tgbikes

my 20 deg. bag seems llike overkill. I looked at the campmor sit, mind bogling! I'd like some advice. Fleece liners, travel bags? what workes for most touring.

Shifty

Depends on where you are going, I've used a +20 bag in Colorado in July, and wished I was a bit warmer.

EmmCeeBee

If your current sleeping bag is lightweight and packs down small, that's all you need to worry about.

Going by the numbers isn't all that reliable -- degree ratings are kinda like EPA fuel estimates. One guy's 30 is another guy's 20. Your mileage may vary.

If you're riding through the mountains (Rockies, Sawtooths, Alps,...) you gotta be prepared, and I'd want to do it in the summer with a bag that's comfortable below +30*F, just in case. Two big factors are: 1) how much warm clothes you have , and 2) your tent. Also, the season plays a part, as well as how warm you like to sleep.

On the ther hand, if you're staying in the Great Plains in summer, a fleece liner should be fine.

-- Mark

becnal

I use a Hennessy hammock, so I need a super warm sleeping bag due to the cool nature of sleeping suspended mid-air.

cradduck

Take your 20 degree bag and either leave it unzipped all the way down or sleep on top of it.

becnal

+1

supcom

If your riding through the midwest in July, a 20 deg bag is definitely overkill and rather uncomfortable. I like a 35 deg down "travel bag" with a silk bag liner. On warm nights you can use the silk bag liner by itself sort of like a sheet and just pull the sleeping bag over you when it cools down in early morning. BTW, the bag liner adds a bit of warmth to the sleeping bag and helps keep it clean.

The down travel bag is very lightweight and packs very small.

balto charlie

I like the Big Agnes systems. The top is a the bag and the bottom is your pad(make sure your pad is the correct size). The idea is that you body compresses the down or synthetic underneath, so why not just use the pad. Most folks carry a pad so why not incorporate it into the system. You'll save weight and the weight you carry will be better serve you. They are not cheap nor outlandisly expensive. I would go synthetic if the area is humid and rainy but down if the air is dry.

supcom

There are also hiking quilts along the same principal. Ray Jardine (www.rayjardine.com) sells a synthetic quilt kit that is very lightweight and is easily constructed if you have (or can obtain) rudimentary sewing skills.

SteveFox

Iev got an extreme cold weather one...but im going through siberia on my trip....so I might need it. just do whats comfortable, sleep in it, sleep on it, sleep under it....leave outside to scare animals away...use it as a tree hang....its up to you

steve

jcwitte

I'm having trouble deciding which sleeping gear combo I should take with me this summer as well. I'm leaving Illinois in Mid May and heading west on the Northern Tier, once I hit Washington, I'll take the Pacific Coast South to the start of the Trans Am and then take that back home to Normal, IL. I've never been in the Rockies before but I know the nights can get pretty cold even in the middle of Summer. This leaves me wondering if my lightweight sleeping gear will be sufficient. I'd rather be on the chilly side then overheat at night.

I've got two bags, rated at 15 and a 32 degrees. The 32 degree bag (Chinook Everest Micro) packs down to about half the size and weighs a lb or so less than the 15 degree bag (Marmot Wizard) so i'm definitely leaning toward it. I'll be using a cheap closed cell pad from a sporting goods store and I plan on using a Squall 2 Tarptent. I know the 15 degree bag is overkill, but some of the replies here have me wondering if the 32 degree chinook will be enough.

EmmCeeBee

Not knowing anything about the Squall Tarptent, I just googled it.

It's floorless?? That's great for lightweight, but it's not gonna help with keeping warm. Even if you attach the "optional clip-on flooring", it seems that would leave lots of locations for flow-through breezes. (Like I said, I haven't seen one, so I'm just going on the website description.)

My opinion: With this tent, I'd bring the warmer +15*F sleeping bag. In fact, my opinion is that the Squall Tarptent is a poor choice for two (two!) cross-country rides in notorious thunderstorm country in early summer. But that's just me, some people have enough experience camping in the rain that they can hang in a hammock and wrap themselves dry.

Of all my possessions, I love my bike the most. A close second is my tent, which keeps me warm and DRY on stormy nights. The Rockies are beautiful any time of year, but gawd it's cold at 7000 ft after a hailstorm!!!

-- Mark

jcwitte

My Squall II Tarptent has a "sewn-in" floor, not a "clip-on" floor. https://www.tarptent.com/squall2.html It is sold as a three season tent. I have another 3-season tent that is freestanding, but the packed weight is almost 6lbs. Others seem to have had good results with the tarptent...
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...light=tarptent

I know what you are saying though. It might be wise to go with the heftier bag. I thought about that, but then I also thought it might be better to just get a bag liner that adds 5 - 10 degrees in temp rating.

