My Sleep System... Explained

[@badboznam]

To be even more multi use, try wearing one of your silnylon stuff sack as VPL socks. I know my Thermarest xlite fit my feet and also the drawstring is handy to reduce it slipping

[@willek1335]

I'm jealous. Here in western Norway, we have the high snow peaks. Snow year round, but a couple of hours on a bike, and you're in the wettest place in Europe. Ugh, my wallet cries.

[@bikepackinglight1829]

Synthetic is your friend!

[@ianmcfarlane4015]

Excellent explanation and animation - for future videos it would be very helpful if you could provide hyperlinks to where to purchase from. I subscribed on the basis of watching two of your videos. Please keep up the good work

[@The2808erik]

I rather take my sleeping bag instead of the 6 items to replace it. The less items I have to unpack, put on and repack at camp the more ride time i get and the faster I'm on the road again. Multi uses from items is a good philosophy but not if costs significant extra time, because that will negate the benefit of having that multi use capability in the first place. Why not take a dedicated item if it makes your life significantly easier and it doesn't slow you down at camp or your average km/h.

[@bikepackinglight1829]

Well said. It's all about your context and goals.

[@kornickel1]

That's a very good explanation, thanks a lot. Did you have a chance to test this set up when it's very cold and wet? How does the down pants setup perform in these conditions? What would you say is the coldest temperature you wouls sleet at with this setup?

[@bikepackinglight1829]

Like Aristotle said, "The whole is greater than the sum of its parts..." Every component of this system add to warmth and comfort, so all the layers need to be used in conjunction with the XTherm sleeping pad to get to the temps I've taken it to. I've tested it down to 35F or 1C, I'm also a warm sleeper so your mileage may vary. As I said in the video, I wouldn't recommend the down for really wet conditions. If you expect day after day of rain for weeks on end, I would consider all synthetic. You can get all the insulated garments in synthetic, but it'll be heavier and won't compress as small as down insulation. For winter, I'm combining the down inner layers with synthetic outer layers to combat the moisture. I haven't tested the synthetic over-quilt yet as I'm currently in lock-down for the Covid-19 virus. Stay safe, hope this helps you out.

[@ExAfricaNovi]

I can see that it is cool to be so modular and also to be able to get up with your down pants on. I wonder, however, if it is a disadvantage of your sleeping system, that your limbs are not in the same "space" as your body and your other limbs - as they would be in a sleeping bag? A related matter seems to be that your system appears to have a lot more surface than a sleeping bag and thus more surface which can radiate heat away. Also, isn't it heavier and more expensive than a sleeping bag with the same down fill power would be? It would be great if you could give your views. Btw - great stopp motion animation :-)

[@bikepackinglight1829]

Most people already carry a jacket and sleep clothes when they go on a trip. So this system bends the traditional "categories" of gear. With a sleeping bag, it sits idle in your pack until you sleep, while the majority of this gear has multiple uses. This is how it is lighter. The weight is categorized differently. I find the ability to sprawl out an advantage over constricting mummy bags that create cold spots if you press against the sides of your bag. I did also show the MLD quilt in this video, which satisfies your other criteria. I would consider that quilt or the colder versions if you want a bag-like experience. The poncho head slot allows you to eliminate some of your other clothing to save weight. Also price wise the quilt is pretty good, $160 for the new "vision" quilt, that's a steal.

[@ExAfricaNovi]

@@bikepackinglight1829 Thanks for the interesting perspective! I'll give it some more thought.

[@tullochgorum6323]

In general a multi-component system like this will be more expensive and heavier than a single bag or quilt. You have the extra weight of all the shells, plus if you don't have your arms inside the system you have more surface area losing heat. It really only makes sense if you are getting multi-use out of all the garments in the system and would be carrying them anyway. Also, there is the psychological aspect of snuggling up inside a bag - many people would find it hard to adapt to sleeping in clothing.

[@cogfather34]

How is the Tailfin performing?

[@adammacer]

plastic bags on your feet?! - you're insane..

[@todd92371]

It's an old trick that many thru-hikers and backpackers use. Plastic bags next to the skin under socks will keep your feet warm in snow and wet. I'ts amazing.

[@adammacer]

@@todd92371 Sorry, I can't think of anything worse for feet than wrapping them in plastic.. Wool socks keep your feet warm in the wet..

[@todd92371]

@@adammacer Understand. You could always try it. It's an amazing way to be able to wear trail runners in snow. But, to each is own and happy trails.

[@BenDover-ek1zp]

@@adammacer When I was a bicycle courier it was the cheapo way to go on cold, rainy days. Except I'd put thin socks on first, then the plastic bags, then another thin sock layer on top. Felt better to me, since I agree that it's a gross feeling to have bags on your feet.

[@bikepackinglight1829]

Yes, I'm insane. About as insane as the KZbin Emojis < who tf came up with these