tried sewing a fleece blanket into a sleeping bag shape, it was light, but not compact at all. it was actually pretty enormous, and my poor sewing skills caused it to rip at the seams by the end of the night.

I have actually been thinking of buying a camping hammock with a built in mosquito net/ rain fly. that would save weight compared to a tent, keep me off the ground and away from bugs, be more comfortable than sleeping on the ground, and allow camping pretty much anywhere there are trees. does anyone know if that would be legal in the high peaks? any recomendations for brands?

I also have a home made fleece bag. It is very nice and comfy, but you're right, it does not compress hardly at all. It takes up too much space compared to a light and compressible summer bag.

Follow the threads for hammocking. Unless you camp at overused treeless campsites, I'm convinced it is the way to go. I've never had to search very far for a suitable hanging spot, nothing like long searches I've made for even a tiny dry/flat solo tent site in the ADK backcountry. There are stories about national park rangers banning hammocks, probably because they think of the backyard style with chains and bolts in trees. I've not heard of any resistance in the Adirondacks. Once hooked (to a hammock), you'll never go back.

[twochordcool]

Hammocks would be great if I slept on my back!

Three things that feel REALLY unnatural for me for as far back as I can remember is:

1) sleeping without some sort of cover REGARDLESS of how hot it gets (as if it would REALLY protect me from the boogie man!)

2) My feet sticking out from whatever cover I'm using (see boogy man comment!)

and -

3) Attempting to fall asleep while lying on my back! (I think this is related to the boogy man thing too - as if I can't see him while lying on my stomach he won't be able to get me!)

But, yeah, I'm a side and stomach sleeper and I think the arch in a hammock would do BAD things to my lower back if I attempted this!

[Kevin]

Lafuma 40F degree bag, and I always bring a spare polypro liner and thermarest Prolite 4 air mattress.

The Lafuma is going to be replaced soon as the down is already finding its way out of the bag. It's not top of the line though fairly light (almost 1.5 pounds). There's really lots of options, it's a matter of what you're willing to spend. In my research last summer I found price and performance, with regards to sleeping bags, are a 1:1 ratio.

[Dick]

I can relate to the boogie man concept! Once that cover comes off, or those feet stick out, I know that ogre is just waiting to get me!

But, yeah, I'm a side and stomach sleeper and I think the arch in a hammock would do BAD things to my lower back if I attempted this!

I might be mistaken, but during the one time I tried it I think I remember being told that you actually lie sort of sideways in them, and your back isn't arched. I'll let those with user experience chime in on this one and refrain from saying more because I've never actually slept in one overnight.

Dick

[redhawk]

Hammocks would be great if I slept on my back!

Three things that feel REALLY unnatural for me for as far back as I can remember is:

1) sleeping without some sort of cover REGARDLESS of how hot it gets (as if it would REALLY protect me from the boogie man!)

2) My feet sticking out from whatever cover I'm using (see boogy man comment!)

and -

3) Attempting to fall asleep while lying on my back! (I think this is related to the boogy man thing too - as if I can't see him while lying on my stomach he won't be able to get me!)

But, yeah, I'm a side and stomach sleeper and I think the arch in a hammock would do BAD things to my lower back if I attempted this!

In a hennesy Hammock you can sleep o your side or your stomach and when you sleep on your back, there is no "arch".

Go to their website http://www.hennessyhammock.com/ and check em out.

[Wldrns]

Hammocks would be great if I slept on my back!...
3) Attempting to fall asleep while lying on my back! (I think this is related to the boogy man thing too - as if I can't see him while lying on my stomach he won't be able to get me!)

But, yeah, I'm a side and stomach sleeper and I think the arch in a hammock would do BAD things to my lower back if I attempted this!

You obviously have not been following the threads on backpacker hammocks, nor have you done any research on them. You will find plenty of users who sleep very comfortably on their side in an asymetrical shaped hammock, such as the Hennessy. It is not shaped like the typical backyard hammock most people are familiar with, you are not forced to lay on your back (or your side) in a "U" or arched shape.

I too cannot sleep on my back. But I sleep just as comfortably in my Hennessy on my side as I do at home in bed. Many people claim more comfort in a hammock on their sides than in a bed. I might tend to agree, including backpack hammocking for an entire week at a time. I have suffered periods of severe back pain in the past for various reasons, having nothing to do with hammock sleeping. I've never got up in the morning feeling stiff or sore from the hammock like I sometimes do from sleeping on the ground in a tent.

Hammock camping may not be for everyone, but don't reject how you "think" it sleeps until you try one.