Summerlite Quilt Conversion?

I have a Summerlite and am currently testing the waters of the quilting word after buying a Golite Ultra 20. My Ultra 20 seems to loft better than most, but most people in the stuff I have read seem to think that it is good for 25-30* It has 9.5oz of down and weighs 19oz total.

I would just hate to cut up a Western Mountaineering bag, so I would probably sell it and get a Golite Ultra 20, a Nunatak, or get the kit from Thru-Hiker and have Tim Marshall make you one.

I think it would be criminal to cut up a Western mountaineering bag just to save a couple of ounces. I would either use it as-is, or sell it to me, and buy yourself a quilt such as the Nunatak. I found the Arc to be a little narrow for my likes, so think carefully about stuff like width when you make your decision.

The SummerLite is a good bag. Sell it to someone who will treasure it. Use the funds to buy a quilt.

Yes-I am guilty of cutting my zipper off my WM Highlite and I did save a few oz….It still works great and I sleep better for it..I now own a 6'6 Large 35 degree quilt at 18.5 oz w/ stuff sack-sweet!!!

Doesn't the Summerlite have a black bottom? If you did convert it, it would be really awkward looking…if that matters to you.

I was going to convert a Megalite, until I realized they have a black bottom.

I don't quite understand the quilt idea. If I convert my Summerlite to a quilt I have lost the zipper weight and maybe a foot width of length all the way down, but now I have to sleep on my pad with the quilt tucked under? Is it worth it?

I am sure there are many fans of quilts reading this – someone please explain to me the advantage of a quilt besides the few ounces of weight difference. I've never seen anyone use a quilt – I guess I don't get it. Opinions?

Hal, I am still a sleeping bag person, but this article should answer any questions, and then some:

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/2006_unconventional_sleep_systems_manifesto.html

My Summerlite is red all around and my Ultralite is blue all the way around. I am not saying they are all like that.

Hi Hal,

Quilts aren't for everyone, no doubt about it. But I love 'em. I'm a very warm sleeper. With a quilt in summer, I just lay a very light quilt over me, no tucking in under the pad, and I can toss and turn all night without the (for me, not everyone) claustrophobic feeling or twisting and turning of the sleeping bag. In cooler weather I still don't tuck the quilt under me. I haven't done any true winter camping yet, but I will this year, and might be tucking the quilt under me then!

I use a hammock now, and getting in and then under a quilt is much easier than getting in and then getting into a sleeping bag.

Those are just a couple of quick reasons as to why I prefer quilts, and don't see ever using a sleeping bag again. In fact, I just sent a GoLite Adrenaline 0 degree bag to Tim Marshall to convert into a toasty quilt for me!

>I am sure there are many fans of quilts reading this – someone please explain to me the advantage of a quilt besides the few ounces of weight difference. I've never seen anyone use a quilt – I guess I don't get it. Opinions?

So how do you sleep at home? Do you go to bed in a mummy bag every night? The advantage of a quilt, for me, is that it's how I've been sleeping since they brought me home from the hospital.

You can always have the size of the Specialist changed to whatever you want. The beauty of Nunatak is that it is custom, no extra charge…except for removable straps. If you really prefer quilts, my choice would be to sell the WM and get what you really want. Both items would sell if you choose to. A converted WM bag probably wouldn't.

But I am biased right now after acquiring my new Nunatak quilt.

I do not see why you have to change anything to use the Summerlite as if it were a quilt. The zipper goes almost all the way to the bottom (the Highlite has a 3/4 length zipperº) and it unzips completely. So un-zip it all the way and put the zipper opening underneath you. You will have the seam that connects the blue top to the black bottom directly down the center. The hood is so much built into the bag that when the bag is spread open, the hood is just a slight lump of extra down. It should not be in your way much at all, and you might often be glad you had it.
Most quilts have a slight foot box, too. So,most quilts are very similar to an open sleeping bag. If too warm, just push the bag back or flip open one of the sides. In fact when the zipper on the Summerlite is all the way open (it separates just like a jacket zipper), the foot box is smaller or less than most quilts.
In short, the Summerlite can be made to be so much like a quilt, I would not see the need to modify it.

BTW. In a summer evening after hiking, even a temp of 60 degrees can feel cold.
Un-zipped bag, upside down and hood area:

One can see the areas you intend to cut. That would certainly do it, if you wish to modify.

Frank's pictures show what I tend to tell people… you can use a sleeping bag as a quilt any time. Of course, a quilt can never be used as a sleeping bag. The zipper and hood only add versatility and extra warmth if you need it… if not, then just use the thing like a quilt.

Personally, the 3-oz difference between the SummerLite and Specialist seems pretty inconsequential. How's the rest of your gear list? Do you have an extra pair of socks or a change of underwear in the pack? Ditch them, and you've saved yourself the same 3 ounces.

"the 3-oz difference between the SummerLite and Specialist seems pretty inconsequential."

Unless you are the person who cuts the handle off their toothbrush to save a few grams…but I agree. To cannabalise a WM bag and accomplish nothing more than saving 2-3 oz and losing the extra width plus versatility of the zipper and hood is verging on the obsessive side of UL gram counting. Just use the bag as a quilt and man-up to the extra 3oz!

"you can use a sleeping bag as a quilt any time"

While I think you're spot on for most sleeping bags, you can't really effectively use a GoLite Adrenaline as a quilt. The center zipper is simply too short, you'd end up with a 3-foot footbox!

That's why I am having my Adrenaline 0 degree modded to a quilt by Tim Marshall. Tried selling it, but no one was interested. I wouldn't use it as a sleeping bag. So now I will use it and continue to get value out of the bag!

"the 3-oz difference between the SummerLite and Specialist seems pretty inconsequential."

Wash your mouth out! ;)

Folk on here will spend 100's to save a 1/4 ounce! :)

The thought of saving 3 ounces now feels like the equivalent of saving 1.5 pounds two years ago…!

Yes, yes, people… I realize the sacrilege of my statement. Please do take it with the remainder of the context ;) Cut apart a wonderfully functional bag, or lose an extra pair of socks for the same weight savings. Yes, of course he could do both. But IME, the "extra" 3-oz in the bag is functionally some of the best warmth and versatility I carry.

The broader point I was trying to make was that unless his kit was completely dialed in to the point that there is really no where else to cut ounces or fractions of ounces, then perhaps it would be better to first focus on other areas…

Perhaps we have all lost our minds due to the insane effects of Gramaphobia.

If cutting up a Summerlite makes it fit your needs better or work better for you, have at it.

Hey man I was just kidding around… :-)

Plus if I leave behind any more socks I'll be walking barefoot. (Oh man, you just game me another idea!)

John, you can even ditch the weight of the shoes entirely! Just slap some duct tape on the soles of your feet for protection… ;P

Use the hood to make down booties! :)

Seriously, i wouldn't cut up a nice bag.

Sell it and buy a Nunatak or have Tim Marshall make you a quilt.