Non-sleeping bags in winter ?

Ankar Sheng said:
The same would reign true for that insulation filled blanket. Short fiber synthetic insulation (ie primaloft) is the worst for loosing its loft if stored compressed.

Blackhills, I think they suggest tumble drying the bag to fluff it up, I'd send Wiggy's an email and inquire. They probably wouldn't guarantee the insulation for life if it lost degraded so quickly.
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The blanket is small enough that it doesn't need to be compressed, so hopefully that shouldn't be an issue.
 
Good advice from Ankar, I don't think any of the insulation choices work well after long term compression. All the one's I know of specifically state not to store in compressed mode and I'd bet this Thermarest blanket will be no different. A good fluffing in the dryer will usually help restore the loft however.

I was planning the same thing as Blackhills and got a Kifaru poncho liner to keep in my backpack...but I ran into the same "no compression storage" warning...not as convenient as I had hoped.
 
Ankar Sheng said:
Blackhills, I think they suggest tumble drying the bag to fluff it up, I'd send Wiggy's an email and inquire. They probably wouldn't guarantee the insulation for life if it lost degraded so quickly.
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I did try the dryer....it didn't make any difference that I could tell. I also hung it up for a few weeks and tried the dryer a second time. Once it was obvious it wasn't going to loft back like I thought it should it went into File 13 and I bought a new bag. This was several years ago and I never bothered trying to contact Wiggy's.

I imagine the fill they use now is better than what was used then so maybe it wouldn't be as big of a problem now. Regardless, that was the last bag I left stuffed for any amount of time. I don't even feel comfortable leaving them in the big 'storage' sacks most come with now.
 
Thanks for the links and thoughts, Siguy and Mike. Based on the reviews it seems like that doesn't offer that much more than a wool blanket or poncho liner. Too bad..

Still will wait to hear your thoughts once you're able to use it, Mike.
 
I used a 1950's ECW military sleeping bag for many years. It is great, no need for shelter etc just crawl in and zip up. I always loved it but at 7.5 lbs it can really drag you down.
 
I've spent a few chilly nights using a wool army blanket and space blanket in the Adirondacks. Even in the summer, temps can drop quickly. I always carry a sleeping bag now. I've got an EMS 20*F down bag that packs down small and weighs very little. Certainly not enough to be a problem. I've also got into the habit of leaving it unpacked under the bed with the stuff sack inside. A minute to cram it into the sack, then into the pack and I'm ready to go. It's easier to do than find my keys at times.

I don't use a tarp in the warmer months because of blood-sucking critters and lyme disease. My Hennessey Hammock is great and when the temps dip into the range when it's not as comfortable, I've used a tarp. No bugs to speak of then.
 
PB Wilson said:
I've also got into the habit of leaving it unpacked under the bed with the stuff sack inside. A minute to cram it into the sack, then into the pack and I'm ready to go. It's easier to do than find my keys at times.
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I've been wondering the best way to store mine since I have limited space in my cramped apartment ... going to try the under the bed trick :thumbup:
 
I honestly don't get this - any system used in the winter is going to take up room. If you are rockin' two Wool blankets - they will take up MUCH more room than a good down sleeping bag and be less efficient.

It seems to me if you are going to pack all that clothing, a mat, a tarp, a bunch of blankets, and other things - you could have saved a lot of room packing a good down bag.

TF
 
I may be missing something, but I came to the same conclusion. Even a good synthetic bag is often a lighter and warmer solution to the problem. I even go so far as to carry a larger bag than I need a lot of the time, because I can store my bag in it uncompressed.
 
You can even carry a down or synthetic rated lower than you may need and simply get a liner for the times when it is VERY cold.

TF
 
Well.. always carry a sleepingbag, and a 4 season tent. Just to f'in cold outside here in NH not to in the winter, which is when I get the most time out in the woods. Current condisitions are -1 with a 20-30mph wind. And it is like this a lot when I head out.
My sleeping bag is actually a sleeping bag liner, and it is down filled, packs down to softball size. My EMS 4 season tent packs down pretty well too.

Rather carry a bit extra then shiver and freeze thru the night.
 
In the winter I wear my custom made wool anorak and bring a tarp and a wool blanket. I use several different shelter designs from debris huts to snowcaves to tarp tepees.

No more Gor-tex for this guy!

I just posted a thread on "A Night in the Snow" where I dug a snow cave and used only a blanket to get me through the night.
 
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