Midwest Summer Insulation

For me, it would depend on the length/difficulty of the hike. If weight isn’t an issue, I take a 40g synthetic insulated jacket or a 50-100 weight fleece. If weight is an issue, then I use my sleeping bag underneath my rain jacket as around camp insulation. I generally don’t take an extra camp insulation jacket down to lows of 35 degrees F, although below 50F, I’ll bring a fleece to hike in.

If you’re spending a lot of time around camp, not moving much, then you might be happier sticking with your current jacket.  Yes, it’s likely overkill, but a lighter jacket might save only a couple ounces and not be as comfortable when hanging out.

“If you’re spending a lot of time around camp, not moving much, then you might be happier sticking with your current jacket.  Yes, it’s likely overkill, but a lighter jacket might save only a couple ounces and not be as comfortable when hanging out.”

I considered this as well as I could ditch my 3.5oz inflatable pillow and stuff the jacket into a stuff sack to use as my pillow. It would be much easier if those temps were current and I could test it out at night to see if it’s way too hot but being winter ATM I can’t do that. I was trying to make the call now so I could order the MB UL jacket while they’re on clearance. Decisions….

“I will have a light merino t-shirt, a light merino quarter-zip LS shirt, and my Houdini. …For expected temps ion the mid 50’s, I was considering picking up either the MB UL down jacket or even the EB FA downlight vest. Think I will even need those or will my other layers cut it?”

No. What you have would keep me warm to the 40’s. No extra coat needed. If Nature changed on you, your quilt/bag would keep you warm.

“ It would be much easier if those temps were current and I could test it out at night to see if it’s way too hot but being winter ATM I can’t do that. ”

Several times I’ve turned my house down to 50F at night to test gear. I also keep my garage at 45F. And with a cold-sucking cement floor, that’s been a great test bed of 2-seaon sleeping gear. Also you can watch TV in your garage and see if you get chilled with your coat setup. Remember food and hydration has a lot to do with warmth.

Good luck in gear testing,

-Barry

-The mountains were made for Tevas

just get a cheap light fleece that fits well

yiu can use it around town and when active in the winter

thats all there is to it

;)

Thanks everyone. Could you clarify for me…When many people on here say they use UL down sweaters in summer, is that because they’re at high altitude where summers are colder than here in Indiana?

Pretty much.  I’m in Indiana too, and for summer I can often get by with a Cap-3 zip T and my raingear. Or less, if it’s really hot, but I try to avoid backpacking if it’s really hot and humid.  I generally bring a very light down hoody (Uniqlo) but it’s mostly used as part of my pillow and maybe worn an hour in the morning.

Mornings are generally colder than evenings in my experience, particularly in summer. Since the sun doesn’t set until 9 pm or so there’s not that much time for things to cool down before bedtime unless you stay up pretty late for a backpacker.

I’ve done a ton of backpacking in Indiana (and MI, and WI, and KY…) and I always needed at least a little insulation at night and in the mornings.  I don’t like being cold, tho…

So the really light insulations layers, like the montbell ex-light, were perfect for that FOR ME.  I would not have been comfortable with what you are bringing.

Thanks, Jennifer! Due to having a toddler and keeping our home at 73*, I have become somewhat cold-natured and while some may be toasty in a LS shirt and wind shirt at 55*, I would definitely be on the cold side. Having purchased my S2S aeros premium from REI, I can still return it as it’s unused ATM. This will give me $35 to put towards the $108 UL jacket, and my net weight gain will only be ~4oz since I’ll just throw it in a stuff sack and use it as a pillow. If it gets really cold, I’ll just take my FA Downlight hooded to wear/sleep in and still use the UL down as a pillow. Plus this will give me the option to layer both jackets around camp and separate them for their intended uses at bedtime.

Think I’m going to pull the trigger on the UL.

Thanks again!

I don’t backpack in Indiana summers unless I have to with Scouts. :P Don’t think I’ve ever taken more than my normal long sleeve hiking shirt and rain gear.