[pct-l] Silk liner discussion

Wed Apr 3 13:05:13 CDT 2013

Thanks everyone for the overwhelmingly unique, positive, descriptive and
helpful feedback!  I'm pleasantly surprised every time I post I receive so
many wonderful emails.  Thanks PCT-L, what a valuable resource.  If I
missed anyone, Thanks to all of you!  The collective wealth of experiences
to draw from is very much appreciated.

Since I sleep cold, like to layer, and want to keep my bag as clean as
possible, I've decided to go with both long underwear (and socks and hat)
as well as a silk liner, which I will customize to meet my individual needs
of convenience of access and versatility (yes, I'm making a slit opening).

Only a couple weeks left!  See you on the trail.

Message: 42
Date: Wed, 3 Apr 2013 09:32:14 -0700
From: John Coyle <jcoyle at sanjuan.edu>
Subject: [pct-l] Sleeping Bag Liner
To: "'pct-l at backcountry.net'" <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Message-ID:
        <BA88A7B46BF31C4FA68E8DEDDCDB92F3486648519C at MAIL4.sjn.sanjuan.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

I always use a silk sleeping bag liner. I use one because I am very
reluctant to ever try cleaning a down sleeping bag again.  About 10 years
ago I attempted to clean a high end bag that was 20 years old at the time.
 I used the special down soap, I hand washed it in the bathtub, I dried it
on low in a commercial drier at the laundromat with tennis balls, I did
everything by the book, and essentially I ruined the bag.  It clumped so
bad that it is now unusable.  It doesn't really matter because I have since
moved on to much lighter sleeping bags, actually I use a quilt from
enLightened Equipment now, but it still irritates me that I couldn't clean
that bag properly.  Has anyone actually successfully cleaned a down
sleeping bag?  Incidentally, I am very impressed with the enlightened
Equipment RevelationX 20 degree quilt.  It is a true 20 degree quilt. I
think their 30 degree quilt would be a fine 3 season quilt for me, but I am
a warm sleeper.

Message: 11
Date: Tue, 2 Apr 2013 15:13:39 -0700
From: MARY E DAVISON <pastormaryd at msn.com>
Subject: [pct-l] Liners/sleep systems
To: "Pct-L at backcountry.net" <Pct-L at backcountry.net>
Message-ID: <SNT401-EAS20389E4F04A406AD62F8838ADDF0 at phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Different strokes for different folks. Some people sleep cold some sleep
warn. I section hike and prefer spring and late summer/ fall as I hate
hiking in heat. Problem is I sleep cold and it often is when I hike.

I use long johns and sleep socks and liner and 10 degree bag and need it
all - sometimes my jacket too. And when really cold rain gear too. Plus
neoair and thin foam pad. I just started using liner last year. It made all
the difference for me for comfortable sleep.

I usually insert myself into liner first and then insert all of me in bag
and zip up. The us side for me besides the warmth is that the liner moves
with me as I turn and the bag stays more in one place so I don't as often
end up with hood in my face as I did without liner.

I am sure every hiker has their own peculiarities with sleep systems and
warmth and how to use them. Like most everything else, try it out and see
what works for you.

Medicare Pastor

Message: 5
Date: Tue, 2 Apr 2013 06:59:20 -0700
From: Diane Soini of Santa Barbara Hikes <diane at santabarbarahikes.com>
Subject: Re: [pct-l] sleeping bag liner
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Message-ID:
        <8EF1A58F-CB7E-42E2-ABCF-7D04A287E430 at santabarbarahikes.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed

Another option is an inexpensive bivy sack such as the Equinox bivy
sack. It's basically a nylon shell with a zipper for the OUTSIDE of
your sleeping bag. But I have used it inside my sleeping bag just as
easily. I don't know that it'll add as much warmth as a silk liner
(never used one so I can't compare) but if you're just going for the
cleanliness aspect, it'll certainly work for that and you can just
wear warmer clothing to bed.

I personally did not have a need for a liner at all on the PCT.

Sent from my iPhone

------------------------------

Message: 7
Date: Mon, 1 Apr 2013 19:52:25 +0000 (UTC)
From: Jim & Jane Moody <moodyjj at comcast.net>
Subject: Re: [pct-l] sleeping bag liner
To: Elizabeth Clements <elizabethjoyclements at gmail.com>
Cc: pct-l at backcountry.net
Message-ID:
        <
141066603.315385.1364845945897.JavaMail.root at sz0094a.westchester.pa.mail.comcast.net
>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

EC,

Put the silk liner in the bag and crawl in.? Depending on temp, leave the
bag unzipped or zip it up.? Sometimes you'll be very warm at first, in
which case you might just throw the top of the bag open and lie in the
liner.? As the night cools down, you can cover up more with the bag.

