Mr.Weatherby

I'm touring from NYC --> Richmond, VA this summer. I'm thinking about leaving the sleeping bag at home. It's probably gonna be upwards of 80 degrees the entire time and I can't really think of a reason I would need it. I'm thinking a sheet and a pad will do the trick. Any feelings on this?

Colin

meanderthal

I agree, as long as you're in a tent and away from insects. Just be sure the pad is sufficiently insulating; cool ground can drain body heat fast. If it dips into the 50s at night, you can always put on some clothes.

halfbiked

a sheet or fleece blanket. I used a thin fleece sleeping bag liner on the Appalachian Trail from Harpers Ferry, WV to the NY/CT border - basically all of July & August. There were some cool nights in there, but that was in the mountains. You should be alright.

FOG

Find an army poncho liner- much better for that kind of travel and sleeping. Combine it with a poncho and you have shelter and raingear.

Machka 

Is it going to be "upwards of 80 degrees" at night too?

supcom

REI sells a summer weight down bag that is very small and lightweight. It and a silk bag liner are perfect fro what you are doing. The bag is rated to 45 degF so it should be plenty warm in the early morning hours when it can get surprisingly cool. The silk liner (you can make your own pretty cheap if you can run a sewing machine or know someone who can) makes for an extremely lightweight sheet that you can use in early evening before the temperature has dropped. It will also go along way toward keeping the bag clean and is much easier to launder than the sleeping bag.

becnal

At least bring a sleeping bag liner, one of those fleece or silk jobs.

Camel

Sounds like it should be fine. You'll allways be able to wear all your clothes (if you have to).

Another nice backup is to bring one of those mylar "space" blankets. They're all kinds of loud&"krinkly"-but they do work, and hardly weigh anything. Just bring earplugs.

Examples of mylar type blankets here. I allways have a cheapo $4 one among my essentials for camping/hiking. I've also used one of the more expensive thermolite versions-these are nice as they can be re-used longer without falling to pieces, and they're less krinkly.

phinney

military surplus wool blanket?

supcom

The mylar space blankets are great for an emergency where warmth is a matter of life or death. They can also make an effective lean-to tent as they are waterproof. However, when used as a blanket, that waterproof characteristic would be pretty miserable in humid summer weather. You'll likely sweat like crazy.

A wool blanket would be pretty heavy and bulky. It would certainly do the job though, even if it got wet.

I still recommend a summerweight sleeping bag.

Dougmt

I really like my 30* down bag from marmot. (arroyo)
It literally compresses down to the size of a grapefruit and it's super lightweight. I know there is a risk with down of getting it wet but in 5 years it's never been an issue.
D

Camel

Too right on the mylar. I was thinking of the OP taking one as a supplement to whatever system, as a "just in case" if it got too chilly. Me-I'd go with a sleeping bag/pad as well, but have hiked with some folks in Vermont (in high summer), who only used lightweight fleece blankets (more like sheets)+a pad.

The thermolite one I used for a bit was as a supplement to my sleeping bag(rare), & as a ground sheet(most use).

Lt.Gustl

I have found that the cheap disposable dropcloths made out of some kind of thin foam are warm and quietish, while being very light,