Summer sleeping bag

mrsmileyns · 06-23-2012, 04:53 PM

I have a mountain hardware phantom 15 degree down bag. It weighs about 2lbs 1oz and packs down decently small. I was considering getting a summer sleeping bag like a mountain hardware phantom 45 as it is a pound lighter and packs smaller and would be cooler. Does this make any sense for backpacking in the north east (NJ up to Maine)? Or would I just be wasting money?

Opinions?

Jay H · 06-23-2012, 05:39 PM

A 15deg bag would be a 3-season bag for me, my summer bag is a 38deg down Western Mountaineering Iriquois which is pretty small (and no longer made).

I don't think it would be a waste of money, a pound is a good weight reduction and if you do a lot of backpacking in the summer than you'll get good use of it between NJ and Maine, although you can probably guess that the summer season is shorter in maine then it would be in NJ, still think it is useful.

Jay

LI_Hiker · 06-24-2012, 10:55 PM

40 degrees at least.

I don't know what kind of body type you are. I am cold and skinny. I was at Slant Rock leanto in August in a Cats Meow 20 bag. I had to zip it up and pull the draw string on the hood till it was a tiny hole.

Joe · 07-13-2012, 06:57 PM

I just downsized to the Marmot Pounder. It weighs only 16oz and compresses very small. It's rated for 40 degrees F, but a lot of reviews say that it honestly should be rated 50. I'll be using it in the High Peaks from Aug 6 through 16, and if it's not enough, I'll just have to put on extra clothes or spread the space blanket and rain poncho over me, until I'm not cold. I was desperate to scale down my pack weight though. I'll soon see how this works out. I wonder how different the Mountain Hardware Phantom 45 is from the Marmot Pounder. They are about the same in weight and rating.

Snav3 · 07-14-2012, 07:20 AM

I have the mountain hardware phantom 45deg bag and I also carry a thermolite liner for the cooler nights. This setup has worked fine for me from summer to mid-Fall in the ADK. Together they pack a lot lighter and smaller than my 15deg sierra designs bag.

Joe · 07-14-2012, 08:24 AM

A liner had crossed my mind. Do you know the weight of your thermolite liner? I'm going to Google it. I'm leery of adding any new weight at this point though.

Snav3 · 07-14-2012, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe

A liner had crossed my mind. Do you know the weight of your thermolite liner? I'm going to Google it. I'm leery of adding any new weight at this point though.

This is the one I have, 8.1 oz.

http://www.ems.com/product/index.jsp...26792.11326807

Joe · 07-14-2012, 01:11 PM

Thanks! You got to love the websites that know enough to state the weight of an item. All too many "Outdoors" supply companies never state them, and their customer service do not have the foggiest.

DSettahr · 07-16-2012, 12:22 PM

Yeah, a 45-degree bag in the Adirondacks by itself is going to be chancy. Realistically, you'll only be able to use it 2 months out of the year. I have a 35-degree bag, which I use from Memorial Day to Labor Day- and there are some nights in late August that I'll get pretty chilly during if I'm not using a liner.

A good, lightweight but efficient liner is a worthwhile investment- it will increase the versatility of all of your sleeping bags, whether they be summer bags, spring/fall bags, or winter bags. I carry my thermolite liner with me on every backpacking trip.

06-23-2012, 04:53 PM	#1
mrsmileyns Consultant Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Trudging the road of happy destiny. Posts: 294	Summer sleeping bag I have a mountain hardware phantom 15 degree down bag. It weighs about 2lbs 1oz and packs down decently small. I was considering getting a summer sleeping bag like a mountain hardware phantom 45 as it is a pound lighter and packs smaller and would be cooler. Does this make any sense for backpacking in the north east (NJ up to Maine)? Or would I just be wasting money? Opinions?

06-23-2012, 05:39 PM	#2
Jay H Ice Cream Time Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Pittsfield, MA Posts: 6,789	A 15deg bag would be a 3-season bag for me, my summer bag is a 38deg down Western Mountaineering Iriquois which is pretty small (and no longer made). I don't think it would be a waste of money, a pound is a good weight reduction and if you do a lot of backpacking in the summer than you'll get good use of it between NJ and Maine, although you can probably guess that the summer season is shorter in maine then it would be in NJ, still think it is useful. Jay __________________ Life is a short, warm moment And death is a long cold rest. You get your chance to try in the twinkling of an eye: Eighty years, with luck, or even less. -Pink Floyd

06-24-2012, 10:55 PM	#3
LI_Hiker Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Seaford, New York Posts: 58	40 degrees at least. I don't know what kind of body type you are. I am cold and skinny. I was at Slant Rock leanto in August in a Cats Meow 20 bag. I had to zip it up and pull the draw string on the hood till it was a tiny hole. __________________ Leave No Trace! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXO1uY0MvmQ ThereAndBack http://www.hikesafe.com/ ADK Crash Course http://www.adk.org/trails/High_Peaks_Hike-Backpack.aspx

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07-13-2012, 06:57 PM	#4
Joe Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Jersey City, NJ Posts: 122	I just downsized to the Marmot Pounder. It weighs only 16oz and compresses very small. It's rated for 40 degrees F, but a lot of reviews say that it honestly should be rated 50. I'll be using it in the High Peaks from Aug 6 through 16, and if it's not enough, I'll just have to put on extra clothes or spread the space blanket and rain poncho over me, until I'm not cold. I was desperate to scale down my pack weight though. I'll soon see how this works out. I wonder how different the Mountain Hardware Phantom 45 is from the Marmot Pounder. They are about the same in weight and rating.

07-14-2012, 07:20 AM	#5
Snav3 Jr. Commander Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Webster, NY Posts: 401	I have the mountain hardware phantom 45deg bag and I also carry a thermolite liner for the cooler nights. This setup has worked fine for me from summer to mid-Fall in the ADK. Together they pack a lot lighter and smaller than my 15deg sierra designs bag.

07-14-2012, 08:24 AM	#6
Joe Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Jersey City, NJ Posts: 122	A liner had crossed my mind. Do you know the weight of your thermolite liner? I'm going to Google it. I'm leery of adding any new weight at this point though.

07-14-2012, 01:11 PM	#8
Joe Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Jersey City, NJ Posts: 122	Thanks! You got to love the websites that know enough to state the weight of an item. All too many "Outdoors" supply companies never state them, and their customer service do not have the foggiest.

07-16-2012, 12:22 PM	#9
DSettahr ɹǝpuɐɯɯoɔ Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 2,778	Yeah, a 45-degree bag in the Adirondacks by itself is going to be chancy. Realistically, you'll only be able to use it 2 months out of the year. I have a 35-degree bag, which I use from Memorial Day to Labor Day- and there are some nights in late August that I'll get pretty chilly during if I'm not using a liner. A good, lightweight but efficient liner is a worthwhile investment- it will increase the versatility of all of your sleeping bags, whether they be summer bags, spring/fall bags, or winter bags. I carry my thermolite liner with me on every backpacking trip.

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