Skipping the bag all together

[badkneesbro]

Saint Louis area - I switch on and off between side and back. I've never understood why people dislike mummy bags and hoods for side-sleeping, but I've read that plenty of people hate it!

Doesn't your head get cold w/ a quilt?

Whatever head gear you would wear for cold weather, like a knitted beanie & or a hoodie will work. Z packs makes a down hat specifically for this, & to wear in really cold temps.

 

[badkneesbro]

I know what you mean by cinching down your hood, but I am one of those who cant get comfy trying to sleep on my side with a hooded bag. I usually don't need anything on my head until around 45*, & when I get super cold, I can wear my hoodie with a stocking cap underneath pulling down over my eyes & nose. I also usually incorporate a kuiu neck gator in all of this.

 

[Mike7]

I just use my merino beanie with fleece or Kuiu hat above about 30 degrees while sleeping, and use the lighter weight Katabatic down hood for lower 10-25 degree temps. I can't speak for the others, but the Katabatic hood works really well. I have a mummy bag, but sleep on my stomach and hate to have my head stuck in the mummy bag for long. I hope to purchase one of Tim's quilts in the future, when he comes out with the mating technology quilts, so my wife and I can use them for backpacking as well. The Katabatic hood is also nice for cold weather glassing.

 

[badkneesbro]

I just took a look @ the katabatic hood. Arent those draw strings a pain in the butt?

 

[MattB]

Personally, I think a hood on a sleeping bag and puffy jacket makes great sense and provides extra versatility given the high % of heat lost through the head/neck (70%).

IMO people overthink the notion that insulation on the bottom of a bag doesn't provide any insulation value, as the entire bottom fill is not compressed at the same time and the fill that is not compressed/partially compressed still adds warmth. So too does the closed design of a bag versus a quilt.

 

[badkneesbro]

Personally, I think a hood on a sleeping bag and puffy jacket makes great sense and provides extra versatility given the high % of heat lost through the head/neck (70%).

IMO people overthink the notion that insulation on the bottom of a bag doesn't provide any insulation value, as the entire bottom fill is not compressed at the same time and the fill that is not compressed/partially compressed still adds warmth. So too does the closed design of a bag versus a quilt.

EC, as you can see, two people both experienced with quilts & sleeping bags can have two totally different experiences. Good luck with whatever you decide!

 

[Snyd]

...and don't forget. Hunting is supposed to be fun... not survival mode! Pack an extra couple pounds, sleep warm and good and enjoy yourself! No sense in going out ill equipped just to fit in to the "fast and light tactical hunter" fad that's all the rage these days.

 

[mtnclimber]

...and don't forget. Hunting is supposed to be fun... not survival mode!

Its always 'fun' but usually survival mode all at the same time haha.

i could never skip my sleeping bag, i need good sleep to hunt hard.

 

[HJ Handy]

A good nights rest does a lot for you the following day. Fatigue can have a great affect on your mental and physical game. Comfort is key for me in the back country. I'll gladly carry a few extra ounces or even a pound on a back country trip if it means getting a good nights sleep and staying warm at night. I'm fully charged the next day and ready to hit the hills.

 

[jimriver]

Bad idea imo. Nothing is worse in the backcountry than not getting a good nights sleep especially if the lack is sleep is due to you being cold.

 

[EC4reel]

Ok, I completed this test. Below are the conditions and results. I'm recording them here so that if any other DA has the same idea he/she can save them selves a bad nights sleep. Just to summerize: I thought it would be a good idea to leave my sleeping bag at home and use a combo of "puff" jacket and pants to replace said sleeping bag.

Weather: Started as a cool evening in the mid 50's was supposed to dip into the 30's overnight, I didn't have a thermometer but I doubt it actually did.
Gear used: Base layer of First Lite, Llano crew top and Allgheny Bottoms. Kuiu SDJ and SDP. Sleeping pad, Pillow and a Beanie.
Results: Miserable. This has to be one of the worst ideas I've had. I'm glad I tested it out preseason. Every gap lets cool air get in and the insulation compresses so much after a couple of hours its worthless.

 

[larryschwartz]

EC4reel,

I'm glad that you did this pre-season test and found out what will likely happen. It always surprises me that people will come up with an idea, be it for changing their gear or some new recipe for dehydrated food, and then ask people what they think of the idea when the best thing to do is to try it out at home first. To go with the food analogy, if you can cook it on the side of a mountain you can cook it in your kitchen too to see if you like the taste.

As for going UL on your gear we all need to keep in mind that UL is about camping and hiking rather than hunting. It also, as others have alluded to, about taking just enough to be safe and enjoy your trip which may or may not be enough to have enough energy or enough sleep to be able to hunt effectively and to enjoy the whole experience. So, keep in mind that UL hunting is a bit different from UL hiking/camping.

If you want to use something different for your sleep system I would suggest you take a poncho and poncho liner/woobie combination. You can use this during the day to keep yourself warm while sitting or glassing. At night you can use it as a quilt with your sleeping pad. The poncho, or a sheet of tyvek if you want some breathability, will keep the wind off of you and help keep the warm air in to fight the drafts you experienced.

Another thing to consider taking is the American Medical Kit (AMK) Survive Outdoors Longer (SOL) bivy sacks. They are lightweight, reflect heat back onto you, and keep the wind off. Their downside is they are not made for those of us who are taller or over 200 pounds.

 

[William Hanson (live2hunt)]

EC4reel,

As for going UL on your gear we all need to keep in mind that UL is about camping and hiking rather than hunting. It also, as others have alluded to, about taking just enough to be safe and enjoy your trip which may or may not be enough to have enough energy or enough sleep to be able to hunt effectively and to enjoy the whole experience. So, keep in mind that UL hunting is a bit different from UL hiking/camping.

Excellent point!!!

No matter how ultralight we attempt to go in with, we all hope to come out ultra heavy. An extra few pounds on the way in isn't going to kill you and may keep you stronger for the heavy haul out.

 

[larryschwartz]

live2hunt,

Exactly! We need to tailor our gear to the "full mission" and not just the walk in.

Larry

 

[EC4reel]

Definitely glad I did this preseason....as for dehydrated food recipes I got a killer sardine,onion and Mountain House macaroni thing I'm going to try once I get on top of the mountain.