Does any one here use vests, down or synthetic, to boost your sleep system, and if so, is it very helpful?

I layer my BMW PG parka and pants in a Speer Pea Pod over a hammock, as well as with other sleep systems. This gets me at least an additional 20*F top warmth in my hammock.


I also have a Patagonia down vest. It weighs 9 0z, and has an impressive 3.75" of total dual layer loft, at least in the thickest areas. But, sewn through, not baffled. It has a good seal around the neck and waist and pretty good at the arms. I can wear it under my 14 oz PG parka without compressing it's loft( or at least not much), or over the parka, or drape it on top of me around my neck and shoulders where it will help deal with drafts when I have the Pod set up for a breathing hole. Or, put down below in the pod to boost warmth there, or several other possible combinations.

At least that seams to be my theory of how it would or could work. Does any one hear have experience using vests for making a bag or quilt warmer, and if so, how helpful was it? Do you feel that it is a lot of warmth for the weight, or not so much?
Thanks
Bill

Edited by WindRiverMan on 08/31/2008 13:26:27 MDT.

Oh yea! Vests rock the house! I think mostly sleep systems are personal experience. For me, vests aren't as warm as the same weight of a down jacket, but I much prefer vests to sleep in. They allow your arms to bend at odd angles and there is less to have to adjust when rolling around in your sleep. I will definitely go to my vest before my full jacket, providing that it isn't very cold.

Never tried it for sleep. But if I wuz cold in my bag in summer I'd definitely put my light fleece vest on. Core temp is all-important. That's why a light stocking cap is necessary if there is any chance of very cool temps in summer backpacking, say at altitudes above 6,000 feet in some states.

BTW, I always carry my light pile vest on summer trips in western mountains. By itself or under my GTX PacLite parka it adds a lot of warmth. On misreable, rainy days in camp it just makes things more comfy.

Eric

Edited by Danepacker on 09/03/2008 19:22:09 MDT.

My ideal use of a (down) vest is in camp before I get into my sleeping. It is not needed while hiking nor do I want to sweat in it and ruin it's ability to protect me. In camp, I am relatively inactive, therefore I need the insulation and I'm not sweating.

As to augmenting a sleeping bag, a lot of the vest will compress when worn, greatly reducing it's effectiveness. However, if used in the sleeping bag, simply draped over your torso, this will provide some additional warmth.

Just my take, and I do love them because they provide the added protection when I need it for very little additional weight or packed volume.

I love my string vest with a cotton 'T' over for sleeping in. So much nicer next to the skin than nylon, and keeps the bag clean. Adds a fair few degrees of warmth too.

Thanks for the opinions/tips, everyone!

(piling on) Warmth-for-weight and bulk, vests seem hard to beat. An additional benefit, for me, is they layer better than an insulated jacket/sweater, not binding or bunching between a longsleeve shirt and shell outer layer.

For all-weather use, I have a Patagonia micropuff pullover vest; for dry-weather use I take down.

Weight/use/packability consideration put it over the top. I have a WM Flash Vest which I use with my WM bag.

http://www.westernmountaineering.com/index.cfm?section=Products&page=Jackets%20%26%20Vests

It makes a big difference when I just have a slight chill on the back or neck. Perfrect for around camp too but it is great in the bag b/c it isn't binding and keeps me warm without feeling restrictive....

I think I’m made weird. I never could get used to the vest, though I wanted to because it is soooo light. It made my torso toooo hot while my arms got toooo cold.

I need the anti-vest (sleeves only). I only seen one vendor make it.

-Barry

Barry,

This may be the vendor you are alluding to but just in case it's not, JacksRBetter.com sells down sleeves. They are a top notch cottage industry that have been a pleasure to deal with for me.

Also, if you don't need fill insulation you can get arm-warmers from bicycle outfitters.

Mad777,
Yep, JRB is what I’m thinking of. I’ve dealt with them but haven’t bought the arm warmers yet. Yes, they are top notch. I love their Stealth quilt.

halfturbo,
Thanx for the heads up on bike outfits. I forgot about them. These look good: http://www.rei.com/product/757110

I have the same problem on my bike; hot torso, cold arms.

In my cheapness, I have been just unzipping my coat all the way and live with a hot back; be it a windbreaker or down parka.


-Barry

I've been thinking of a light vest to go just over my baselayer mainly as an active layer during winter but also as part of my overall layering system and I'd like synthetic in case I sweat a little while hiking. I was looking at the montbell UL Thermawrap; seems to be the lightest I can find. Any other suggestions?