Need new sleeping setup

[JV3]

Alright, I have a green bag from an MSS sleep system on the way, plus I picked up a cheap academy mat. I have a hammock but I've never really used it so it may be put into use next time.

i'm coming in late here but what you just bought will most likely work. aside from foam pads i was also going to suggest reflectix (basically looks like bubble wrap with mylar coating on the outside. they sell it in the insulation/heating/cooling section in home depot, lowes, etc.) and a surplus military poncho liner as a blanket.

a hammock will require insulation underneath too and depending on ground and air temps/how windy it is you might actually need more insulation underneath with a hammock than on a ground setup...regardless, give a hammock a try in warm weather first and you just might like it because what works against you in cold weather is nice in hot weather because of the increased air flow.

 

[baldtaco-II]

i'm coming in late here but what you just bought will most likely work. aside from foam pads i was also going to suggest reflectix (basically looks like bubble wrap with mylar coating on the outside. they sell it in the insulation/heating/cooling section in home depot, lowes, etc.) and a surplus military poncho liner as a blanket.

a hammock will require insulation underneath too and depending on ground and air temps/how windy it is you might actually need more insulation underneath with a hammock than on a ground setup...regardless, give a hammock a try in warm weather first and you just might like it because what works against you in cold weather is nice in hot weather because of the increased air flow.

I think this is good stuff too.

I do have reservations about Reflectix though. You can Google up words to the effect of “Reflectix Rip Off” for the longer version.

Short version; the claims about the R value are precise, and some might say crafty. To get the best from Reflectix it needs to be air-gapped. Excellent in your roof tacked to joists air-gapped from the tiles. It's at it's best for keeping houses cool when used exactly like that. As a lagging for pipes, compared to good old lagging, it's not so good at all. You'd need all your pipe work boxed in and lined with the stuff to get a worthy result compared to wrapping with ye olde glass fibre matting. And obviously that isn't economical in several respects.

I can't remember off the top of my head but to lay on I think it gives an R value of 1 or 1.5. I find it useful stuff for making a few things but as a kip mat it isn't really giving you any more than even a cheap thin bit of chemically blown foam kip mat got for a couple of quid. It may actually work out heavier too.

 

[gadgetgeek]

On the topic of cheap used bags. Laundromat dryers and a couple of hockey pucks, synthetic baseballs, or similar are a great way to beat loft back into old, compressed bags. Low/no heat, just think of it as a media mill and grind that sucker. My mom used to use clean tennis shoes for the purpose. But the big drum is the key. Some dry-cleaners who also do linen service also have the big drum driers, might be a few bucks, but if you get an old bag that was in storage, whats a few bucks investment to bring some life back?

And if you are worried about bed-bugs and other such things on a used sleeping-bag (a valid concern I'd say) there are several methods that can be used to exterminate the critters, just do a little googling, or check the CDC website. heat, cold, I think even CO2, can be used, not sure, do your own checking and see what will work for you. Heck even some tick shampoo from the vet would kill stuff pretty well in the washing machine (watch for suds though, might get interesting)

 

[Mikel_24]

...a great way to beat loft back into old, compressed bags.

May work with down... but as far as I know, syntethic fillings do not benefit from any kind of treatment... It is just that the fibers lose their propperties and the bag is toast. That's the problem with syntethic. If you go with down, as long as you use specific soap to clean it in order not to ruin the natural grease of the down (which protetcs it from moisture) it should last a lifetime. I use NIKWAX products for my climbing gear and they work great.

 

[JV3]

I think this is good stuff too.

I do have reservations about Reflectix though. You can Google up words to the effect of “Reflectix Rip Off” for the longer version.

Short version; the claims about the R value are precise, and some might say crafty. To get the best from Reflectix it needs to be air-gapped. Excellent in your roof tacked to joists air-gapped from the tiles. It's at it's best for keeping houses cool when used exactly like that. As a lagging for pipes, compared to good old lagging, it's not so good at all. You'd need all your pipe work boxed in and lined with the stuff to get a worthy result compared to wrapping with ye olde glass fibre matting. And obviously that isn't economical in several respects.

