Bag Liners

Scott:

This one definitely falls under "personal preference".

I first started with a lightweight silk liner. While I never actually got "tangled" inside the liner, I still disliked the "bag in a bag" feel. Worse, I am one of those who always have to get up "a few times" in the middle of the night — and the liner represented yet another layer that I needed to get into and out of — each time.

After a few minor struggles with the liner concept, I switched to wearing silk long johns and a thin pair of liner socks. I feel much less "engulfed" and restricted, and will never go back to a liner again.

But of course, plenty of people use liners and are happy with them. So, the overused cliche still applies: YMMV.

I use a silk liner primarily to keep my bags clean, and to be honest I don't find the liner that comfortable. It makes getting into the bag more difficult, and I tend to get a little tangled up since I toss and turn a lot when I sleep. I also get up at least once in the night, and the liner makes getting in and out of the bag that much more difficult. Furthermore, I usually sleep in my clothes so it is probably overkill as my clothes will keep stuff off of the bag.

At any rate with all that said it is still a decent lightweight option compared to just about anything else I can think of. I have a Jagbag lightweight silk mummy liner, and it weighs right at 5 oz.

I agree with Ben on this one and agree with you that keeping your bag clean is important. At home I sleep in an REI silk top and bottom to protect the bedding from body oils. I would do the same to protect my quilt or bag but it is usually cold enough that I wear my wool base layers for this. That, by the way, is another reason why I like the anti-stink properties of wool. It helps keeps the stink out of my quilt/bag as well. I think a bag liner is too single use. One benefit to a liner is that you are unlikely to soak it like you could your base layers. Another benefit is that it could boost the warmth of a bag that needs it but I think achieving this with your clothing is a better option.

I wear a base layer to bed (including liner socks and gloves), making the sleep sack unneccesary. The one time I have used it I really disliked having to wiggle into the sack inside of my bag, then wiggle into the bag. All while in a hammock might I add. Another reason I like wearing clothes is you dont freeze so much when you have to pee in the middle of the night.