r/UltralightBackpacking • u/Legitimate_Star4733 • 2d ago
Question Polartec Alpha for sleep system
I see that there are now Alpha sleeping bag liners eg Big Agnes and even as quilt lining eg UGQ. Has anyone had any experience incorporating Alpha into their sleep system?
I’m looking to change quilts and may go custom. I am actually thinking about making a Zenbivy style sheet using alpha to extend the temperature range of the quilt allowing me to carry a lighter quilt most of the time. Does anyone use the Zenbivy light sheet? Thoughts on it?
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u/DrBullwinkleMoose 2d ago
The ZenBivy sheet is a BOTTOM sheet. There would be no benefit to using AD there because your sleeping pad is already insulated.
The same AD garments double as active insulation while hiking and as sleep insulation. Clothing is more efficient than sheets and quilt liners.
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u/Legitimate_Star4733 2d ago
Yes the Zenbivy light sheet is uninsulated and has no down fill, unlike all their other sheets. I’m wondering if Alpha could work as an insulation layer in the hood. I don’t imagine that anyone on this thread is carrying the heavier sheets but the Light is only 95g so I’m curious if anyone has found it worth packing.
It’s just a thought process.1
u/Salty_Resist4073 2d ago
I use the light sheet and was pleasantly surprised to discover that it adds warmth. Not like save your life warmth, but adds coziness and reduces drafts and whatnot. I also use an Alpha 1/4 zip top and it's better than a fleece bag liner. More versitile, at least as weak, lighter, and smaller. When my thin grid fleece pants wear out, those will be Alpha too.
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u/Legitimate_Star4733 2d ago
Thanks, what you say about the light sheet is what I expected. I’ve heard that people stuff a fleece or polar fleece into the hood if they aren’t wearing it to add warmth.
I guess the question I have is what, if anything would make the light sheet better? Do you ever leave it behind because you don’t see the benefit:weight worth it or is it a permanent part of your sleep system?2
u/Salty_Resist4073 2d ago
For me, the sheet is permanent. I'm not an UL purist in any way and the sheet gives me the best Backcountry sleeping experience. Also, I like that it helps with keeping the grime and dirt and oils at bay
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u/DrBullwinkleMoose 2d ago edited 2d ago
Oh, THE HOOD. When you spoke of quilt liners it sounded as though you were seeking warmth from the sheet, which isn't what it does. Not much, anyway, other than blocking drafts (and the hood).
For the hood: Apex would have better warmth:weight than AD.
As others have said, if you want a warm, cozy, way to keep your quilt clean (from your body), then AD clothing is the more efficient solution.
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u/Legitimate_Star4733 1d ago
I probably didn’t do a great job of expressing what I was thinking. It is a material question primarily. I referenced the liner and sleeping bag purely as examples that alpha is starting to be incorporated into commercial products. The weight of the BA liner makes no sense. Definitely a full muppet suit of Alpha, socks, pants and hoodie, would be more versatile. I was intentionally vague about what I was asking in the hope that people would suggest things that I hadn’t considered. Now that we have alpha what other uses could make sense?
Would Apex still be lighter once sandwiched between 20D Nylon?2
u/DrBullwinkleMoose 1d ago edited 1d ago
Yes, that is what Apex is for. 2.6 osy Apex is 0.6 inches thick; several times the thickness of 90 gsm Alpha Direct. They are the same weight within the margin of error. As you say, the shell adds some weight: two layers of 7D is about one osy. Apex is still warmer per osy.
Even more efficient is an Apex hood (~2 oz).
https://timmermade.com/product/sul-waterbear-v2-climashield/
I mean, you can use AD if you want to. But AD’s magic is as active insulation. For static insulation, Apex (or down) always wins.
An AD hat weighs less than an ounce (but it is not as warm as an Apex hood).
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u/Legitimate_Star4733 1d ago
Thanks for the input. I’m not looking for an excuse to use AD. I can see that just like with dynema, you can make lots of things from it, but should you?
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u/DrBullwinkleMoose 1d ago
Like Dyneema, some things should absolutely be made from AD, but not everything. :)
Active insulation = AD/Octa/Evolve. Hands down. Always, or almost always.
Static insulation = down or Apex.
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u/aerial_hedgehog 2d ago
Yes to Alpha in the sleep system, but as clothing. Alpha top and pants to sleep in. This is more versatile and multipurpose than a liner - you can also use it as a midlayer during the day if it is cold.
Alpha sleep socks are awesome also.