Your silk liner will also make a great laundry bag in town.

Have a great hike.

Mango

Message: 9
Date: Mon, 1 Apr 2013 12:56:35 -0700
From: Eric Lee <saintgimp at hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: [pct-l] sleeping bag liner
To: "'Elizabeth Clements'" <elizabethjoyclements at gmail.com>,
        <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Message-ID: <BAY145-ds142E6B99C96B3A9F4CBCEEBDDE0 at phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Elizabeth wrote:
>
Thanks for the insight! (I've been reading your handbook :)  So do you end
up using your bag zipper at all then or do you just wiggle down into the
liner inside the bag?  I was trying to find a product that had the option of
still letting the user utilize and access via the sleeping bag zip.
>

It's definitely a bit of a hassle to deal with the liner while getting in
and out of the bag, especially in the dark.  That's the downside to a
sleeping bag liner and why I'm ambivalent toward mine (though I still use
it).  I unzip the half-length zipper on my bag to get in and out but I have
to make sure that both of my legs go into the liner rather than outside it
and that it's not all twisted up or  backwards or anything.  I don't think
there's any secret for making it less obnoxious.

I forgot to mention that this is often how I use my liner on warmer nights.
 I sleep inside the liner but use the bag like a quilt over the top which
makes it easy to rapidly adjust the coverage.  Once it cools down I'll slip
my legs into the zipperless lower half of the bag and continue using the
upper half like a quilt.  I actually don't zip up the bag at all unless
it's seriously cold.  This is the scenario that makes me continue to carry
and use the liner rather than dumping it out of frustration.

Eric

Message: 10
Date: Mon, 1 Apr 2013 19:58:53 +0000 (UTC)
From: Jim & Jane Moody <moodyjj at comcast.net>
Subject: Re: [pct-l] sleeping bag liner
To: Elizabeth Clements <elizabethjoyclements at gmail.com>
Cc: pct-l at backcountry.net
Message-ID:
        <
767010416.315629.1364846333251.JavaMail.root at sz0094a.westchester.pa.mail.comcast.net
>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

The liner should not restrict the use of the bag, just add warmth.? But it
will restrict your movement inside the bag until you get used to it.?
Besides its warm factor, it also helps keep your bag clean and less
smelly.? If it opened up (w/ a zipper or velcro), it might not fulfill that
function so well.? You will want to wash it and air it out as frequently as
possible.

Mango

Message: 15
Date: Mon, 1 Apr 2013 13:10:00 -0700 (PDT)
From: Edward Anderson <mendoridered at yahoo.com>
Subject: [pct-l] Fw:  sleeping bag liner
To: "pct-l at backcountry.net" <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Message-ID:
        <1364847000.58276.YahooMailNeo at web126204.mail.ne1.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

I use the liner the same way Mango does. Mine does add about 9 degrees of
warmth. It keeps the inside of my bag clean. Washing (Rinsing - no soap)
the liner while on the trail is easy and it dries quickly if hung in the
breeze.

MendoRider-Hiker

Message: 17
Date: Mon, 01 Apr 2013 15:27:45 -0500
From: Chris Pratt <chrispratt89 at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Fw:  sleeping bag liner
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Message-ID: <5159EDC1.8080503 at gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

I tried using a liner and ended up getting all tied up in knots (I roll
around a lot at night).  These days I just bring a dedicated set of
lightweight synthetic longjohns and a pair of sleeping socks.  By doing
this the longjohns can double as an additional clothing layer if I need
it (dual use).  Also I can wear them around camp in the evening and
early morning hours. (camp jammies...)

Chris

Message: 24
Date: Mon, 1 Apr 2013 15:58:17 -0700
From: "Jim Banks" <jbanks4 at socal.rr.com>
Subject: Re: [pct-l] sleeping bag liner
To: "'Elizabeth Clements'" <elizabethjoyclements at gmail.com>
Cc: pct-l at backcountry.net
Message-ID: <009401ce2f2c$66d42a10$347c7e30$@rr.com>
Content-Type: text/plain;       charset="us-ascii"

There are some sleeping bags that come with interior loops that hook onto
little hooks on the corners of the sleeping bag liners.  These hold the
liner in place.  Most Big Agnes bags have this feature.

I-Beam