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Half-bags?

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PostedJul 22, 2008 at 7:35 am

Hey all,

I was wondering if anyone had experience using half-bags in conjunction with a thick insulating jacket and insulated pants for sleeping down to around 30 degrees? I will be mostly hiking in Alaska (around Anchorage).

I am looking to go to a quilt-type system for more freedom of movement than a mummy bag and this seemed like the best option for dealing with drafts and quilt shoulder sizing. I am 6 foot with broad shoulders.

Any recommendations on jackets?- I can't seem to find a 20-24oz jacket with a hood. I own (and love) a patagonia DAS but that seems like overkill for the summer season.

Would adding a thin wind shirt underneath the jacket increase the usable temperature range by acting as a semi vapor barrier?

Are insulated pants worth it or is the weight better spent on a thicker jacket?

The alternative system I was looking at was a 14oz synthetic hooded jacket, 10oz synthetic hooded pants and a 21oz synthetic quilt. Would this be warmer/colder (for sleeping) than a 20oz synthetic jacket, 10oz synthetic pants and 15oz half-bag?

What about the hands? Do thin wind gloves suffice or are thicker gloves/mitts needed?

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

PostedJul 22, 2008 at 8:54 am

I don't know if I can be of any help – I don't exactly use my half-bag in the situations you are describing. My setup is for warm summer conditions.

I use a Nunatak ArcAT with one ounce of overfill. I am 6'2" and the size large goes up to about my nipples (is there any better way to say that?). In "the field" however, it sits about at my belly button due to turning, adjusting, etc. I use a Montbell UL Down Inner for upper-body insulation. For handwear I just wear my Dr.Shade sun gloves to add a little bit of warmth. (It doesn't do much though!)

I have taken this system down to 45* so far. I was actually cold – I think due to the UL jacket not having adequate loft for that temp. The half-bag is hard to get used to for me because I don't have the feeling of a "blanket" that wraps over my shoulders. It is purely psychological I believe, but still a real thing to consider.

PostedJul 23, 2008 at 8:13 am

Thanks for all the information. I am going to research this further and maybe hack up an older synthetic sleeping bag I have and see how it works.

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