Hello, I’m doing a bikepacking event called the East Texas Showdown (about 400mi or 650km give or take). I am looking to save the most amount of weight on my setup, and want to swap out a sleeping bag for just a survival blanket, 80% laziness 10% I don’t have the space, 5% additional lazyness, 5% the weight and space savings. I’m curious as I’ve never used one in this environment (I’ve only used it for actual freezing to death survival) how effective or over effective would it be, what recommendations do you have on an alternate solution? Thank you so much for your input and no I’m not considering riding without at least a rear rack.
by whatsthisnewpain
4 Comments
Survival blankets are noisy and trap moisture, so they’re not ideal, or even useful, for regular sleep.
Now, where they could come in handy would be if you’re looking to save weight by going really light on sleep kit–a Costco quilt or something–you could also throw a space blanket in your kit so you’re never caught with inadequate insulation if the weather skews colder than you expected. 2 oz of insurance.
But no, I wouldn’t make it a part of my primary sleep kit.
If weather is warm enough…space blanket may suffice.
I’d probably look into an ultralight quilt, or even a sleeping bag liner. Probably a lot more comfortable and likely barely much more weight. A warm weather quilt in a stuff sack will be tiny still too.
I am using this multiple use emergency bag (not the same brand but the same fabric) in tropical climate:
https://preview.redd.it/eohutkcy1koc1.jpeg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ed9c2d34c1bd8d3dd06ee48d3aecc01218f517e0
It is made of very thin nylon and is covered with reflective film on one side. The film is applied in cell-like fashion (find it and check photos), so the fabric is breathable. 120g weight. A bit fragile – the film gradually wears out.
OK for +15 degrees Celsius if used without clothing. Sometimes I add a Thermolite sleeping bag liner for warmth and less sweating. This bag + liner + clothes – I think I would be pretty comfortable at around 7-10 degrees Celsius.
Check out the tyvek bivy by a company called 3F UL gear