Sleeping bag liner

18 messages
18/03/2009 at 07:51
Right, question time.

What would people recommend as a good sleeping bag liner. I need it to cost less than £40, be light (less than 300gms) and not cotton based.

Has anyone tried the Sea To Summit Reactor Thermolite Sleeping Bag Liner? They appear to fit my requirements but I can't see any reviews. I've never used a silk liner before - any preferences?

Cheers guys and gals.
18/03/2009 at 08:08
Prefer silk because I don't need the extra insulation of a liner. The only function of a liner is to keep your bag cleaner IMHO. Silk is light weight. Polypropyleen seems to be a good alternative.
18/03/2009 at 12:17
Isn't this the second sleeping bag liner thread current here right now? Hang on I will go find the other one to link it in here.
18/03/2009 at 12:19

Here we go!

Earlier OM thread of recent on this same subject.

18/03/2009 at 12:30
Yes I saw the earlier thread but the question being asked differs from mine - consequently the majority of the advice has followed the line of "buy another sleeping bag".

I'm only after advice on lightweight sleeping bag liners for adults and whether anyone rates silk and / or the Sea To Summit Reactor Thermolite Sleeping Bag Liner.

Cheers : )
Edited: 18/03/2009 at 12:30
18/03/2009 at 12:31
What about the lovely warm Paratex Pertex type for under twenty quid from Snugpak! Like the old style Pertex bag liner from Buffalo it will add another season's value warmth rating to the bag.
Edited: 18/03/2009 at 12:32
18/03/2009 at 12:34
I've heard that the prices of all silk goods are about to rise again, so if it is a silk one you really crave, then best probably to get it soon before all the imminent price increases hit, ok.
18/03/2009 at 12:35
I liked my old silk sleeping bag liner anyways, used to do me very well!
Edited: 18/03/2009 at 12:35
18/03/2009 at 12:47
I hadn't seen the Paratex ones - and I'm a lover of all things pertex. I'll take a longer look - cheers!
18/03/2009 at 12:54
I'm sure if you ring up Buffalo they too still do their own Pertex one to go inside of the Double P Superbag. Mine seems virtually indestructible, had it since 1990!
18/03/2009 at 12:54

I have a Vango silk liner that I have used for about 15 years. It appears to weigh nothing  and does keep the bag clean. I think it was £20 from a shop in the lakes.

Silk is warm in winter and nice and cool in summer. Its nice as a thin sheet over you in really hot weather!

I would recommend a good quality silk liner to anybody.

Regards

Carl

Edited: 18/03/2009 at 12:54
18/03/2009 at 14:02

Warhippo,

If you need to add warmth, silk liners aren't up to much from what I can tell. No more than sleeping in your baselayer for example. They are good because they are light, pack small, keep your bag clean and are reasonably easy to wash.

The pertex liner should beat silk on drying time but I can't see any other specific advantage.

The s-t-s thermolite uses the same material as a pair of liner gloves I own. It's does insulate quite well and isn't too bulky but some of it's moisture handling properties will depend on fabric coatings so will gradually deteriorate over time. I've not slept in one of these but they look quite good to me.

My 'warm' liner is, as Zuma suggested, made of polypropylene. This fabric has some strengths; notably very fast drying time and good warmth to weight and bulk. Plus it is intrinsically stretchy so hugs your body in the sleeping bag. It doesn't depend on fabric coatings to stay like this and mine's been serving me well since '93. Sometimes marketed under the name Meraklon. If I was buying to replace mine, I'd go for the Subzero one  as I have lots of good experiences of the brand, but the picture on their ebay shop is misleading (I think it's a silk liner in the image). Polypro will get bobbly over time and isn't the most comforting choice but I like it for cold weather as is it doesn't wick so I can feel clammy if I'm overheating. Important in helping me reduce my insulation so as not to sweat at night... in turn keeping my sleeping bag dryer.

I've tried fleece liners and wouldn't rate them. Cotton is fine for hostelling or whatever but otherwise has little merit.

I have often travelled with my polypro liner, a down jacket, a bivvy bay and no sleeping bag. It gives me a very versatile setup with multiply uses. If you fold the polypro liner back on istself and pull in the drawstring it makes a kind of double-layer 'pied d'elephant' stlye bag that's combines well with a down jacket. Or it can be used on its own in warmer weather. I know there are minimal down sleeping bags for almost as little weight these days but they don't sell for under £30!

John

19/03/2009 at 07:30
Some great comments here guys - and very informative JB - so thanks a lot for that. If I get the Sea to Summit liner, I'll pop in a review.

Cheers.
19/03/2009 at 08:29
I would just like to flag up our range of silk liners into the mix if I may?

BTW There are different grades of silk, not all materials as the same, both of weight, texture and performance.

We've sourced ours and I've also added a feature which I've never found on any other liner. We've put a little silver beading around the neck, so that, during the night when you nip out and back, you can find you way back into the flippin' thing!

A silk liner does add warmth, by the very nature of trapping some air, however as mentioned above nowhere near as much as a pile or fleece liner.

We've used different ones for over 20 years, they last very well, and have prevented all kinds of muck getting inside the down bags. They've also travelled around the world with us and prevented many a 'bed bug bite', and allowed us to use the bags as a quilt in warmer climes.

Oh, and as we bought ours last year, the prices are still very keen as Trevor states, silk has gone up last few months.
19/03/2009 at 08:46
I give up, I'm just going to give you my credit card and you can post me stuff : )

Hey that's not such a bad idea - a BPL saving scheme.....
19/03/2009 at 08:56
Yeah, that is a good idea mate, I agree.
19/03/2009 at 11:06

Got a reactor Thermolite Sleeping Bag Liner. 265g alleged 8c of temp. Its alright bit over priced in my opinion. Seriously bulks up the sleeping bag for packing.

If you want a sleeping bag liner take your pick from silk, pertex ie snugpak pertex liner (something I do recommend) 

If you want warmth go for some leggings and a thermal top. Bit heavier to start with be much more versatile for probably 30-50g over the reactor.

19/03/2009 at 16:17
Warhippo wrote (see)
I give up, I'm just going to give you my credit card and you can post me stuff : ) Hey that's not such a bad idea - a BPL saving scheme.....

You can have mine too, Bob...
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