Does anyone know the fabric WM uses for the linings in their Extremelite series bags. I would like to avoid it in my next bag or quilt as I find it clammy feeling next to my skin. Thanks

I've heard it's custom-spec Pertex Quantum.

The extremelite series has a pertex quantum outer and a non ripstop nylon taffeta liner [at least that's what my 1 yo Alpinlite looks like]. My Caribou [different series] uses the exact same nylon taffeta liner. Try wearing "silk weight" base layer in your sleeping bag. The liners used, look to me anyway, like the same ubiquitous black taffeta that every sleeping bag manufacturer uses.

Edited by redpoint on 09/25/2012 01:38:56 MDT.

It seems like the company has been around long enough somebody here should know EXACTLY what it is.

Liner fabric isn't nearly as sexy as the fabric for the exterior as it doesn't need to be water resistant or water proof, just down proof.

The liner fabric is not revealed on the WM website. It seems to be about the same as most sleeping bags, nylon taffeta, maybe a lighter weight version for the "Extreme Lite" series. Unless you get a heavy car-camping sleeping bag with a flannel lining, I don't think you'll find anything different. You might check the stores, though. The high end Marmot bags used to have a slightly softer-feeling nylon taffeta lining; I don't know if they still do. As mentioned, wear a base layer or your clothing inside the sleeping bag; they weren't designed for nude sleepers. You can also get a separate liner, although I tossed mine after a couple of nights--I was so tangled up in it by morning that it took me several minutes to get out of the sleeping bag!

Whats the outside shell?

All WM Extremelite use Pertex Quantum as the exterior fabric [as I mentioned above]. The inner liner is just nylon taffeta - that's EXACTLY what it is. Pretty much every sleeping bag on the planet uses the same stuff: just needs to be down proof and allow water vapour to pass. Of course, the manufacturer of this fabric would vary.

To expand on what I said above, because the requirements for the liner fabric isn't sexy, it may not have a trade name.

The right answer to this thread is to contact Western Mountaineering.

Is the OP use to the fuzzy lining found on some less expensive bags, like Slumberjack?

Have had several high end bags and the summerlite is the first bag I noticed that had the clammy feeling I described in my post. I am a long distance hiker so flopping into my bag with the clothes I hike in is pretty standard operating procedure. Often shorts and a short sleeve shirt.I can avoid the WM extremelite bags but would avoid others if they were using the same fabric.

OP,

Since you indicated your "next" bag or quilt, if the next to skin lining feel is of that much importance to you, consider having one made to your liking. As long as you pick a downproof material, you could use a non tafetta lining that works better for the naked sleeping connoisseur.

Just know that there will likely be a small gain in weight going with a non traditional lightweight liner, but may be well worth it to you to explore other material options.

Fwiw, the liner in my WM bag feels exactly the same as any other quilt or bag I've used in the past. The M90 in my light summer quilt feels the softest, minutely different in terms of feel, but I usually sleep in all my dirty clothes.

Bruce,
The ExtremeLite series of bags use the specialized fabric ExtremeLite for the outer shell so that might be their name for pertex quantum,The bag also has a #4 half zipper.
Some questions:
What degree rating is your sleeping bag? What part of the bag is the most clammy feeling? Does the bag fit your body tightly?

I am thinking you may be over heating in the bag it may be because you have no way to vent the foot box area. Because of the half zip bag you have less air movement through the bag. You maybe or just started to perspire more than most people when they sleep. That why you get the clammy feeling in the sleeping bag.

Maybe to get some air moving through the bag you can request western mountaineering to install a small foot zipper or full length zipper on the end of the bag Like some other manufactures do in your bag for fee? To get some air flow in your sleeping bag.
Terry

Edited by socal-nomad on 09/25/2012 09:23:00 MDT.

Bruce,

I happen to agree with you, and the best I've found thus far is the Mont-Bell UL Super Spiral series bags for the interior. They use 12-denier Ballistic Airlight Nylon on the interiors, which feels great and breathes even better. No clammy feeling!

Cheers

The bag I have is a full zip Summerlite.Thought about environmental factors causing the clammy feeling in the bag. However, I have used it in varied temperatures and conditions and always notice it. I have done side by side tests with my other bags at home and the WM bag while very soft, is the odd man out. Just don't prefer it I guess. Very high quality bag otherwise. Thanks