Sea to Summit Thermolite Reactor sleeping bag liner

[David F]

Has anyone any experience with these liners? My current sleeping bag could do with being warmer for comfortable use in Spring and Autumn. As I would prefer to avoid the expense of a new sleeping bag at the present time, I wondered what benefit I might gain from a sleeping bag liner. I must confess, though, that I'm a bit sceptical about the benefits claimed so I would welcome the views of someone currently using one. Also, has anyone any other suggestion, preferably not too expensive, about how to get a bit more out of a fairly lightweight sleeping bag?
Thanks for any advice.
David

[PaulaT]

I've got one and it definitely does give a bit of extra warmth.

[rotavator]

[quote=" how to get a bit more out of a fairly lightweight sleeping bag?
[/quote]

Some possibilities:
1. Get a better sleeping mat
2. Wear thermal, may be merino, base layers to bed and a hat
3. Put clothes e.g. a down jacket over the top
4. Improvise a hot water bottle: e.g. fill a watertight metal water bottle and put it in a sock so that it does not burn you

[Thehairs1970]

My advice would be to get a thermal liner or some sort for now. In the long term, put some money away whenever possible for a new bag. In the interim, try out and ask about other people's bags to help make a decision. Then buy a good one. I bought my current bag 20 years ago and it's only just starting to loose its warmth. And it has been used a lot.

Top tips.

Never store your bag in its stuff sack at home. This will increase its ability to loft.
Get into the bag when you are warm.
Wear a base layer if you are cold.
Wear a hat and socks.

[pjclinch]

If it's cold wear PJs. If it's very cold, wear warmer PJs.

I use liners but primarily to keep the bag clean (liners are much easier to launder than down sleeping bags). They add a bit of warmth too, proportional to thickness (just like PJs) . In practice it's easier to vary PJs than carry a selection of different liners, since it's just a case of re-deploying clothes you have anyway.

Pete.

[foxyrider]

My default is a silk bag liner as it has a good weight/ performance ratio. Then, as others have suggested use clothing to fine tune heat levels.
I generally lie on my bag for a while before turning in, quite comfy and also warms the bag up before you dive inside.
You could put your bag into one of those thermal bivvy bags but you would have to make sure it was thoroughly aired each day as they tend to get condensation forming inside.

[Oldjohnw]

I have both fleece and cotton liners. I take whichever the weather requires but always use a liner because, as foxyrider suggests, laundry is easier. You can always just use the liner if it's very hot.

I wear merino long johns and vest.

[Sweep]

I generally lie on my bag for a while before turning in, quite comfy and also warms the bag up before you dive inside.e.

Honest question - doesn't this compress the top insulation?

[foxyrider]

I generally lie on my bag for a while before turning in, quite comfy and also warms the bag up before you dive inside.e.

Honest question - doesn't this compress the top insulation?

quite possibly but it will loft when i'm inside and the underneath will get compressed anyhow. Certainly I don't notice any great lack of loft when I get up in the morning, maybe its down to the baffle arrangement used?

[NATURAL ANKLING]

Hi,
My advice is get more than one bag for most occasions, there is no need to buy expensive bags today, gone are the days where a -20C bag was a weeks wages and then some.
I can see a liner will be useful on a long tour for cleanness.

But I don't use one myself.
Wearing anything in your bag will hold sweat more readily, leading to chills.

I am thinking that a breathable tarp like cover over the top of bag in a tent would maybe help prevent cold air getting to the outer shell?
But its only an idea, not tried it yet.

As said a good mat is probably the best addition to warmth by far.
I use a 100gram solid foam mat from pound shop (when they had them) 4-5mm thick, if not on rocks then exceptional comfort I find, (three seasonal)

[Sweep]

Hi,
My advice is get more than one bag for most occasions, there is no need to buy expensive bags today, gone are the days where a -20C bag was a weeks wages and then some.l)

Interesting point natural.
Care to say more?
I use a silk liner from decathlon, have one of the liners in the original post but haven't used yet.

[irc]

Down jacket worn inside bag.
Fleece trousers.
Thick socks.
Hat.
All second best of course to a warm bag. We all have to set spending priorities but for me a good sleeping bag is high on the list.

[foxyrider]

Hi,
My advice is get more than one bag for most occasions, there is no need to buy expensive bags today, gone are the days where a -20C bag was a weeks wages and then some.l)

Don't think i've ever been on a wage that would cover such a purchase in a week! In matter of fact, after living costs i'd be hard pushed to buy such an item in a couple of months!

We don't all have huge disposable incomes and whilst I do have lots of kit (yes, 3 sleeping bags for eg) it's the result of years of saving and purchasing good quality to get the most for my money. If I want/need new kit it's a long term thing, which does at least mean I don't tend to end up with a load of pointless purchases!

[whoof]

If you want a really cheap solution to adding warmth to your current sleeping set-up you could try getting in your bag and then doing some press-ups so that you are warm to start with. If you wake up in the middle of the night and feel cold do some more. If you take a really thin sleeping bag to somewhere that's cold over-night you will return from your trip with ripped pecs.

[NATURAL ANKLING]

HI,

Hi,
My advice is get more than one bag for most occasions, there is no need to buy expensive bags today, gone are the days where a -20C bag was a weeks wages and then some.l)

Don't think i've ever been on a wage that would cover such a purchase in a week! In matter of fact, after living costs i'd be hard pushed to buy such an item in a couple of months!

We don't all have huge disposable incomes and whilst I do have lots of kit (yes, 3 sleeping bags for eg) it's the result of years of saving and purchasing good quality to get the most for my money. If I want/need new kit it's a long term thing, which does at least mean I don't tend to end up with a load of pointless purchases!

My bold above.
So in the early eighties a -20 bag was £115 IIRC.
I saw a -20C bag in the shop the other
day and unless I was mistaken it had a tag for £35?
Most of my newer bags are about £30-40.
I know that some of the posters insist on down and spending £150 - 300 but I don't think you get your moneys worth for a name tag and weight saving, quality of cheap bags is very good today.
But this is an old argument where some insist of top quality at top price.
I insist on buying only Scarpa walking boots but for some of the other gear unless you got a sponsor you no longer have to spend a fortune.
I have over ten sleeping bags and some were a pound, ideal for a quilt on cold nights at home
I have found that its an easier choice to have several bags that will last years, than to buy one or two, but that's probably just me.
I suffer the cold really well so I suppose can sleep close to the limit.