Warming up my sleeping bag

[abmacus]

I have a Mountain Designs Travelite sleeping bag rated at about 1 -11 degrees (for what ratings are worth) I used it earlier this year on walks in New Zealand, Milford, Routeburne and Kepler. I was cold a couple of times, it had been snowing etc. The huts had some form of heating and matresses. I will be bringing along my Hubba Hubba tent and mnt Designs Sleeping mat. I cant really afford to get another wamer down bag. Should I look at investing in one of these Thermolite Reactor Sleeping bag liners? Or should I just chuck in an extra pair of long johns and thermal top.

Look forward to your responses

[South_Aussie_Hiker]

Try a new sleeping mat? The hut mattresses are probably very poor insulators, and how old is your mountain designs one? They have improved so much.

[corvus]

abmacus,
You did not say where you were going to for your next walk.
corvus

[abmacus]

I have a Mountain Designs Travelite sleeping bag rated at about 1 -11 degrees (for what ratings are worth) I used it earlier this year on walks in New Zealand, Milford, Routeburne and Kepler. I was cold a couple of times, it had been snowing etc. The huts had some form of heating and matresses. I will be bringing along my Hubba Hubba tent and mnt Designs Sleeping mat. I cant really afford to get another wamer down bag. Should I look at investing in one of these Thermolite Reactor Sleeping bag liners? Or should I just chuck in an extra pair of long johns and thermal top.

Sorry,

Yes Lack of info.

I have a Somnus Pro series mat, 2.5cm thick Full length. Its about 2 years old used maybe about 30 - 40 times 10ish of those on mats in NZ, mostly on wooden flors in Bib Track huts. I use a silk liner as well

I actually used it on top of the hut matresses after doing the Milford track as the final 3 huts of the track had matresses covered in vinyl that was ice cold to the touch and everytime you moved off the spot you had warmed up, was like licking the inside of a freezer.

I am walking the Overland track starting 17th December this Year with my 21 year old son. (Hes not to worried he has a one planet minus 10 degree sleeping bag, he works in the out door industry and as far as I can gather he can sleep submerged in a glacial pool, ice included!

[corvus]

abmacus,
If you are "hutting" on the Overland you wont need to worry about vinyl being icy cold as the bunks dont have any mattresses
You have some cheaper alternatives including an additional inexpensive closed cell foam mat (can get them for under $10.00) wear a beanie extra thermals and or fleece jacket and dry warm socks,do star jumps or suchlike and have a nice hot drink before you hit the sack all very simple fixes if you dont want to spend much.
I have read mixed reviews on this forum regarding Thermolite Reactor Liners and personally would not spend the money on one , the $10.00 closed cell foam mat +extra clothing should do the trick.
corvus

[Drifting]

FWIW my wife and I have found that thermolite reactors live up to their 5c promise, but that's just our experience. There's a new one on the market that's extra thick.

[John Sheridan]

Hot water bottle works like a treat, use a plastic bottle or a Platypus container, though a hard bottle would be better for safety, then wrap it in a t shirt or something and you be toasty in NO time and it will keep you warm all night

Just boil some water at night and be WARMS, In the morning use the water to make some coffee or make breakfast with it, no wasting water

Cheers.

Last edited by John Sheridan on Sat 19 Nov, 2011 9:00 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Moondog55]

Or just go to "Target" and buy a really cheap single thinsulate summer weight quilt to throw over the top, i was surprised at how light these were and how well made, I saw 3 types of fabric used as covers tho, from cheesecloth to LW japara, For a walking quilt I'd get the most wind resistant.
Wearing extra clothes only works for me if there is plenty of room inside the bag in which case a down jacket is the real goods