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From: Backpacking Light - Sunday Dec 08, 2019 07:21 pm
When we talk about "unconventional" sleep systems, we're usually referring to a sleep system built around a sleeping bag that's something different than a traditional, full-zip, hooded mummy bag.
The lightest example is a quilt - no hood, no zipper, open on the bottom, with straps to secure it to your sleeping pad for draft control.
Quilts are not simple or intuitive to use for the newcomer when temperatures drop, especially if you purchase one that has a poor pad attachment system, poor seal at the collar, or is too short or too narrow. In other words, don't rely on the advice of an FKTer who only needs to sleep for a few hours at a time and can get away with carrying something like this.
We just released our review of the ZPacks Sleeping Bag - a hoodless, zippered mummy that provides exactly this type of setup. What I really appreciate about this bag design is that you can get it in both 3/4-zip (the Classic) and full-zip (the Full Zip) models, with 3 different temperature rating options, 3 different length options, and 3 different width options.
ZPacks isn't the only game in town when it comes to a center-zip hoodless mummy. Here are some other options:
In summary, consider that while you can save weight with unconventional sleeping bags, they come with a cost - your skills and attention. Watch the videos and read the articles I've linked here, and you'll have 99% of the head knowledge required to use them effectively. Then, just go outside and start practicing - you'll learn to pay attention to things like draft control, wind resistance, layering (use a hooded insulated jacket in cold temperatures!), etc.
Happy trails,
Ryan J
owner/publisher
PS: Also new at BPL - the Backcountry Coffee Podcast Episode,
The lightest example is a quilt - no hood, no zipper, open on the bottom, with straps to secure it to your sleeping pad for draft control.
Quilts are not simple or intuitive to use for the newcomer when temperatures drop, especially if you purchase one that has a poor pad attachment system, poor seal at the collar, or is too short or too narrow. In other words, don't rely on the advice of an FKTer who only needs to sleep for a few hours at a time and can get away with carrying something like this.
- If you're new to quilts, be sure to watch my Ultralight Quilts Q&A video which addresses the differences between quilts and traditional sleeping bags.
- If you want to try one but are nervous about spending the money, see my (written and video) review of the Trail Quilt, which I think is one of the best options in terms of performance-to-price ratio.
- My personal favorite is the Tanager. I've been using it for several months now, and am getting ready to finish up my long-term performance review. I won't divulge all the good stuff, but I will say that it has the highest (subjective) warmth-to-weight ratio of any 20 deg F sleeping bag I've ever used.
- I'm extending the Tanager well into winter temperatures by layering with this 50F synthetic quilt used as the outer quilt.
- I talk about layering down+synthetic sleeping bags and quilts in the masterclass, and I think this is a really important concept to understand if you want to save weight and improve the condensation performance of your sleep system in very cold temperatures.
We just released our review of the ZPacks Sleeping Bag - a hoodless, zippered mummy that provides exactly this type of setup. What I really appreciate about this bag design is that you can get it in both 3/4-zip (the Classic) and full-zip (the Full Zip) models, with 3 different temperature rating options, 3 different length options, and 3 different width options.
ZPacks isn't the only game in town when it comes to a center-zip hoodless mummy. Here are some other options:
- The FF Flickr - made by a company with a reputation for extremely high-quality materials and construction. Go for the UL (not the YF) models for the best performance-to-weight ratio.
- The EE Conundrum - lots of options in stock that ship immediately, or extreme customization with a little lead time.
- WM offers some models that sort of fit this hybrid design, but the zips are along the side, not the center, so using them as a quilt is less convenient. Their lightest option is the Everlite.
In summary, consider that while you can save weight with unconventional sleeping bags, they come with a cost - your skills and attention. Watch the videos and read the articles I've linked here, and you'll have 99% of the head knowledge required to use them effectively. Then, just go outside and start practicing - you'll learn to pay attention to things like draft control, wind resistance, layering (use a hooded insulated jacket in cold temperatures!), etc.
Happy trails,
Ryan J
owner/publisher
PS: Also new at BPL - the Backcountry Coffee Podcast Episode,
