Sleep system advise

[Twindaddy]

Sleep system advice

I really could use some advice on improving my nights sleep when spiking in. I have a klymit inerta XL pad and also a foam pad that I have been also using under it. I am in the market for a new bag/quilt. In the past I was using a 20* synthetic bag with both pads and have been quite cold at night on my late September Elk hunts. I would really like to get a 0* quilt to use but I am unsure if the pads I have been using are going to offer enough insulation to get a quilt. Any advise would be appreciated. Thanks, Jason

 

[Justin Crossley]

My advice would be an EE 10* down quilt, Xtherm pad, and a lightweight bivy like the Raven from TiGoat.

 

[AK Troutbum]

My advice would be an EE 10* down quilt, Xtherm pad, and a lightweight bivy like the Raven from TiGoat.

You just described the exact sleep system that I run.

 

[bhylton]

i think the xtherms are nice, but if you like your klymit, maybe try their insulated static V pad. i use one of those and an EE 10* down quilt for hunting in a floorless shelter with no stove down to around zero degress with long john and my puffy coat.

 

[tttoadman]

If you are prone to condensation, be careful of the closed bivy. I loved the raven, but even with my lightest sleeping bag I had a condensation problem(Justin now has it). Look at the net top with a small tarp for coverage. Keeps everything in place without the solid bivy.

 

[H82miss]

I ordered an EE Revelation 900 fill 10* reg/wide yesterday. This will be my first quilt. I'm a cold/side sleeper so after much research, I think this will be the ticket to a good nights sleep. Next I will order an Xtherm.

 

[ljalberta]

If you're going floor-less, and looking for a light bivy that breathes well, check out the Jimmy Tarps Summit bivy. It's about 6 oz and has mostly mesh up top to prevent condensation. With a light tarp, quilt, and xtherm, it could be a perfect setup for spiking in.

 

[COlineman78]

A high R value pad will give you more bang for your buck over a bag/quilt if you were trying to triage and decide what to update first. The highest pack-able R values (6) are found in the Big Agnes Q-Core and the Exped Synmat UL 9. Following that at an R value around 5 would be the Thermarest Xtherm, Exped Winterlite and Big Agnes Q-Core SL. For the price of these you will get much more added warmth IMO than going out and spending a ton on a new bag or quilt. that being said, once you have done this I'd look at an EE quilt as best bang for the buck.

PS If you're looking for a Q-Core 20" long let me know.

 

[Cledus]

With the EE Revelation quilt, how much of an issue do you guys have keeping your under sides warm (since it is open).

If used with Jimmy Tarps Summit Bivy could you use the built in straps from the EE to tie into the bivy? So it stays in place throughout the night?

 

[Justin Crossley]

If you are prone to condensation, be careful of the closed bivy. I loved the raven, but even with my lightest sleeping bag I had a condensation problem(Justin now has it). Look at the net top with a small tarp for coverage. Keeps everything in place without the solid bivy.

Hey I forgot where I got that! I haven't used that one yet since it was for my wife. I have the exact same one for myself that I have been using for a few years now. Interesting that you were having condensation issues. I have used mine in all kinds of conditions, and never had a problem. I barely ever have it zipped even to my shoulders though.

A high R value pad will give you more bang for your buck over a bag/quilt if you were trying to triage and decide what to update first. The highest pack-able R values (6) are found in the Big Agnes Q-Core and the Exped Synmat UL 9. Following that at an R value around 5 would be the Thermarest Xtherm, Exped Winterlite and Big Agnes Q-Core SL. For the price of these you will get much more added warmth IMO than going out and spending a ton on a new bag or quilt. that being said, once you have done this I'd look at an EE quilt as best bang for the buck.

PS If you're looking for a Q-Core 20" long let me know.

The Xtherm actually has an R value of 5.7 I believe. IMO they are also better quality than the BA pads. (I've seen a few leak with very little use)

 

[OBP]

The exped downmat winterlite has an r value of 7.0

 

[COlineman78]

The Xtherm actually has an R value of 5.7 I believe. IMO they are also better quality than the BA pads. (I've seen a few leak with very little use)

You're right, it is 5.7 don't know why but I thought it was like 5.3. I have been turned off of the NeoAir series by the noise and thickness (or lack thereof). I am primarily a side sleeper, so I prefer the thicker pads and I haven't looked at the newest Xtherm, but the older ones I looked at made me think the crinkling would drive me nuts (no experience on this though). My favorite pad is actually my Nemo, but the R value is quite low for the weight of the insulated versions (I have uninsulated). I am debating on what to do once I sell my Q-Core which was an experiment to see if I could use a 20" pad and the answer is an emphatic no (too broad of shoulders). Most of the leaking issues I have heard/read about were with the SL version of the Q-Core and their cheaper pads. I am thinking about going in search of a Synmat UL 9 LW or just going with a Q-Core LW. My complaint with the QCore was how slick it was, which I remedied with some ShoeGoo.

