Summer Bag

[208AT]

I need a lightweight summer bag.Do I use down or synthetic?What temperature rating?Do you have any recommendations on a specific bag?

[Storm]

I really like my Marmot Atom

[swamp dawg]

I used a 30 degree synthetic because the synthetic can get wet and dries fairly fast. The 30 degree may be a bit of a overkill but you never know when a front will all of a sudden move in and it can turn cold in a hurry. I have been on the trail hiking in a cold July rain and it was nice to have a nice dry,warm sleeping bag.

[Serial 07]

synthetic...and it doesn't need to weigh much more than 20 ounces...have a liner with a lightweight bag unzipped over you and you'll be fine...

[Serial 07]

40 degree should be fine...

[208AT]

Anything cheaper?Can I just take a liner?Or even just blankets?

[Llama Legs]

I used a one-pound down bag last June and it sucked. Do over, I'd carry my old synthetic semi-rectangular 45 degree bag with the cloth-like lining. Even at 2 pounds, I would have enjoyed the room and feel. Kelty may still sell one.

[208AT]

Any idea how much one of those runs for?

[bigcranky]

A 40-F rated down bag should be fine for most summer use. I prefer a full zipper so I can use it as a quilt. Of course, you could just buy a quilt...

[BigHodag]

I use a military poncho liner. Packs small and weighs very little. About $30 at surplus stores or online. I've been warm down to the low 50's.

I also carry a thermolite emergency bivy. This doubles as a small survival kit. There's room inside its drawstring bag for spare matches, a button compass, whistle, a few iodine tabs and a razor blade. Easily fits in a shirt pocket.

[Llama Legs]

Any idea how much one of those runs for?

Campmor has a Slumberjack Tour Lite 40F bag for $40. It looks like it's 2lb 4oz. Slide in a super-light down bag (more like $240) and you'll have a versatile system good down to 10F.

[XCskiNYC]

I need a lightweight summer bag.Do I use down or synthetic?What temperature rating?Do you have any recommendations on a specific bag?

It just depends on the overnight temperature you're expecting. In August on the AT north of Bear Mtn. Bridge I used a $15 fleece bag from K-Mart. It was fine. But it probably only went down to maybe mid 60's overnight.

If it was going into the 50's, you could go with something like the Campmor $50 bag. It's synthetic, which is heavier than down all else being equal, but so little insulation that it's not overly heavy.

Check out this weather chart if you're headed for the AT:

http://www.trailquest.net/weather.html

[208AT]

OK,thanks.We're going early June,so 40's at night are what we're looking at.

[johnnyblisters]

Check out the Lafuma X650. I got mine on REI outlet for $30 shipped, 1 lb, size of a liter bottle, perfect for summer temps.

[208AT]

I've checked about 10 different sites,and they don't sell that any more

[daddytwosticks]

How about making yourself a lightweight synthetic summer quilt if you are crafty. Or buy a poncho liner? I use a Montbell Thermal Sheet down sleeping bag opened up as a quilt in warmer summer months (thanks Tinker). Keeps me warm down to about 50 - I'm a cold sleeper.

[BigHodag]

Don't have any first hand experience with these, but there's a new line of HALO Recon Thermolite sleeping bags now available. Seem to pack small, weigh less, and protect in low temperatures.

HALO Recon 2 Sleeping Bag is rated +5*C (41*F) and is $110. Weight: 1.9 Pounds. Size: 95 x 32 x 22 Inches. Built in mosquito netting at head.

HALO Recon 3 Sleeping Bag is rated -5*C (-23*F) and is $136.

[Tinker]

How about making yourself a lightweight synthetic summer quilt if you are crafty. Or buy a poncho liner? I use a Montbell Thermal Sheet down sleeping bag opened up as a quilt in warmer summer months (thanks Tinker). Keeps me warm down to about 50 - I'm a cold sleeper.

You're welcome .

I was going to recommend the Montbell bag, but you beat me to it.

[208AT]

I think the Halo's might be a bit too much.I found a $40 bag from Campmor,so I think most people will go with that.And what kind of insulation would you use for the quilt?

[Dragonflypsu]

check out backcountryedge.com I'm thinking of getting the Lafuma bag from there.