Sleep system, min temps 70F to 50F

Link to Nyx quilt

XTherm and a 20° quilt sound really hot for the temps you are expecting.

FWIW I’ve got 60+ nights in my 20° Burrow down to the high 20°s and I’ve always been warm on a women’s NeoAir or in a hammock with a Phoenix UQ.

I use an Exped pillow or ZPacks pillow stuff sack and neither scoots out from under my head.

As a major Montbell fanboy I’ve been tempted by that down throw but it’s very narrow at 44″ wide and spendy at $189. I think I’d be better off with a 50° HG or EE sewn-through quilt for $10 more.

EE and HG aren’t an option. I leave Australia for Japan in 6 day’s time. If I need something warmer my only options are LocusGear, Montbell (stores all over Japan), or some other sleeping bag from a camping shop there.

Regarding your pillow, the monkey pillow case works well.  However, if you can’t get one in time, a t shirt works as well…pull it over the end of your sleeping pad with the pillow inside (I learned this trick here at BPL…thought I’d pass it on!)

just get a 30-40F BAG … you can easily use it as a quilt at ~50-60F …. and then close it should it get colder

theres many around …. MB, MH, marmot, rab, etc … you might even be able to find a sale

personally i use a WM highlite for 40F+

condensation might be an issue with the bivy especially in a coastal environment … if it is simply put yr fleece on the outside of the bags footbox … you can also carry a cheap light cotton bedsheet and put it over yr bag (or use a liner OVER the bag)

;)

For those temps, the $20 down throw from Costco should be fine. They’re back in stock at my store here in Georgia so probably a lot of other places as well.

Rob, the Monkey Pillow is great but I can’t find them anymore. They aren’t on Etsy as of now and  Wallace’s blog hasn’t had an update in 2 years. Do you know where to connect with them?

Unfortunately I don’t.  I had no idea they were no longer on Etsy.

Well, I decided to bite the bullet and get the Nxy quilt. I’d rather be too warm than too cold, and some of the nights I’ll be sleeping near mountain tops over 1000m.

Thanks for the shirt-over-the-airpad tip. I’ll try that out tonight!

i just noticed the nyx quilt you posted is primaloft one

this insulation, while perhaps the warmest synthetic at one time, also loses its loft fairly quickly if constantly compressed … its a short staple insulation

for quilts/bags climashield (apex) is the perhaps the one that last the longest

;)

I think you should have waited until you got to Japan to gear up. MontBell Japan stores have an awesome selection of goods (far more than their US site shows) as do other the outdoor retailers in Tokyo. And the “silver week” holiday sales underway when you are scheduled to arrive can pretty good. I lived there for 24yrs, what is your planned route?

I feel you on the pillow. I use 4 small 1″ squares of adhesive pieces of Velcro. You make sure to put the soft/loop pieces on the pad and the hard/hook side on the pillow. The reason is to prevent your bag or quilt from abrasion. I’ve been doing this for 2 years with no problems and my pillow in place all night. I use a neoair xlite and a Big Sky Dreamsleeper but it should work most combos.

Where about in Japan?

I take it not too high elevation taking from your temp range.

Condensation is often an issue, so I don’t think the synth choice is a bad idea, but agree perhaps shopping here would have made sense. Depending on your timing etc.

Buff or other neck gaiter over the pillow?

The fall rainy season (秋雨前線) is starting now, which often lasts a couple of weeks. Expect, or be prepared for, wet weather.  ( I love rain, except on Alpine technical trail, and can’t wait).

Have fun.