Thermolite reactor sleeping bag liners - thoughts?

Bushwalking gear and paraphernalia. Electronic gadget topics (inc. GPS, PLB, chargers) belong in the 'Techno Babble' sub-forum.
Forum rules
TIP: The online Bushwalk Inventory System can help bushwalkers with a variety of bushwalk planning tasks, including: Manage which items they take bushwalking so that they do not forget anything they might need, plan meals for their walks, and automatically compile food/fuel shopping lists (lists of consumables) required to make and cook the meals for each walk. It is particularly useful for planning for groups who share food or other items, but is also useful for individual walkers.

Thermolite reactor sleeping bag liners - thoughts?

Postby Joynz » Mon 29 Jun, 2020 5:23 pm

6C65BAC4-625C-4DB7-891D-C08AD5E48284.png
I’m doing an overnight hike this weekend. Bush camping where there might be a frost.

I have a minus 6 comfort quilt and a R4 mat (and thermals and a hat to sleep in),

Am also considering getting one of the Thermolite reactor sleeping bag liners - which say they can increase warmth by up to 8, 11 or 15 degrees depending on the model.

Weight is 250g approx up to 400g.

What do you think?
Joynz
Athrotaxis cupressoides
Athrotaxis cupressoides
 
Posts: 225
Joined: Wed 23 Oct, 2019 12:46 am
Region: Victoria

Re: Thermolite reactor sleeping bag liners - thoughts?

Postby Zapruda » Mon 29 Jun, 2020 5:35 pm

I think these are far too heavy for a minimal weight increase. Wear your down jacket to bed or even your rain jacket. Boil some water and fill up a bottle and keep it close to your femoral artery.
User avatar
Zapruda
Athrotaxis selaginoides
Athrotaxis selaginoides
 
Posts: 1690
Joined: Thu 07 Apr, 2016 10:46 am
Region: Australian Capital Territory
Gender: Male

Re: Thermolite reactor sleeping bag liners - thoughts?

Postby Petew » Mon 29 Jun, 2020 6:33 pm

As Zapruda said, down jacket will add way more warmth. Personally I haven't used a liner in years, too tangly....
Petew
Phyllocladus aspleniifolius
Phyllocladus aspleniifolius
 
Posts: 711
Joined: Wed 05 Oct, 2016 12:07 pm
Region: New South Wales
Gender: Male

Re: Thermolite reactor sleeping bag liners - thoughts?

Postby johnrs » Mon 29 Jun, 2020 6:40 pm

Hi Joynz, we used these on a very cold Nepal trip last year.
Initially a bit dubious but they do add many degrees to your bag/sleep system rating, quite a useful extender really.
The increase might might be nearly true to label
John
johnrs
Phyllocladus aspleniifolius
Phyllocladus aspleniifolius
 
Posts: 614
Joined: Mon 09 Aug, 2010 6:09 pm
Region: New South Wales

Re: Thermolite reactor sleeping bag liners - thoughts?

Postby Huntsman247 » Mon 29 Jun, 2020 6:49 pm

Just wondering here... If you're expecting a possible frost only and you have a quilt comfort rated to -6 & an insulated mat do you really need to make it any warmer? Even for a cold sleeper that should be sufficient....
User avatar
Huntsman247
Phyllocladus aspleniifolius
Phyllocladus aspleniifolius
 
Posts: 582
Joined: Wed 22 Mar, 2017 10:07 pm
Region: New South Wales
Gender: Male

Re: Thermolite reactor sleeping bag liners - thoughts?

Postby CBee » Mon 29 Jun, 2020 6:58 pm

I use the extreme one, combined with a +4 bag, in below zero temps. Happy with it. Also I use it standalone mid season.
CBee
Phyllocladus aspleniifolius
Phyllocladus aspleniifolius
 
Posts: 510
Joined: Fri 21 Dec, 2018 7:18 am
Region: Queensland

Re: Thermolite reactor sleeping bag liners - thoughts?

Postby Joynz » Mon 29 Jun, 2020 9:29 pm

Thanks all for the feed back.

It seems like opinion is reasonably split.
Joynz
Athrotaxis cupressoides
Athrotaxis cupressoides
 
Posts: 225
Joined: Wed 23 Oct, 2019 12:46 am
Region: Victoria

Re: Thermolite reactor sleeping bag liners - thoughts?

