Was wondering what every one here uses, temps are pretty wild here from 110 to -20. I’m not to concerned about being hot though. Looking for a packable set up that will keep me not frozen.
Down: Lightest, warmest, most packable, most expensive, 0 (zero) insulation value when wet.
Synthetic: Cheapest, stays warm when wet (to an extent, depends on the specific fill), bulkiest, heaviest, don't wash it unless it's absolutely necessary or you're going to lose r value every time you do.
I use a Carinthia Defense 4 and a Helikon Swagman for an all-season setup. Not ultralight by any stretch but I like Carinthia's center zip design. I use either one, the other, or both depending on the weather. Combine with a bivy of your choice and it works good.
Don't breath inside the bag, no matter how cold it gets. You'll wake up wet and clammy. Especially if you use a bivy.
I haven‘t gone down to -20 without use of a shelter, but my sleep system is a USGI black (heavy) bag and bivvy, with a Kifaru Doobie, along with ECWCS Level 7s. Make sure you’ve got heavy wool socks and a watch cap, and a decent ground cover. Even just the USGI puss pad is pretty decent with the black bag over it.
In the summer I will cut it down to just a woobie and a bivvy cover as needed. Still keep a watch cap and a waffle shirt with me. If you get dehydrated (causing you to lose some capability to thermoregulate) during the day, and are still soaked in sweat, being able to take off your top and replace that with the waffle top, it will help you regulate your temperature better when the temps drop. Even going from 90 to 70 will can make you really chilly if you’re already fighting dehydration/some heat exhaustion.
First question to ask: Down or Synthetic?
Down: Lightest, warmest, most packable, most expensive, 0 (zero) insulation value when wet.
Synthetic: Cheapest, stays warm when wet (to an extent, depends on the specific fill), bulkiest, heaviest, don't wash it unless it's absolutely necessary or you're going to lose r value every time you do.
I use a Carinthia Defense 4 and a Helikon Swagman for an all-season setup. Not ultralight by any stretch but I like Carinthia's center zip design. I use either one, the other, or both depending on the weather. Combine with a bivy of your choice and it works good.
Don't breath inside the bag, no matter how cold it gets. You'll wake up wet and clammy. Especially if you use a bivy.
I haven‘t gone down to -20 without use of a shelter, but my sleep system is a USGI black (heavy) bag and bivvy, with a Kifaru Doobie, along with ECWCS Level 7s. Make sure you’ve got heavy wool socks and a watch cap, and a decent ground cover. Even just the USGI puss pad is pretty decent with the black bag over it.
In the summer I will cut it down to just a woobie and a bivvy cover as needed. Still keep a watch cap and a waffle shirt with me. If you get dehydrated (causing you to lose some capability to thermoregulate) during the day, and are still soaked in sweat, being able to take off your top and replace that with the waffle top, it will help you regulate your temperature better when the temps drop. Even going from 90 to 70 will can make you really chilly if you’re already fighting dehydration/some heat exhaustion.