I've never *really* cold-camped before. A trip in a hot tent, a trip in a quinzee, that's it. I'm hoping to get my metaphorical feet wet with a March trip this year (yeah yeah...not really winter :) and I'm wondering what y'all get out of your bag liners.

I've got a 30 degree bag. A fleece liner. One bottle of scotch. How much heat does a fleece liner add, assuming I boil the scotch and keep it in a cozy down by my footsies?

I've heard maybe 10 degrees, but I've never used one :)

I've got one of those Sea to Summit liners that is supposed to add 15 degrees to the bag, but I feel it only adds about 5 or so. I use it more in the summer as a stand alone bag on warm nights.

Have done quite a bit of cold camping.

Many variables to think about. What is the coldest it can get where you are going in March? Plan for that and if it doesn't get that cold think of yourself as a lucky guy!

How thick is the fleece? I would think a good thick fleece will add 10-15 degrees. How snug is the bag around you - the liner needs to fit inside and still leave dead air space without being so constricting you won't be comfortable.

Plan to wear something loose fitting and warm including heavy socks. A light stocking cap will help if it is really cold.

Pay good money for a good sleeping pad - it is as important as the bag and liner. You can't generate enough heat to warm the ground beneath you.

How big is the tent? Smaller ones actually warm up a little from a couple of people, but be sure to vent it or you will get a lot of frost built up.

5 or 10 degrees - it's really more for having something easier to clean than extra warmth.

From my experience you are better off with a two sleeping bag system than a single bag and a liner. The liner doesn't add enough warmth to get by at least it did not for me. FYI I was using a silk sleeping bag liner and a synthetic sleeping bag rated to -20 at or below -20 inside a bivy sack.

Your experience may differ.

quote SevenofNine: "From my experience you are better off with a two sleeping bag system than a single bag and a liner. The liner doesn't add enough warmth to get by at least it did not for me. FYI I was using a silk sleeping bag liner and a synthetic sleeping bag rated to -20 at or below -20 inside a bivy sack.


Your experience may differ."

I'm with you a two bag system is a lot better then a single bag and liner. You just need to make sure that the one bag is big enough to accomadate the other bag without compressing it too much and losing the loft of it and thus the insulation value of it.

I have a Sea to Summit Thermolite liner. They have several gradations in their Thermolite line. Mine is the Extreme (hah).

It adds about ten degrees of warmth. Not the hyped 25.

Scam a second bag and drape it over the first like a quilt.

quote yellowcanoe: "I have a Sea to Summit Thermolite liner. They have several gradations in their Thermolite line. Mine is the Extreme (hah).


It adds about ten degrees of warmth. Not the hyped 25.


Scam a second bag and drape it over the first like a quilt."

I get more heat from the struggle than the insulation value...lol