Let me get this straight. You bought a 32-degree bag (the Mountain Hardwear Phantom 32$245; www.mountainhardwear.comis rated to 32 degrees, weighs one pound, five ounces, and has down fill), then immediately began taking steps to add to its thermal qualities? Ill discount the save-the-lining theory; its true that you need to keep a bags lining clean, but wearing long underwear and the occasional laundering takes care of that. To put it another way, I have never seen a bag lining fail from wear.”
Western Mountaineering’s Apache Super MF
Apache Super MF
So, I guess what Im working up to is the question of why you didnt just buy a warmer bag. Western Mountaineerings Apache Super MF, for instance, is rated to 15 degrees, weighs two pounds, one ounce (or, about the Phantom plus a liner), and retails from $350 to $380 depending on length.
That, however, would appear to be a horse that has left the barn. What to do about the Phantom? A liner of some sort isnt really going to work, as its a very trimly cut bag and, as you mention, it will be too confining. Seems to me the best solution is to upgrade your long underwear to at least a medium-weight (REI Midweight MTS bottoms and tops are $30 each; www.rei.com) or even expedition-weight (Duofold Varitherm bottoms and tops are $37 each; www.duofold.com). Along with gloves, socks, and a hat, thats good start to keeping you warm.
A bivy bag works, too, albeit at fairly steep expense ($110 for Mountain Hardwears Conduit SL Bivy) and extra weight (one pound, two ouncessame as your bag!). Mont-Bells Breeze Dry-Tec U.L. Sleeping Bag Cover (www.montbell.com) uses a somewhat similar material, costs the same, and weighs half as much. There is some risk, in certain weather conditions, that moist air escaping from your bag will condense inside the bivy. But you will be warmer.
The votes are in: Check out the winners of Outside‘s 2006 Gear of the Year awards, including the year’s hottest sleeping bag.