Will you help me build a modular sleep system?

[Dos Perros]

Hello 'slide,

This past year I took stock of the current state of my backpacking gear, and was surprised to find that cutting edge stuff I bought 10 years ago is not obsolete, but maybe even two generations obsolete. I've replaced the smaller, less costly items. I tried to prioritize my buying to have immediate impact on this fall's elk hunt, putting emphasis on $'s spent to oz's saved. Big ticket items, while saving lots of weight, also cost a lot, so I only bought a new tarp and used my old bag/pag.

If you don't mind helping me, I'm looking for a modular sleep system that can be used in all 4 seasons. It must weigh less than my current system (this requirement should be easy to meet). I'm 5'7", 150lbs, and kind of a cold sleeper (cold to bag ratings), sleep side or a weird side/stomach twist.

Current system
Tarp: BPWD La Garita 1 (will be used summer and early fall, will buy larger 4 season tarp to sleep 2 with stove for late season hunts)
Bag: North Face Cat's Meow 20, synthetic, 42.7 oz
Pad: Thermarest Pro Lite Plus in the 3/4 length version, R = 3.4, 16.9 oz
Pillow: Sea-to-Summit Aeros Pillow Premium, 3.8 oz

I pack a Tyvek groundcloth (5.6 oz) and have packed a Sea-to-Summit bug net (3.1 oz) when I thought I needed it. I understand I could go to a bivy and be lighter and bug free with no groundcloth, so don't need any help there (yet).

Future state
Tarp: same, except for late season hunts
Bag: I like the quilt option, and have pretty much decided on a EE Revelation. Need help picking the temperature rating. Even the 0 degree is worlds lighter than my current 20 degree bag, so weight savings will be achieved no matter which way I go. But perhaps 0 degree is overkill for a September archery hunt? Also, I could always go with a lighter quilt, and then use a down jacket since I'll need neck coverage in 4 season weather anyway. Would also not be opposed to getting some down pants for glassing if on a late season/cold weather hunt. This is really the area where I need some help. How do you guys make a quilt work for the fourth season? For what it's worth, I'd rather the quilt be good for the cold than too hot in the heat.
Pad: The changes I'm willing to make from current state should be good for the fourth season. Probably full length, and higher R value. Suggestions?

 

[Where's Bruce?]

I have a 0, 10 & 20 degree revelation quilt and they are true to their rating. You MUST have a properly insulated mat and I carry a guilt that's good for 10 degrees cooler than the expected weather. That said, I always take along a Woobie too and it has been used when temps suddenly plummeted unexpectedly to much colder than projected lows. That quilt's your biggest weight-cutter right there.

 

[Dos Perros]

What kind of R rating should I be looking for on the pad?

How do you keep your head/neck warm with a quilt? Hooded jacket or good beanie is good enough?

 

[mrbillbrown]

I used a Big Agnes insulated air core pad for a CO sept archery hunt and temps were 30 in the nearest town and I guessed them about 20-25* at 10,500' on the Mtn. Pad worked great.

 

[AK Troutbum]

I also use an EE 10 degree, regular/regular, treated down quilt= 20 oz. and a small Xlite pad= 8 oz. I usually sleep with a beanie that covers my ears and always wear marino base layers, and if the temps drop and I need more insulation, I'll wear a hooded down puffy (although this doesn't happen very often. as far as my legs not being supported on a pad, if it's too cold, I'll use whatever, empty pack, extra clothes, etc., under them for insulation from the ground. For really cold temps, I'll just take a 72" Xtherm=15 oz. Either way, this all goes in a 6 oz. bivy.

 

[jquarnberg]

I used an EE quilt this year and I love it. I have the rev 850 20 degree. I had two different big agnes bags before, a synthetic then a down lost ranger. This has been a way better option for me. Lighter, more comfortable, and warmer.

Also I have been very interested in jimmy tarps. His tarp and bivy would be a nice light option at a good price. No experience with it, its just something I have been interested in that you may interested to check out. No website, he is on facebook and ebay.

 

[Mike7]

Dos Perros, I will echo the postitive comments about the NeoAir Xtherm and EE Revelation Quilt. I put a foam pad (that I also use for sitting on during the day in the winter) under my Xtherm. I am a warm sleeper, but can sleep down into the single digits easily with my 20 deg Quilt when using some clothing and a puffy hood (EE makes a good synthetic one that is a little bigger than the Katabatic down hood in my experience and I have a slightly larger than average head apparently). The only times that I have awakened cold is when I start sweating because I start off with too many layers.

I would recommend getting the quilt at least one size larger/wider than you think you need for your size, if you will be using clothing layers to take it down to lower temps (this also helps you wrap the edge of the quilt under your body to avoid drafts...I don't use a bivy either with my quilt). Montbell makes some nice synthetic puffy pants also in my opinion, which I found at a really good price.

As far as a shelter that is light but doable for two-three with a stove and gear, you might want to research the Seek Outside Cimmaron, Kifaru Sawtooth, or the Bearpaw Wilderness Designs Luna 6.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

What kind of R rating should I be looking for on the pad?

How do you keep your head/neck warm with a quilt? Hooded jacket or good beanie is good enough?

I prefer an rating of 6 and carry a EXPED UL9 but am usually fairly high (above 7000'). For most weather a merino cap will do just fine and i wear a merino base layer when I sleep. But for snow I pack a 4oz down EE hoodlum. I never wanna be cold. Did that once-never again.

 

[luke moffat]

Everyone requires a little different amount of insulation and padding to keep warm in the same temps. Some of it is what you are climatized to I imagine and metabolism and such play a factor too. Personally I have yet to be cold on a pad with a R value of 4 and more often than not all summer and fall with temps into the teens sleep on a Neo Air with an R-Value of 2.5 most of the time.

 

[striker3]

If you are planning on going with a minimalist pad such as the neoair X therm, test it out before your trip. I found that my joints and back couldn't handle more than one night sleeping on it. I bought a BA qcore sl and it made a world of difference. A little more weight, but the better sleep made up for it.

 

[Dos Perros]

If you are planning on going with a minimalist pad such as the neoair X therm, test it out before your trip. I found that my joints and back couldn't handle more than one night sleeping on it. I bought a BA qcore sl and it made a world of difference. A little more weight, but the better sleep made up for it.

Would you consider the Pro Lite Plus a minimalist pad? I sleep fine on that one now.

 

[striker3]

I haven't used a pro lite plus, but my old pad was an older full size self inflating thermarest and I slept fine on it. I think that the foam in the self inflating series just made a huge difference.

 

[Dos Perros]

Do you guys think it's possible to get one quilt to handle September Rocky Mountain elk hunts and also some more shoulder season, colder weather hunts (snow possible), just add down jacket and pants? Is that a stupid way to go about it? Would it be smarter to just get two quilts rated at different temps?

 

[AK Troutbum]

I think that's totally feasible. Just get a quilt with a cold enough temperature rating and of course the ability to wear puffy pants and jacket. And if the temperatures are on the warm side, you just open the quilt up. On the flipside, if money is no object, go ahead and buy a couple quilts.

 

[striker3]

Weight wise, I do the quilt and jacket/pants. I am bringing the cold weather clothes anyways, so I might as well make them work for as much as I can.