NoReg

It's just like clothing: A dedicated down jacket for a particular temperature is the most efficient option, so why do people largely use layering systems? Because comfort is the objective, and you need options for comfort.

I went throught he mountains in the north of Maine in October, I used a light weight 40 F polarguard bag. One night I really had to wear everything I had with me, big deal, I was comfortable every other day of the 2 week trip. What you really need to look at it your expected temperature range, not merely the lowest temperature. Carry for the top of the range, and use sweater, liners, or vapour barriers for the lower parts of the range. If I had been carrying a vapour barrier, I would have been good for another 30 degrees, with a warm hat.

That Big Agnes idea has probably been around for ever. Stephenson's Warmlite, most notably:

https://www.warmlite.com/start.htm

philso

bring the 32 degree bag and if you find yourself getting chilly in the rockies, stop by a goodwill store and pick a cheap fleece jacket. leave it at another goodwill store when you hit warmer temps again.

gonzohill

+1 and an extra hat

jcwitte

After looking at a few lightweight freestanding tents, (after reading emmceebee's post)I decided to just stick with the tarptent. I may postpone the trip a week or two though to ensure I don't hit Glacier NP too early. I haven't really looked at the maps to guestimate a loose itenerary yet. Either way, I don't think the relatively few days I may be sleeping at higher elevations warrants throwing down another $200 - $300. Aside from the 32 degree bag, I'm thinking about getting a bag liner, plus I have some running tights, a polypro pullover or fleece vest I could bring, wind/rain pants, wind/rain jacket, a pair of wool socks, microfiber balaclava, and I could bring my fleece earband and fleece neck gaiter (actually, they are just rings cut from the sleeve of an old fleece pullover). The tarptent packs down to nothing. I think the space/weight savings would be well worth a possible cooler night or two.

arctos

I used a floorless Tarptent Virga on the Divide Ride along the Rockies in 2003. It was very effective in rainy windy buggy and hot conditions. I used a 32 degree down quilt and rarely needed to layer clothing with it. The lighter weight and bulk were a real bonus on the steep loose and rocky climbs. The base equipment totaled 18 pounds including tools and spares. The bike with fenders and racks weighed 27 pounds. Less is more in touring for me.

On the Divide I kept meeting and helping cyclists struggling with overloaded trailers and /or panniers. They had packed everything to maintain their emotional comfort zone just like home. This made for a more difficult and I think a less enjoyable tour.

EmmCeeBee

Knowing your options and preparing -- chances are you'll be OK this way.

There's a lot of wisdom and experience here, so whatever you choose, you're doing it by realizing the tradeoffs. Can't go wrong like that.

My earlier post (about warm, dry tents) was based on the memory of last summer's ride. We started out on July 12th and went 30 days before we felt our first drop of rain or shivering night. In fact, up to that point we were sleeping with unzipped bags, sometimes no covers. A few places in Idaho it didn't get below 80*F at night, don't need the tent fly in those conditions.

Up into Montana, through Glacier Park, along the Canadian Rockies. Endless summer. Then on day 30, our luck ran out. We crested Vermillion Pass and rolled down into Banff into sleet. Banff was the highlight destination, I expected to be blown away by the scenery but there was nothing but thick low clouds. It got down to 34*F that night. The next night was just as soggy and cold.

That wasn't the last of the cold, wet nights (we survived Rogers Pass, for instance). But my point is that you don't need to expect extreme conditions all the time. With any luck, you can go 30 days, even in the mountains, and never see rain or frost. I've probably been lucky more times than not.

But this past summer, it caught up with us. We rode several days in shivering, wet conditions. Each time I knew I could thank God for a warm, dry tent and a +25 sleeping bag. We had the option of motels, and RVs offered us shelter, but we were OK because we were prepared. Can't wait to do it again.

-- Mark

Erick L

I always go for the lowest temperature. I check average lows and bring a bag for slightly lower temperature. The idea is the tent and sleeping bag are the last resort when conditions are miserable. I can always unzip, stick a leg out if I'm too warm. In fact, I like to do that. I'm comfortable in my 0°F bag on cool summer nights. But I can't make my bag warmer. There's clothing of course, but I hate to sleep with too much clothes and those might be wet from earlier in the day or trip.

jcwitte

Wow, reading your post got me excited about my trip. You're right about the wisdom and experience here. It has been absolutely invaluable.

Monoborracho

I use a 30+ bag (Slumberjack about 2 lbs) for 3 season camping in Texas. Actually, below about 45 degrees it gets chilly. So, I either sleep in long underwear and a long sleeve hoody cycling jersey, which I would have with me anyway on a tour. Also have a home made liner made from a silk queensize sheet. Packs pretty small. Works down to the 20's for me.