any particular way you work at it? I like the poncho liner but don't like the bulk.

thanks.

blast
Wiggys has had poncho liners on sale and they have a good rep.
poncho liners

The Usual Disclaimers yada yada.

Lee

Yes, the Western Mountaineering bags are pretty nice. A bag you can take down to freezing that weighs just slightly more than one pound and stuffs to the size of a smallish loaf of bread is kinda cool. WM has an even lighter bag, but I wanted the versatility of the full length zip so that the bag can be used in hotter wx. You are correct that you shouldn't store down in such a way that is compressed. If compressed for too long period of time, the down doesn't bounce back, and it loses some of its insulative capacity.

The poncho liners are a good bet though. In my time in the military and subsequently I've never run across a person who had a bad word to say about them. I don't think they're good for specialized, high altitude mountaineering outings, but dang they'd be good in moderate weather for an awful lot of applications. Plus, for the price, why not get several -- for you BOB, your car kit, for your workplace, etc? Combine it with a poncho, and you got yourself a nice little sleep system.

Thanks! Good to have confirmation from someone who has actually "been there and done that."

First you have to break it in. New poncho liners are very stiff. Washing it a couple times might help it overcome that initial rigitiy, as will repeated use and stuffing into the bottom of a pack. Once its nice and soft it'll get much smaller, much easier. Or maybe mine's just so old there isn't much left...

So basically, first kill all the loft in the insulation?

It keeps me warm. YMMV.

Given your....er..."jumbo size", Blast, let me suggest what's worked for me. Many fabric stores (in my case Hancock Fabrics, a national chain).. but I've seen them on the internet too.. sell 100% polyester fleece for $6.00 or less per yard (at a 58-60" width). I got a couple at 2.5 yards, and use them all of the time when camping: alone, or as an extra layer in my sleeping bag when it's too cold.

I've found various thicknesses, but for me the thinest was warm enough for spring and early fall camping. I cut a slit in a shorter piece (1.5yds) and use it as a poncho or a blanket, too.

Given your location and where you are most likely to venture, I would have to concede that the liner is more likely ideal for your needs. For what I do and where I like to go, it just isn't enough. But it would be overkill here in Florida, and where you are as well.

I'll say this, though, for it being advertised as fleece, it is as sturdy as any tarp I've ever come across. I'd have no worries using it as a ground cover under a tent, or as an awning over the top. Short of pulling out a knife, you are not going to rip, tear, cut, or puncture that stuff otherwise. It also has problems with open flame, but I've yet to burn a hole through any of mine, despite sitting beside some fairly big pine and fir bonfires at elk camp. Even if you do manage to put a hole in it or tear it, the warranty covers repair/replacement.

A poncho liner is a versatile thing, and would probably suit me better here. Any other fleece material I know of is going to be less versatile by far than either the liner or the Riverswest stuff.

In an ideal world, I guess it would be best to have both?

Not exactly. With the Riverswest, you need to work the fibers between the fleece layers a little, kinda like breaking in a good lasso.

My fleece suit has gotten a lot more supple with use, and yet still keeps me warm and dry in the mountain snow.