I have a problem that I don't think I'm alone in - mummy-style sleeping bags and I don't work well together. I'm curious what solutions other 'mummy-haters' have devised...sorry for the long-ish post - but hoping to spark an exchange of ideas. Decent sleep is crucial to having fun outdoors (IMHO)..... I'm 6'8" tall, 250 lbs and even though I've purchased bags that are built for 'big boys' such as myself, they still feel very confining and tight. I tend to move around/roll/change leg positions/etc when I sleep and in a mummy style bag I just never sleep very well. I do not use the drawstring hood on my mummy bags - I couldn't tolerate that additional confinement! Granted, the mummy style is good in some respects - it is warm and an efficient use of packing space. SO....I'm trying to think of options. Notice that I'll have to hink of TWO options - one for summer camping and another for the colder months. Here is a quick list of options that have been tossed about - some crazy some obvious. #6 seems to hold the most promise: 1) buy a large, rectangular bag. Sounds good but many of the high quality bag makers do not offer rectangular bags in the higher-end gear or in taller sizes (they usually go to 6'3"). Also, Most rectangular bags are of the 'flannel mallard duct print on the inside, weigh 15 lbs, and roll up to a size just smaller than a VW Beetle' variety - not something that will travel well via sea kayak or canoe. They seem to be warm through sheer bulk and volume. Although comfortable! 2) for summer a simple polar fleece bag (like from the local Target store) works fairly well. Certainly doesn't come in 'extra tall sizes' - but would be easy enough to sew one of these myself. 3) take several blankets. Would work but not exactly a great solution when space is tight. Plus, I always seem to wake up with a leg or foot hanging in the cold in the middle of the night! 4) take tranquilizer or muscle relaxant so I don't move when sleeping !! Tent mates would probably appreciate this but probably not a good option! 5) someone (seriously) suggested sleeping in a warm set of clothing sans blankets or sleeping bags - clothing specific for that purpose - they described this as similar to "insulated cover-alls", "snowmobiler's suit", or a big pair of kids' "footie" pajamas' made out of fleece. An option I suppose, but wouldn't really give you that warm, fuzzy, curling-up-in-bed feeling. Besides, the image of a 6'8", 250 lbs guy in fleece footie pajamas heading to the privy by moonlight scares even me!! :o) Tent mates would be few and far between....and I'm not sure what the local bear population would make of it! The idea seems pretty far-fetched, but maybe I'm dismissing it too fast. 6) The 'rolling your own' option: create a custom sized sleeping bag that has a very thin bottom layer (maybe polypropylene?) attached to a warm but stuffable top layer. For a top layer thinking of something like a down comforter (nylon or at least non-cotton shell?) from a twin-sized bed? I know heat is lost to the ground - but assuming I'm adequately padded below (therma-rest/closed cell foam) maybe this would work? Having the two stitched together would keep wandering legs/feet inside at night. The bag could be used 'thin-side down' in warmer weather. I suppose a fleece liner could be added to extend the season. It seems like I've seen things kind of like this - but never in extra tall sizes - only for 'regular' people (aka 'normal'). Also, I think the ones I saw were still mummy style. I could even see this custom bag tapered so that the leg area is wider than the torso area (reverse mummy) - to give me a bit more leg room to move around at night. Well, that about does it for ideas that have passed my way. I'm anxious to hear if there are any other non-mummy users out there - and what solutions they've turned to. Thanks in advance for all who join in this exchange. Keith *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Keith wrote: - >mummy-style sleeping bags and I don't work well together. >I'm curious what solutions other 'mummy-haters' have devised G'Day, Not sure if this would work in colder climates. I unzip the bag and use it as a blanket under and over. Means in summer you can easily adjust exposure for coolness. Also use silk pajamas which allows rolling over without disorganising the bedding too much. Found silk pajamas to be suprisingly resistant to mossie bites when walking about the camp site. Most of my mates think this is hopelessly decadent, but they are quite cheap over here:~) All the best, PeterO *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
1. Mountain Equipment Coop has a bag for large economy size folks. You might check it out. http://www.mec.ca 2. If Frostline Kits are still out there, you could check into what could be done by way of adapting one to fit you. A semi-custom job. GaryJ -- Director, Family Canoeing Centre Recreational canoeing courses for the whole family. +--------------------------------+ | /"\ | | \ / | | X ASCII RIBBON CAMPAIGN | | / \ AGAINST HTML MAIL & NEWS | +--------------------------------+ *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Take a look at www.bigagnes.com, Big Agnes sleeping bags, make a 3-D Polarguard rectangular bag with a pocket that hold you theramrest pad in place, supposed to make rolling around much easier. I'm not sure about you "length problem". Maybe they can customize one for you. > 1) buy a large, rectangular bag. Sounds good but many of the high quality > bag makers do not offer rectangular bags in the higher-end gear or in > taller sizes (they usually go to 6'3"). Also, Most rectangular bags are of > the 'flannel mallard duct print on the inside, weigh 15 lbs, and roll up to > a size just smaller than a VW Beetle' variety - not something that will > travel well via sea kayak or canoe. They seem to be warm through sheer > bulk and volume. Although comfortable! > > *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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