 

[ljalberta]

With the EE Revelation quilt, how much of an issue do you guys have keeping your under sides warm (since it is open).

If used with Jimmy Tarps Summit Bivy could you use the built in straps from the EE to tie into the bivy? So it stays in place throughout the night?

With a quilt, the key will be upgrading your pad as well. With a warm, reflective pad, with a high R value such as the Xtherm, your body will stay warm. Then depending on the weather, you can open up, or tuck the quilt further under for additional warmth. You can use the straps on the quilt to attach to your sleeping pad, then toss it all in the bivy, and it will stay in place quite nicely. The bivy will also help block a portion of wind as well. Of course this would be essentially upgrading your entire sleep system, and if you're not at that point, I would agree with some of the above, in the biggest upgrade for you would probably come from a good quality pad vs bag/quilt if you can only choose one.

 

[Twindaddy]

Thanks for the input so far guys, so, to elaborate little more, I actually need to get a bag or quilt because I don't have one. I had borrowed one for my last hunt. I was hoping on not having to buy a new pad as well because I really only am able make it out west hunting every other year and I have a hard time justifying buying a $200 pad that I only sleep on for 2 weeks every other year. A quilt I could use more often. Is there any other cheap options to make a quilt work with my pads without breaking the bank. How cold we would it be using a 0* quilt with my inertia XL and a foam pad together. I'm kind of new with this back country camping (only done it twice) so bear with me if I am way off base. Thanks again, Jason

 

[Cledus]

With a quilt, the key will be upgrading your pad as well. With a warm, reflective pad, with a high R value such as the Xtherm, your body will stay warm. Then depending on the weather, you can open up, or tuck the quilt further under for additional warmth. You can use the straps on the quilt to attach to your sleeping pad, then toss it all in the bivy, and it will stay in place quite nicely. The bivy will also help block a portion of wind as well. Of course this would be essentially upgrading your entire sleep system, and if you're not at that point, I would agree with some of the above, in the biggest upgrade for you would probably come from a good quality pad vs bag/quilt if you can only choose one.

I actually haven't gotten a pad or bag yet. So I can go with whatever would work best together.

 

[Bubblehide]

Jason, If you don't want to spend the money on a quality pad, I would suggest getting an ultralight cot and get yourself up off that cold heat sucking ground. Granted they run a couple hundred or so, but you can use it on other excursions to justify the purchase.

 

[COlineman78]

I have a hard time justifying buying a $200 pad that I only sleep on for 2 weeks every other year. A quilt I could use more often. Is there any other cheap options to make a quilt work with my pads without breaking the bank. How cold we would it be using a 0* quilt with my inertia XL and a foam pad together. I'm kind of new with this back country camping (only done it twice) so bear with me if I am way off base. Thanks again, Jason

The RidgeRest foam pad is about 3-3.5 R value and the Klymit offers practically zero insulation depending on how firm you like it you might get a little if it is extremely full. What foam pad are you using? You COULD upgrade to one of the Klymit Insulated Static Vs or you could sacrifice bulk for a higher R value at less money and go with one of the Alps self-inflating ones. A 3 R value should be enough to get by with a good bag or quilt, so you should be fine with an EE quilt or another option in a similar price range is a Kelty Cosmic Down 0. I would also make sure that you have a good puffy to sleep in just in case (like the FL Uncompagre) as IMO it's a better investment cause you can use it year-round.

Also, something that makes a big difference is sleeping in some sort of beanie or similar.

 

[AK Troutbum]

Also, something that makes a big difference is sleeping in some sort of beanie or similar.

Yup, and down booties if it's really cold. It's amazing the difference it makes when you keep the two parts of your body, that you loose the most heat from, warm.

 

[r7s]

I would suggest at least a Z-rest under your Klymit inertia, or upgrading it to a Klymit Insulated Static V. What if any shelter are you using with your spike camp setup? It is hard to know what to suggest.

My current setup is a flat square tarp shelter, an SOL escape bivy with a Kifaru woobie, my puffy jacket, a fleece balaclava and a good insulating ground pad. This is my wandering sleeping gear for when I choose not to make it back to camp. It is intended to be better than misery, but less than full comfort at camp where I'll have a nice sleeping bag and a tent or tipi.

 

[jlmoeller]

r7s, how does that SOl escape bivy perform? I carry one for the same reason you do but have not used it yet. I am anxious to hear about real world performance.
Jason Moeller