Postby bobcrusader » Tue 30 Jun, 2020 8:41 pm

I use one mostly to protect the sleeping bag and mat (I use a quilt, so its nice to have something between the mat and me beyond just thermals). I do find I can get by with a warmer rated sleeping bag, so end up at about the same weight, but less to wash when I get home. Silk ones are more expensive and don't add any warmth.
bobcrusader
Atherosperma moschatum
Atherosperma moschatum
 
Posts: 86
Joined: Sat 09 Sep, 2017 11:30 am
Region: Victoria
Gender: Male

Re: Thermolite reactor sleeping bag liners - thoughts?

Postby Tino B » Tue 30 Jun, 2020 9:16 pm

I have the middle one - works well if you don’t have down pants and jacket with you. Good under a quilt to keep drafts out. Good as a bag in warm weather when you just need a light bag. That said, I tend to use Montane Prism pants and a Montbell down hoody as camp clothes and to boost a 30F quilt down to -5c or so.
Tino B
Athrotaxis cupressoides
Athrotaxis cupressoides
 
Posts: 113
Joined: Sun 18 Nov, 2018 5:43 pm
Region: Victoria
Gender: Male

Re: Thermolite reactor sleeping bag liners - thoughts?

Postby Joynz » Tue 30 Jun, 2020 10:34 pm

I like the idea of something between the mat and me too, as I have a quilt.

However, my quilt (-4 not -6 as I originally thought) was warm enough at the same time last year on the same hike even without wearing a jacket to bed...but sounds like it will be cooler this time.
Joynz
Athrotaxis cupressoides
Athrotaxis cupressoides
 
Posts: 225
Joined: Wed 23 Oct, 2019 12:46 am
Region: Victoria

Re: Thermolite reactor sleeping bag liners - thoughts?

Postby camm » Wed 01 Jul, 2020 9:19 am

I've got the middle one. I use it primarily as a sacrificial (and washable) layer to keep my mat and my quilt clean. It does add a bit of warmth, mostly by taking the sting out of any draughts from tossing and turning. It also adds some weight and bulk, but less weight and bulk than a set sleeping clothes.
User avatar
camm
Nothofagus gunnii
Nothofagus gunnii
 
Posts: 31
Joined: Sat 13 Jul, 2019 10:04 pm
Region: Victoria
Gender: Male

Re: Thermolite reactor sleeping bag liners - thoughts?

Postby Nuts » Sun 05 Jul, 2020 11:20 am

I was going to say that warmth isn't subjective but then it probably does come across that way given it's a 'feeling' :)

Otherwise, as I understand, adding thickness of trapped air space adds warmth. In which case adding a dense matted material seems a poor option compared to the same weight of fluffy down. A thicker sleeping quilt, a sleeping bag or light down clothing (as mentioned above)? I've used the original (8c) S2S liner and can't imagine it making a winter bag from a summer bag.
User avatar
Nuts
Lagarostrobos franklinii
Lagarostrobos franklinii
 
Posts: 8632
Joined: Sat 05 Apr, 2008 12:22 pm
Region: Tasmania

Re: Thermolite reactor sleeping bag liners - thoughts?

Postby Nuts » Mon 06 Jul, 2020 1:36 pm

We don't use them anymore either but these are a very similar feel, thicker, well made and cheap: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Thermal-Sle ... ctupt=true

They are a bit heavier. But let's rate them adding 20c.. :wink:
User avatar
Nuts
Lagarostrobos franklinii
Lagarostrobos franklinii
 
Posts: 8632
Joined: Sat 05 Apr, 2008 12:22 pm
Region: Tasmania

Re: Thermolite reactor sleeping bag liners - thoughts?

Postby Joynz » Mon 06 Jul, 2020 8:38 pm

Nuts - are they a stretchy knit fabric?
Joynz
Athrotaxis cupressoides
Athrotaxis cupressoides
 
Posts: 225
Joined: Wed 23 Oct, 2019 12:46 am
Region: Victoria

Re: Thermolite reactor sleeping bag liners - thoughts?

Postby Nuts » Tue 07 Jul, 2020 1:00 pm

yes, woven stretchy fabric
User avatar
Nuts
Lagarostrobos franklinii
Lagarostrobos franklinii
 
Posts: 8632
Joined: Sat 05 Apr, 2008 12:22 pm
Region: Tasmania


Return to Equipment

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 19 guests