A sleeping bag inside another sleeping bag

imported
#1

Passage of the Smoky’s may/will be much colder than my current 20 degree sleeping bag. I’ve considered taking my Western Mountaineering HiLite 35 degree (1 lb marvel) and shoving it inside to handle the single-digit temps. Can anybody confirm or deny this as effective? I also have a Montbell bag cover, anybody know what added warmth that adds – they say silk liners add 5 to 8 degrees, I’m thinking the same would be true for a weatherproof bag liner over my 20 bag, maybe more…an assumption.
Thanks for the education in advance. ~ Postcard

Postcard

#2

Don’t put a waterproof bag liner over your sleeping bag. If it’s truly waterproof, it will trap all the moisture inside, making the insulation worthless.

If you sleep with two bags together, it may work, or it may just compress the insulation, making it less warm. I’d sleep with the light bag draped over like a quilt, rather than stuffed inside so as to minimize compression.

Alternately, wearing a down jacket in the sleeping bag will add 20 degrees warmth.

Ginny

#3

Makes great sense Ginny – knew one of you winter smart hikers would help. I do use my clothes as part of my sleeping gear, just failed to mention it. All the best and importantly, thank you.

Postcard

#4

I use a small down quilt inside my roomy regular bag. I’ve tried it the other way around and the quilt tends to slide off to the side, since sleeping bags are pretty slippery.

Both my quilt and my sleeping bag are rated at about 30 degrees, and together they keep me cozy when it’s far lower than that.

Amy

#5

I bought a silk liner on my hike in 05. It adds about 9 degrees to your bag. Its also nice when you turn over at night your bags stays in place. Plus it keeps the inside of your bag clean from your dirty body. When in town I would throw silk liner in wash with my other stuff. I think I paid about $65 for it. Good luck

Train

#6

Postcard, a bag in a bag works very well. In my youth I did a lot of winter backpacking in Maine, Rangeley area, and there were many days and nights below 0 F. I had a nylon 3 season down bag from Camp Trails, nothing fancy, and inside that I slipped an ancient cloth down bag. The cloth bag was nearly worthless by itself, but the combination was very warm. The problem you’re going to have is you’ll be too hot!

Brian

#7

Postcard, I tend to be a cold sleeper. I use a silk liner all the time. I gives me a little extra warmth and helps keep the bag clean. I also have used the bag in a bag many times. I have a 20d Feathered Friends down bag and a 35d Slumberjack down bag. I slip the 20d bag inside the 35d bag and have slept comfortably in the low teens.

Trashman

#8

Thanks everyone. Interesting how some of your put the warmest option INSIDE, and use the less warm bag as a cover. Don’t know why I was thinking the opposite, but having the warmest next to you makes sense though. I suppose it comes down to bag size, my 35 bag is tight and smaller than the 20, that’s probably why I was originally thinking that way. And I too have used a silk liner, but the single digits up in the Smoky where/are had me thinking of EXTRA STRENGTH warming options. Maybe the warming trend that starts in the region today will continue until Old Man Winter bids us all ado.

Postcard