Most sleeping bag liners are designed to help keep your sleeping bag clean and feel more comfortable against your skin. Most do not add much warmth. There are a few fleece liners that can add warmth, but at most they can only add a few degrees, which isn’t worth it to me. For cold conditions, I use a warmer bag. If that’s not possible, I wear warmer base layers and if necessary, my down jacket. I also have a lightweight rectangular quilt that I can drape across my bag and my husbands bag to add warmth.

I’m glad it was helpful Danielle. Feel free to ask if you have any questions while researching gear for you and your kid. I’m happy to help.

I haven’t written a full review just yet (maybe after I get the summer down sleeping bag I’m thinking about…) but you can see photos of it in my post on going lightweight. It’s a Polish manufacturer (Robert’s) and they make down products from the best Polish geese down (world-best, seriously). I had a long back-and-forth email exchange with the own, Mr. Roman, who explained in details all the factors I should consider when picking various options! I was amazed that he wanted to spend the time to educate me. I could add extra options, and you can basically design your own down product (sleeping bag, jacket, booties etc.). The cost is comparable to a reputable big company (like Rab or such).

I’m glad you liked the post. I’m interested to hear more about your custom sleeping bag! How did you make that happen? Do you have a post on your site about it?

We all have to start somewhere with out gear – by using hand me down gear you are at least learning what you like and don’t like in gear before you invest in your own. If you find that you are getting cold in your too long sleeping bag, try stuffing the footbox with extra clothes to take up some of the dead air space. It might make you a bit warmer at night. Unfortunately I don’t have any tips for making it weigh less when you have to lug it up a mountain though 😉

I also have a Gregory Jade – I have the very first version of the Gregory Jade 50 and it’s a nice green colour that doesn’t scream girly gear. I like Gregory packs a lot and I think they have done a good job with their fit.

I agree – there can be more selection in the US – they have way more brands available and they have bigger stores that can offer more brands in the same place. The Seattle REI flagship store is amazing! But for me a product has to be highly recommended for me to take a chance on paying US prices for a product that I’m not sure will work for me. It’s always a gamble I guess.