Does a sleeping bag liner add warmth?

[DonV]

I have a thermolite reactor sleeping bag liner - it is difficult to say how much warmth it adds. If I were to guess I would say 5 degrees. What are your thoughts?

 

[survivalistd]

2 and 3/4 degrees

 

[feanor]

Negligible in my experience.

 

[Scoot]

A little, but not a ton. I hear people say 10 and 15 degrees, but i think the 5 guess is closer.

 

[lufa1040]

I have the same one. I couldn’t really tell a difference so I stopped bringing it after a few trips. Down booties made a much bigger impact at a fraction of the weights.

 

[bozeman]

No diff in warmth to me, just made me feel ‘bound up’ and made my sleep worse.

 

[WyoKid]

Better off wearing base layers, socks and a knit cap than a liner.

 

[spike camp]

Gives me claustrophobia just thinking about a liner.
I personally use a quilt. I’m a rotisserie chicken at home, let alone in a tent. The quilt provides a lot of freedom of movement, is generally lighter weight than many bags, so it’s easiest to buy a quilt rated for a lower temperature and come out ahead in all aspects in my opinion.

 

[Maverick1]

5 degrees, maybe. Nothing more.

I use a silk liner just to keep the inside of the sleeping bag slightly cleaner. Keep the dirt and oils from my skin off the sleeping bag.

 

[Macintosh]

Imo non-insulated liners are for keeping a bag clean, having less of a “plastic” feel (left over from a few years ago when down-proof fabrics felt really tacky on skin), and for european-style huts where blankets are shared. Not really for extra warmth. Agree on the baselayer, socks/booties and hat. Or a very light synthetic quilt over the down bag will add a bunch of warmth.

 

[DonV]

Good info and I have found some use it just to keep the bags clean. I also wear some clothes to bed and that makes a much bigger difference. It is so thin and flexible it does not bother me - and it definitely feels a lot better than the cold slick bag. I am considering changing my sleeping system to a quit.

 

[ElkArcher918]

I used a similar bag liner years ago but it was too claustrophobic for me. Like being wrapped in a burrito. Didn't significantly provide additional warmth. I just upgraded to a better R-value sleeping pad/bag and added clothing layers accordingly. Good to go.

 

[The_Jim]

I'm with everyone else. I think they do add some warmth but are very restrictive. Just sleep in your puffy pants and jacket if you need more heat.