I can't remember off the top of my head but to lay on I think it gives an R value of 1 or 1.5. I find it useful stuff for making a few things but as a kip mat it isn't really giving you any more than even a cheap thin bit of chemically blown foam kip mat got for a couple of quid. It may actually work out heavier too.

interesting. thanks for the info! i've heard something like that as well regarding the mylar blankets working best if there's a slight air gap rather than directly against the skin...one of the threads from bcusa awhile back maybe.

 

[JV3]

On the topic of cheap used bags. Laundromat dryers and a couple of hockey pucks, synthetic baseballs, or similar are a great way to beat loft back into old, compressed bags. Low/no heat, just think of it as a media mill and grind that sucker. My mom used to use clean tennis shoes for the purpose. But the big drum is the key. Some dry-cleaners who also do linen service also have the big drum driers, might be a few bucks, but if you get an old bag that was in storage, whats a few bucks investment to bring some life back?

And if you are worried about bed-bugs and other such things on a used sleeping-bag (a valid concern I'd say) there are several methods that can be used to exterminate the critters, just do a little googling, or check the CDC website. heat, cold, I think even CO2, can be used, not sure, do your own checking and see what will work for you. Heck even some tick shampoo from the vet would kill stuff pretty well in the washing machine (watch for suds though, might get interesting)

i have "100% wool dryer balls" saved in my shopping cart in that big store for that purpose - fluffing up my down jackets and bags for when it's time to wash them... a staggering 8,000+ reviews and 80% of which are 5 stars can't go wrong with it i figured.

 

[gadgetgeek]

May work with down... but as far as I know, syntethic fillings do not benefit from any kind of treatment... It is just that the fibers lose their propperties and the bag is toast. That's the problem with syntethic. If you go with down, as long as you use specific soap to clean it in order not to ruin the natural grease of the down (which protetcs it from moisture) it should last a lifetime. I use NIKWAX products for my climbing gear and they work great.

If the bag has been well used, then yes, you can't replace what's been lost, but if the bag is simply compressed, or was washed poorly in the past, the insulation may just be matted, in which case it can help. Not a perfect solution, and by no means a guarantee, but for a bag that just got mistreated, its worth a shot I figure. Most used bags I see up for sale have generally been the kind that were bought more by aspiration than need, and then never got used.

 

[bore]

Though I would try packing my sleep system together instead of separately. Doesn't change the weight any. Also decided to go w the bulkier black bag instead of the lighter green bag. Was a little chilly last weekend when the temperature low was about -5C -10C. So my setup is a army surplus bivy and intermediate cold black bag. Closed cell foam pad and thermarest air mattress. And a silk liner. All rolled up into a comfy bed. Like the way the sleeping bag connects to the bivy. You just have one zipper. Also love the heavy duty zipps. Never a problem when nature calls

 

[TheMadIndian]

Though I would try packing my sleep system together instead of separately. Doesn't change the weight any. Also decided to go w the bulkier black bag instead of the lighter green bag. Was a little chilly last weekend when the temperature low was about -5C -10C. So my setup is a army surplus bivy and intermediate cold black bag. Closed cell foam pad and thermarest air mattress. And a silk liner. All rolled up into a comfy bed. Like the way the sleeping bag connects to the bivy. You just have one zipper. Also love the heavy duty zipps. Never a problem when nature calls

Get the patrol bag and you'll be set for all occasions

 

[bore]

Yep I used the patrol bag on Easter weekend. Was a little chilly. It's warming up now so I'll go back to it for summer. Next Easter I'll take the black intermediate bag or when it dips below 20. Don't think I'll need both hopefully

 

[TheMadIndian]

Yep I used the patrol bag on Easter weekend. Was a little chilly. It's warming up now so I'll go back to it for summer. Next Easter I'll take the black intermediate bag or when it dips below 20. Don't think I'll need both hopefully

Put all three together and you'll go even lower ;-)