My Five-Ounce Sleeping Bag

Okay, it wasn't quite a sleeping bag. However, it was only five ounces, and it kept me warm as the temperature dropped to the low forties on the bank of the Manistee River in Michigan. The secret was the fifteen minutes we spent gathering dead, dry bracken ferns to build a two-foot thick mattress. We set the tent on that. Then, with all my clothes on, I was fine.

In fact, I've rarely slept as well camping as I did that night. As I said, it wasn't a sleeping bag, but actually a sleeping bag liner. I bought it from Campmor, but I've since sewn a simple one of bargain-bin nylon material ($1/yard) obtained at Walmart. If it's possible to stay warm with a light sleeping bag liner in autumn, at a few degrees above freezing, this strategy should work well for summer nights in the sixties.

How To Use A Liner As A Sleeping Bag

Be careful, of course, backpacking with just a liner for a sleeping bag. It could be dangerous, or at least uncomfortable enough to ruin your trip. Experiment near home, and know yourself and your enviroment.

Learn a few tricks. If it isn't too humid you can breath in your bag, and you will be much warmer. Most backpackers will tell you not to do this, because you'll be damp in the morning, but in a dry enviroment you'll be fine once you hit the trail. Just dry the liner out during a break.

Another trick is to use a mattress of dried plants. Try dead leaves, palm fronds, grass, cattail leaves, some tree barks, etc. A mattress of this sort insulates you from the ground, which normally takes away much of your body heat. Scatter the leaves in the morning so they won't smother the plants underneath.

Some other tricks to try: Hot tea before going to sleep... Exercise a bit... Cover yourself with extra clothes... Elevate your feet slightly... Go to sleep earlier or later. Experiment to see what works best for you.

Also, go to bed warm. If you're warm when you get into your sleeping bag, you're more likely to stay warm through the night. It's difficult to warm up, especially in a thin bag, if you start out shivering.

I'm not recommending backpacking with only a sleeping bag liner, but it is an option. I've gone out with nothing more than a bivy sack in my jacket pocket, but I'm not recommending that either. This is just to present all the possible options for the ultralight backpacker.

Steve Gillman is a long-time advocate of lightweight backpacking. His tips, photos and stories can be found at the ultralight backpacking site: the ultralight backpacking site

Highland Park charter limousine .. Lockport Chicago limo O’Hare
In The News:

Major employee screening company data breach affects 3.3 million people. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson explains what happened and gives five ways to protect your data.
Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson reveals mind-blowing tech that gives you sunlight on demand.
New malware "FrigidStealer" targets Mac computers. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson offers four ways to stay safe from infostealer malware.
Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson talks about how lab-grown muscles power a biohybrid hand for scalable prosthetics and research.
Reports of task scams have significantly risen in the past four years, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Kurt the CyberGuy offers some red flags.
iPhones have a hidden folder that eats up storage without you knowing it. Kurt the CyberGuy offers some tricks to free up storage on your device.
A recent ransomeware attack targeted Zacks, an American investment firm, and a cybercriminal claimed to have stolen records for millions of customers.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
Researchers unveiled a new soft prosthetic hand that combines the natural coordination patterns of our fingers with the decoding of motoneuron activity in the spinal column.
Accidentally deleting a text message on your iPhone or iPad is not a problem if you still need the message. Apple has a built-in way to recover it.
Just two months into 2025 there have been numerous Mac malware threats targeting Apple laptops, ranging from infostealers to malicious software.
A self-driving electric bus powered by artificial intelligence has an electric powertrain for zero-emission operation and an automated drive system.
SpaceX is slated to launch its Starship for the eighth time from Boca Chica, Texas, Friday, though plans could be thwarted if the FAA fails to give the green light.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
Kurt the CyberGuy offers tips on how you can protect your devices against infostealer malware, which was used to infect 4.3 million machines last year.
Motional is developing autonomous vehicles capable of handling a wide range of real-world scenarios. Its high-speed robotaxi testing reached speeds of 75 mph.
Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson explores whether there is artificial intelligence bias involved with the iPhone's voice-to-text conversion in the message app.
Apple's iPhone voice-to-text periodically flashes "Trump" when a user speaks the word "racist." Fox News Digital reached out to Apple about the flaw but did not hear back.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson presents five secret shortcuts: Adjust sound/vibration, share YouTube moments, fix tabs and tweak brightness.
VR transforms senior care: Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says immersive tech helps older adults explore and connect via virtual experiences.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says DNA tests pose privacy risks like shared genetic information, inaccuracies and hard data deletion.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says this enormous airship revolutionizes cargo transport by flying to remote areas.
Understanding the language of the internet can help you protect your personal information from bad actors. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson explains.
Woven City is Toyota's experimental city that is a fully functional environment for people to live, work and play while doing research.
The line between spam and scams is thin. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson details his tips for identifying and avoiding phone scams, robocalls and unwanted solicitations.

