Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Casey Carnes on February 28, 2012 at 5:15am

I used this bag last year, it is one of the more reasonably priced down bags I found.  If you expect more rain, you may want to consider a synthetic bag, although they don't compress quite as much, they keep you warm when wet/damp.

http://www.amazon.com/Lafuma-Warm-Light-Degree-Sleeping/dp/B001L1R5CI 

I also carried a microfleece insect repellent bag liner, that way if it was really hot I could sleep outside the bag, or if it was colder, i used inside the bag for an extra 5-10 degrees comfort.

http://www.moosejaw.com/moosejaw/shop/product_Sea-to-Summit-Adaptor...

Permalink Reply by whojah on February 28, 2012 at 8:34am

Hi. The best ultra-light tent is actually not a tent at all. Try a hammock:

http://hennessyhammock.com/

Permalink Reply by dietrich77 on February 28, 2012 at 8:52am

 

Just got an eno actually.  Excited to use it this spring. Will be alot lighter than carrying my tent around.
 
whojah said:

Hi. The best ultra-light tent is actually not a tent at all. Try a hammock:

http://hennessyhammock.com/

Permalink Reply by igz on February 29, 2012 at 10:06am

would an emergency blanket cut it?

Permalink Reply by Casey Carnes on March 1, 2012 at 4:27am

Emergency blankets are just that, they don't breathe and most are pretty noisy/fragile.  But for the summer in the Midwest you can probably get away with a fleece bag or bag liner and an emergency blanket just in case the temps drop.  Getting good sleep is important when you're out pedaling 60-100 miles a day.

Just an idea, you can rent most everything from REI if there is something you want to try out before making a big purchase.  That gives you the ability to try a few different set-ups before dropping serious dough.

For the hammock, either use a rain fly over it or treat it with waterproofer so you can wrap up in a cocoon if the sky opens up.  Those Hennessy's look sweet, how do you like it Whojah?

Permalink Reply by S on March 1, 2012 at 5:43am

For ultralight tents and such, check out nemo equipment.  They have some pretty light tents, a lot of it on par with hammocks in terms of weight.  Bivy sacks are another option although they can get a bit claustrophobic. 

Permalink Reply by Barry Niel Stuart on March 2, 2012 at 11:50am

I bought a Eureka Silver City mummy bag at Sherper's in Hales Corners that's more than warm enough.

Permalink Reply by Nick W on March 23, 2012 at 5:49pm

+1 for the Montbell.

I have a Western Mountaineering Summerlite. Weighs less than 1 lb. However, good to 32F. You might elect for something lighter, such as the HighLite: http://www.westernmountaineering.com/index.cfm?section=Products&...

I've been on many tours around the country in various temps between spring and fall. The WM Summerlite has been perfect.

Permalink Reply by Nick W on March 23, 2012 at 5:50pm

I would try a hammock a few times before committing to buying one. Some people swear by them, others discourage them entirely.

whojah said:

Hi. The best ultra-light tent is actually not a tent at all. Try a hammock:

http://hennessyhammock.com/

Permalink Reply by Seri97 on March 24, 2012 at 7:31am

I own this sleeping bag and really like it.  The weight, dimensions and comfort stand out above most brands/models.  They have a vast selection for all temperature ranges: from -20 degrees to +50 degrees.  It is now on sale.

 

http://www.montbell.us/products/disp.php?cat_id=53&p_id=2321112

Permalink Reply by Kevin Mulcky on April 4, 2012 at 8:32am

I thought I'd add my two cents:

Big Agnes makes their warm weather bags with a hoodless design and only put insulation on top and sides of the bag. Both of these features save a bunch of weight & space. The bags have a built-in sleeve to intergrate your sleeping pad so you'll never roll off your pad in your sleep. Also, the Big Agnes sleeping pads pack down very tightly because they are fully inflatable vs. a thermarest foam+inflation design. To put things in perspective, my Big Agnes sleeping bag+sleeping pad packs down to smaller than a full size thermarest alone.

Also, when its really hot, like in mid-summer, I'll just pack a sleeping bag liner. Those things pack down to about the size of a softball.