Student Travel ? Backpacking In Europe

For the fortunate few, life isn't complete without a backpacking... Read More

Bird Watching Journals ? Preserve Your Bird Watching Experiences

Bird Watching is a great way to escape the rat... Read More

Be Sure to Buy the Best Discount Camping Gear Before Going on that Family Adventure

When you're on the Internet looking for discount camping gear,... Read More

Where to Find Some of the Best Beaches in the World

We think that Cape Town has some of the best... Read More

Sleeping Pads For Ultralight Backpackers

Ultralight backpackers want to give up weight, not comfort. Sleeping... Read More

A Review of Popular River Rafting Trips and Services

Organized river rafting trips are a good idea for novices... Read More

Gambling Isnt the Only Thing to do in Las Vegas

Do you think the only thing to do in Las... Read More

Code of Conduct for Outdoor Enthusiasts

My favorite outdoor related quote comes from John Muir, the... Read More

How To Get The Most Out Of Your Trekking Poles

How to get the most out of your trekking poles... Read More

Comal White Water or More Blue Green

White Water on the Comal river in Central Texas is... Read More

The Wandle Trail - Map and Illustrated Guide

The Wandle offered wonderful trout fishing up to the latter... Read More

Creative Camp Cooking

For most people, outdoor cooking is synonymous with barbeque, but... Read More

Beach Vacation Photo Tips ? Make Your Vacation AND Photos Memorable

Most people, who go on a family beach vacation, take... Read More

Protection from Lightning - Smart Strategies for Hikers and All Outdoor Enthusiasts

Prevention is your best protection against lightning. Be sure to... Read More

Yachats, OR: An Outdoor Lovers Paradise on the Oregon Coast

There is something about a town tucked between the mountains... Read More

Bird Watching Tips

Simply sitting and watching birds is a popular hobby around... Read More

A Fishy Road Trip in Cairns

The Cairns Fishing Adventure A Great Australia Road TripYou love... Read More

Navigating on the Mountain, in Water, or in Woods there is an eTrex Unit For You

Truly a small wonder, the eTrex takes the best features... Read More

Amazing Trek Across TIbet!

Today Bookpleasures and Sketchandtravel are pleased to have as our... Read More

Yellowstone Camping In The Fall

Soon, the busy summer tourist season will be over in... Read More

Kerala ? Holiday in Gods Own Country

Touted as one of the world's fifty destinations of a... Read More

How Are Minerals Formed?

HOW ARE MINERALS FORMED?MINERALS are naturally occuring, inorganic solids, with... Read More

Whitewater Rafting Trip

For the dedicated water sport enthusiast there can be no... Read More

Catch Another Falling Star

Recently we stayed at a state campground in Michigan near... Read More

Alaska Hunting Guide

WHAT TO HUNT AND WHERE: Alaska is a hunter's paradise.... Read More

Antigo car service to O'Hare ..